Andalucia Highlights
Discover this wonderful region of southern Spain on this always popular holiday
La “Costa Tropical” (the Tropical Coast) is situated to the west of Málaga and runs along the shoreline of the province of Granada for more than 100 kms. It’s filled with picturesque beaches, cosy coves and charming little towns and villages. The Costa Tropical is blessed with a subtropical microclimate and its average annual temperature is 20º and has around 320 days of sunshine per year. This privileged climate has helped the fertile plains and gentle slopes that rise up from the beach to grow all kinds of tropical fruit, which is the one the most important economic resources in the area. There is also some tourism and some foreigners have settled in the area, but it has not happened in the massive way as it has done in the “Costa del Sol” to the other side of Málaga.
Your holiday includes
- Flights
- Transfers
- Breakfast & evening meal every day
- Walking tour in Salobreña.
- Tickets to Salobreña Castle.
- Tapas and drinks at selected bars in Salobreña.
- Cured ham visit and tasting in the Sierra Nevada.
- Tapas lunch in the Sierra Nevada.
- Special home made Andalusian meal with water and wine in the hills.
- Tickets to the famous Nerja Dripstone Caves.
- Walk in the historic centre of Granada with the tour manager.
- Official guided tour of the Alhambra. Tickets and earpieces included.
- English speaking tour manager for the duration
Your holiday extras
- Sole occupancy supplement
- Personal travel Insurance
- Some meals & drinks
- Personal extras
There is still a Spanish atmosphere about the Costa Tropical, and it’s only a short distance away from locations as special as the Alpujarras (Sierra Nevada), the last Moorish stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula or Granada with its world famous Alhambra. Far from being overcrowded, the Costa Tropical is still an ongoing discovery, and the locals are hospitable and generous with visitors.
Location & Itinerary
YOUR DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival and welcome
Depart the UK and arrive at Málaga airport we we will be met and transferred to the Hotel Bahia Almunecar on the Costa Tropical.
Day 2 –Almuñécar, Roman settlement
The town of Almunecar has a rich historic heritage and there are remains from both the Roman and the Moorish periods. Besides the aqueduct and the San Miguel fortress, we can admire El Salazón, the Roman fish-salting workshop which supplied the Roman empire with salted fish two thousand years ago. Almuñécar has a lovely ancient quarter with narrow little streets and lots of shops. Enjoy your lunch and some free time in town before returning to the hotel later on.
Day 3 – Las Alpujarras in the Sierra Nevada
A trip to the Alpujarra is a very special experience. The tour takes us along the Costa Tropical until we head inland climbing up through an enormous gorge, carved over time by the Guadalfeo River. The Sierra Nevada has the highest peaks on mainland Spain, so the views are quite spectacular. We will be doing various stops in the little villages in the area, but also, as up here the conditions are excellent for curing ham, we get to visit one of these establishments, where we get an explanation of the process and also a taste of the produce and a glass of wine. Our appetite will have opened up by now so we go on to the next village for a spot of “tapas” lunch at a very cosy little bodega, obviously washed down with local wine. Finally, we shall be heading back to Hotel Bahia Almunecar in the afternoon.
Day 4 – La Axarquía - Lunch with the Local Housewives
The excursion today takes us to the beautiful area of Axarquía where the rolling hills are covered by parallel rows of olive trees. Spain is the country with the largest olive production in the world and we shall be visiting one of the many olive mills in the area. Here, we shall learn the process for the production of olive oil. After this we are going to have lunch in a very special way. The local housewives are going to cook and serve a typical Andalusian meal with everything that goes with it. This part is one of the highlights of the whole tour as we get a real insight into the Spanish lifestyle and cooking. We return to the hotel which gives us the opportunity to enjoy the spa and pool perhaps.
Day 5 – The Nerja Caves and Frigiliana
Today we visit the famous dripstone caverns in Nerja, which were discovered in 1959 by some children playing in the area. These fascinating caves are 200,000 years old and we can view one of the world’s biggest columns, formed by a stalactite meeting a stalagmite, which is an impressive 32 metres tall. Very near to Nerja is Frigiliana, a beautiful white village, often voted as one of the prettiest in Spain. After this we take a quiet stroll down its narrow, flower-lined streets and spend a while at leisure in the village, To round off the day, we finish off on the famous “Balcony of Europe” in Nerja, with its stunning views, a perfect place for a group photo. We then go back to Hotel Bahia Almunecar.
