"New
for 2007! A different approach to discovering Andalucia. Enjoy a week’s
exploration of our finest monumental cities themed around a cultural
activity (choose from Ceramics, Flamenco and Food & Wine) and have a
chance to discover new skills under the guidance of a local
expert."
DESCRIPTION: Our Ceramics Cultural Week introduces you to the renowned
Granada school of ceramics, a style with its roots in the city’s
Islamic past. Indeed, we will be taken around a pottery works which
dates back over 500 years to before the Christian re-conquest, and
visit an artist who creates replicas of the ornamental pottery from
Moorish times. Hands-on tuition will be given in the workshop of a
local artist, where you will be shown the techniques for hand painting
ceramic tiles in a variety of designs. The tiles will be yours to take
home, and should you wish to purchase more of the Granada pottery our
Tour Leader will be on hand to guide you around the best shops. As
with all Cultural Weeks, we also get a flavour of the other
Activities, with a live Flamenco show and – of course! – the
wonderful food and wines of Andalucia.
On
our Andalucia Cultural Weeks the accent is on creative
fun, and a degree of self-indulgence. We stay in hotels of character and
comfort, and dine in restaurants that present the best of this
region’s abundant fresh produce. History and culture are present on
every corner of Granada (where we visit the unparalleled attraction of
the Alhambra palaces), Cordoba (with its unique mosque-cum-cathedral)
and Seville (a labyrinth of streets surrounding its imposing cathedral
and royal residences). Private transport and a brief hop on the railways
(Cordoba-Seville) ensure that we travel easily, and our
English-speaking, resident Tour Leader will not only keep you well
informed but also smooth away any problems you might otherwise
encounter.
DURATION OF TOUR / STARTING DAY:
8 days, 7 nights - starting on Thursdays
DAY 1:
(Thursday)
Arrival in Granada, by independent travel, to commence tour with a
greeting from Tour Leader and introductory Walking Tour of the historic
centre of Granada, pointing out places of interest for the rest of your
4 night stay in this most magical city. Welcome Drinks in one of
Granada’s many atmospheric bars are followed by dinner at one of our
hand-selected restaurants.
DAY 2: (Friday) The creative focus of the Ceramics
Activity is today’s three hour class in the hand-painting of ceramic
tiles, in a local artist’s studio within sight of the Alhambra
walls. You will be given all the materials and inspiration necessary
to produce your own designs, which will then be fired, ready to take
away with you. We also delve into the centuries of ceramics tradition
in Granada with a Walking Tour of the from one of our local experts,
who will then lead you to the only ceramics factory to have survived
since Moorish times. As well as hearing the story of this venerable
factory you will have the chance to try your hand at using the old
style potter’s wheel. In between the two activities we have a
leisurely lunch in one of the Albaicin´s most picturesque squares,
from where there are unrivalled views of the Alhambra and Sierra
Nevada.
DAY 3: (Saturday) Today we visit two distinctive
ceramics workshops in the outskirts of Granada, both of which
recuperate the splendor of Moorish pottery, yet in very different
ways. We will stop en route for lunch in a village famed for its
delicious bread. Before and after the excursion, there will be ample
free time to stroll around the city, sit at a pavement café or visit
galleries or churches. In addition, you will have the services of the
Tour Leader to guide you round some of the city’s most interesting
ceramics and craft shops. In the evening you may wish to take in a
flamenco performance, dine at one of the many good restaurants Granada
can offer, or enjoy sampling a few of the city’s innumerable bars,
enjoying the variety of (free!) tapas that accompany all drinks in Granada.
DAY 4: (Sunday)
It’s Sunday – what better than to stroll around the city to the sound of
church bells, explore the streets and monuments, watch the world go by,
or venture into the surrounding countryside for a morning walk? In the
afternoon your Tour Leader will guide you to the world-renowned Alhambra
Palaces (admission included). You can take as long as you like to absorb
the legendary opulence and sophistication of this once mighty city
complex – it’s guaranteed that this will be one of the highlights of the
week. An audio-guide or the services of a specialist guide may be
obtained at your own cost, so that you can fully appreciate the
Alhambra’s wonderfully rich history. In the evening, there will be the
option to visit a jazz/flamenco bar or café-concert.
