Spain
Winter in Spain: Andalusian Highlights
Program No. 22107RJ
Savor the wine, culture and traditions as you explore Spain’s sun coast — a unique blend of Muslim, Christian and Jewish influences — alongside locals and experts.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
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.
Best of all, you’ll…
- 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.
Suggested Reading List
(26 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
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.
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.
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.
Lonely Planet Andalucia
A comprehensive guide in the hallmark Lonely Planet style.
Moorish Spain
Fletcher reveals the Moorish culture of Spain in all its fascinating disparity and gives us history at its best with vivid storytelling by a renowned scholar.
Ghosts of Spain
Tremlett, Madrid correspondant for The Guardian newspaper, takes us on a fascinating journey around Spain and through Spanish history.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grape, Olive, Pig - Deep Travels Through Spain's Food Culture
New York Times best-selling author, Matt Goulding, introduces us to the sprawling culinary and geographical landscape of his adoptive home, and offers an intimate portrait of Spain - a multifaceted country, with remarkable people, and a complex history.
The Barefoot Queen
A sweeping, historical novel, set in 18th century Spain, and following the fortunes of a recently-freed Cuban slave and a rebellious young gypsy woman
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.
Food and Wines of Spain
A classic collection of 400 recipes, interwoven with cultural commentary and the culinary history of Spain
Duende
"Duende" by Jason Webster is a captivating memoir that chronicles Webster's journey through Spain in pursuit of flamenco and the intense emotional state known as duende.
Blood Wedding
Garcia Lorca, one of Spain's most deeply appreciated and highly revered poets and dramatists, explores vendetta, desire, repression, ritual, and the constraints and commitments of the rural Spanish community, in this classic tragedy set in rural Andalusia.
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.
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.
Moorish Architecture in Andalusia
The main centres of Hispano-Islamic art and architecture, the cities of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, are discussed within the chronological framework of developments, both political and cultural, from 710 to 1492, the period of Al-Andalus.
The New Spaniards
John Hooper's fascinating study brings to life the new Spain of the 21st century
Hand of Fatima
Set in 16th century Granada, Falcones' epic novel of the Arab-Christian conflict is a story of good and evil, love and hate, dreams dashed and hope gained. The writing reflects the author's celebrated passion for rich historical detail and his flair for story-telling.
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.
A Rose for Winter
15 years after his last visit Laurie Lee returned to Andalusia where he found a country broken by the Civil War, but the totems of indestructible Spain survive: the Christ in agony, the thrilling flamenco cry-the pride in poverty, the gypsy intensity in vivid whitewashed slums, the cult of the bullfight, the exultation in death, the humor of hopelessness-the paradoxes deep in the fiery bones of Spain
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.
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".
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)
