Flavors of Andalusia

Spend five nights in souther Spain and explore the food and wine of Andalusia on a Spain food tour. Andalusia has some of Spain’s best food, which you will explore during your amazing hands-on cooking classes and foodie excursions.

Day 1 (Monday)

• Arrival, transfer by taxi on your own from Malaga airport or Malaga train station to to your hotel.
• Malaga is more than just an airport or port city in the southern region of Spain. It has become one of the most culturally diverse and dynamic and creative cities in Europe. You are never far from the ancient monuments, modern architecture, and the world class collections at the Pompidou and the Picasso Birthplace museum. From the sun and beach to the great shopping experiences in trendy districts, Malaga has something for everyone. In recent years, Malaga has rebranded itself as the ¨City of Museums¨ having 37 museums and art galleries on its map. And don’t forget to visit the central food market ¨Atarazanas¨ where many renowned Malaga chefs and the locals source their fresh, high quality ingredients each day.
• Evening at leisure and overnight.

Day 2 (Tuesday)

• Breakfast and check out.
• This morning meet for a market visit and tapas lunch tour in Malaga.
  The Atarazanas central market was originally built in the 14th century as a shipyard under Moorish rule. The main entrance presents an imposing archway, which is the only original structure still standing. After the Christian riconquista, it was used as a convent, hospital, and barracks, and it eventually became a central food market constructed using the industrial iron structure of the late Nineteenth Century. Most recently, it re-opened its doors to the public in 2010 after 2 years of complete refurbishment. In 2019 it was voted one of the top 10 food markets in the world by readers of The Guardian.
• There are more than 250 stalls indoors – fishmongers selling the catch of the day, olive stalls specializing in local varieties of table olives, charcutería, fruit and vegetable venders selling colorful, local, juicy seasonal produce….there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
• You will participate in a walking tour with the local market expert who will make sure to introduce you to the true local specialties and will immerse you into the local culture and gastronomy. This food market and tapas tour will last about 3.5 hours including many tapas tastings and drinks.
• Pick up in the afternoon, then transfer to Finca and settle in.
• Welcome dinner with wine at the finca.
• Overnight.

Day 3 (Wednesday)

• Breakfast at the finca.
• The rugged and mountainous terrain of the natural park Sierra Subbetica in the heart of Andalusia has been known to produce a high quality olive oil since Roman times due to its unique microclimate between 600 – 1000 m above sea level, defined by good rainfall and a temperature fluctuation that improves the intensity of the aroma and flavor of olives year after year….
  The rolling hills covered in ancient olive trees can be seen in this area as far as the eyes can see. After a short drive, you will arrive at a very special region of the Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) Priego de Cordoba. This PDO is one of the most awarded denominations at the national and international levels and you will learn from the professional olive oil taster why this area dominates the world of olive oil.
• After an olive oil tasting, head deep into the natural park, where you will encounter one of the most picturesque whitewashed villages in Andalusia nestled in the masculine rocky gorges. Zuheros is known for producing artisan cheeses from goat and sheep milk. Below the village you will find a Via Verde (Green Way), which was once upon a time a railway track that transported olive oil, and which was then converted into a green route for cycling and walking. You will have an opportunity to taste different types of local cheeses either at a cheese producer or at lunch. In September of each year, you might visit the local cheese festival.
• Return to the finca, where you will have your first cooking class featuring Andalusian dishes. Dinner to follow.
• Overnight.

Day 4 (Thursday)

• Breakfast at the finca.
• La Rambla (founded as Al-Ramla, meaning “sand,” by the Moors) is a small town located in the south of Cordoba city and is a popular pottery town that has been associated with the craft since Prehistoric times. There are over 100 ceramic workshops producing anything from simple day-to-day bowls to decorative pieces. In early June, they hold an annual ceramics festival where the potters display and sell their works of art.
• After visiting La Rambla, head to Montilla, which is internationally acclaimed for its unique wines such as fino, very dry white wine using the same aging methods used by Sherry makers in Jerez. The Protected Denomination of Origin Montilla-Moriles includes 17 towns and villages in the area guaranteeing the quality of its wines and the origin of the products. You will visit a monumental cellar and learn and taste the local wines at one of the oldest wineries in Spain. Lunch at a local bar.
• Return to the finca, where you will have your second cooking class featuring Andalusian dishes. Dinner to follow.
• Overnight.

Day 5 (Friday)

• Breakfast at the finca.
• Today you will have a visit to another extraordinary place in Andalusia. It is the first fish farm in the world to be awarded an organic certificate and is still one of the few in the world to enjoy this privilege. They have restored the environment with extreme care and passion using the natural river to preserve native species of sturgeons that almost became extinct in the 60s, and they have been producing ecological caviars since then. You will enjoy a visit to the farm, learning about the “dinosaur fish,” and taste their high-quality caviar.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Return to the finca, where you will have your final cooking class featuring Andalusian dishes. Farewell dinner to follow.
• Overnight.

Day 6 (Saturday)

• Departure after breakfast to Malaga / Granada airport or Antequera Santa Ana AVE Train station.

Interested in adding additional nights and tours in Cordoba and/or Granada? Please inquire!