DAY 5: (Monday)
We move on to another of Andalucia’s cultural treasure-houses,
Cordoba. Since the journey from Granada (2.5 hours by private coach)
takes us through lands famed for producing some of the world’s best
olive oil, we stop for a visit to a renowned local producer and enjoy a
light lunch in the mill after sampling the “liquid gold” that earns this
region its wealth. After check-in at our hotel, our Tour Leader will
take us on a guided Walking Tour of historic Cordoba before dinner. If
you have not yet done so, you may like to take in a Flamenco performance
in the evening. DAY 6: (Tuesday) Nowhere else will you find a cathedral within a mosque, but that is
exactly what the fate of history has bequeathed to Cordoba. The mosque
is one of the treasures of Islamic civilization
in Spain, breathtaking in it simplicity and tranquility. Admission to
the Mosque-Cathedral is included. Afterwards, our guided Walking Tour
of the surrounding area (a UNESCO World Heritage zone) will take in
other monuments of interest, such as the Royal Palace and the
Archaeological Museum (both of which house superb Roman mosaics) and a
delicatessen specializing in regional products. Free time in the afternoon, prior to departure
from Cordoba by late afternoon train bound for Seville - Andalucia’s
most dynamic city. Dinner in one of our hand-picked restaurants in the
historic part of the city.
DAY 7: (Wednesday)
Our Tour Leader will take you to Seville Cathedral and bell-tower (“Giralda”)
(admission included) and afterwards guide you on a Walking Tour of the
labyrinthine streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz, ending in the beautifully
landscaped gardens of Parque María Luisa. Free time thereafter to
explore, relax or shop, until an evening guided Walking Tour across the
river to the Triana district. Triana is famous for its ceramics
workshops and a love of all things flamenco. It also has many fine
restaurants, one of which will be the venue for our farewell dinner.
DAY 8: (Thursday)
Departure from Seville hotel for further independent travel in Spain
or the return journey home.
Throughout the Week you will stay in hotels which combine real character with convenience and comfort. We select these carefully, opting for quieter locations in or near to the historical city centres. Often the hotels are restorations of old buildings from previous centuries, in which no two rooms are the same, something that we feel adds to the place’s charm. Although we travel in small groups, we want everyone to feel as an individual traveler would, hence we avoid the large, often faceless chain hotels which so many travel companies use.
Examples of the hotels we use (to be confirmed):
Hotel Zaguan del Darro, Granada
On the banks of the River Darro and looking up to the Alhambra walls is this recently restored 15th century nobleman´s house. The rooms are all unique and the hotel mixes style with a casual, homely air.
Hotel Amadeus, Seville
Its location is impeccable: overlooking the Mosque-Cathedral in one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. A graceful and comfortable hotel, with an interior patio in the Cordobese style.
Hotel Mezquita, Cordoba
A true house of music: there are few hotels in the world which include sound-proofed rooms, regular recitals and a musical instrument in almost every room. On oasis of calm from the bustle of Seville´s lively Santa Cruz district
Details - Andalucia Cultural Week - Ceramics (Guided)
Type: Culture
Start Day: Thursday
No. of nights: 7 nights
Type: All Inclusive (See Note)
Pick Up / Drop Off Points: Granada or Malaga Airport (fee
Sorry!
There are no available dates and prices for this holiday at the moment.
Please contact an Adventure Bug Consultant direct for the latest dates and prices for this holiday
Notes
2008 Dates and Prices now available - please contact us directly!
Our policy is always to encourage single bookings for our tours, in particular the Andalucia Cultural Weeks, which are in many ways ideal for the independent traveller. Prices are quoted based upon two people sharing a twin room, therefore if you require a room to yourself, please let us know. A supplement of [€105] per week will be levied, to cover the extra costs incurred.
