Spain
Winter in Spain: Andalusian Highlights
Program No. 22107RJ
Savor the wine, sunshine, culture and traditions as you explore Spain’s sun coast — a unique blend of Muslim, Christian and Jewish influences — alongside locals and experts.
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800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Nov 3 - Nov 10, 2024
Starting at
1,699Nov 10 - Nov 17, 2024
Starting at
1,699Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
1,699DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Nov 3 - Nov 10, 2024
Starting at
1,959Nov 10 - Nov 17, 2024
Starting at
1,959Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
1,959Jan 19 - Jan 26, 2025
Starting at
2,119Feb 2 - Feb 9, 2025
Starting at
2,119Feb 9 - Feb 16, 2025
Starting at
2,119Feb 16 - Feb 23, 2025
Starting at
2,119Feb 23 - Mar 2, 2025
Starting at
2,119Mar 2 - Mar 9, 2025
Starting at
2,119Mar 9 - Mar 16, 2025
Starting at
2,119Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2025
Starting at
2,119Not seeing the date you're looking for?
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8 days
7 nights
16 meals
6B 4L 6D
At a Glance
Situated on the subtropical Costa del Sol, Andalusia boasts stunning scenery, captivating history and one of the mildest winters in Europe. Bordered by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Southern Spain’s culture emerges in elaborate Moorish architecture, lush olive tree groves, fiery Flamenco and savory Spanish cuisine. Soak in history in Granada, Málaga and Alfarnatejo, where you’re invited into the homes of local families for an unforgettable cultural exchange.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking one to two miles per day. Cobble stones, uneven terrain, some steps and slopes.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- See history comes to life on an expert-led excursion to the Moorish Palaces of the ancient Alhambra.
- Voyage through the breathtaking Andalusian mountains to Alfarnatejo, a small town known for crafting pure olive oil.
- Live like an Andalusian by sharing a traditional Spanish lunch at the home of a local family.
General Notes
Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with select dates of "Winter in Spain: Culture & History Along the Southern Coast" (#22116) for even more learning in Southern Europe! We’ll even transfer you for free by private bus or car between locations.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Fernando Derqui
Fernando was born and raised in Madrid. At the age of 17, he moved to England where he completed a bachelor’s degree in biological science and an MSA in marine biology. Returning to Madrid, he started leading educational groups abroad to the USA. Finally, he became a professional group leader and has worked full time for the past 26 years, covering most European countries and North Africa. Fernando has a special affinity for Andalucía, Islamic art and architecture as well as Arabic culture and language.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Paula Cristina Afonso Fernandes
View biography
Paula Fernandes graduated in 1990 from the New University of Lisbon with a degree in anthropology. She began working as a group leader in Portugal in 1984 and since then has been an educational travel director all over Europe. Road Scholar participants enjoy Paula's in-depth knowledge of the culture, art and history of the Iberian Peninsula, and her excellent leadership skills. Paula currently divides her time between homes in Spain and Portugal and can speak Portuguese, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Fernando Derqui
View biography
Fernando was born and raised in Madrid. At the age of 17, he moved to England where he completed a bachelor’s degree in biological science and an MSA in marine biology. Returning to Madrid, he started leading educational groups abroad to the USA. Finally, he became a professional group leader and has worked full time for the past 26 years, covering most European countries and North Africa. Fernando has a special affinity for Andalucía, Islamic art and architecture as well as Arabic culture and language.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Winter in Spain: Andalusian Highlights
Program Number: 22107
Tales of the Alhambra
Tales of the Alhambra is a collection of essays, verbal sketches, and stories by Washington Irving, chronicling his journey to Granada in the 1800s.
Culinaria Spain
Organized by region, this profusely illustrated guide to virtually all aspects of Spanish cuisine is full of recipes, tips and cultural information.
A life of Picasso
Richardson draws on his close friendship with Picasso, his own diaries, the collaboration of Picasso's widow Jacqueline, and unprecedented access to Picasso's studio and papers to arrive at a profound understanding of the artist and his work. (4 volumes)
España - A Brief History of Spain
Bestselling author and journalist, Giles Tremlett delves into the rich and varied history of Spain, from prehistoric times to today, in a brief, accessible and enjoyable account.
Spain: The Root and the Flower
An absorbing, well-written account of Spanish cultural history from prehistory to the Romans, Jews, Moors, Golden Age, and on to Franco and his legacy in modern Spain.
Spain, A Traveler's Literary Companion
This collection of 30 stories from a who’s who of contemporary Spanish literature, including writers from Galicia, Leon, the Basque Country, Madrid and Barcelona.
Moorish Spain
The Ornament of the World, How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain
A lively, illuminating portrait of the Andalucian Kingdom, its cultural achievements and religious tolerance from the eighth century to 1492.
Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree
Tariq Ali tells us the story of the aftermath of the fall of Muslim Granada by narrating a family saga of those who tried to survive after the collapse of their world following the Christian "Reconquista".
Food and Wines of Spain
A classic collection of 400 recipes, interwoven with cultural commentary and the culinary history of Spain
The Alhambra
Irwin's brief, indispensable guide introduces the stunning Moorish palace and fortress complex, revealing its mysteries, myths and significance with wit and insight.
Driving over Lemons, An Optimist in Andalucia
Stewart's memoir about moving with his wife to a farm in Alpujarras is charming and insightful. Unlike many expatriates, Stewart manages to ground himself far enough into the community to make lasting friends -- as well as a home for his young daughter.
South from Granada; a Sojourn in Southern Spain
An amusing and insightful account of Spanish village life in the early 20th century from a brilliant interpreter of Spain and Spanish culture.
Ghosts of Spain
Tremlett, Madrid correspondant for The Guardian newspaper, takes us on a fascinating journey around Spain and through Spanish history.
Spain, A History
An authoritative overview of Spain through the ages by one of the world's leading scholars on the history of Spain, Sir Raymond Carr.
Andalucia Map 578
A travelers' map of Andalucia and the Costa del Sol at a scale of 1:400,000 with city plans of Seville, Malaga and Granada.
The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience
For more than a thousand years, Sepharad (the Hebrew word for Spain) was home to a large Jewish community noted for its richness and virtuosity. Summarily expelled in 1492 and forced into exile, their tragedy of expulsion marked the end of one critical phase of their history and the beginning of another.
Duende
Having pursued a conventional enough path through school and university, Jason Webster was all set to enter the world of academe as a profession. But when his aloof Florentine girlfriend of some years dumped him unceremoniously, he found himself at a crossroads. Abandoning the world of libraries and the future he had always imagined for himself, he headed off instead for Spain in search of duende, the intense emotional state - part ecstasy, part desperation - so intrinsic to flamenco.
The Arts in Spain: From Prehistory to Postmodernism
A representative anthology of examples of painting, architecture and sculpture providing a critical overview of Spain. From Iberian and Roman beginnings, the book traces the development of the arts in Spain, examining the magnificent Islamic and Christian foundations at Cordoba and the Escorial, the idiosyncratic masterworks of El Greco, the Golden Age of Zurbaran and Velazquez, the art of Goya, and the innovative works of Picasso, Dali and Miro, and revealing that many of the most characteristic Spanish artistic currents had their origins at the dawn of history.
The New Spaniards
John Hooper's fascinating study brings to life the new Spain of the 21st century