YTP Andalucia FAM Trip Itinerary
YTP, in collaboration with Mainly Spain, is excited to launch its first FAM trip to the Andalucia region of
Spain, where you visit the cities of Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. This phenomenal itinerary is
filled with local experiences, tours of beautiful cathedrals and Alcazars - you will even be able to
participate in a flamenco class. On top of these great activities, you will have the opportunity to visit
three great hotels - Gran Melia Colon, Alma and Alfonso XIII and develop connections to create once-ina-lifetime trips for your clients.
Andalusia is the meeting point of Africa and Europe, making it the southernmost point in Europe.
Located in the southern Iberian Peninsula, the northern frontier of Andalusia is marked by the Sierra
Monera Mountains, which separates the Castilian Plain and the Guadalquivir River Basin. To the west,
the Guadiana River separates Andalucia from Portugal in the province of Huelva. Its' banks also connect
the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 1 – Friday, October 2 2015
Depart USA towards Malaga Airport, (AGP)
(Air Transportation not included by Andalucía)
Day 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2015 – Malaga
Malaga Arrival Malaga
Arrival Transfer Airport to Hotel
Note: In order to coordinate transfers, arrival times need to be provided no later than
10 days prior to arrival.
1 Nights Accommodation Malaga (TBA)
Remainder of morning free to rest Afternoon
Welcome dinner – local restaurant (TBA near the new pier)
The province of Malaga is located in the South of the Mediterranean coast, between the
provinces of Granada and Cadiz, and borders the provinces of Cordoba and Seville in the
North.
Ancient and cosmopolitan Malaga still retains its historic roots. In long-gone times, it bore witness to
the origins of man and the Mediterranean culture, while still keeping its historic roots, Malaga is the
primary force in the Andalucian tourist industry.
Malanga is known for its’ White villages with their attractive architecture, wrapped in romantic legend,
bringing points of light into secluded valleys where life goes by peacefully. At the peaks of the mountains
you can watch the horizon until it gets lost in the immense blue of the sea.
Day 3 – Sunday, October 4, 2015 – Malaga – Granada
Breakfast at hotel
Early morning departure for Granada
A land of mild warm summers and winters that is ideal for snow sports. Granada is music and poetry,
monuments that are pure art, and ancient culture. This province reaches towards the skies from the
craggy summits of the Sierra Nevada mountains; cities with breathtaking architecture which reside
serenely in the Altiplano region; white villages scattered across hills and valleys that slope down to the
cliffs and beaches of the Costa Tropical. The province of Granada, tourist destination par excellence,
offers travelers the chance to ski in the Sierra Nevada mountains, discover hidden villages in the
Alpujarra region, explore the last frontier of the Al-Andalus empire in Eastern Granada or stay in caves
and experience a troglodyte’s lifestyle.
Site inspection and lunch at either Parador or Hospes Granada
Afternoon ½ CT Alhambra Palace & Generalife
Half-day city tour Alhambra Palace & Generalife Gardens
We enter the Alhambra from the Generalife Gardens by a bridge called Puente Nuevo. However, the
original route of access, in Moorish times, between the Alhambra and the Generalife went through the
Puerta del Hierro, the Iron Gate, and made it necessary to cross the ravine on foot. The name
Alhambra comes from an Arabic meaning "red or crimson castle," perhaps due to the hue of the towers
and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica, which by starlight is silver but by sunlight is
transformed into gold. But there is another more poetic version, evoked by the Moslem analysts who
speak of the construction of the Alhambra fortress "by the light of torches," the reflections of which
gave the walls their particular coloration. Created originally for military purposes, the Alhambra was an
"alcazaba" (fortress), an "alcázar" (palace) and a small "medina" (city), all in one. This triple character
helps to explain many distinctive features of the monument.
The word "Generalife" has been translated as "garden of paradise," "orchard" or "garden of feasts."
After the city was conquered, the Generalife was granted by the Catholic Monarchs to the Granada
Venegas family. The promenade leads to the "Patio de la Acequia," which is the most celebrated spot
and the heart and soul of the palace grounds. On the Western side there is a gallery of 18 arches. The
Northern portico is called the Mirador and has five arches in front, slender and stylized and three
behind made of marble with stalactite capitals. Through the north portico is the "Patio de los Cipreses,"
with a pool in the center.
