Magical Andalucia 

This 7-night holiday to Andalucia is one of our personal favourites at Shellseekers.  Combine exploring the historic city of Seville with relaxing at a privately owned Hacienda overlooking olive groves. 

 

Day 1

Arrive at Seville Airport, where you will be met by a private taxi and transferred to Corral del Rey. This hotel feels like a real "hidden secret".  Located in the heart of Seville, within easy walking distance of all the historic attractions and the main shopping area, it offers tranquillity and comfort in the midst of the hustle and bustle. 

The original 17th Century Casa Palacio in the old quarter of Barrio Alfalfa has been meticulously restored and converted into this small (only 6 rooms) private luxury hotel, with a central atrium, Roman marble columns and the original wooden carved beams.  One of the delights of the hotel is the rooftop patio with a small plunge pool - perfect for a relaxed breakfast or a drink as the sun sets over the rooftops of Seville.Rooms are luxuriously equipped and air conditioned, keeping the character of the original building whilst providing all the comforts you would expect from a hotel of this calibre.3 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.

 

 Day 2

Half day private, guided tour of Seville.  Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, explore the main sights of this fascinating city.  The price includes entrance fees to the monuments.  Being introduced to Seville in this way will enhance your enjoyment of the city as your guide will provide insights into the history which you may not get from a guidebook. 

This tour can be taken either in the morning or afternoon.Overnight at Corral del Rey 

 

Day 3

A full day to enjoy Seville at leisure.  In the evening we suggest that you attend a Flamenco show (the hotel will be happy to get tickets for you).Overnight at Corral del Rey. 

 

Day 4

Check out after breakfast.As the hotel is quite tricky to find by car, take a taxi to the railway station and pick up your rental car.  The railway station is on the road you will need to take out of Seville.  Alternatively, we can have a car delivered to the hotel.  Continue by car to the Hacienda de San Rafael. The Hacienda is situated between Seville and Jerez, set within glorious gardens and overlooking Olive and Orange groves. 

The drive takes about 1 hour, and we will provide directions.The Hacienda de San Rafael has 11 rooms and 3 casitas, all set within lush gardens with 3 swimming pools.  The atmosphere is relaxed, but with attentive and friendly service. The location is perfect for exploring Jerez (sherry bodegas, the Royal Andalucian Riding School), the sea port of Cadiz, and the white villages in the hills.  There are also a number of excursions which can be arranged from the Hacienda.4 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. 

 

Day 8

Depart the Hacienda and drive back to Seville Airport.  Return your car before catching your return flight. Note:  We have based this itinerary on flights into and out of Seville.  However, Ryanair have flights to Jerez and we can easily arrange the holiday around these flights. 

Price:  Per person, based on 2 sharing - from £1062* 

Included:  

Transfer from Seville Airport to Corral del ReyCorral del Rey - 3 nights bed & breakfast in a superior roomHalf day, private, city tour of Seville 4 days car hire - Renault Clio or similarHacienda de San Rafael - 4 nights in a deluxe room on a bed & breakfast basis. 

Not included:

Flights (Clickair from London Gatwick to Seville have very reasonable flights)Taxi from Corral del Rey to the StationMeals except breakfastTravel InsuranceOther room categories are availablePrice may vary if there is a fluctuation in the rate of exchange. Please call us on 01256 882634 to discuss this holiday and other holidays we can arrange for you in Spain

 

*************************************************************************************

 

Discover Rioja

 

This itinerary is very special and perfectly suited to wine enthusiasts and gourmets. The unique elements of this tour mean you get the opportunity to taste the wine and food of the Rioja, meeting some of the best winemakers and having expert guidance. A very personal introduction to Rioja.

 

Please contact us for fixed departure dates, or for a quote on your chosen dates.

 

Price can be as little as £300 per person, depending on group size.

 

 

 

 

This tour is a wonderful opportunity for those who would like to visit a stunning selection of Spanish wineries (each a current leader within the market place), sample the fine produce, explore the spectacular settings and immerse yourselves in history, culture and spectacular architecture.  This 4-night, 5-day journey is set in La Rioja, one of the richest and tourist free areas of Spain.

La Rioja is an area internationally famous for its acclaimed wines and gastronomy.

We would like to introduce you to this outstanding gourmet wine vacation, tailor-made for small groups and individuals who enjoy excellent wine and delicious food.

Your 4-night and 5-day programme invites the exploration of the grape through to the fine Rioja wine for which this region is famous.  Winery owners and winemakers will be explaining their own wine-making methods as you tour their estates and sample their renowned produce.  Each winery has their own unique, distinguishing features – from chateaux style, traditional, boutique to avant-garde.

This itinerary is a meeting of worlds.  It includes a 2 night stay in a former monastery in Haro, amidst the vast valley of vineyards and Cantabrian Mountains.  On the following 2 nights you are based at the historic town of Logrono at a fabulously modern “boutique” hotel.  The hotel is within close walking distance of the main gastronomic streets where you will find the best pinchos and tapas in Northern Spain.

Gastronomy is an integral part of this programme and throughout the journey top chefs will be demonstrating their culinary expertise by plying you with delicious gourmet meals typical of their region.  There will also be an opportunity to visit the Dinastia Vivanco and the Guggenheim Museums, along with guided walking tours of Haro, Logrono and a fabulous medieval village full of wine history, landmarks and historic mansions.  

