Spain, Andalusia – Private Gourmet Experience

Cordoba’s Cultural & Culinary Treasures

Morning: Guided tour of the Mosque & Cathedral

Your art historian guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel to take you for a walking tour to discover the Mosque/Cathedral (La Mezquita), a monumental site which encapsulates this city’s identity like few other buildings can, with the layers of its beautifully complex history visibly integrated in its walls and bearing the marks of the various and diverse cultures and civilizations
that helped shape this fascinating city.

Late Morning: Montilla Olive Oil & Wine Experience

Your private driver/tour guide will transfer you to Montilla which is around 40 minutes drive. First stop will be a family-run olive oil mill where you will discover the full process of olive oil making. Enjoy a tour of the family groves and learn about the different characteristics, culinary uses and health benefits of olive oil. After a visit to the mill and the on-site museum, there will be a tasting of two delicious varieties along with freshly baked bread made by the very same family!

The second experience of the day is a visit to a local family-run boutique winery located right in the heart of the Sierra de Montilla, a stunning
rural landscape with endless vineyards and rolling hills. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a truly passionate viticulturist who will take you to
the family vineyards to tell you about the history of this ancestral winery. Next, you will be guided into the wine cellar, a remarkable sacred space
where their oldest wines are kept. Learn about the unique grape variety that grows exclusively in Montilla, the world renown “Pedro Ximenez”. Discover the aging system of these unique dry and sweet wines, a process that is probably the oldest in Spain. The visit will end with a delicious tasting of 5 different varieties followed by a traditional tapas lunch, home made by the winery owners.
After lunch, private transfer to your hotel in Cordoba where you will have the rest of the afternoon & evening free to enjoy at your leisure. Wonderful recommendations for dinner will be provided.

Overnight Cordoba

Meals B, L, T (Olive Oil)

The Quintessential Spanish Delicacy

Full day Iberico Ham Experience

This very exclusive experience makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day outdoors!
Your private driver collect you from your hotel & take you to the Los Pedroches Natural Reserve (1h drive from Cordoba) to visit a family-run Iberian pig farm.
You will first enjoy a tour of the property set in the unique landscape of the Spanish “Dehesa” a grassy land dotted with Oak trees; the natural habitat of region’s native black pigs. The Iberico pigs are bred here and freely roam these lands eating fallen acorns from the months of November through February.
Then head to the family’s country house where you will enjoy an Iberian ham slicing workshop lead by a master craftsman, together with a ham tasting.
This lovely day in the country will be completed with a fantastic homemade lunch which will include grilled vegetables, beef and pork, a fresh tomato salad and a traditional dessert.
After lunch, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cordoba where you will have the evening free to enjoy at your leisure.

Overnight Cordoba

Meals B, T (Iberico Ham), L

Orange Delights & Flamenco Sensations

Morning: Orange Tasting in a Moorish Courtyard

Today, we will take you off the beaten path for the most unique experience for the five senses in the idyllic setting of a centuries’ old the Moorish court-yard of a private manor house surrounded by orange trees and the Guadalquivir river.
Your driver will take you to Portocarrero Palace (@ 1h), located in Palma del Rio, right in between the historic cities of Cordoba and Sevilla, by the river bank of the Guadalquivir.
Here you will enjoy a private guided tour of the Palace, courtyards, and gardens. This lovely visit will be completed with a tasting of delicious fresh orange juice from the orchards accompanied by tea and pastries.
Cristina Ybarra, the current owner has her main art studio inside the Palace and she is always pleased to show and share her artwork with those discerning travellers who are interested in painting.
After this magical escape to paradise, it’s off to the picturesque town of Carmona where you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the Parador Hotel. The restaurant here offers the most spectacular views over the Guadalquivir valley and crops.
After lunch, it’s off to Sevilla, which is just 30 min away.

Evening Flamenco & Tapas Tour

Live the passion and drama of flamenco, sampling Seville’s finest cuisine as you go. On this gastronomic and folkloric tour, you’ll discover (and taste!) why Seville is the true home of tapas, and experience the mysteries, the emotion and the power of true flamenco!
Too many people visit Seville without really understanding how locals eat tapas or finding where the best tapas are served. Or they see a flamenco show but never truly grasp the origins or meaning of this magical art form. On this evening tour, we’ll fill your bellies and minds – giving you the keys to eating tapas like a local and a rich, lasting flamenco experience.
The evening begins as you dive into two of our favourite family-run taverns where your expert, English-speaking guide will serve up local delicacies and drinks and give you a crash course in eating tapas in Seville (an art form in its own right!).
Then, over plates of delicious acorn-fed Iberian ham and local wines your guide will then lead you through a fascinating explanation of the roots and mysteries of flamenco – from its unclear origins to its current worldwide fame. And you’ll learn how Seville fits into this remarkable story.
Then, we head for the show! Tucked in the city’s gorgeous Santa Cruz neighbourhood, in a fabulous 15th-century building, you’ll experience the power, passion and sheer drama of real flamenco.
With your new-found knowledge about flamenco, you’ll be able to savor this spectacular performance by world-class dancers, powerful singing, and magical guitar playing. After the performance, we’ll sit down for dinner at our final stop of the evening – a hidden family-run tapas bar that serves up incredible freshly cooked tapas, local wines and, of course, dessert. It’s the perfect end to a magical evening in Seville!

