AMAZING ANDALUSIA
Code: CANL01
DAY 1
You will depart the Port of Cádiz and head to the city of Seville, the heart of Andalusia, with its Moorish influence and Flamenco heartbeat. Upon arrival at the hotel you will have lunch and after check in enjoy some free time to rest before you commence a city tour of Seville.
Start your visit with the famous Cathedral of Seville, the third largest in Europe, with an impressive exterior and an interior striking in size and richness. As one of the last to be built in the Gothic style, it shows obvious Renaissance influences and houses many priceless treasures as well as the tomb of Christopher Colombus. Next to the Cathedral, the heiress of the ancient Mosque stands the Giralda Tower of 98 m in height. (Closed on Sunday mornings)
Afterwards you will visit the Royal Palace Alcazar, the oldest residence of the Spanish kings that is still in use today. The Alcazar is a great Arabian style palace built during various epochs and constitutes the First Royal Palace in Spain with Mudejar and plateresque influence. Your city tour will continue with a short walk through the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz through the labyrinth of narrow streets, white houses and their lovely "patios", the courtyards with Moorish tradition.
After the city tour you will have some hours at your leisure for shopping, to discover the city on your own or to relax in one of the many typical Andalusian bars of Seville. In the evening you will visit the El Palacio Andaluz, where we will enjoy a Flamenco Show while having dinner. Afterwards transfer back to the hotel for the night.
DAY 2
After breakfast and check out at the hotel, you will drive to Jerez de la Frontera, which is considered the capital of sherry wine, white horses and flamenco music. Jerez is situated midway between the sea and the mountains, and has a wealth of appealing tourist attractions, many of them related to the three above mentioned aspects that made the city famous.
You will first enjoy a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, devoted to conserving the ancestral abilities of the Andalusian horse and maintaining the classical traditions of Spanish baroque horsemanship, preparing horses and riders for international dressage competitions, providing education in all aspects of horsemanship, coach driving, blacksmithing, the care and breeding of horses, and saddler. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is set amidst the Recreo de las Cadenas Palace, a 19th century baroque style building designed by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera. Here you will enjoy a spectacular show starring the famous dancing horses.
Next you will visit a typical Spanish Sherry wine cellar of Jerez where you will learn the steps involved in the creation of sherry, from the grape cultivation to bottling. After your guided visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the delicious sherry wine and have a lunch with traditional tapas of the region.
Finally you will drive to the Port of Malaga and return to the ship.
Overland Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The timings indicated are only approximate, and are given here for general reference purposes.
Day 1
10.30am - 12:30pm Drive to Seville
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch at the Hotel or local restaurant (included), some time to rest
1:30pm - 2:00pm Check in at the Hotel
2:00pm - 2:30pm Free Time
2:30pm Meet for City Tour
2:30pm - 6:00pm City Tour of Seville including Cathedral and Alcazar
6:00pm - 9:00pm Free Time
9:00pm - 9:30pm Meet for Flamenco Show and dinner (included), transfer to el Palacio Andaluz
9:30pm - 11:00pm Flamenco Show and dinner (included) at el Palacio Andaluz
11:00pm - 11:15pm Drive back to the hotel
Day 2
9:00am - 10:00am Breakfast and check out
10:00am - 11:00am Drive to Jerez de la Frontera
11:00am - 12:00N Panoramic and Walking Tour of Jerez
12:00N - 2:00pm Visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and Horse Show performance
2:00pm - 2:10pm Transfer to Wine Cellar
2:10pm - 4:10pm Visit Wine Cellar including wine tasting and tapas lunch (included)
4:10pm - 7:40pm Transfer to Malaga and return to the ship
Expected Weather: Average temperature in Seville and Jerez in September / October:
20 º C // 70º Fahrenheit
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, cameras, sun protection, umbrellas, etc.
Currency: Euros
Electricity: 220 Volts (some devices may require a converter)
Luggage: Overnight bag
Documents and Visa Requirements: Valid passport and EU Visa
Accommodation:Hotel Meliá Sevilla 4**** or similar centrally located Hotel
Program Includes: Transportation, accompanying guide, lunch 1st and 2nd day, dinner and Flamenco Show at El Palacio Andaluz, entrance fees to Alcazar in Seville and Cathedral in Seville, Visit and show at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, visit of wine cellar, wine tasting and tapas lunch at wine cellar
Not Included: Possible extras at the hotel (minibar, etc.), gratuities