|
While
every region of Spanish Iberia claims itself
as the "soul of Spain," Andalucia - extending
northward from the southern Mediterranean coast
to the sun-drenched plain of Seville and the
hills of Granada - has perhaps the best case,
at least for the modern traveler's imagination.
Walled cities, ancient castles, medieval cliff
towns, vineyards, the beat of flamenco, the
gilded southern beaches, and a good measure
of sherry and modern art greet every turn of
a vacationer's escape in the sun.
 Your
itinerary will take you through the revered
hotspots and lovely backcountry of this beautiful
region. Your first stop will be Malaga, the
central gateway to Spain's Mediterranean coast.
The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga is a
bustling port built into a steep cliffside at
the foot of the Andalucian plateau. Traveling
south in your convertible, you'll arrive at
the resort areas of Marbella and Estepona. At
the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, you can open your balcony
doors to a furnished terrace overlooking the
sea, and head downstairs after dark for fine
dining and wonderful nightlife. In the days
beyond, you'll be pampered with spa treatments
and a special dinner, and can go horseback riding,
parasailing, or deep sea fishing. To complete
your experiences on the Costa del Sol, take
a drive or guided daytrip down to Gibraltar,
to look across the straits to the silhouette
of Africa on the horizon.
 A
drive through the forested, hilly plateau of
eastern Andalucia will bring you to Granada,
high capital of the Moors from the 10th to 13th
centuries, and home to the Alhambra, a clifftop
palace of stunning size and opulence. There,
a unique opportunity awaits you - staying within
the Alhambra's walls, in a medieval cloister
filled with flowers, fountains, and songbirds.
This property is the most famous of the paradors
- historic, architecturally intriguing inns
maintained by the state,  and
outfitted with excellent service, local art,
and top regional cuisine. Granada is an excellent
base for travels into surrounding cliff-towns,
orchards, and vineyards, and is a very romantic
city, with scenic walks and some truly intimate
spots for tapas and wine.
 Next,
you'll make your way through the quaint white
towns of Andalucia as you head for Seville.
Make sure to stop in Ronda, which sits right
on the edge of an amazing gorge. Upon reaching
Seville, the quintessential Spanish hotel, Alfonso
XIII, will greet you into its grand lobby and
shaded courtyards, and you will be able to relax
in distinctly-styled Baroque (pictured), Moorish,
or traditional Spanish accommodations. Seville's
Giralda Tower and labyrinthine Jewish Quarter
are a sunny, cobblestoned walk away, and at
many alleys you will catch a glimpse of a hidden
garden or shaded bodega. In the late evening,
you'll return to the streets for flamenco or
even a rare outdoor opera, and in the right
season you'll find bullfights and orange and
olive harvests on the outskirts of town.
 A
high-speed, air conditioned train will zip you
through Cordoba, home to the monolithic Mezquita
mosque, and the picturesque hilltown of Toledo,
to the grand cosmopolitan capital of Madrid.
In this stately city of embassies, mansions,
and monuments, you will find some of the best
restaurants in Western Europe, and several of
the world's foremost art and history museums.
Madrid's plazas thrive with activity long into
the night, with street performers and musicians
setting the perfect mood as you sip sangria
before retreating to your stylish quarters at
the Hotel Urban, one of the city's chicest
abodes.
The
beaches, castles, and sun of Andalucia will
resonate in your memory long after you have
returned home, and we are certain that Spain
will find a special place in your heart as well.
Who
will enjoy this trip:
Those who want a balanced mix of beach-oriented
relaxation and cultural exploration. Those who
enjoy historical sites, architecture, good food
and wine, and outdoor activities.
Who
should avoid this trip:
Those who are primarily interested in pristine
beaches and water sports. Those who would prefer
to stay put in a single place. Those not interested
in Spanish culture.
|