Overnight Seville

Meals B, L, D (Tapas)

The Flavours of Seville

Morning Market Tour & Cooking Class

Today, you will be heading to Sevilla’s famed Triana food market for a tour of the market and a 3-hour hands-on cooking class at Taller Andaluz de Cocina, a cooking school that is located right inside the market. During the guided tour, you will learn about fresh and seasonal products, locally grown and produced, such as olive oils and table olives, Iberian hams and other cured meats, cheese, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables…
You will discover the fascinating history of the Triana Market and participate in selecting locally grown, fresh and seasonal products and will participate in the selection of some ingredients that will be used later in the cooking class. You will also meet many vendors, some of whom have been there for generations.
The Spanish cooking class will be taught in English by a professionally trained chef. Since classes are designed for both novice and experienced cooks you will be able to learn and develop new techniques and skills. You will have the chance to get involved in the preparation of the dishes. A truly fun hands-on experience!
Example Menu (varies depending on day/season)
Salmorejo, Gazpacho or Ajoblanco (cold soups and creams)
Spinach with chickpeas, Spanish potato omelette or Codfish fritters
Paella (normally chicken paella)
Light dessert (normally a lemon sorbet or similar)
All ingredients and materials will be provided by the school. In addition, you will enjoy complimentary sangria and table olives during the class, as well as soft drinks, Spanish wine or local beer with your meal. You will also be given written recipes and lots of tips!
*Adaption for any type of dietary restriction is possible – just ask.

Afternoon: Guided Tour of Sevilla

Your art historian guide will meet you at the Triana Market for an introductory walking tour to discover the main historic sites in Sevilla, including a guided visit to the magnificent Royal Alcazar Palace*, a beautiful example of Mudéjar architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. Stroll through the Santa Cruz old Jewish quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys. They are designed this way deliberately for protection from the oppressive Sevillian summer sun, and scattered with lovely green and lively plazas.
After the guided tour, you will have the rest of the evening free time to relax at your hotel or visit some other areas of the city at your own leisure.
*Being an active residence of the Royal Family, the Alcazar Palace is occasionally closed to the public. For security reasons, the information is never provided ahead of time.

Overnight Seville

Meals B, L

You Say Sherry, We Say Jerez

Discover the Beauty of Jerez

This city takes pride in being the home of Sherry wine, but also in an in-valuable historical legacy, ever-present in its culture and cuisine.
Your private driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Jerez de la Frontera (@1 hour).
Start your visit with a short introductory walking stroll through the winding streets of the old town and enjoy their quiet testimony of past and present. To get a better feel for the town, you’ll join the locals at Calle Larga, their favourite meeting point, for some quick shopping or maybe even a tapa.
Speaking of which, how about some Sherry? After your walk, it’s time to uncover the secrets of these unique wines and their many varieties. You’ll visit one of the finest bodegas in town, where you’ll enjoy a tasting. Founded in 1750, this winery is one of the oldest in the Jerez Denomination of Origin. With a young and rejuvenated team, this bodega seeks to distinguish with the limited production of Jerez’ most representative wines: Oloroso, Palo Cortado, Amontillado, Medium Sweet and Brandy.
And last but not least, your tastiest stop yet will be for lunch where Sherry wines will share the table with outstanding seafood, premium quality meats, charcuterie, olives and olive oil. Enjoy these authentic flavours at what was once a beautiful wine cellar, now converted into a lovely traditional restaurant serving the best of local cuisine. Your menu will be made of a variety of home-style dishes, paired with fine Sherry wines, all curated by to perfectly cater to your personal preferences.
After lunch, sit back, relax, and enjoy the short ride to your charming hotel in the beautiful village of Vejer. The perfect chance to discover the benefits of a siesta!

