Discover Andalucia with Chef Ana Sortun

As the southernmost tip of the European continent, and gateway to northern Africa, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean, Andalusia has long lived in many conquerors' imaginations and made it a prize for centuries.

About the Andalucia Region

The region was incorporated into western civilization in 27 BC, as part of the Roman province of Baetica. The Vandals and Visigoths followed, before the major political upheaval that was the Arab conquest of Spain, beginning in 711. Andalusia became Al-Andalus, and Córdoba the capital, not to mention a cultural and economic highpoint of the world, flourishing as part of the Caliphate of Córdoba.

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After the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba in the 11th century, independent Muslim kingdoms emerged. Called taifas, they were fundamental to the cultural riches of the region at the time. Taifa courts celebrated and supported poets, scientists, and other scholars, and became hubs of excellence. Although periodically reabsorbed into broader caliphates and dynasties, the taifas repeatedly regained their independence and not only persisted but thrived–despite continual warfare with Christian kingdoms from the north and each other. Eventually, Castile conquered many of the taifas until Andalusia was divided into Christian and Muslim parts. Then, in 1492, the War of Granada saw the end of the last Muslim state of western Europe.

Andalusia experienced a resurgence in the 16th century when its strategic location mattered to the navigational and logistical needs of “the age of discovery”, and subsequent colonization and trade with the New World. Later centuries saw Spain lose much of its wealth and power and the region of Andalusia suffered in particular.

In this century, Spain has been ascendant as one of the most innovative food destinations in the world. This should not surprise us given the rich array of culinary influences: Greek, Roman, Goth, Muslim, and Frank (French-German) civilizations each contributed their flavors and cookery methods to Spanish culture and cuisine.

This 6-night, 7-day tour (not including a pre night that is highly recommended) is especially designed to emphasize the most exquisite aspects of the Málaga and Granada provinces (out of the eight in the autonomous community of Andalucia) including some of its best-kept secrets and most coveted flavors. Come with us and immerse yourself in glorious, fabled Andalusia accompanied by Chef Ana Sortun and your Tour Leaders.

¡Bienvenidos a Andalusia!

Dates & Pricing

DATES (7 days)

October 30-November 5, 2027

For more info, other dates and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE

Please contact us for more info

Single Supplement: $890

Tour Highlights

Immerse yourself in the local culture and history with professional Tour Leaders
Savor Arab-Andalusian cuisine emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and explore its nuances with Chef Ana Sortun, local chefs, and foodmakers
Taste some of the best wines of the region such as Jerez, and the local grapes Tempranillo and Macabeu
Guided visits to the UNESCO sites of L’Alhambra in Granada and the Dolmen in Antequera
Unwind in elegant, traditional 4-star hotels, hand-selected by Food.Stories.Travel.
Daily walking opportunities through the historic towns of Antequera, Ronda and Granada
Explore southern Andalucia on 3 exhilarating optional hikes featuring the following: El Torcal Park; El Caminito del Rey and Tajo Mills trails
Soak in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of the Mediterranean Diet and Flamenco dance culture
Discover authentic recipes to bring home with you!

What's Included

6 nights of accommodation in 4-star hotels
6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Entry fees to the Alhambra UNESCO site and to El Caminito del Rey (optional hike)
Guided walking tours with a local guide in Antequera and its Dolmens (UNESCO site)
Daily walking opportunities and 3 optional scenic hikes in Andalucia region
1 visit & tasting to a winery
1 cooking demo followed by dinner by James-Beard award-winning chef Ana Sortun
1 ingredient demo by James-Beard award-winning chef Ana Sortun
1 visit to the Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas de Antequera featuring delicious cookies made by the nuns
1 live exhibition of Flamenco dance (UNESCO intangible cultural heritage)
Local recipes to bring home with you!
One group transfer at the beginning from Malaga airport to the first hotel on day 1
One group transfer at the end of the tour from last hotel to Malaga airport
Comfortable transportation and assistance by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
Bilingual, professional Tour Leaders
Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during tour

What's Not Included

3 lunches and 1 dinner on your own
Alcoholic beverages at group meals (including wine, beer and spirits)
Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
Gratuities for your Tour Leaders. (Info here)
Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, snacks, gifts

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 Ronda

We begin in Ronda, a mountaintop city set dramatically above a gorge called El Tajo, which separates the 15th-century “new town” from its Moorish predecessor. On day 2 feel free to join us on an exhilarating hike discovering this unique corner of Andalucia.

A stone bridge spans the gorge, offering breathtaking lookout views. The new town’s Plaza de Toros is one of Spain’s oldest bullrings and one of the city’s most recognizable sights.

The charming cobblestone streets of Ronda attracted the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles, in their day, who sojourned in the La Ciudad neighborhood. Other highlights on these days feature a vixit and tasting to a winery and a Flamenco’s dance exhibition (UNESCO intangible cultural heritage).
Day 3 & 4 Antequera

From Ronda, we continue to Antequera, to explore a wealth of prehistory. Sometimes referred to as the “heart of Andalusia”, Antequera sits somewhat equidistant among Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, and Seville.

There is an UNESCO World Heritage Site here and many local monuments dating back to the Neolithic or Bronze Ages, which we visit with a local guide.

Other highlights on these days are the renowned El Caminito del Rey optional hike, the ingredients demonstration and the cooking demo followed by dinner, both events led by chef Ana for us!
Day 5 & 6 – Granada

Finally, we reach Granada, famous for the Moorish architecture of the UNESCO site of L’Alhambra featuring the Alcazaba fortress, the Geleralife gardens and the Nasrid Palace.

Immerse yourself in the Arab atmosphere of the historic center of this charming city and savor the local cuisine in a unique corner of southern Europe!
For those who like being active on these days we have another scenic optionsl hike available in the El Torcal Natural Reserve, famous for its unusual limestone rock formations.

On this tour, you discover delicious and unique Arab-influenced recipes such as ajo blanco (almond and garlic soup), bienmensabe (a sponge cake made with angel hair pumpkin jam, egg yolks, marzipan and cinnamon), berenjenas con miel (fried aubergines slices topped with honey) and porra antequerana (similar to Gazpacho but with a denser consistency, given the olive oil and larger amount of bread all blended together).
Day 7 – Malaga Airport