Andalusia is a region of contrasts, culturally and geographically. It is, on the one hand, the classic picture of Spain we’ve come to imagine: passionate flamenco, breathtaking bull fights, and abundant tapas. On the other hand it is the region of the Moors, with Arabian and North African influence throughout.

The landscape is equally varied, boasting picturesque beaches along the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz and sheltering a skiing paradise in the Sierra Nevadas. Many of Spain’s beloved cities are based in Andalusia, and the region itself truly encompasses the diversity and cultural wonder found throughout the country.

Seville is the capital of Andalusia, and also considered the capital of the flamenco, a passionate story-telling dance known for its strong rhythms and sensuality. In Seville’s Gothic cathedral is the third-largest in the world, and holds the entombed remains of Christopher Columbus.

In the center of the region, the architecture of Cordoba nods to its distant past as an Islamic hub. Here mosques and cathedrals compete for prominence, sharing space and art. The city was also once a major Roman port, with a bridge still remaining as evidence of the empires engineering prowess.

The breathtaking medieval Alhambra palace and fortress lords over Granada, a city which has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the city’s medieval architecture tells the tale of the last stronghold of the Moorish empire in Western Europe. The culture remained, even as the empire receded, leaving Granada with contrasts and contradictions that have beguiled visitors ever since.

The Moorish and Spanish roots run deep in this warm region of Andalusia, a destination not to be missed when traveling to Spain. Your private guide will unlock the secrets of the pluralistic society, giving you an intimate glimpse of Spain’s ever changing faces.