Evening Hands-On Cooking Class

The best way to appreciate the culture of any area is through its food and wine and nowhere is that truer than of Southern Spain. After a couple of hours rest at your hotel, your tour leader will take you to a nearby local house
in the village where you will enjoy an extraordinary hands-on cooking experience. Depending on the season, the dishes which you will help prepare and savor are likely to include gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), tuna & red pepper salad, gazpacho (melon & mint, traditional tomato or almond & garlic). Fresh boiled octopus and boquerones (anchovies) are also a delicacy of this region as it is close to the sea!
Your passionate cooking guide will help you uncover the secrets for the perfect tortilla (Spanish omelette), introduce you to albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and treat you to a yummy cake for dessert.
Being in the province of Cadiz, this culinary experience would not be complete without sampling the region’s specialties, which is why you will enjoy a preserved tuna and sherry tasting!

Overnight Vejer

Meals B, T (Sherry Tasting) L D

Almadraba, a Millenia-Old Tradition

Full Day Trip with Driver & Guide

On this fascinating adventure you’ll experience the unique annual ‘Almadraba’ first-hand; a traditional fishing method of the Bluefin tuna whose origins can be traced back to over 3000 years! This exclusive journey includes a tasting of the Bluefin tuna, one of Spain’s most treasured delicacies.
Your private driver & local guide will pick you up from your hotel in Vejer to take to the port of Barbate (@ 30 min). The day begins with a small and intimate 2-hour boat trip* (maximum 8 people on board) where you’ll learn about this unique fishing technique and its history.
In the Spring, you could even get to witness (weather & other conditions permitting) one of the four unique Almadraba traps being lifted, a truly
singular & exciting experience. On this boat trip, you will also pass the Cape of Trafalgar where the famous battle took place between the British and the French Navies back in 1805. You’ll learn about the history and use of the several watch towers seen along the Cadiz coastline, and on the way back to the port, you’ll have spectacular views of the cliffs and the pristine turquoise waters of las Breñas Natural park.
Back on dry land, you’ll visit the fish market of Barbate which boasts wonderful displays of tuna and other varieties of fish and seafood as well as
lots of regional products. Here, you’ll also get to meet some of the local vendors and be able to chat with them.
For lunch, enjoy an unforgettable tasting menu at the tuna temple that is El Campero, widely regarded as one of Spain’s top seafood restaurants; all top chefs and connoisseurs flock here during the Almadraba season (April-June).

After this delicious meal, you’ll head to the famed Baelo Claudiaarchaeological site, just outside Tarifa, for a healthy helping of history. This Roman city-factory is amazingly well preserved and one of the finest known examples of a Roman town. From Baelo Claudia, Romans caught Atlantic Bluefin tuna, using a similar technique to the Almadraba method used today and exported it to the rest of the Empire. It was also here where they made the traditional Garum sauce that was used as a brine and was considered a delicacy in Imperial Rome. The visit includes the museum and the ruins.

You’ll then return to your hotel in Vejer, where you will have the rest of the evening free to enjoy at your leisure
*Due to weather conditions, season, timings and fishing restrictions the departure of the boat trip may not always be possible. There may also be some participants who prefer not to take the boat trip. In which case, we have an alternative activity available.

ALTERNATIVE MORNING: Fully Guided Visit Tuna Museum in Barbate
The tour begins with learning how the Bluefin tuna, a true jewel of the sea, are captured. The entire Almadraba fishing method will be completely explained with the help of a fantastic audio-visual display which will provide you with a real understanding of this ancient technique.
Then you will see a recreated chanca (old processing room) in which the fishermen of Barbate, back in the 50s cleaned and prepared their catch.
After that, you will visit a true-to-life reproduction of a factory of fish preserves, in which the current techniques are explained, these combine both artisanal processes with the latest technologies. You will also learn the about salted and smoked fish production.This will be followed by a live demonstration of tuna cutting , known as Ronqueo, Here, you’ll learn about the different parts of the tuna fish which you will be having for lunch later.
The visit ends with a delicious tasting of the different salted, canned and smoked products accompanied with a drink. The itinerary will then continue on to the fish market of Barbate as indicated above.

Overnight Vejer

Meals B, T (Tuna Tasting), L

Farm-to-Table Kind of Day

Full Day Rural Adventure & Delightful Gastronomic Experience

Your private driver will pick you up from Vejer and take you to a privately owned organic farm around 2 hours drive, for a truly beautiful day in the countryside!!
Today, we invite to you explore the wilderness of the Natural Park of Grazalema, take in the beauty and tranquillity of the Andalusian countryside and learn about organic farming. This visit will be done aboard an eco-friendly 4×4 car which will allow you to have access to all the various areas of the farm.
You’ll have the chance to be in direct contact with animals such as the beautiful Lusitano horses; there will be a dressage during which you will get to admire the strength of these noble animals in the farm’s arena. You’ll also see cows, sheep and goats in the wild and will even have the opportunity to collect eggs from the free-range chickens!
Visit the vegetable garden to learn how they prepare it by using their own compost and applying their biodynamic techniques. There is no better way to end such a fabulous morning than by sitting down and tasting all the flavours of the surrounding countryside, don’t you agree? This farm-to-table experience will include a lunch with dishes made using the farm’s own olive oil, wine, seasonal and organic drinks & produce harvested in their garden, and homemade bread (yummy and healthy!).
After lunch, you’ll be driven to your hotel in Ronda (@ 40 min), where you will have the rest of afternoon free to relax.

