Andalusia
Luxury Travel to
Andalusia
You visit a Moorish palace and seem transported to Morocco or Algeria, with the lovely geometric stonework, indoor courtyards, and bubbling fountains. You go to a cathedral, marvel at the exquisite stained-glass windows and high vaulted ceiling and feel you have stepped back in time. Your entire vacation has been like that, one amazing moment after another.
Andalusia is like that. The sun seems brighter here; the sea, warmer; the colors, deeper. And the experiences, so much more memorable.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about Andalusia
Andalusia—just the name sounds mysterious, fiery, and romantic. Perhaps the mystique comes from the region’s proximity with north Africa, so close you can actually see it. The names of the cities—Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Marbella, Cadiz—evoke the region’s long history. Its Moorish past has given it a rich cultural life, on top of all of the beautiful natural sites.
A few facts you might now know:
01
Andalusia has over 1,000 km of coastline on two separate bodies of water, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
02
Jaén Province in Andalusia has the highest concentration of castles and fortresses of all of Europe. Almost 90!
03
25% of the world’s olive oil comes from Andalusia. Especially famous is the extra-virgin oil from Picual olives.
04
There are more golf courses in Andalusia than anywhere else in the country. That, combined with the great weather…
05
The Trafalgar Lighthouse is built just above the waters where the famous Battle of Trafalgar, and the famous gunshot which killed Admiral Nelson, took place.
Andalusia travel guide
Where to stay in Andalusia?
Such a wonderful destination deserves a hotel just as wonderful. AAV has found the perfect accommodations — unusual and exquisite, opulent, luxurious, and immensely comfortable.
The Finca Cortesin is over the top. Two massive courtyards, beautifully manicured gardens, four swimming pools, tennis and padel courts, a luxurious spa, and beach club—all there to make your high-end vacation the best possible. You will love golfing on the eco-friendly fairways and greens of the resort. The sumptuous suites and villas are all elegant, light, and airy, decorated with a slight Moorish influence, to honor the local architecture.
La Bobadilla, a Royal Hideaway, is just that—royal. The rooms and suites are palatial, featuring stone floors, fine wood, marble baths, exquisite décor and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel’s restaurant, La Finca, with one Michelin star, showcases local produce in an amazing gastronomic experience. The hotel’s 2nd restaurant, El Cortijo, offers regional cuisine.
The Hotel Alfonso XIII was commissioned by the Spanish king to welcome international dignitaries during the 1929 Expo, so everything is grand: the foyer with its vaulted ceiling, marble columns and floors, the inner courtyard with hand-painted tiles. The rooms and suites are equally beautiful, with a
historic, Moorish flair combined with sleek contemporary design. An amazing address when visiting Seville.
Lovely La Zambra is located close to the magical white village of Mijas. The rooms and suites here are designed to be your sanctuary, your haven of light, softness, and comfort. The hotel itself is all about indulgence: three different restaurants to enjoy local specialties, a luxurious spa, two golf courses and lush botanical gardens.
Located directly on the beach in Marbella, the Puente Romano is everything you expect in a luxury resort. Spacious, opulent suites and villas. Gastronomic dining—the resort has more than twenty restaurants and bars. Beautiful spa and wellness center. Tennis and golf. And a gorgeous botanical garden for leisurely, relaxing walks.
The Marbella Club is also located on Marbella’s beautiful seaside. The gorgeous hotel combines Andalusian traditions, modern comfort, relaxed atmosphere, and amazingly attentive service. The rooms, suites, bungalows ,and villas have an understated elegance you will love. Children will enjoy the Kids Club, with games and activities designed just for them.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in Andalusia
The Alhambra
One of the most impressive sites to visit in all of Spain is the Alhambra, an exquisite Moorish fortress and palace from the 13th century. You will be amazed by the intricately sculpted ceilings in the rooms, the extraordinary stonework, beautiful mosaic tiles… and the lush gardens with fountains. A must-see.
Cordoba
Your AAV local guide and chauffeur will take you to Cordoba, once an independent Caliphate and the capital of Al Andalus. As you visit the Mezquita, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Roman Bridge, the Albolafia, La Calahorra Tower, … your guide will explain the history of these extraordinary monuments.
