EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Enjoy a brief look at the fabled city of Granada and visit two notable landmarks, Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada.

It's a 45-minute drive inland to the Moorish city of Granada, nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As you travel down a modern highway that was once ancient Arab pathways, you will enjoy wonderful views of both the Alpujarras Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, as well as groves of olive and fruit trees. Upon arrival, your first stop will be in the Albaicin quarter. This is the old Arab quarter and was the residential region of the Moors, even after the city was reclaimed by Spain. This narrow labyrinth of crooked streets escaped the fate of much of Granada, which was torn down in the name of progress. Fortunately it has been preserved, as have its cisterns, fountains, plazas, whitewashed houses, villas, and the decaying remnants of the old city gate. From a viewpoint here, you'll be able to capture photos of the renowned Alhambra Palace.

Continuing on, you will drive to Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada which is located next door. The close relationship between both gives rise to a curious formal detail seen in the ambulatory that surrounds the circular gallery. The Capilla Real's gothic gateway becomes just another part of the Cathedral's walls, as if it were in reality one of the other many chapels when, in fact it represents the entrance to another building. In the Royal Chapel here, the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand are kept. It was their wish to be buried in recaptured Granada, not Castile or Aragón. The coffins are remarkably tiny-a reminder of how short they must have been. In the sacristy you can view Isabella's personal art collection, including works by Rogier Van der Weyden and various Spanish and Italian masters, such as Botticelli.

Next, you will make the short walk to the richly ornate Renaissance Cathedral. With its spectacular altar, it is considered one of Spain's architectural highlights and is renowned for its beautiful facade and gold-and-white interior. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1521 in a gothic style, and came to completion in 1714 as an example of Baroque architecture. Another outstanding feature is the facade by Alonso Cano, a truly marvelous example of Baroque interiors, culminating in the bell tower which holds more than a secret within. The ground plan incorporated a five-nave basilica and another in the center to be surrounded by an enormous aisle, in which a high altar would be inserted. This design led Rosenthal to believe that the model was based on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Following your Cathedral visit, you'll walk back to your awaiting coach and make the drive back to the pier in Motril where your tour concludes.

See Granada’s most important Moorish-influenced attractions, including Carlos V Palace and the Albaicin neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a meandering drive inland to Granada, the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492. The capital of the Andalusia region, Granada boasts a wealth of extraordinary architecture, including the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex, your first stop. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957. Next, walk down the Albaicin quarter, an ancient Moorish neighborhood of winding streets and whitewashed houses. During Granada’s modernization, the Albaicin was almost destroyed, but preservationists prevailed. While wandering about, you may see the remains of an Arab bath complex, some original Moorish homes and plenty of unique stores selling handmade merchandise. Continue to browse a former Moorish-influenced gran Market, the only fully preserved in the Iberian Peninsula. Called “The Corral del Carbón” and built in the fourteenth century, served as a warehouse for merchandise to be sold there, as well as housing the merchants who passed through the city. Later, it was used as a hostel and as coal warehouse in their basement; that's where his current name comes from. After that, in the sixteenth century, Christians adapted it for theatrical performances. Lastly, you will also visit the Capilla Real or Royal Chapel, where the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand lie. Finally, enjoy free time to shop or have lunch on your own in one of the many atmospheric bars and restaurant in the surroundings

Watch a moving flamenco performance next to Granada's bull fight ring and then enjoy free time in Granada exploring everything from little-known attractions to those as famous as the Alhambra. Depart from the pier and drive inland, past the majestic Sierra Nevada National Park and on to Granada, an Andalusian city that reveres flamenco. Upon your arrival in Granada , marvel in front at the Bullfight Ring (Plaza de Toro), one of the 10th largest in Spain and active agenda.

Next, you'll be treated to a highly charged, passionate flamenco performance. Through dance, song and guitar music, the seductive gypsy art of flamenco tells an emotional story with themes ranging from love to oppression. Its roots can be traced back more than 200 years, and nowhere is flamenco admired more than in Granada.

After this pure Andalusian experience, you'll transfer to the city center, where you're free to spend the afternoon doing whatever you wish. Wander the labyrinthine streets and plazas in the historic Albaicin neighborhood, a World Heritage Site where the Moors once resided. Behold the ornate cathedral and the Royal Chapel next door where the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand lie. Or simply spend your time browsing the shops for hand-painted ceramics, designer fashions and leather goods, all of which are extraordinary in Granada.

After approximately 3 ½ hours on your own, you'll rejoin your coach and escort at the appointed time and place and make the return journey back to Motril. Those who are not on time for the return transfer will be responsible for making their own way back to the ship, at their own expense.

This definitive tour of Malaga showcases landmarks such as Gibralfaro Castle, but also leaves free time for shopping and exploring in the historic city center, where Picasso was born.

