Castles in the Sun

Andalucia and the Costa del Sol

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, you will stay at the AC Palacio de Santa Paula, a restored cloister in the heart of the old city with a lovely central courtyard. The unique rooms were designed to retain their moody medieval character and updated with modern comforts and amenities. 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, 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.