Site inspection at least one hotel (Carmen, Hospes or Casa 1800)
Dinner overlooking the Alhambra (Estrellas de San Nicolas or similar)
Overnight at either (TBA)
Day 4 – Monday, October 5, 2015 – Granada – Cordoba – Seville
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and early check-out and depart for Cordoba.
The province of Cordoba is located in the Central North of the Autonomous Region of Andalucia. It
borders the provinces of Malaga, Seville, Badajoz, Ciudad Real, Jaén, and Granada.
Córdoba, capital of Muslim Spain, is the main city in a territory located in the center of
Andalucia. The Guadalquivir River, at its wider middle course, crosses this province from
East to west and provides irrigation for a wide plain where cereals, grapevines and olive
trees grow.
Towards the North, the landscape becomes progressively wilder until it reaches the
summits of the Sierra Morena, with dense forests and abundant wild game for hunting.
In the South, the land rises gradually until it reaches the mountains of the Subbética range.
These lands with their limestone soils feature spreading olive groves and white villages and noble towns
with well-conserved Baroque architecture.
This mountainous landscape is home to a varied fauna. The province of Córdoba, which still bears traces
of its Iberian, Roman and Muslim past, is rich in traditions; it has an outstanding architectural heritage,
and its gastronomy has undergone a considerable resurgence with the revival of a range of dishes from
the traditional cuisine of the region.
Site inspection and lunch at Hospes Cordoba
½ CT Cordoba including entrance to Mosque/Cathedral
Half-day city tour of Cordoba, including entrance to Mosque/Cathedral
The most striking thing about the Mezquita is that, incongruously, the "mosque" contains a Christian
church (Cordoba's cathedral). What one sees from outside is confusing indeed: a huge, flat-roofed lowlying square building with a gigantic baroque church jutting up in the middle like a rather unsightly
stone wedding-cake.
But before joining the politically-correct chorus that loves to bemoan this Christian crime against
Moorish art (which, undoubtedly, it is), consider the checkered and equally "criminal" past of this
sacred site from the very beginning. It will also give you an idea of Cordoba's key role in Spanish history.
Depart Cordoba and continue towards Seville for early evening arrival and check-in at (TBA)
Seville is the capital of Andalucia, and the largest province in the Autonomous Region. It borders the
provinces of Malaga and Cadiz to the South, Huelva to the West, Badajoz to the North, and Cordoba to
the East.
The Guadalquivir River – the ancient Betis – flows between the foothills of the Sierra Morena to the
North and the Sierra Sur mountains in the South, irrigating a rich and fertile valley. 70 kilometers from
the sea, is the ancient city of Seville, the capital of the Autonomous Region of Andaluci and one of the
largest and most densely populated provinces in Andalucia.
The towns and cities on the shores of the river are living testimony to Seville’s historic and cultural past.
Seville, the emblematic city of universal renown, has been Arab, Jewish and
Roman, and its river and river port have served as a privileged destination for trade with the West
Indies. Its art and folklore make this an exceptional tourist destination.
Triana's rich past has turned into a lively present, with a great tapas and flamenco scene among its
narrow streets, and buzzing nightlife along Calle Betis, which also boasts some superb riverfront
restaurant terraces looking towards the Torre del Oro across the water. Ceramic workshops are rare
now, although a few tile shops remain and a museum will be opening soon. Another of Triana's most
famous features is her beloved Virgin, the Esperanza de Triana, and the area even has its own riverside
festival - Santa Ana, in July.
Short free time to rest, unpack or catch up with remote work needs
Dinner at site inspection hotel at one of following hotels (Alfonso XIII, Melia Colon, EME,
Hospes, Casa Romana, Casa 1800)
2 nights accommodation (TBA)
Day 5 – Tuesday, October 6, 2015 – Seville
Breakfast at hotel
Early morning panoramic carriage tour and photo-op at Maria-Luisa Park
The Parque Maria Luisa is a paradisiacal half-mile of palms and orange trees, elms and Mediterranean
pines, covered with flower beds and dotted with hidden bowers, ponds and pavilions. Now that the trees
and shrubs have reached maturity, the genius of the landscapers can be appreciated - this is one of the
loveliest parks in Europe.