Ronda Sunset Walking Tour

Your historian guide will meet you this evening and take you for an introductory walking tour which will begin just before sunset time for the best light to explore the main landmarks of this magnificent town: the Old Town, the cliffs, the gorge and the New Bridge.
This guided tour will end at a local bar where you could have a drink or some tapas (cost not included).

Overnight Rhonda

Meals B, L

Around Vineyards & Mountains

The first bodega visit is just a short pleasant downhill walk from your hotel. On arrival you will find yourself surrounded by extraordinary views of the vineyards and the sprawling El Tajo gorge below.
This is indeed one of the most unique places of this area and is where you will get the chance to indulge in some of the best wines in Southern Spain. This winery dates back to the sixteenth century when it was originally built as a Trinitarian monastery. The current owners purchased the property in 1998 and restored it from an almost ruined state. The project resulted in the recovery
of the convent, it’s beautiful gardens, orchards, ponds, and fountains. Most remarkably, the original frescos on the high alter were discovered under layers of limestone by chance; having miraculously survived despite the humidity. Today the ancient frescos seem to proudly stand guard over of the tall metallic tanks of wine, elegantly bringing together the old and the new.
The guided tour of the winery takes around 2 hours and includes a visit to the cellar, gardens and a tasting of 3 wines paired with cured Iberian meats
and artisanal goat cheese.

The second wine experience is in a different location on the other side of town (just a 10 min drive away). You will meet Miguel and Isabel, a lovely Spanish couple who own and run this small family vineyard. Here, you will learn all about wine production in Ronda and get to taste the most delicious tapas dishes. After a brief tour of the winery and vineyard, you will be seated for lunch in either the dining room or the guest house courtyard (depending on the weather). A great selection of homemade products including bread, jams, Spanish omelette and of course an amazing paella are some of the dishes you will taste during this generous lunch, all of which will be accompanied by their
fantastic wines. A beautiful setting, passionate and friendly hosts, lovely wines and delicious home cooked food are what’s in store for you in
this memorable experience!

After lunch, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Ronda where you can spend the rest of the afternoon & evening at your leisure.

Overnight Rhonda

Meals B, L

A Culinary Voyage into Rural Andalusia

Full Day Trip With Private Driver/Guide

This unique and immersive experience led by a local, will introduce you to the authentic lifestyle and customs of a White Village. Experience rural Spain first-hand, breath the fresh country air and bake your own bread!

Your private driver/guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the small town of Benalauria, located in the heart of the Genal Valley (aprx 40 min drive). With only 400 inhabitants, this whitewashed hilltop village iscertainly off the beaten path and preserves the essence of rural life in Andalusia. Your host for today will be Pepe, a friendly local guide, entrepreneur, cook and
wine producer. He will first take you on a short hike to various viewpoints around the town from ehere you will get to admire the spectacular surroundings of this charming town. Once you reach the main square, you will wander through the narrow streets of the village and visit a family run bakery, where you will get to bake your own bread. Whilst your bread is baking, Pepe will take
you to visit his small winery for a delicious homemade lunch accompanied by his very own wines (red and white) and or course, the fresh bread
you prepared yourselves!
After lunch, you will be transferred to your next and final destination; the great Mediterranean city of Malaga.

Farewell Dinner

After checking-in and a short rest at the hotel in Málaga, we have the cherry on the cake of this fantastic journey across the many flavours and
fragrances of our beloved Andalusia: a delicious farewell dinner to reminisce the last 10 days and say ‘cheers’ to the end of a wonderful trip.
Beyond its port and seafront, Malaga city can pleasantly surprise you. The archaeological remains, as well as its monuments from the Phoenician,
Roman, Arabic, and Christian eras, make the historic centre of the city an open-air museum, displaying its rich 3,000-year history.
Overlooking the town and port, the wonderfully preserved fourteenth-century citadels of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro bear remarkable witness to the city’s Moorish past, while the Roman theatre below predates them by over a millennium. The city also has outstanding art galleries, including the spectacular Museo Picasso, housing a major collection of work by this Malaga-born artist.

Overnight Malaga

Meals B, L, D