Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S. / Arrive Málaga

Depart the U.S. for  Málaga on an overnight flight and meet your Smithsonian Journeys Travel Director upon arrival. Travel north to  Antequera, a medieval hill town set at the crossroads of Andalusia. After time to settle in, gather for a welcome reception and dinner at the parador. (R,D)

Day 3 — Antequera

After breakfast at the parador, spend the morning discovering the many historic gems of Antequera. Tour the Antequera Dolmens, a World Heritage site comprised of three buried megalithic tombs dating back some 5,000 years that are integrated with remarkable natural stone monuments. Visit the Moorish fortress known as the Alcazaba, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. Then uncover layers of history on a guided walk through the Old Quarter, encountering Roman ruins as well as Spanish baroque churches and palaces set around beautiful town squares. End your tour at the Mirador Almenillas, a lookout offering panorama views of the city and the unusual geological formations around it. Sit down to a lunch of regional favorites before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to get to know Antequera on your own. (B,L)

Day 4 — Granada

A scenic morning drive brings you to  Granada, home to the magnificent  Alhambra, a Moorish fortress and palace complex built during the 13th and 14th centuries as the seat of Nasrid dynasty—the last Moorish monarchs in Spain. On a tour of this World Heritage site, admire its sparkling fountains and pools, palace courtyards, and shady colonnades, and take in remarkable views of the city and the Sierra Nevada. Enjoy a lunch of Spanish specialties at the Parador de Granada, a 15th-century former monastery set on the grounds of the Alhambra. Return to Antequera in the afternoon and gather for a group dinner at the parador. 

Day 5 — Seville

Get an early start for the drive west to  Seville, the cultural heart of southern Spain. Ruled by the Moors for five centuries, the city saw an influx of wealth from the New World and a flourishing of the arts in the 1500s and 1600s.  Experience the grandeur of the expansive Plaza de España and the Plaza de America, and drive along the Guadalquivir River to the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic building in the world. Later, tour the World Heritage-listed Real Alcázar, built by the Moors and later a favorite royal residence of Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. See the city’s bullring and the Torre del Oro, part of Seville’s medieval defensive walls; then take a walk through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, known for its flower-filled balconies, fountains, and narrow medieval lanes. Enjoy lunch independently and time to explore on your own before returning to Antequera late in the day. Gather with fellow travelers in the Travelers Corner for an informal discussion about your experiences so far. Then head into town for dinner at a popular restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6 — Ronda

Perched on a towering cliff and straddling a deep ravine, Ronda is one of Spain’s oldest and most remarkable towns. The twisting lanes of the old town reveal architecture influenced by centuries of Moorish rule. Visit the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s finest bullrings, and the Casa Don Bosco, a modernist palace built at the beginning of the 20th century at the edge of Tajo Gorge. Step into the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1485 but not completed until the 17th century. Built atop a mosque, the church blends Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque elements as well as vestiges of its Moorish beginnings. After a guided tour, visit the Bodega Garcia Hidalgo for a wine tasting and lunch.  (B,L)

Day 7 — Cordoba

After breakfast, set out for the fascinating city of Cordoba, established as a Roman settlement and conquered by the Moors in the eighth century.  On a walking tour of the Old Town, a World Heritage site, meander beneath the striking archways of La Mezquita, once a grand mosque before a cathedral was built in the middle of it in the 16th century. See the  Roman Bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River, and stroll through the Jewish Quarter. You’ll have free time to have lunch and discover the city at your own pace. Later, return to Antequera for dinner at a local restaurant and a captivating live performance of flamenco music and dance.  (B,D)

Day 8 — Antequera / Málaga

Begin the day with a presentation by a local speaker on contemporary Spain. Then venture to Málaga, a coastal city currently undergoing a renaissance of the arts. On a guided tour of the Museo Picasso Málaga, view a remarkable collection of work that follows the arc of Picasso’s various periods, showcasing the world-famous artist’s evolution. Enjoy lunch independently and time to explore Málaga on your own. This evening, gather in Antequera for a farewell reception and dinner at the parador. (B,R,D)

Day 9 — Return to your gateway city

After an early breakfast, transfer to  Málaga’s Costa del Sol Airport for your return flight to the  U.S. (B)   (B)

Please Note: Progression of the itinerary may be adjusted due to local operational considerations.