11-Day Gourmet Tour of Andalucia

Take a bite out of Andalucia with this 11-day gastronomic journey. Andalucian cuisine has something for everyone whether you’re a fish fan, a meat lover or a vegetarian!

You will explore the many flavours through tastings of local delicacies like the incomparable Jamón Ibérico, delicious Bluefin red tuna, artisanal goat cheese and the most exquisite Spanish caviar...yes, Spanish caviar!

You will be staying at quaint boutique hotels and feel the authenticity of this magical region. Experience the genuine and rural Southern Spain by going off the beaten path and meeting its locals.

Amongst the places you will be visiting are Cordoba, Montilla, Los Pedroches, Sevilla, Vejer, Tarifa, Ronda and Malaga.

Itinerary:

Day 1: You will meet your host and fellow travellers at Malaga airport. Then transfer to Riofrio for a totally unique caviar experience. The experience includes a guided visit to the farm and pools, 5 different caviar tastings paired with cava and a shot of vodka. This is then followed by a delicious lunch. After lunch depart to Cordoba for an orientation walk in the evening followed by a fabulous dinner at a traditional local restaurant.

Day 2: Discover Cordoba's cultural and culinary treasures. In the morning you will visit the great Mosque/Cathedral. This monumental site encapsulates this city's identity, with the layers of its complex history and the diverse cultures that have shaped the city, visibly integrated in its walls. In the afternoon enjoy a culinary and wine immersion in the "Tuscany of Córdoba", the pretty wine region Montilla. Visit an olive oil farm and enjoy an olive oil tasting. And then visit a boutique winery for a wine tasting, followed by a delicious tapas lunch prepared by the winery owners.

Day 3: Today you will discover the quintessential Spanish delicacy, the Iberian Ham. Drive to Los Pedroches Natural Park where you will visit a family-run Iberian pig farm. You will first enjoy a tour of the property set in the unique landscape of the Spanish "Dehesa" - the natural habitat of region's native black pigs. The Iberico pigs are bred here and freely roam these lands eating fallen acorns from the months of November through February. Then head to the family’s country house for an Iberian ham slicing workshop lead by a master craftsman together with a ham tasting. Your Iberian Ham experience concludes with a homemade lunch of grilled vegetables, beef and pork, a fresh tomato salad and a traditional dessert.  

Day 4: Moving from Córdoba to Seville, you'll be stopping at the beautiful town of Palma del Río. Here you will visit a private palace and taste some delicious fresh oranges from the family orchards, accompanied by tea and pastries. Lunch today will be served at a very special setting, the Parador of Carmona. On arrival in Seville there will be time to relax before an evening of tapas and Flamenco. Your guide will take you to authentic tapas bars known only to the locals. Over delicious small plates your guide will then lead you through a fascinating explanation of the roots and mysteries of flamenco. Then, head for the show and experience the power, passion and sheer drama of real flamenco.

Day 5: Today, you will be heading to Sevilla's famed Triana food market for a tour of the market and a 3-hour hands-on cooking class at Taller Andaluz de Cocina, a cooking school that is located right inside the market. After collecting fresh ingredients in the market, head to the cooking school. You will have the chance to get involved in the preparation of the dishes, and of course enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular old town of Seville including a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace.

Day 6: Off to Jérez for a sherry adventure! The day begins with an orientation walk of the old town, before making a stop at one of the finest bodegas in town, for a tasting. Founded in 1750, this winery is one of the oldest in the Jerez Denomination of Origin. Time for a delicious sherry pairing lunch. After lunch transfer to the charming white town of Véjer where you will cook your own dinner as part of a hands-on cooking class. Depending on the season, the dishes which you will help prepare and taste are likely to include gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), tuna & red pepper salad and gazpacho.

Day 7:  Today you will experience the unique annual Almadraba first-hand; a traditional fishing method of the Bluefin tuna whose origins can be traced back to over 3000 years! This exclusive journey includes a tasting of the Bluefin tuna, one of Spain's most treasured delicacies. The day includes a small boat trip where you will learn about this unique fishing technique; a visit to Barbate fish market and tasting menu lunch at one of Spain’s top seafood restaurants. In the afternoon visit the Baelo Claudia archaeological site. This Roman city-factory is amazingly well preserved and one of the finest known examples of a Roman town.  

Day 8: Today, explore the Natural Park of Grazalema, take in the natural beauty of the Andalucian countryside and learn about organic farming. You will have direct contact with the farm’s animals including the beautiful Lusitano horses. There will be a dressage during which you will get to admire the strength of these noble animals.  You will have the opportunity to collect eggs from the free-range chickens and visit the vegetable garden to learn about biodynamic techniques. The morning ends with a farm-to-table lunch including organic drinks & produce harvested in their garden, and homemade bread. After lunch drive to Ronda. At sunset take an introductory walking tour this picturesque town. The tour ends at a local bar where you could have a drink or some tapas (cost not included)

Day 9: Today you will discover the wines of Ronda. The Serranía de Ronda D.O. is one of the latest additions to the official wine routes found throughout Spain and its future is looking very promising. With wines from the area being valued with increasing regard both locally and internationally, the region of Ronda is well worth being labelled a first class destination for enotourism. Visit two of the top wineries of this region with several tastings and enjoy a homemade lunch cooked by the very same owner of the winery.  

Day 10: Today’s unique and immersive experience led by a local, will introduce you to the authentic lifestyle and customs of a White Village. Experience rural Spain first-hand, with a visit to the quaint little village of Benalauria to live a real cultural and culinary immersion. Make your own bread, visit the smallest winery in Spain and have lunch at the wine producer house. Transfer to Malaga for the cherry on the cake, the farewell dinner.  

Day 11: Morning transfer to Malaga airport.