The park's centerpiece is the vast Plaza de España by Expo 29 architect Anibal Gonzalez. Many pavilions
remain, in neo-Mudejar and Renaissance styles, within the park and around the edge, some of them
surprisingly opulent, built in the last months before the Wall Street crash undercut the scheme's impetus
- a good example is the stylish Guatemala building, on the Avenida de las Palmeras.
½ Day tour of Seville including Cathedral and Alcazar
Seville's Cathedral occupies the site of the great Almohad Mosque mosque builti n the late 12th century.
Later, Christian architects added the extra dimension of height. Its central nave rises to an awesome 42
meters and even the side chapels seem tall enough to contain an ordinary church. The total area covers
11,520 square meters and new calculations, based on cubic measurements, have now pushed it in front
of Saint Paul's in London and Saint Peter's in Rome, as the largest church in the world.
Sheer size and grandeur are, inevitably, the chief characteristics of the Cathedral, but as you grow used
to the gloom, two other qualities stand out with equal force - the rhythmic balance and interplay
between the parts, and an impressive overall simplicity and restraint in decoration. All successive ages
have left monuments of their own wealth and style, but these have been restricted to the two rows of
side chapels. In the main body of the cathedral only the great box like structure of the coro stands out,
filling the central portion of the nave.
It's easy to be fooled into thinking this is a Moorish palace, some of the rooms and courtyards seem to
come straight from the Alhambra. Most of them were actually built - by Moorish workmen it's true - for
King Pedro the Cruel of Castile in the 1360's who, with his mistress Maria de Padilla, lived in and ruled
from the Alcazar. Pedro embarked upon a complete rebuilding of the palace, employing workmen from
Granada and utilizing fragments of earlier Moorish buildings in Seville, Cordoba and Valencia.
The grounds of the Alcazar are truly vast so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to wander around
the whole palace!
Lunch at local restaurant (TBA)
Afternoon visit to Flamenco museum with Flamenco class included for the group as well as
flamenco show
Flamenco is a passionate and seductive art form, a mysterious and misunderstood culture that has been
burning in Andalucía for nearly five hundred years, and today flamenco has thousands of aficionados
worldwide.
Discover the essence of flamenco at Spain's most luxurious flamenco venue: located in the heart of
Seville, El Palacio Andaluz hosts spectacular live shows with award-winning performers.
Traditional flamenco dance is a display of artistic passion and Andalucian grace, delivered in a variety of
mesmerizing styles, each with its own genre of music. The experience of flamenco at El Palacio Andaluz,
with live dancers accompanied by expert musicians, is complemented by wonderful fine dining while
watching this magnificent show.
Remainder of the evening at leisure to explore the city by night
Day 6 – Wednesday, October 7, 2015 – Seville - Malaga
Early morning check-out of hotel
Morning of site inspections: Max 2 hotels
(Alfonso XIII, Melia Colon, EME, Hospes, Casa Romana, Casa 1800)
Departure for Malaga on most direct route possible
Malaga province is best known for its string of popular resorts along the Costa del Sol and although
these have their own attractions, the province has much more to offer, including a vibrant provincial
capital with a fascinating history, a section of the Costa del Sol east of Malaga city that is not as
developed the western section and rugged mountain ranges like the Serranía de Ronda and the Sierra de
Tejeda.
Arrival Lunch at local restaurant (Pimpi or similar)
Afternoon ½ CT Malaga including entrance to Picasso and/or Pompidou Museum
include photo-op at Roman amphitheater
The opening of the Picasso Museum in 2003 triggered the city's cultural rebirth, and visitors are now
flocking to this port city, which boasts excellent transport, top-class cuisine and fascinating monuments,
from Moorish and Roman times through to modern day - while retaining its authentic Andalucian feel.
