Gems of Southern Spain

The Spanish capital is bursting with life and passion and through its well planned streets course Madrilenos, the city's inhabitants who really know how to live.

Madrid is a powerhouse of culture, and no trip here could miss a tour of the Golden Triangle of Art, encompassing the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Music is also an important feature and the city marches to the beat of flamenco, jazz and live music of all kinds. And don't forget that Madrid serves some of the most delicious tapas that there is.

Seville's brooding Andalusian sister sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Iberian Peninsula's highest massif. Renowned as the last stronghold of the Moors who were driven out of Western Europe in the 15th century, it's here that you'll best discover Andalusia's splendid Arabic architectural heritage including the beautiful Alhambra Palace.

Wander around the narrow streets of the Albaicin medieval neighbourhood for fine examples of Moorish and Morisco construction. Declared a world heritage site in 1984, the district faces the Alhambra and is home to several attractions including the remains of an Arab bath complex, Granada's archeological museum and the church of San Salvador. In 1492 AD, the Catholic King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile took over the kingdom. Upon their deaths, the monarchs were buried at the Capilla Real, Royal Chapel of Granada, which to this day displays their possessions. You'll also visit the Sacramento neighbourhood, famous for its gypsy caves.

The lavish Alhambra is Granada's most visited site. Once a palace and fortress for the city's Muslim rulers, the Alhambra means ‘red fort' and is named after the red clay used in its construction in the mid-13th century. The Generalife was the country residence of the Nasrid king and the recreational courtyard and its beautiful gardens sit on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol, offering spectacular views.

Today you'll head to Alcala La Real, home to the magnificent La Mota fortress. Dating from 727, the castle was built when the town was under Muslim rule and was badly damaged in the 19th century when battles were fought against the French. However, you can still see three rows of fortifications and from the castle you'll enjoy beautiful views across the rolling hills and scattered villages. You'll then continue to Priego de Cordoba, known as the 'city of water' thanks to its abundance of springs. Set in the mountains of La Sierras Subbeticas national park, it is one of Cordoba's most picturesque towns, filled with baroque buildings and churches. After lunch at a local restaurant you'll continue on to Zuheros where you'll walk through the maze of white streets with your guide, admiring the castle and taking in the spectacular views. It is also famous for its goats' cheese, so be sure to have a taste and stock up on your favourite.

Ancient, worldly, and sophisticated, Cordoba sits on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. First favoured by the Romans, Cordoba then held court as the capital of Islamic Spain between 756 to 1031 AD. Famed as a multicultural centre for education, the city was renowned for its libraries, medical schools, universities, and a huge bubbling, cosmopolitan population of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish people. Wander down its labyrinthine network of small streets, alleys, squares, and whitewashed courtyards, and you'll be transported back in time. Delve further back still and step beyond the Old Town's Roman walls to cross the Guadalquivir at the Roman Bridge, said to have carried the fabled Via Augusta that ran from Rome to Cadiz. There's also a Roman temple, theatre, mausoleum, forum, amphitheatre, and even the remains of Emperor Maximian's palace to discover

Cordoba is perhaps Spain’s most handsome city, an historic centre of culture and lasting testament to a golden age of religious tolerance during its time as a caliphate. King Ferdinand III then claimed the city for Castile during the Spanish Reconquista, bequeathing it its gothic and renaissance finery. Visit today, and you'll find Cordoba's grand past beautifully reflected in the city's magnificent architecture. During your tour, explore the Moorish, Jewish and Christian quarters including the Alcazar with its beautiful gardens. You'll also discover Roman remains and the famous Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral.

In 936AD, Adb ar-Rahman III decided to move the seat of government away from Cordoba and set about building a new royal city 8km away. The city was to reflect the powerful kingdom he governed and was constructed using marble, gold and precious stones. Built on three terraces and surrounded by a city wall, the royal castle sat proudly on the middle level while the lower levels were reserved for living quarters and the mosque. The city was destroyed in the civil war between the Berbers and the Moors and was lost for over 1000 years. Luckily, it was rediscovered in 1911 and excavation still continues.

Alvear is one of the most prestigious and internationally renowned bodegas in Andalusia, boasting extensive vineyards that are located in the most famous estates in the Sierra de Montilla y Moriles. This privileged land’s star grape variety is Pedro Ximénez, which is thought to have originated in the Rhine region, and is used by the bodega as the unique base wine for its sweet, fino, oloroso and amontillado wines. You'll tour the vineyards and winery and enjoy a tasting of its unique wines.

Located on a low hill overlooking a fertile plain, Carmona is a picturesque small town with a magnificent 15th-century tower built in imitation of Seville's Giralda. At the entrance to the town is the Puerto de Sevilla, a grand if ruinous fortified gateway which leads to the historic old part of the city. Narrow streets wind their way past Mudejar churches and Renaissance mansions. Up still further is the Plaza San Fernando dominated by splendid Moorish style buildings. Close by to the east is Santa Maria, a stately Gothic church built over the former main mosque. Like many of Carmona's churches, it is topped by an evocative Mudejar tower and part of the original minaret may still be spotted. Dominating the ridge of the town are the massive ruins of Pedro's palace, destroyed by an earthquake in 1504 and now a beautiful parador. The Roman necropolis is particular noteworthy; laying on a low hill amid cypress trees it contains more than 900 family tombs dating from the second century BC. Enclosed in subterranean chambers hewn from the rock, the tombs are often frescoed and contain a series of niches in which many of the funeral urns remain intact. Some of the larger tombs have vestibules with stone benches for funeral banquets and several retain carved family emblems. Opposite is a partly excavated ampitheatre. Before you leave, we suggest you enjoy an aperitif at the market square.

The jewel in the Moorish Caliphate of Cordoba and the capital of the most powerful Castilian Kingdom, Seville has been left with eye-popping architecture and majestic grace. While Seville reached its peak in the 17th century and then suffered terribly in the Spanish Civil War, today it has resurrected itself as the capital and largest city of Andalusia. You'll need to spend a few days here at least to experience the true essence of Spanish grandeur.

Enjoy a walking tour through Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville's oldest quarter, learning about its history from the Roman times right up until the present day. You'll visit the cathedral which sits on the site of the Great Mosque of the 12th century; the only part of this that remains is the minaret, now known as the Giralda Tower. The Royal Alcazar was the site of the marriage between Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal and is centred around two courtyards. The Ambassador's Hall is beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles, while the top floor is accessed by a 16th century staircase featuring paintings by Roelas and Madrazo. The pretty gardens reflect the passing of historical periods and are a lush hideaway filled with pomegranate, orange and palm trees.

Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the gypsies of Andalusia and was developed over hundreds of years before becoming popular in the 19th century as a form of café entertainment. There are three parts to every flamenco show: 'grande' or 'hondo' with intense, profound songs; 'intermedio'; and finally 'pequeño', lighthearted songs about love and nature. The cast changes every day here so there is always something new to experience. You'll get to appreciate the differences between male and female flamenco dancers and enjoy the exceptional music that accompanies them.

Spain has an incredibly rich culinary history and is famous for its tapas, bite-sized morsels of delicious food usually enjoyed with a glass or wine or beer. You'll visit some of the city's best tapas bars and enjoy dining the way Spaniards have for more than two centuries.