Day 6 – Granada and the Alhambra
Today we go north to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors before they were finally expelled from Spain in 1492. Firstly, there is some free time to stroll around the city centre, where you can visit highlights such as Spain’s first renaissance cathedral or the Capilla Real. Inside you can see the sepulchre of Ferdinand and Isabella, the legendary catholic king and queen who sponsored the exploratory voyages of Christopher Columbus. Another must is the old Moorish silk market in the Alcaicería. After lunch we all meet up again to go up to the Alhambra, where a local guide shows us the unique architectural treasures of this magnificent fortress and also the ‘Generalife’, the spectacularly situated summer palace with its beautiful fountains and gardens. In the evening it’s back down the mountains to Hotel Bahia Almunecar..
Day 7 – The Village of Salobreña
Today we are off to Salobreña. There is a very nice walk along the coast so we depart the hotel by coach to the start point of the walk, but it is optional so those who wish to can take transport to Salobreña. After a rest in the village of Salobreña, we all go for a walk through the winding streets to the beautifully situated Moorish fortress, which dates back to the early 12th century. From this strategically situated spot we have excellent views over both the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Afterwards, we shall be visiting a few of the local bars where we get a drink and a little tapa, on this part of the coast called “aperitivo”, an alternative way to have lunch. Transport is provided for everybody back to Hotel Bahia Almunecar. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 – Farewell and departure
Transfer to Málaga airport and farewell.
Hasta la vista!
NB - Days of excursions may vary!
Travel & Stay
Hotel Bahia Almuñécar
Our hotel for this trip is the lovely Hotel Bahia. It offers privileged location in the heart of city centre of Almuñécar, just 150m, from the biggest beach, Puerta del Mar (Fuentepiedra).
Being one of the most modern hotels on the Costa Tropical (Granada) comfort is assured.
The hotel is oriented towards the old town of Almuñecar, from the highest floors you can also enjoy a sea view.
The hotel offers a stunning swimming pool and solarium located in the attic of the Hotel, on the 8th floor. Thanks to this location, it has become one of the most attractive places in Almuñécar. From here, while you refresh yourself, you can contemplate the sea, the mountains and the old part of the town.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner service, designed to satisfy all kinds of palates and diets
Enjoy daily, changing dishes prepared live by the chef in the Show Cooking.
As part of their policy of responsibility, they use local suppliers and make healthy food.
Provisional Flight information
02/06/24 Gatwick to Malaga Dep: 0710 Arr: 1140
09/06/24 Malaga to Gatwick Dep: 1340 Arr: 1545
02/06/24 Manchester to Malaga Dep: 0815 Arr: 1220
09/06/24 Malaga to Manchester Dep: 1320 Arr: 1535
02/06/24 Birmingham to Malaga Dep: 0745 Arr: 1145
09/06/24 Malaga to Birmingham Dep: 1245 Arr: 1450
02/06/24 East Midlands to Malaga Dep: 0745 Arr: 1140
09/06/24 Malaga to East Midlands Dep: 1230 Arr: 1430
02/06/24 Glasgow to Malaga Dep: 0645 Arr: 1110
09/06/24 Malaga to Glasgow Dep: 1155 Arr: 1425
The hold luggage allowance on the trip is:22kgs
NB - all flights will be transfered together so there may be some waiting required in the airport
Availability & Pricing
Build Your Quote| Accommodation | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Place in a Female Twin Share Room | £0.00 | Available |
| Place in a Double Share Room - Must be 2 | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a Male Twin Share Room | £0.00 | Available |
| Place in a Sole Occupancy Room | £260.00 | Available |
| Flights | Price | |
| Own flight without transfers | £1315.00 | Sold Out |
| London Gatwick | £1565.00 | Available |
| Glasgow | £1595.00 | Available |
| East Midlands | £1605.00 | Available |
| Birmingham | £1615.00 | Available |
| Manchester | £1705.00 | Available |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
Passport validity
You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Host & Everything Else
Pam Harte
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