All address fields should be selected!
Full name should be provided!
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
No Results
Invalid email value
Invalid password value
Please enter a valid email address
Please provide a password
Your password must be at least 5 characters long
Missing password
Password short (5 chars min required)
Special Offer
Remove from Wishlist
Program No.
Ages
Length
days
New
Not yet reviewed
Starts at
Close
See More
Activity Level — Varies
Activity Level
Details
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Activity note: Though southern Spain is known for its pleasant winter weather, evenings can be chilly. Temperatures can range from 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit; be sure to pack layers so you are prepared for any weather during our program, as well as rain gear in case of showers.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: At the hotel, we'll get to know each other over a plated welcome dinner including complimentary wine and mineral water.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving to and from downtown Estepona, no more than 5 miles (8 km) in total. Walking up to 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in Estepona in the morning; cobblestones and uneven ground. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: At the hotel, we’ll choose from the buffet featuring a selection of bread and pastries, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and cold cuts; beverage choices of coffee, tea, juice, water.
Morning: We'll gather in a hotel meeting room for an introduction to Spain's mighty past from our Group Leader. We'll then head out by motorcoach to downtown Estepona. Led by a local expert, we will visit the charming pedestrian old town with its Andalusian whitewashed buildings, discover the municipal market and clock tower, and learn about the ancient Phoenician and Moorish invaders.
Lunch: In the Old Town of Estepona, we will enjoy a selection of simple tapas at a local tapas bar; mineral water and wine included.
Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner: Buffet dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles (244 km) one way to Cordoba. Walking 1.5 miles on city streets with some cobblestones. Temperatures inland can be cooler; warmer clothing may be necessary. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will drive inland by motorcoach to Cordoba, former capital of the Muslim Caliphate of Al Andalus. Our expert-led visit of the old town will include the cathedral, popularly known as the "Mezquita," which stands over a Christian church built in the Visigothic period (5th century). After the Moorish conquest of Spain, it was used as a mosque. In 1236, following Cordoba's fall to Ferdinand and after over 500 years of use as a mosque, the site was reconsecrated as Christian and in 1523, a cathedral was erected. The Mezquita of Cordoba is one of the most emblematic monuments in Europe, and a unique example of the interplay of Christian and Muslim cultures in Spain.
Lunch: In Cordoba.
Afternoon: Free time. We'll then return to the hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Spain is currently one of largest consumers of fish in the world. We will meet our local expert at Estepona's fishing port for an on-site presentation of local fishing traditions and an introduction to the fresh local produce that is key to the local economy, and an important component of the renowned Mediterranean diet. Later on, we will transfer by motorcoach to a local venue, where we will join a participative seafood paella making workshop.
Lunch: We'll enjoy the results of our cooking course with a complimentary glass of wine. We'll then return to the hotel.
Afternoon: Free time.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At a local cultural center, we'll enjoy a performance of classic Spanish guitar by a local musician (performance subject to availability and may be substituted).
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles (80.5 km), approximately 1.5 hours one way. Walking up to 2 miles on very uneven terrain, with many cobblestones, inclines and steps without railings. Temperatures inland can be cooler; warm clothing may be necessary.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will drive north to the beautiful scenery of the Sierra de Ronda. Ronda is an ancient Spanish town, famous for its breathtaking views of the El Tajo gorge that plunges down hundreds of meters and dramatically divides the town into two. Uniting both these sections is a spectacular 18th-century arched bridge. In Ronda, our local expert will show us the oldest bullring in Spain and the ancient Moorish houses. Later on, we will head to a local olive grower, where we will visit the groves and, with a local expert, learn about the different types of olives and the region’s olive oil – Spain’s “liquid gold”. We will end our visit with an olive oil tasting and some light tapas before returning to the hotel by motorcoach.
Lunch: At the olive grove, we'll enjoy a tapas meal with wine before returning to the hotel.
Afternoon: We'll join our Group Leader for an examination of Spain today. We will hear about the radical evolution of Spain and Andalusia since Franco's death, the advent of democracy in 1975, as well as the current challenges and opportunities faced by the Spanish population.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach and minibus in Gibraltar; driving about 30 miles (47.9 km), approximately 45 minutes to Rock of Gibraltar. Walking about 1.5 miles during the included activities. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We'll depart by motorcoach on a field trip to the Rock of Gibraltar, a small peninsula on the Spanish coast under British jurisdiction, and a major area of dispute over the centuries. During the drive along the Costa del Sol, your Group Leader will explain the reasons and arguments behind the sovereignty of this 7.5-mile stretch of land. Once across the border, we will join our local expert and board a minibus to the Punta de Europa (European Point) from where you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the British-style streets of Gibraltar and, in clear weather, the Moroccan coastline. Later, we will visit the underground World War II tunnels from where Operation Torch – the Allied invasion of North Africa – was planned, see the famous Barbary "apes" (macaca sylvanus) who roam freely around the peninsula, and the pillars of Hercules – the legendary promontories that flank the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar.
Lunch: Enjoy local cuisine on your own.
Afternoon: Free time. We'll then return to the hotel and hold a program wrap-up meeting prior to dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends and prepare for departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out by Noon. Airport transfers beginning at approximately 4:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet, flight times permitting. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don't forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!