Andalusia – Route of the Caliphate

If you arrive in time, explore the city of Cordoba. Be sure not to miss a visit to the beautiful and stunning Great Cordoba Mosque/Cathedral. The mosque of Cordoba is a treasure of Hispano Muslim architecture and art. Take a gentle stroll through the streets of the old town Cordoba, visit some of its typical colourful, sweet-smelling patios and sample local tapas in any of the bars and inns. Finally, we would suggest attending a traditional flamenco show with singing and dancing.

Today you have enough time to visit Córdoba, before you take the bus to Zuheros (last bus is at 19:00 weekends, 19:30 weekdays). After about 1.5 hours you will arrive to the picturesque, romantic village of Zuheros.

Today you will go on a short walk close to Zuheros; through the beautiful Bailón River Canyon. You can just walk along the river and turn around when you feel like it, or continue to the Cerro de Bramadero and enjoy the silence of this part of the Subbetica Nature Park. At the end you will meet the Bailón river again to return to Zuheros.

First you will have a taxi transfer to Zagrilla. The you will have two options, you can either walk to Priego on a short route following the Colada del Camino del Hoyo or take a longer route, via the village of Carcabuey, through fields with streams flanked by dense quince trees, then crossing the Pollos or Jaula Mountains, where you will find an abundance of holm-oak and olive trees. Finally, you get to Priego along the old path to Rute.

Transfer to Alcalá la Real by taxi (30 minutes). The route starts from your accommodation there, where you follow through olive groves. Shortly you will then climb through a lovely wooden area to a plateau. Now you walk with panoramic views of the Siera Nevada mountains and the imposing castle of Alcala. After visiting the castle, you continue to your hotel in Alcalá.

After breakfast a transfer by taxi to the medieval village/fortress of Moclín. This fortress, that once guarded the pass against Alcalá to Granada, offers unbeatable views of the region. Here today’s route gets underway and you can either head straight down through a forest to Tózar or make first for Olivares and continue on the natural pass through the mountains to Tózar. You pass some anthropomorphic tombs dug out of the rock and the remains of a defensive system set up during the Spanish Civil War before reaching the quiet village where you can enjoy the sunset at the roof terrace of the hotel.

After breakfast at 9am a taxi will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Granada (arrival 10am) to spend the last day visiting the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra (tickets NOT included in tour price). Later, take a stroll through the old Moorish neighbourhood, the Albayzín, packed with sounds and aromas, and have dinner in one of the ten most romantic restaurants of the world (not included), with a view of the Alhambra.

Depart after breakfast.