Cultural Tours - Itinerary
DISCOVER ANDALUCIA
A group tour including Nerja & Frigiliana: Comares:
Ronda:
Antequera: Málaga: Upper Axarquia
Day 1 -
Arrival
On arrival into
Málaga you
are transferred to your accommodation in
Torrox Pueblo
for the first night of the tour. In the evening we meet for a welcome
drink, which provides the perfect opportunity to get to know the
other people on the tour before we enjoy dinner at a local
restaurant.
Day 2 -
Torrox Costa - Cuevas de Nerja and Frigiliana
|
Our journey
today takes us to Las Cuevas de Nerja, discovered in 1959.
These caves are 4,823 metres long and the enormous chambers
and the wealth of speleothems put them among the top show caves in the world.
From here we
go on to Frigiliana, said to be one of the
prettiest towns in Spain, especially the Moorish centre which
snakes in narrow streets, passages and even hallways, stepping
on the same floor as the ancient Moors, to the top of the
mountain where the town stands, and from where there is an
impressive panorama of the valley and the nearby coastal area.
|
|
This evening we enjoy a traditional 9-course banquet of local
food and wine with Maria and her friends in their
cortijo in the hills above Torrox. |
Day 3 -
Roman and Moorish Axarquia
|
 La
Axarquía
is a region
of Málaga in the eastern part of the province of the same
name, bordered by the Montes of Málaga, the
Comarca of Antequera, the Province of Granada and
the Mediterranean Sea.
This comarca, or region, is full of contrasts.
Snow - capped mountain ranges stretching to a height of 2,000 metres
look down over the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Mountain
villages, impregnated with a Moorish air, and built up on
the top of high cliffs lies close to tourist complexes
equipped with the most modern amenities. These 'raised
villages', as they are called, originated in the 8th
century when the coastal population escaped to the mountain
to protect themselves from the Moorish invasions. Thus, we
reach the
well-known village of Comares, the highest hamlet in Málaga.
After a full
day of sightseeing, we will enjoy getting together over our
evening meal at a local restaurant in Torrox Pueblo. |
Day 4 -
Ronda - Puerto Banus
|
 Today
we drive in stunning scenery as we wind our way up mountain
roads to the charming city of Ronda, spectacularly situated
upon a rocky outcrop. The Ronda bullring, with its
historic architecture and beauty, is regarded as one of the
oldest and most monumental bullrings in Spain. Ronda is also
renowned for its 18th century bridge, which spans the great
gorge that separates the city in two. We enjoy a guided tour
of the impressive Cathedral, visit a typical Andalucian house
and take time to appreciate the breathtaking cliff top views.
Today for
lunch we visit a typical tapas bar. Andalucia is the
home of tapas and our tapas trail provides an excellent
opportunity to experience the sumptuous flavours of the
region. |
On our return we
take a moment to visit Puerto Banus, which is located just west of
Marbella. This is the place to be pampered and to ogle those
fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many
open-air restaurants and bars. The setting is close to ideal, with
its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views.
Day
5 -
ANTEQUERA
"CROSSROADS OF ANDALUCIA"
|
In the morning
a visit to
this historical Andalucian town is a journey almost 5,000 back
in time, beginning with the Bronze Age and the native
Iberians. The dolmens (burial places) of Antequera are the
most complete ones in Europe. The timeline is there to be
followed in this fascinating city's profusion of burial
mounds, dolmens, Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic
churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers
During our visit we enjoy
lunch at a traditional rural restaurant. |
|
 Then, in the afternoon, a visit to one of the most amazing
natural limestone formations in the world: El Torcal Park, a
nature reserve of 17 Km2 which was formed under the
sea over one hundred million years ago. Forced upward into
mountains of 1.300 metres high by the violent movement of the
Earth's crust, the stones form an impressive and unique landscape in
the world.
On El Torcal de Antequera
|
Our day finishes with our
evening meal in our favourite restaurant in the Plaza de la
Constitucion in Torrox.
Day 6 - PABLO PICASSO'S
MALAGA
Malaga was
the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and many of his most formative
memories and influences lie in his childhood, and in Malaga.
Picasso
referred to himself as a Malagueno until the day he died. Malaga
is just beginning to return this compliment. A new museum has been
built to house a major collection of Picasso's work - donated to
the city by his daughter-in-law.
 During our trip we
visit the Castillo de Gibralfaro, the Moorish castle that
overlooks the whole city. This is a view that Picasso must
certainly have enjoyed in his youthful explorations. From here,
you can also see down into the La Malagueta bullring, which was
built in 1876. Bullfighting was a major passion of Picasso and
features heavily in his later life and work.
Picasso's actual
birthplace - the Casa Natal de Picasso - is now the Fundacion
Picasso, where amidst occasional exhibitions, there is a
photographic journey through the artist's life. The area round the
Plaza has changed little, and you can still see small alleyways,
such as the Pasaje de Campos, which appear to have changed little
in the last 100 years. Walking through these streets, past small
local shops and locals busily going about their day-to-day
business, you can get a much better idea of the city, as Picasso
would have known it.
Alcazaba
Malaga
In the evening we
will enjoy dinner and a flamenco show at a well-known restaurant in Nerja.
Day 7 - UPPER AXARQUIA
|
Today our
journey takes us on an ascent through the Upper Axarquia
Region to the town of Colmenar and continues on past Riogordo.
The village of Periana is located a few miles below a lime
stone formation with caves of Neolithic prehistoric
settlements. Admire an old olive oil factory that prides
itself on the finest extra virgin olive oil brand in the
region. On our descent to lower Axarquia we will pass the
valley of Velez and the town of Velez-Malaga (capital of the
region). |
Tonight there is a
farewell party at Los Cantares, one of our favourite local
restaurants.
Day 8 -
Departure
Transfer to Málaga airport for your return flight or extend your
holiday in Andalucia.
|