Starting off from the pier you'll drive due west along the coast to Malaga, an Andalusian city with Moorish roots and an illustrious past that was founded in the 8th century by the Phoenicians. Arriving in Malaga, your tour begins with a panoramic drive that passes by numerous city landmarks en route to your first stop, the imposing Gibralfaro Castle. Perched high atop a hill, it offers commanding views of the city, the bay and the mountains and has stood sentinel over Malaga for more than 1,000 years. During your visit, you might walk the ramparts, take in the panoramic views or immerse yourself in the castle's turbulent history in its museum, a building once used to store gunpowder.

Next, you'll travel back to the heart of Malaga where another historic landmark awaits you in the city center, the limestone Cathedral of Malaga. Built on the site of a former mosque, construction on the cathedral started in 1528 and dragged on for the next 255 years, until completely halting in 1783 due to a lack of money. To this day, the cathedral's second planned tower hasn't been built, giving rise to the nickname: manquita or "one-armed woman." It's an iconic building, as is the nearby Picasso Museum.

Continuing on, you'll enjoy an enlightening walking tour of the architecturally rich city center before stop for a tapas lunch at El Pimpi, a traditional Andalusian bodega. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to explore on your own, before driving back to the pier.

Discover geological wonders such as the world’s largest stalagmite in the Caves of Nerja and then meander through the lovely old quarter in the seaside village of Nerja.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a picturesque coastal drive to the seaside village of Nerja, a former fishing village that has recently become a popular resort town. A short distance away, you will find the Caves of Nerja, a series of caverns that stretches nearly three miles and contains the world’s largest stalagmite.

Although archaeological evidence shows that the caves were occupied from about 25,000 BC to the Bronze Age, it wasn’t until 1959 that they were rediscovered. Cave paintings reveal that the earliest inhabitants were hunters, followed by fishermen and farmers.

As you walk through the caves, you can expect to see eerily illuminated stalactites and stalagmites in the Hall of Ghosts, formations that look like frozen waterfalls, and geological debris in the Hall of the Cataclysm that an earthquake caused millennia ago. It will be an extraordinary experience that you will not soon forget.

Back in Nerja, you will explore its oldest quarter, a beautiful setting with narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses with wrought-iron terraces overflowing with geraniums. Following a guided walking tour of the quarter, you will have free time to discover some of Nerja’s other charms.

On the return drive, you will pass the Bridge of the Eagle, a towering aqueduct built to supply water to a sugar mill.

Behold the haunting beauty and geological wonders in the Natural Park of El Torcal and then explore the historical landmarks in the nearby village of Antequera.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive inland to the Natural Park of El Torcal, a karst limestone landscape that was covered by the sea millions of years ago. As the water receded over time, it exposed the imprint of marine skeletons and shells.

Parts of the porous limestone also eroded, leaving an abundance of caves and towering stacks of rock. You will observe these unusual geological structures and marine fossils in the rocks on a short walk through the stark terrain.

Along the way, the guide will describe the history of El Torcal and the effect of the inhabitants who quarried the limestone. Although the last village in El Torcal has long been abandoned, rock dwellings still remain. If you spot birds, chances are they are griffon vultures.

Continuing on, you will soon arrive Antequera, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish and Spanish influences. Many of the buildings date to medieval times, and the town’s stone monuments known as dolmens are estimated to have been built in 3,000 BC.

As you may discover during free time, Antequera also has an abundance of churches, its most well-known being the Church of El Carmen, which features a magnificent Mudéjar coffered ceiling. The Real Colegiata de Santa Maria La Mayor church is also worth a look.

Spend hours of free time in Granada, exploring the attractions you find most intriguing, whether landmarks such as the Alhambra or lesser-known areas for shopping and dining. After departing from the pier, you will drive inland, past the majestic Sierra Nevada National Park and on to Granada. The Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492, Granada still bears a Moorish influence.

For starters, there is the Alhambra, the fortress-palace of the Nasrid sultans. Walking through the seemingly endless rooms and courtyards is an unforgettable experience, as the Alhambra complex is adorned with richly colored mosaics, ornamental columns and romantic archways. The adjoining Generalife gardens are just as magnificent.

You might also wander the labyrinthine streets in the historical Albaicin neighborhood, a World Heritage site where the Moors once resided. During Granada’s modernization, the Albaicin was almost destroyed, but preservationists prevailed. While wandering about, you may see the remains of an Arab bath complex and some original Moorish homes. Another highlight is where the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand lie in the Royal Chapel.

As an alternative to sightseeing, you might spend time browsing the shops for hand-painted ceramics, designer fashions and leather goods, all of which are extraordinary in Granada. If you choose to dine, try regional favorites such gazpacho or garlic and almond soup, and a hearty dish of paella for the main course.

