Andalucia in Style

8 days Self-Guided, Minimum Two People Seasonal Daily Departures

Andalucia, the most vibrant and quintessentially Spanish of regions. Popular for decades and rightfully so for its Moorish history and culture, fabulous mountains and coastal scenery. This trip takes you to three of the region's highlights. Firstly, the magnificent Sierra de Grazalema, one of Europe's wildest natural parks, full of a rich variety of flora and fauna including golden eagles, ibex and the rare pinsapo fir. In the heart of the 'Pueblos Blancos' or 'White Towns' region, lies the famous town of Ronda, made famous by Hemingway and breathtakingly situated on the El Tajo gorge.

This is your base for walks in the 'Serrania' ('Mountain Ranges'). Finally, continue by train to the historic city of Granada where guided walks of the old Moorish quarter and also the Valley of Paradise outside the city provide an insight into this atmospheric city and environs. With a day spent in the magnificent Sierra Nevada providing a fitting climax, this is an all-encompassing journey into the heart of the region staying in idyllic hotels throughout. With numerous flight connections to Malaga, this is the ideal trip to slot into busy lives for keen walkers.

Days 1 and 2. Outbound to Grazalema

Fly to Malaga and transfer to Grazalema, spectacularly nestled beneath the craggy peak of San Cristobal in the centre of the Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema. The park is home to some of the best mountain walking in Spain with wooded ravines and high rugged peaks which produce a micro-climate for numerous ancient and rare botanical species. In Spring over a third of all Spanish wildflowers can be found here, producing a rich tapestry of colour.

Days 3 and 4. Ronda and Pueblos Blancos

The Pueblos Blancos area is full of picturesque whitewashed settlements pocketing the mountainous hillsides, with the jewel in the crown undeniably being Ronda. Head out into the surrounding countryside of the Serrania de Ronda. Descend along an ancient smuggling route following the Rio Guadiaro. Continue to Benaojan, from where you can walk to the archaeological site of Cueva de la Pileta before following a Roman track out of the beautiful village of Montejaque.

Days 5 and 6. Granada

Take the train into another world - the Moorish city of Granada, in a picture perfect setting with Spain's highest mountains rising snow-capped behind the red-stone walls and towers of the country's most famous monument, the Alhambra Palace. Plenty of time will be allowed for you to visit at leisure this incredible complex. A guided walking tour of the old Moorish quarter will give you insight into over 1000 years of history of this mediaeval Islamic city with its twisting alleyways, churches and scented gardens. A further guided walk takes you to the Dehesa del Generalife, once the hunting grounds of the sultans, through the Valley of Paradise.

Day 7 and 8. Sierra Nevada and Homeward

A fantastic finale. From the village of Dilar you will ascend into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada ascending a peak at over 1500 metres from which views stretch out over the plains to the south as well as the higher peaks of the Sierra Nevada. After a final evening in Granada, transfer back to Malaga and fly home.