If a pickup is required from Malaga Airport there is a small surcharge, depending on number of people. Please enquire for exact cost.
Important Note: Please also see our advice about Insurance cover if you are thinking about booking a holiday or adventure with us
What's included in the Holiday Price:
- 7 nights accommodation in small, comfortable hotels with character & style, breakfast included
- Welcome Drinks and 7 main meals, either lunch or dinner, in good quality restaurants, wine included
- Entrance tickets to the Alhambra (Granada), Mosque-Cathedral (Cordoba) and Cathedral (Seville)
- Ceramics class, with the tiles you produce yours to take away. Visits to ceramics factory, workshops and olive oil mill visit and tasting
- Private transport by coach and taxi. Cordoba-Seville train by “Andalucia Express”
- Two guided Walking Tours in each city and services of Tour Leader throughout
- All taxes and tips – we have no hidden fees or local payments
Note: There is a single occupancy supplement applicable - see pricing information for
details.
What's not included in the Holiday Price:
- Air fares to/from Spain
- Airport transfers (available as extra – contact us for details).
- Air fares to/from Spain
- Travel insurance
- Any extra drinks you may wish to have with meals, over & above our generous provision of wine/soft drinks
- Entertainment which is listed in the Itinerary as “optional” etc.
Notes:
Itinerary Confirmation:
Dates are limited and group sizes small (up to 12 people), we
encourage you to book well in advance to reserve a place.
Extended Stay Holidays:
Optional self-excursions (organized by us or independently), may be arranged before and
after your holiday with us. Consult with us for trip ideas on either
side of your Adventurebug Holiday.
Name: Andalusian Culture: Ceramics Week Duration: 8 days, 7 nights Start Day / End Day: Thursday to Thursday Pick up / Drop Off Point(s): Granada
hotel (or possibility of Malaga
Airport for fee) Difficulty: GRADE 1 (Easy) Accommodation Type: All nights in Spanish-run village and town hotels, all with ensuite facilities.
2 full Activity Days, exploring the ceramics of Granada, with visits to ceramics workshops and a class in hand-painting ceramic tiles
Andalucia’s most historic and culturally vibrant cities: Granada, Cordoba and Seville, including visits to three of Spain’s most celebrated monuments, the Alhambra, the Mosque-Cathedral and Seville´s vast and imposing Cathedral and Giralda tower
Informed & knowledgeable locally-resident, English-native guide on hand throughout tour
Menu Right
If you would like to receive a copy of our latest full-colour
brochure, with all the details about our tours and other
information, we can send it to you or you can download it.
[Click Here]
Want to see what previous guests of ours had to say about their
holiday experiences?.. [Click here]
We've put together
a Slide show to show some of the scenery, flora and fauna that we go through on our tours.
Have a look...
[Click Here]
Answers to all
those frequently asked questions about our holidays...
[Click
Here]
To see just some of the reasons why an Adventure Bug Holiday is the right outdoor holiday for you...
[Click Here]
If you are looking for an expert outdoors company in Andalucia,
then talk to us. We can help you organise a specific event
or run tours for you.
[Click Here]
Fancy a good read? Our guide book to walks and hikes around Andalucia has now been published.
[Click Here]
DESCRIPTION:
DAY 1:
(Thursday)
DAY 4: (Sunday)
DAY 6: (Tuesday)
Throughout the Week you will stay in hotels which combine real character with convenience and comfort. We select these carefully, opting for quieter locations in or near to the historical city centres. Often the hotels are restorations of old buildings from previous centuries, in which no two rooms are the same, something that we feel adds to the place’s charm. Although we travel in small groups, we want everyone to feel as an individual traveler would, hence we avoid the large, often faceless chain hotels which so many travel companies use.