OVERVIEW

Explore a series of caves that were once under the sea and indulge in an inspired wine tasting at a nearby restaurant. The Treasure Caves are named for their unusual geology, their Paleolithic Age wall paintings and the legend that the monarchs of the Almoravid dynasty buried treasure there in the 12th century. As you walk through the eerily illuminated caves, you will notice how seawater shaped the interior over the eons. There are still subterranean lakes in some of the chambers. A tasting of premium Spanish wines thoughtfully paired with tapas follows at the Valle Niza restaurant. Those pairings may include a sparkling wine served with a ham-and-cheese board, a fruity white wine with confit cod, a red wine with braised ratatouille, and a moscatel dessert wine with French toast and coconut ice cream. The chosen pairings will be representative of Costa del Sol’s extraordinary wines and cuisine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the Treasure Caves, which were once completely under the sea.
• Sample several local wines paired with tapas at a restaurant.
• See Cueva del Tesoro, one of the only three caves of underwater origin known in the world and the only one in Europe.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend a delightful afternoon at an estate in Almuñecar, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch and flamenco show that will add a cultural dimension. The venue will be Venta Luciano, an inland estate within Spain’s wind-sheltered Costa Tropical, which boasts a micro-climate that is ideal for farming. You will initially enjoy the bounty of the land by sampling a selection of tapas such as marinated Aliñadas olives, Alpujarra ham and local cheeses. As a sorbet of sorts between courses, you will watch a seductive flamenco show, a folkloric style of dance and music that originated in Andalusia 500 years ago. A lunch of classic dishes follows, which may include tomato-based salmorjo soup, chicken grilled over an oak fire and succulent cod, all prepared according to traditional Almuñecar recipes. The dishes will be thoughtfully paired with local red and white wines. Seasonal fruits from the estate’s eco-friendly farm will be served for dessert.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wonderful gastronomic experience & Flamenco show.
• Amazing lunch and the best wines.
• Excellent typical food at “Venta Luciano”.
• Amazing experience with delicious and typical tropical fruits.
• One of the most amazing tours all over Spain.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore and dine in the whitewashed village of Pampaneira in the mountainous Alpujarras region, which is known for its therapeutic thermal springs. The drive will be extraordinarily scenic as you travel inland through the Sierra Nevada National Park, a natural wonderland with some of the highest peaks in Spain. Like its neighboring villages, Pampaneira hugs the steep slopes of the lush Poqueira River gorge. The population is small – just a few hundred residents – so it will be easy to make your way around the village. In the main square, you will find the 16th-century Church of Santa Cruz, which was designed in the Mudéjar style. While shopping, be sure to look for colorful woven goods made from the thick fabric jarapa. You will dine at Ruta del Mulhacén, a restaurant acclaimed for its regional dishes. Your lunch will likely include an appetizer with Alpujarra ham and a pork loin dish as the entrée.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a taste of rural life in a teeny mountain village that couldn’t be more picturesque.
• Browse a Mudéjar-style church, leafy plazas with fountains and a collection of shops.
• Dine on a traditional lunch made with local, seasonal and organic ingredients.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Dine on the quintessential Spanish dish paella in fabulous Villa Astrida, the vacation house of Belgium’s former King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola. You will be greeted with a welcome drink and a brief presentation of the residence where the royal family spent summers starting in 1967. As you will discover, it is an extraordinary setting on the sun-drenched Costa Tropical. After a reflective moment or two at the serene memorial to the monarch, you will tour the beautiful Villa Astrida and the surrounding royal gardens, which were designed as a place of contemplation for the deeply spiritual king. Afterwards, you will be served appetizers that were favorites of the royal family, including gazpacho and Serrano ham. The main course will be paella, a dish that originated in the rice-producing area around Valencia and has become synonymous with Spanish cuisine. Paella recipes vary from region to region, but they still reflect the freshest local ingredients.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Villa Astrida, the summer home of the former king and queen of Belgium.
• Pause at a memorial to the deeply spiritual king and meander through the royal gardens.
• Dine in the villa on dishes including paella that were favorites of the royal family.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the considerable charms of the whitewashed town Frigiliana, which lies within the Natural Park of Sierras de Tejeda, an environmentally protected mountain region. Take a glimpse into Frigiliana’s history from Neolithic times to the present. Highlights include a 16th-century dagger excavated from the castle ruins and a number of Phoenician vessels. The architecture throughout the historical town center is also well worth a look, especially the 17th-century Church of San Antonio. A leisurely walk along the town’s cobblestone streets, which feature beautiful inlaid Moorish patterns, will bring you to a restaurant for a tasting of muscatel wine and sun-dried raisins, two of the products most associated with Frigiliana. A heartier traditional meal will be served at a nearby tavern. The dishes there may include a tomato gazpacho that is thicker than most, meatballs in a flavorful almond sauce and gachas, a warm dessert of fried bread squares topped with honey.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the beautiful whitewashed architecture while walking through the town center.
• Sample local muscatel wine and raisins and a hearty Andalusian meal afterwards.
• A delicious lunch will be served in a traditional local restaurant "Taberna Sacristan".

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.