Spain The Magical Spell of Andalusia

Depart home today on your overnight flight to Spain. You will likely need to make one or more connections before arriving in Seville. Another option (less expensive however more time consuming) is to fly to Madrid, then take the train to Seville (SVQ).

There will be opportunities for group photo walks with Eileen throughout the tour, as well as dedicated time to share and discuss your images during evening presentations. The timing over the course of the tour will depend on the weather, energy of the group and any special events taking place.

There will be an introductory meeting late this afternoon, followed by a welcome dinner and a walk to introduce you to the sights around your hotel.

Seville boasts of taverns and markets, baroque and gothic churches as well as Renaissance palaces and monasteries. You will have a brief walking tour of Seville from your hotel. Enjoy your evening photographing along narrow, winding medieval lanes through the city, past tapas bars, clubs, and other sites.

The highlights of Seville include street markets, Macarena Gate and Walls, The Cathedral of Seville, and Alcazar. You may wish to return and climb the spire in the late afternoon for the best views. Wander the narrow streets in the Old Jewish Quarter and the Barrio de Santa Cruz. The last full day in Seville, venture outside the old town area to the Plaza de Espana, and photograph the beautiful architecture from the 1929 Expo. Overnight Seville (Dinner; Breakfast; B, Lunch)

Leave Seville behind, connecting with the ‘white-town route’, which is made up of white villages strung together, draped along hillsides under their castles. As you approach Arcos there are marvelous photo ops to capture the setting of the villages. Wander with Eileen through the winding streets of the old town and the Plaza de Espana, time will depend on the weather for today. Overnight Arcos (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing on your adventure. Ronda sits on a plateau of a large rock outcropping above the El Tajo gorge. Because of the cliffs, Ronda was one of the last Moorish cities to fall during the Reconquest of Spain by the Catholic monarchs. It certainly takes the prize for picturesque views. You can easily explore its central sights on foot, however, if you choose to take the foot trails up and down the cliffs you will need to be in good physical condition. You will photograph the highlights as well as the off the beaten path neighborhoods. Ronda is steeped in history with the bullring, the Puente Nuevo -18^th century bridge, Plaza de la Ciudad and Santa Maria la Mayor Church, take an optional hike up the former mosque tower for a different view.

There are several optional excursions to ruined Moorish mills, or spectacular waterfall views, and Puente Nuevo. During a mid-day break you may choose to soak in the ancient baths, taking the trail from the Casa del Rey Moro – lavishly furnished mansion with terraced gardens and a flight of 365 stairs cut into the living rock and leading to the river and the Moorish baths. If the weather cooperates there maybe lovely sunset photography, or perhaps sunrise in the morning. Overnight Ronda (B; B, L)

After breakfast depart for the City of Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the confluences of two rivers. The backdrop of mountains creates a beautiful setting for this historical city that embraces an artistic grandeur of Moorish palaces and Christian Renaissance treasures. A taste of the city’s appeal is found in Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra, a useful book to read prior to departure.

Your local guide will organize a photography walk late this afternoon to the Mirador de San Nicolas for your first view of the Alhambra, at sunset. The following day enjoy a tour of the interior of the Alhambra with your local Granada city guide. Enjoy photography amidst the gardens and this spectacular architecture. Late this afternoon and evening you may wish to have a photo shoot in the Realejo or El Albaicin neighborhoods located at the foot of the Alhambra. They will take you into hidden streets full of history and charm, sharing with you some of the most stunning views and memories of the city. Overnight Granada (B; B, L)

There will be photo stops today as you drive to Cordoba, a photographer’s delight, with a Roman bridge still crossing the river. At one time Cordoba had a population of one million, Muslims, Christians, and Jews living in harmony. We aim to make this a visual tour of Cordoba, with insights on its art, monuments, attractions, culture and everything that makes it a unique city. One of the architectural marvels is the Mosque (Mezquita), a vast square of what seems like endless red-and-white striped arches. You will go inside the famous Cordoba Mosque, Vianna Palace and the synagogue. Overnight Cordoba (B; B,D)

There will be a group transfer (time to be announced) to the Seville Airport, or continue on to Barcelona with Eileen (B)