About the location:
Located in the south of Spain, the town of Marbella is
surrounded by beaches and fabulous nightlife, and is internationally well known for
its glamour and sophistication. The Andalusia region has a rich
heritage, a wonderful climate and is a place to visit anytime of the year.
It is the land of Velazquez and Picasso, bullfights, the flamenco and the pueblo blancos,
where the influence of Arab culture still exists. From Seville to Granada, from Cordoba to Ronda,
from Cidaz to Malaga, it is one of the most exciting regions of Europe.
Your home for the week will be at La Villa Marbella Charming Hotel, a unique place that caters to
the most distinguished guest with very personal
service, situated inside the romantic Old Town of the internationally
renowned Marbella, famous for its tourism quality and beauty.
La Villa Marbella has only recently opened its doors to guests, but it is set to
become a classic accommodation. This 150-year-old house has been fully
refurbished and the four suites emanate a rather cozy Asian style, yet respect the house's Andalusian culture.
Enjoy this true oasis of peace; from the top terrace you can enjoy breakfast, relax in
their Chinese lounges, or enjoy stunning views of the Sienna Bianca, Old Town or Arab walls.
In just three minutes you can walk to the famous Orange Square, seven minutes to the beach
or 10 minutes by car to the famous Marina Puerto Banus.
About the cooking lessons: With Algerian roots and having lived in Paris, Provence, Geneva, London, Buenos Aires,
Mauritius Island, Beirut and finally Marabella, Rashida's kitchen is seasoned with international flavors!
The love and passion
she conveys for healthy cooking derives from childhood; today she continues to share her knowledge with her students while cooking
with only organic foods.
For more than two years, Rashida has had weekly radio spots on REM.fm (104.8), Spain's premier news/talk radio station in English.
She is a regular guest on Kelli Brett's program, "The Main Ingredients," where she talks about healthy
Mediterranean cooking and eating, denouncing bad food. She shares her knowledge and views through writing and public speaking.
Your cooking lessons are held in covered outdoor kitchen in Rashida's gorgeous Mediterranean beach-villa at Estepona ( 10kms from Marbella ).
You will learn fun, delicious and healthy dishes from North Africa, Lebanon, France (Provencal) and Spain (especially Andalusian)!
Rashida likes to educate inspiring chefs on the difference between organic and conventional foods, tastes and their effects on your
health. She will
also teach you about subjects such as wild and farm-raised fish, water quality, toxins in the kitchens, cross-contamination and allergies and
diseases through food.
Spanish Cuisine on the Costa del Sol
Marbella, Andalusia
Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from the Malaga Picasso airport to La Villa Marbella.
- Enjoy a welcome glass of Cava (Spanish champagne) and settle into your accommodations with some time to rest.
- Tour the old town with your English-speaking guide.
- Enjoy an aperitif in a bodega followed by an Andalusian dinner.
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Day Two
- Breakfast.
- At 9:30 a.m., meet Rashida at the hotel. Walk to the charming plaza de los Naranjos (Oranges Square)
to taste Spanish 'churros and chocolate.' After enjoying your Spanish snack, venture to the Marbella fish market.
- Your first cooking class will be at 11:00 a.m., in Rashaida's lovely kitchen.
- After lunch, your guide will take you to a nearby village for a short visit.
- Drive to the most luxurious and fashioinable port city of southern Spain, Puerto Banus and enjoy its night life.
- Return to the hotel for a tapas dinner before the Flamenco show which starts at 10:30 p.m.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
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Day Three
- Breakfast and depart for a whole day excursion.
- Visit a cortijo and vineyard, about 15km outside of Ronda. Enjoy a wine tasting, Iberian ham and Ronda cheeses followed by
lunch in a typical restaurant with local wine.
- After lunch, tour the village of Ronda, the most beautiful and ancient village in Andalusia.
- In the early evening, return to the hotel for a rest.
- Tonight's dinner will be in a chiringuito, a charming beachfront restaurant.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
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Day Four
- Breakfast, followed by your second cooking class around 11:00 a.m.
- Enjoy lunch based on your efforts.
- Depart for a tour of Mijas, a village known for its white houses, panoramic
views and plenty of shopping opportunities.
- For tonight's dinner, visit the Museum of Wine in Mijas for a wine and tapas tasting.
- Return to your hotel where you can enjoy the evening at leisure. Perhaps
have a nice walk on The Marbella Paseo Maritimo; the promenade follows the coastline
of the town of Marbella for 6 kilometers. All along the Paseo Maritimo there are
restaurants, cafes, shops, malls and a cinema for you to enjoy.
- Overnight.
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Day Five
- Breakfast followed by your final cooking class at 11:00 a.m.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- Around 3:30 p.m., follow your guide to the port city of Malaga, where you will visit the Picasso museum.
- Afterwards, stop at a local bodega for an aperitif and tapas.
- Enjoy an early dinner at a local restaurant. Perhaps try the delicious small fried fish and sweet wine for which
Malaga is famous.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
Please note: from June - September 15, Malaga tour will be in the morning and cooking class will be in the evening.
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Day Six
- Breakfast followed by departure transfer to the Malaga Picasso airport.
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Included in the program:
- Arrival/departure transfer to/from the Malaga Picasso airport
- Five nights accommodation double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome dinner
- Three hands-on cooking classes
- One lunch
- Five dinners
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Flamenco show
- All excursions listed as per itinerary
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Cooking Vacations 
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