Andalucia Highlights Walk - Premium Adventure

We begin in Ronda, a historic mountaintop town divided by the spectacular El Tajo canyon.

On arrival at the hotel, we enjoy a welcome drink on the roof terrace where our tour leader gives his first trip briefing. After, we walk to a restaurant to savour our first dinner together with spectacular views of Ronda and the surrounding valley. On the way, we stop to see the old bullring – the first built in Spain – and Puente Nuevo, the spectacular arch bridge over El Tajo that unites the two sides of town. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Ronda (D).

After breakfast, we walk from our hotel to the village of Benaoján. Our journey takes us out of Ronda and into the gorge, where we see the town and Puente Nuevo bridge from below. As we journey next to the Guadiaro river, we pass a rural landscape of herb gardens, vineyards and fruit trees. We also walk through Grazalema Natural Park, where an underground river flows through mountains to Benaoján, where our walk ends and we take time to rest and enjoy our picnic.

After lunch, we visit an organic winery (the region around Ronda is well known for red wines and organic wine production is a growing trend in Spain, with many producers embracing sustainable, ecofriendly methods). We taste some of their produce and learn about their production processes. Returning to Ronda, we end the day with a tapas dinner – an essential Andalucian experience. Your tour leader can help you navigate the menu or, if you're happy to give your Spanish a whirl, ask one of the local diners for their insider tips. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Ronda (B/L/D).

We start the day with a transfer (approximately one hour) to Grazalema, a dreamy mountain village of whitewashed, red-roof buildings, to begin our circular walk to the top of Endrinal mountain. Along the way, we pass old agricultural grounds and ice wells, which once provided ice for storing fresh food. When we arrive at the summit, we are rewarded with views of Simancón and Torreón mountains and enjoy our picnic lunch.

After, we follow a different route back down, which will take us alongside the Guadalete river. Returning to Grazalema, we transfer (approximately 50 minutes) to an olive oil mill where we learn about the harvesting and production processes and try some of the produce. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Ronda (B/L).

After breakfast, we transfer (approximately one hour) to our most beautiful and exhilarating hike of the trip, El Caminito del Rey. Built in 1905 and reconstructed in 2015, the route takes us along a footpath attached to the near-vertical orange-red cliffs of El Chorro gorge. Along the way, we see the tranquil waters of the Guadalhorce Reservoir and look for soaring griffon vultures, which can have human-sized wingspans.

At the end of the walk, we stop for lunch at El Mirador restaurant, where we can sample the local paella recipe and enjoy views of the Guadalhorce Reservoir. After, we transfer (approximately two hours) to Córdoba, a historic city that played a vital role in both the Roman empire and Islamic Spain. Stay: Hotel Eurostars Conquistador (B/L).

This morning, we visit the historic centre of Córdoba, a Unesco World Heritage site enlivened with flowery courtyards known locally as patios. Our guided walking tour captures the highlights, including the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter and the Roman bridge over the river Guadalquivir. We also visit the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba), an icon of the city and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture on the planet.

We then have lunch and a transfer (approximately two hours) to Seville, our final destination of the trip. After hotel check in and a rest, we head to dinner in the lively Triana district. Along the way, walk alongside the river Guadalquivir and see the Torre del Oro, a stone watchtower where gold-laden boats would unload their cargo from South America in the 15th century. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Santa Justa (B).

On our final day, we have a guided bike tour of the city. Seville is flat and has many cycle lanes, which makes it an ideal city to explore on two wheels. We visit many of the landmarks, including the Guadalquivir river; Maria Luisa Park, the primary green space in the city; the Triana neighbourhood; the Jewish Quarter; the Unesco-listed cathedral; and the Royal Alcázar palace, which we can explore solo after lunch.

This evening, we attend a flamenco show, an integral part of Andalucian culture. Our performance is at the Museo del Baile Flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum), which was founded by legendary flamenco dancer and choreographer Cristina Hoyos to promote and preserve the artform. After, we head to restaurant LaHerre for our farewell group meal. Aside from dishing out great local cuisine, it also has a rooftop terrace bar, where we can toast our adventure with views of La Giralda, the magnificent bell tower of Seville Cathedral. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Santa Justa (B/D).

Our trip ends in Seville this morning. If you'd like more time in this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).