Whether you are visiting from a cruise, a weekend break or as curious Costa del Sol visitors, you will be
pleasantly surprised by this intriguing city.
Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the world's foremost art collectors, now has her own eponymous
museum in Malaga, which opened in March 2011. The paintings are from her personal collection,
amassed over the past 30 years. The permanent collection consists of 230 works, mainly by 19th-century
Spanish artists, with most of the subject matter being, unsurprisingly, Andalucia: Cordoba, Malaga,
Seville. The most famous painters whose works feature in this collection are Zurbaran, Sorolla, Zuloaga,
and Romero Torres.
El Teatro Romano is the oldest monument in Málaga City; it is situated in the city’s cultural heart, at the
foot of the famous Alcazaba fortress. It is one of the only Ancient ruins left in Málaga after the
outwardly Republican city was bombed by Nationalist sympathizers - the Italian army during the Civil
war, and one of the only remaining Roman ruins in Andalucía after centuries of warfare, and
construction. The site is accompanied by the Centro de Interpretación (visitor center), which teaches
visitors about the history of the ruins and their subsequent excavation.
2 nights accommodation at choice of hotels listed: (TBA)
Free time to rest, unpack or catch up with remote work needs
Dinner at leisure
Day 7 – Thursday, October 8, 2015 – Malaga
Choice: Option 1: FD Hiking tour of El Caminito del Rey
If adventure is more your cup of tea – this is the tour for you. It takes a helmet to follow in a king’s
footsteps.
El Caminito Del Rey — a former hydroelectric workers’ path in southern Spain christened “the king’s
little pathway” after King Alfonso XIII inaugurated it by walking it in 1921 and is once again welcoming
hikers for the first time in almost 15 years
The breathtaking 1.9-mile boardwalk clings to cliffs 300 feet over the Guadalhorce River in the Garganta
del Chorro gorge.
National Geographic cited the pathway as one of the world’s best hikes, and the Lonely Planet travel
guide lists the renovated trail as one of the world’s “hottest new travel experiences” for 2015.
Hiker must reserve their places and don helmets at the start of the trail, according to the tourism
website. Only 600 people a day will be allowed to visit. Visit is subject to weather conditions and subject
to change.
Option 2: FD tour and site inspections to include:
Depart to for Ronda, short tour including Bullring
The city of Ronda overtook Córdoba in the big three Andaluz tourist attractions, behind Sevilla and
Granada, in the early 21st century - Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It
is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries
the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new'
bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, for its unparalleled views out over the Serranía de
Ronda mountains.
Visit Plaza de Toros, a traditional Spanish bullring made of stone. Behind the stage, learn about the
history of bullfighting from your guide and head to the center of the ring to snap some awesome photos.
Continue to several beautiful bridges including the New Bridge, a symbol of the city that connects
Ronda´s old and new districts. Enjoy great views of the vast El Tajo River gorge below. Next, visit one of
Ronda’s most significant monuments, the beautiful San Juan Bosco House, a palace that fuses modern
and colonial styles and boasts amazing views of the valley.
Continue to Marbella site inspections:
Puente Romano, Marbella Club, Finca Cortesin
Lunch at one of the hotels inspected
NOTE: Reservations for El Caminito del Rey need to be processed at least 30 days in advance. For this
reason, we ask participants to advise which tour option is preferred and for those wishing option 1,
following information is needed.
** Full name as it appears on passport
** Passport #
** Please also note, visit is subject to weather conditions.
** Appropriate shoes are required.
Return to hotel for short rest
Farewell dinner with Andalucia Tourism representatives –
Day 8 – Sunday, May 17, 2015
Departure transfer
Note: In order to coordinate transfers, arrival times need to be provided no later than 10 days prior to
arrival.
Depart Malaga (AGP) Air transportation not provided by Turismo Andaluz
THANK YOU FOR JOINING YTP AND OUR PARTNER TO PRESENT ANDALUCIA TO YOU. WE HOPE YOU
ENJOYED THE TRIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK! #YTP #YTPFUTUREOFTRAVEL
Please add following hashtags #YTPLovesAndalucia #YTPFamAndalucia @viveandalucia and
@mainlyspain