Culinary Tour to Enchanting Seville and Southern, Spain

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Travel with me to the land of Serrano and Ibérico ham, where olive groves abound, and the Andalusian people welcome us to embrace the richness of their culture.    I love every region of Spain, but whether it's the food or the sensuous Flamenco, the southern part of Spain surrounding Seville's historic and vibrant city just melts my heart every time.    The food, the wine, and the fiesta culture draw me back again and again, and I can't wait to take you there!

Explore a place filled with history, vibrancy, and flavorful cuisine.

Spain is a country of vast and beautiful differences.   From the alpine tundra of the Pyrenees to the sun-drenched coasts of Andalucía, you'll find it hard to believe you're in the same country.    It's filled with century-old traditions that meld effortlessly with modern lifestyles.    Nestled in Spain's Andalusia region, Seville is deeply marked by its historical roots, vibrancy, and food.    This city is an architectural gem, and many say that the concept of tapas—bite-size samplings of a variety of typical Spanish foods, ranging from seafood to ham and from vegetables to a myriad of cheeses- began in Seville.    With more than a thousand tapas bars, it's no wonder that Sevillians make a meal of them by moving from bar to bar and trying one dish at a time. 

We'll walk through white-washed alleyways past orange trees in historic Seville throughout our week together.  We'll have to experience tapas like the locals and learn about Spain's most extraordinary wines and Sherry.  One day, we could venture to historic Cádiz, which people have been calling home for more than 3,000 years, making it one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities!  Just up the hill, we can visit Jerez de la Frontera to see the makings of sherry and sherry vinegar.  On another day, we can head to beautiful Jamón de Huelva, where the famous dry-cured Serrano ham is produced, or the stunningly situated city of Ronda. 

We'll use great local ingredients during our cooking classes to prepare some of the region's best dishes.    And let's not forget the wine.    Regarding full-bodied reds, quality Sherries, and delicious dessert wines, southern Spain has enough stars to populate a small galaxy, so we'll be sure to taste our way through some of the best wineries in the region!    I'm so excited to be able to curate such a unique experience for you! 

 

* Price listed is per person and based on double occupancy. A single supplement charge of $1500.00 US applies for solo travelers. Limited availability for single occupancy rooms. Airfare is not included. A deposit of $2000.00 US per person is required to secure a spot.  See the Terms and Conditions page for detail.

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Since we're staying just minutes from the historic Seville, we simply must stroll the cobblestone streets to take in the history and architecture and maybe some ceramic shopping.    Once we've worked up an appetite, we can visit a few bodegas for wine and tapas before capping the evening with Flamenco! 

We can also take an excursion to places such as Cádiz, which people have been calling home for more than 3,000 years, making it one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities!    Traces of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and North African Muslims, who once ruled these lands, can all be found on a short walk through the old town.    Just up the hill, we can visit Jerez de la Frontera to see the makings of sherry and sherry vinegar. 

On another day, we can head to Jamón de Huelva, where the famous dry-cured Serrano ham is produced, or the stunningly situated city of Ronda.    Ronda is a scenic treasure, located high on a rock plateau and carved down the middle by the dramatic El Tajo gorge.    It's also one of the 'white villages of Andalusia', making it a photographer's dream.

Finally, since Spain's Andalusia region produces exquisite wines, we'll explore a world-class winery and enjoy exclusive tastings.    Every part of this itinerary will offer a feast for the senses!

We'll stay just minutes from Seville in Hacienda de Orán.  This beautiful Hacienda dates back to the 17th Century and offers an upscale oasis in an expansive and secluded countryside.

Estate Orán is a spectacular 180-hectare olive farm in the beautiful Sevillian countryside close to Seville.  This estate was built in the XVII century to cultivate olives and make olive oil, but since the early XX century, it has become a place to entertain guests and hold parties.   After a detailed restoration process in 1998, the Estate Orán became the place we know today, a warm and charming historical hacienda with a beautiful rustic style, perfect for a food and wine-loving group.

The Hacienda's tower and noble white-washed entrance, surrounded by olive groves and palm trees, will greet us as we enter the vast landscaped property.  Throughout our week together, we'll relax among olive groves, fountains, Andalusian courtyards, and patios and enjoy the friendly staff who will make us feel at home.  Each unique room has been lovingly restored and decorated in the traditional Andalusian style.  Accommodations feature climate control, private bathrooms, and modern, comfortable amenities.

In addition to a gorgeous pool and outdoor patios, there is a museum filled with antique carriages, one of Spain's best private collections of vintage horse-drawn carriages.  This place is extraordinary and uniquely Andalusian, and words cannot do it justice.  I'm so excited that we will be able to experience it together! 

I don't know where to start because so much delicious food comes from this southern part of Spain.  Our culinary tour will include hands-on cooking classes where I will teach you how to make classic Spanish dishes such as Gazpacho, Stewed White Beans with Garlic and Chorizo, Albondigas (Tiny Spiced Meatballs with Tomatoes), Paella with Chicken, Shell Beans and Green Beans, Chocolate Custard Cake, and of course, Sangria!  One night, it could be fun to create our own tapas feast, and I'll show you how to pull that together in a matter of minutes. 

The cuisine in this region is flavorful and complex, yet it can be deceptively simple to prepare.  For instance, chilled soups come together in minutes, such as my favorite creamy tomato soup- Salmorejo and Ajo Blanco, a creamy white, garlic, bread, and almond soup.  Yet the uber-fresh local ingredients and delicious garnishes take them to a new level.

We'll visit local markets and gather locally grown fruit and vegetables, delicious Jamon or ham, which some say is the best in the world, and seafood from hundreds of kilometers of coastline.  Andalusia is the world's largest producer of olive oil, and Spaniards in this region douse it on everything!  Starting at breakfast, when toasted bread is drizzled in virgin oil to eat with morning coffee, and on to croquettes, fritters, and empanadas, olive oil is the star of the culinary show.  Get ready for a dazzling culinary feast!

The group meeting point in Seville for a pick-up is the Meliá Sevila hotel at Plaza de España. The drop-off location is the Seville Airport. Our driver will meet the group for pick-up at approximately 4:30pm on the first day of the tour, and drop-off is on the morning of the final day of the tour. The precise timing of the group transfers will be confirmed before the tour dates.

We highly recommend flying in early and spending an additional night in Spain before our journey. This will help you adjust to the time differences and provide a buffer from any travel delays.  

A non-refundable deposit of $2000.00 US per person is required to register for this tour. A single supplement charge of $1500.00 US applies for solo travelers. Accommodations, cooking classes, excursions and day trips, wine and tastings, and meals (with the exclusion of one) are included. Airfare is not included in the package price. Final payments are to be made by personal check or money order. See the tour Terms and Conditions here.

We strongly recommended that participants obtain travel insurance.  Please note that travel insurance policies and their provisions vary greatly.

During this tour, we are committed to following Federal, State, and local health guidelines to the best of our ability.

* Price based on double occupancy; single supplement charge of $1500.00 US applies for solo travelers. Limited availability for single occupancy rooms. Airfare is not included. A deposit of $2000.00 US per person is required to secure a spot.