Julie's Andalusian adventure

I have just had the pleasure of attending a fabulous 4 day adventure on a wonderful trip to Andalusia where myself and ten agents were invited by the incredible Kirker Holidays on a captivating trip around this superb region in southern Spain.

We started off on our arrival in Malaga where we were taken on a walking tour of the city which delivers stunning beaches, art and vibrant nightlife. We whizzed through on a whistlestop tour taking in the Gibfraldo Castle and wandering through the historic streets passing the city’s most famous attraction, the Picasso Museum.

Set within the beautiful 16th-century Palacio de Buenavista, the museum provides a fascinating insight into Picasso’s life and extraordinary 80-year career. It’s incredibly popular, so I’d definitely recommend booking in advance. After lunch in a wonderful Tapas restaurant we made the 2 hour journey across to Seville, if you were on holiday here you may wish to take this journey by train as the high speed train from Malaga to Seville takes just under 2 hours, is great value, and adds another dimension to an Andalusian itinerary.

Home for the next 2 nights was beautifully situated 5 star Colon Gran Melia, one of the leading hotels of the world, highly refined, elegant and perfect for a 2 night stay. Seville itself is everything you’d hope for, rich in Moorish heritage, full of character, and home to some of the most beautiful architecture in Spain.

We started with a tour of the Royal Alcazar, a breath taking palace showcasing Moorish and Christian architecture, the gardens of this palace are a real highlight and the smell of oranges in the courtyard simply delight your senses.

We also visited Seville Cathedral, and some of us made the climb up the Giralda Tower, which was worth it for the panoramic views across the city. After spending time in the magnificent Plaza de España, we enjoyed lunch before wandering through the charming streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. Later, we relaxed with cocktails along the banks of the Guadalquivir River.

That evening, we were treated to an authentic flamenco show in an intimate venue and afterwards a delightful show case of authentic Spanish cuisine.

Day three we move on to our next stop which was Rota, the lovely little town in the bay of Cadiz. No Andalucian experience would be complete without a stop in Jerez, home of the sherry houses and the famous Harvey's Bristol cream. Jerez is the world capital of the fortified wine, sherry, and the birthplace of this popular drink. Fun fact- the surrounding area is the only place allowed to produce it.

We visited one of the traditional bodegas, where we learned all about the sherry-making process. Exploring the atmospheric storage cellars, with their cool, dim lighting and distinctive sweet aroma, was a real delight. The experience was perfectly rounded off with a delicious lunch and, of course, sherry-infused cocktails!!

So our final resting place on this exquisite tour was Rota, the pretty town nestled in the bay of Cadiz, on the Costa De la Luz, with it's stunning white sand beaches and 13th century Castillo de Luna, this is a charming white washed old town with a historic centre and home for the night was the 4 star Duque de Najera hotel, right on the seafront, totally Spanish and wonderfully charming. This was a great end to a wonderful Andalusian adventure!!!

What a superb trip hosted by the impeccable Kirker Holidays, who pride themselves with their handpicked choices of accommodation and experiences as they have walked in every city and sampled all their wonders!!!