Day 1 - Arrive Sevilla Check in to your historic hotel, which is located in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, Sevilla’s central district and medieval Jewish Quarter. This charming neighborhood is one of Spain’s largest intact historic districts and is mostly a pedestrian zone. Enjoy a short introductory visit of the city center with your English-speaking guide and in the early evening a tapas tour guide will pick you up at your hotel for a walking tapas tour through the Barrio de Santa Cruz and the Triana district across the river. You will sample a variety of tapas and wine at a number of tapas bars, each with their own specialty. Day 2 - Sevilla This morning, share a guided walking tour through historic Sevilla and its charming labyrinthine streets. Marvel at this ancient city’s astonishing monuments, including the Alcázar, a Moorish-built palace complete with traditional patios and fountains and amazing hand-crafted tilework. Explore the Gothic cathedral – the third-largest church in the world – and climb to the bell tower to appreciate its magnificent panoramic views of the city, including of the Guadalquivir River and the many stunning bridges that span it, old and new. After the tour, meet one of Sevilla’s renowned chefs for a walk through the market and cooking class. At the market, he will explain some of the most typical ingredients used in Andalusian cuisine, including the many types of fish and shellfish from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Proceed to his restaurant for a cooking class where you will prepare traditional dishes such as Salmorejo, Gambas al ajillo, Arroz con mariscos or paella, and Torrijas de Pedro Ximénez confitada en naranja amarga. After finishing, appreciate your efforts by leisurely savoring your creations with marvelous wine pairings. This evening, enjoy a flamenco performance in one of Sevilla’s flamenco performance centers. Day 3 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the Atlantic coast Embark on a full-day excursion to undiscovered Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a beautiful city that lies 60 miles from Sevilla at the mouth of the Guadalquivir estuary. Scenic Sanlúcar faces Doñana National Park, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and is unsurprisingly known as one of the best places in Spain for fine seafood. Many styles of sherry wine are produced here, and although Sanlúcar is the second most important sherry town, it remains unknown to the majority of foreign visitors. Pass by vineyards on the way from Sevilla to Sanlúcar and, upon arriving in town, participate in a short walking tour of the old town to see its fantastically inviting local market, filled with seafood, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. Proceed to one of the local bodegas (wineries), where the spectacular buildings filled with row after row of sherry butts will remind you of the impressive architecture usually reserved for cathedrals. Learn about the special aging process for sherry wines and enjoy a rare treat by tasting many different wines directly from the cask. Some of these selections will be over 30 years old; rare jewels in the crown usually reserved for privileged visitors. After the bodega visit and wine tasting, return to the coast, to one of the fantastic seafood restaurants to indulge in a meal of great seafood and a preferred local wine. Consider the finest manzanilla, a sherry similar to fino but lighter, with a salty hint to it. Stroll along the beach before returning to Seville. Day 4 - Ronda Journey through the countryside, across endless acres of olive trees, to the magical town of Ronda, Andalucía’s rural and most beautiful pueblo blanco, or “white village”. Of Moorish and Christian legacy, Ronda is known for its spectacularly dramatic waterfall-covered gorge, its picturesque and aged bullring – the oldest in Spain, and for being one of Hemingway’s favorite inspiring haunts. Explore the beautiful old town, the finely preserved Arabic baths, and the Neoclassical bullring. Ronda is becoming well-known among enthusiasts as a producer of very good red wines and, to a smaller extent, whites, which are being made in boutique wineries with extraordinary attention to detail: grapes are picked by hand, companion planting is used to organically control insects, and natural yeasts are used in the winemaking process. Join the winemakers as they share their wines, their stories and their expertise, followed by a private lunch in a boutique winery or traditional local restaurant. After lunch, visit a traditional olive oil mill in the rolling hills outside Ronda, where skilled cultivators make organic olive oil in much the same way as they have for hundreds of years. After observing the process, partake in a special olive oil tasting. You will then head back to Seville after this very full day. Day 5 - Granada Say farewell to Sevilla and transfer to the beautiful city of Granada. Visit its Albaicín, the former Moorish district, with a private guide. This district rises on a hill facing the Alhambra, and affords marvelous views of the legendary palace. Highlights in the area include the remains of ancient Arab baths and the region’s archeological museum. Day 6 - Granada This morning, meet your private guide for a tour of the Alhambra, Granada’s prize jewel, described as a “pearl set in emeralds” by Moorish poets. Spend plenty of time learning about the history, art, and architecture of the palace, and stroll through the estate’s marvelous gardens. Delight in a traditional lunch near the palace and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Day 7 - Córdoba Take the high-speed train to nearby Córdoba, which was once the most populous city in the world, the intellectual center of Europe, and the capital of an Islamic caliphate. Enjoy a private walking tour of the old city, the second largest in Europe, including the charming, windy Juderia and the impressive Mezquita-Cathedral, an 8th-century Moorish mosque with a 13th-century Christian Cathedral inserted within it. In the afternoon, savor a delicious lunch of tapas in one of Córdoba’s best tapas restaurants, and explore Córdoba’s charming boutiques. Day 8 - Departure Prepare for your return voyage home. Córdoba is located on the high-speed rail line and transfer to Madrid is fast and efficient. Notes: The trip price is based on the included services and the number of people traveling. Trips start from $400 per person per day. This trip is available year round and is fully customizable, whether your ideal trip would last three days or three weeks. Please contact Epicurean Ways for detailed information and suggestions. Let us help you complete your Spanish experience. 
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