Seville & Andalucia

A SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAY | 14 MARCH & 31 OCTOBER 2023

Based in the city of Seville, this itinerary has been carefully designed to give you plenty of time in this beautiful and historic city with its impressive cathedral, important art collections and famous tapas bars in the Barrio de Santa Cruz where we stay. We also visit Córdoba which was one of the greatest centres of learning in Europe until the Reconquista expelled the Moors, but they left their timeless legacy in the city’s buildings, notably the great Mezquita and the Juderia area of the city. Excursions into the lovely rural Andalucían landscape with its picture-perfect villages and a visit to Jerez, the centre of the sherry trade, complete the holiday.

the itinerary

1

We fly to Seville and on arrival transfer to the 4* Hotel Doña Maria in the heart of the Barrio de Santa Cruz district in the centre of the city.

2

We begin our first day in Seville on foot with a walking tour through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, its narrow streets and alleys lined with picturesque town houses. Most houses keep their courtyard doors tantalisingly ajar to allow passers-by fleeting glimpses of the flower-filled courtyards so typical of Seville. We will visit the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Seville’s fortified royal palace, the Alcazar and the elegant architecture at the Palacio Duenas, the finest example of a Mudejar town house.

3

This morning we visit the art collections in the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Hospital de la Caridad. Both collections are displayed in historic buildings and both have important works by Spanish artists including Zurbarán and Murillo. Later we visit the city’s famous bullring.

4

Today we leave Seville and drive south. Our first stop is to Arcos de la Frontera, one of the pretty white villages ‘pueblos blancos’ of Andalucia. Arcos has a dramatic clifftop position with wonderful views down to the Guadalete River below. We will have an included lunch before continuing to Jerez de la Frontera, the centre of the sherry trade. Here we will visit one of the most famous bodegas for a glass of refreshing, cool manzanilla before returning to Seville.

5

We travel to Córdoba, a journey of less than two hours. On arrival we will visit the Mezquita to see the stunning mosque with its lines of arches encircling the cathedral built by Charles V. The Mezquita encapsulates the unique blend of Islamic and Christian history which makes Andalucía such an absorbing and beguiling destination. We will also visit the Alcazar and the noble Palacio de Vena.

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Seville

DAY 6

The morning is free for further independent sightseeing in Seville. We drive for half an hour to one of our favourite rural hotels in Spain, Hacienda de San Rafael, for a delicious lunch.

7

Today we drive to Italica, place of the birth of Trajan and Hadrian and embellished by them in the grand manner. We visit the amphitheatre, villas and mosaics before returning to Seville for a free afternoon.

8

We will drive to historic Carmona, a Roman town that sits high on a hill overlooking a fertile plain. We will enjoy a late lunch and have a guided walk before transferring to the airport for our flight back to London.

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TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 14 March 31 October £2,589 £392

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

March departure - Flights with British Airways: Depart Gatwick 15.35, arrive Seville 19.15 Depart Seville 20.05, arrive Gatwick 21.50 October departure - Flights with Easyjet: Depart Gatwick 09.20, arrive Seville 13.05 Depart Seville 13.55, arrive Gatwick 15.40 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners • Three lunches • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities as described • The services of a Kirker Tour Lecturer