 

Detailed Itinerary:

DAY 1

Arrival at Bilbao or Vitoria airport.  You are welcomed and escorted by our guide to our carefully selected hotel in La Rioja in a private vehicle.

Check in at our pre-selected hotel in Haro.  This hotel is a tastefully converted Monastry, offering a very high standard of accommodation and service.

Evening free to settle into your hotel.  Your guide will be happy to recommend local restaurants or bars for you to try.

Optional: Guggenheim museum visit in Bilbao. Subject to arrival time

 

 

DAY 2

08.30-09.30 - Buffet Breakfast

10.00-12.00 -Extraordinary guided tour of the world’s largest wine museum, experiencing the wine culture of centuries.  A unique experience where you learn the history of wine not only in Spain, but in Europe.

 

 

12.15-13.00.   Visit to the fabulous Remelluri Estate.  One of the most important wineries in Rioja for its successful style of blending modern  and traditional wine-making methods.  This is one of the few Chateaux-style wineries in Rioja, located in a peaceful setting at the base of the Cantabrian Mountains

13.00-15.30.   Superb typical lunch from the area, overlooking the vineyards and accompanied by the much acclaimed Remelluri wines.

 

 

16.30 -17.30.  Private guided walking tour of Haro.  The city of Haro is acknowledged as being the centre of Rioja wine production.

18.00-19.15(Optional)    Tutored wine tasting of a selection of the best wines of La Rioja conducted by a wine expert at an historic building. You will learn different techniques to taste wine as well as the unique characteristics of the wines of Rioja wine region.

 

 

19.30.  Free evening

Time to relax in your hotel or to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants around the city

We highly recommend the restaurant Las Suelas, situated by the impressive hotel courtyard. 

 

DAY 3

08.00-09.00.    Buffet Breakfast and check out of your hotel

10.00-11.30.   Spectacular guided tour to one of the best wineries in Rioja. Situated in a medieval village in the Rioja Alavesa wine region.  Tour of the medieval winery (entirely made of stone) and walks around its vineyards. Wine tasting.

 

 

12.00-14.00.   Guided visit to one of the oldest and prettiest Wine Estates in Europe: Lopez de Heredia.  Tour conducted by one of the members of the Family.  A visit to this traditional wine estate will demonstrate more clearly than a thousand words or pictures just what tradition in the making of fine wines really means in the 21^st century.  Wine tasting 

 

 

14.15-16.30.   Traditional restaurant in La Rioja.  One of the best to experience the art of combining traditional and nouvelle cuisine.

 

 

17.45-18.  Guided tour of the old quarter of Logrono, capital of La Rioja, visiting Calle Laurel one of the most famous gastronomic streets in Spain.  A unique guided tour seeing hundreds of small bars, each one specialising in a different tapa (small portions of food - an authentic delicacy).

19.00.  Check-in at your second hotel.

Free evening in Logrono, the capital of La Rioja where there are many excellent bars and restaurants.

 

 

DAY FOUR

08.15-09.00.   Buffet Breakfast

10.00 -11.30.  Guided tour of the one and only Marques de Riscal, Pioneer in the Rioja wine region.  Its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards including the amazing Hotel Marques De Riscal designed by world renowned architect Frank Ghery

Wine tasting

 

 

12.00-14.00

Private guided tour conducted by local expert of one of the most astonishing medieval towns in Europe.  Located on a hill, surrounded by a valley of vineyards, overlooking the back-drop of the Cantabrian Mountains.  You will walk through the narrow cobbled streets of the town enjoying stunning views as well as visiting small wine/food shops and bars.

 

 

14.30-16.30.   Gourmet lunch in a private club of wine estate owners and entrepreneurs.  Highly recommended.

16.30-19.30,   Free afternoon.  Time to relax in the hotel or go shopping in Logrono

 

 

20.00-22.00 (Optional)

Guided tapas tour of the best tapas of the area - some of them never seen before.  You will sample authentic fresh food from the North of Spain, while you mix with the locals.  Highly enjoyable.

 

 

DAY 5

08.00-09.00.   Buffet Breakfast.  Return to Airport.

Optional: Private guided tour to The GuggenheimMuseum in Bilbao (subject to flight times)

 

THIS IS WHAT YOU GET INCLUDED IN THIS EXCELLENT ITINERARY:

- Transport for 3 full days

- Transfers from and to Bilbao Airport

- Personalised English/Spanish speaking expert guide throughout the tour

- Four nights Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath.

  Two nights in a convent/conversion hotel and two nights in a boutique hotel

- Four full breakfasts

- Four exclusive wine estate visits.

- Three premium wine tasting

- Three gourmet lunches including wine

- Visit to the world largest wine museum.  

- Three towns and medieval villages guided walking tours.

- A personalised bottle of wine and case per person stating name and occasion in the label

- All Taxes

 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

-Travel insurance

- Flights (Bilbao or Vitoria airports)

- Tips

- Meals not specified

- Personal expenses

 

There are some fixed departures for this tour, in which case you will be part of a small group of wine enthusiasts (not necessarily experts, but keen sippers). Alternatively, this can be organised for individuals or even couples. Prices are very reasonable for what is included.

 

PRICE: From as little as £300 per person sharing double accommodation, depending on group size.

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - ATTEND THE RIOJA WINE FESTIVAL. SEE "SPECIAL OFFERS".