Ronda
Ronda is spectacular. No other word does justice to this city, perched on top of a mountain and cut in two by El Tajo, a deep gorge separating the Old Town from the New Town—“new” being a relative term, since this part of the city dates back to the 15th century.
The Andalusian coast
The Andalusian Coast has some of the best beaches in Spain. Your AAV guide will take you on a beach day, seeing the surprising landscapes and volcanic mountains in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, the white sand beaches of Conil de la Frontera, Cadiz, or the fjord-like crystal waters at Cala Barranco de Maro or La Caleta de Maro, amnong others.
When is the best time to visit Andalusia?
Andalusia is the ideal luxury vacation destination any time of the year. The region combines beautiful sunshine with diverse countryside and spectacular historic monuments, which you will enjoy year-round.
Andalusia in winter:
Andalusia in winter might be Spain’s best-kept secret. The weather is the warmest of all of Europe. It’s bright and sunny. You can enjoy the gorgeous coastline and ski in the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. Foodies will love the seasonal produce: mushrooms, chard, fennel, and wild asparagus.
Andalusia in spring:
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Andalusia—parts of the countryside are covered in almond and cherry blossoms. The Fiesta de los Patios in which courtyards are decorated with flowers takes place in Córdoba. And city parks, such as the Parque de Maria Luisa in Seville, are at their best. All this on top of all the spectacular monuments and beaches!
Andalusia in summer:
Andalusia in summer is hot. Very hot—generally 36°C with peaks of 45°C. With over 1000 km of coastline, however, there are plenty of opportunities to cool off. You can enjoy the many music festivals (Malaga, Seville, and Torreperogil to name a few), or simply watch the spectacular sunsets over the El Rocío marsh.
Andalusia in autumn:
Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Andalusia. The temperatures are perfect, there are fewer tourists, and there are still so many wonderful things to see and do. See spectacular fall colors in the Genal Valley, enjoy the stunning cliffs, dunes, and beaches of El Estrecho Nature Reserve, or take in the Malaga Fashion Week.
Travel tips about
Andalusia
Andalusia has it all. Great cities, amazing architecture, surprising monuments to visit, sumptuous beachfront, beautiful inland, a strong, lively culture, and fabulous local cuisine. You should pack your swimsuit as well as your hiking shoes. When you have AAV create your luxury vacation, you are sure to see the main sites, as well as some only the locals know, and to enjoy every minute of a trip which has been meticulously planned and carefully designed just for you. Arriba!
Here are a few tips from our local guides:
01
When you’re done at the Alhambra…
When you visit the Alhambra, take a little extra time to visit the city of Granada. You will enjoy exploring the historic city center, with its labyrinthine cobbled streets, on foot. Be sure to see the Albacín and Realejo quarters which capture the spirit of Granada’s past.
02
Bullfighting
While not for the faint of heart, bullfighting is very Spanish. This ancient blood sport is still practiced in Andalusia. In Ronda, the “cradle of the corrida”, the ring is one of the oldest and most picturesque. You can also find bullrings in Seville, Cordoba, and Cadiz.
03
Not your mother’s tomato soup
While in Andalusia, be sure to try the gazpacho, the famous cold tomato soup which originated in this region. Foodies will also want to try the fried fish—anchovies, sardines and mussels are lightly covered in flour and fried to become the best tapas ever.
04
Snorkeling for history buffs
History buffs and diving enthusiasts alike will love scuba diving at Cape Trafalgar. You can still see the remains of ships sunk during the infamous battle which ended the reign of the Spanish Armada over the seas of Europe. Fascinating!
05
For nature lovers
Those who love nature should head for Nueva Umbria beach in El Rompido, Huelva. The fine golden sands of the beach are nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Las Piedras River, pine forests and sand dunes. You will enjoy hiking, biking, or simply sitting, listening to the waves.
Plan
your trip
If you wish to schedule a time to speak about the trip you have in mind, please click on the “Tailor my trip” button and fill in our form. We will get back to you very shortly after reception of your request.