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Culinary Delights of Andalusia
Spain: Culinary Delights of Andalusia
(Options: Custom Tours and Three Night Program)
Iznájar, Spain - 3 or 6 nights
Iznájar is a small hilltop Moorish village overlooking a romantic turquoise-coloured lake lies in Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas in the southern part of Córdoba province. It is an incredibly beautiful region and yet it is still relatively unexplored. The rugged mountains, picturesque valleys, and a forest with mature Holm oaks, wild olives and maples providing a shelter for a variety of flora and fauna such as the wild cats, eagles, vultures and wild daffodils. Yet the major cities such as Granada, Córdoba, Málaga and Jaén are within easy reach, making this a perfect base to enjoy the cultural and historical wealth of the area.
Finca Las Encinas, an Andalusian Finca (farmhouse) enjoys a magical setting surrounded by breathtaking views: unspoilt landscape of rolling hills, valleys covered with Almond blossoms, fields of wild coriander and wild asparagus… it is the real Andalusia. 150 year old Finca Las Encinas has been tastefully restored to a high specification while retaining the charm and original rustic characters with plenty of cosy nooks and crannies for the guests to enjoy. Shying away from the showy extravagance, the setting is very intimate, homely, and idyllic. The cuisine of this region, the home of the world’s finest olive oil, is characterized by its vibrant colours, rich aromas, and full of sensual and complex flavours, featuring the heavy use of olive oil. You will also have the pleasure of cooking seasonally with vegetables and herbs that are organically grown on the Finca’s land or purchased directly from the local farmers. The freshest ingredients are carefully prepared to bring out their virtues - that is Andalusian cooking.
Your host chef Clive has been a professional Chef specialising in the Mediterranean cuisine (and now Andalusian) for over 20 years with distinguished careers in gourmet cuisine in the United Kingdom. His passion for finest food and wine led to embark on his own cooking retreat in rural Andalusia with his wife Maki in 2005. The fun-filled cooking session is casual, informative and very hands-on, usually based around the preparation of three-course menu, mostly classic Andalusian and Mediterranean fare as well as some signature dishes. Olive oil is fundamental to the cuisine of this region and you will learn to appreciate its various flavours in the dishes you will be learning to cook while you are here. His sense of humour and his laid-back style will assist to increase your confidence in cooking and inspire your imagination.
The Land of the World’s Finest Olive Oil
Iznájar, Spain
ITINERARY
Day One (*of both Three and Six Night Itinerary)
Pick up at Granada or Málaga international airport or Antequera or Málaga train station and transfer to Finca Las Encinas near Iznájar, Andalusia. Enjoy your welcome drinks and some free time to settle in. Early evening you will have an opportunity to take a stroll around the beautiful countryside. Later in the evening dinner of contemporary Andalusian cuisine will be served by your hosts at the Finca.
WELCOME DRINKS, DINNER
Day Two
After breakfast, you will visit Alcalá la Real where you will find some of the most impressive Moorish fortresses in Andalusia, which was later reconstructed as a castle, La Mota. It is of architectural beauty and you will enjoy the breathtaking views of Jaén and Granada provinces from the top of the hill. You will then arrive at the home of award-winning olive oil, Priego de Córdoba and taste the different types of oil and learn about this extraordinary tree. Priego de Córdoba gives its name to one of the nine Spanish olive oil Denominations of Origin approved by an official regulatory body. Following a gentle stroll round the town known as the “Baroque Jewel” in Andalusia, you will stop at a typical Andalusian tapas bar for lunch with fino. Back to the Finca, relax and attend your first hands-on cooking session followed by dinner.
BREAKFAST, TAPA LUNCH, DINNER
Day Three
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transported to a medieval town of Doña Mencía to taste the sherry wine bearing the Denomination of Origin of Montilla-Moriles. You will then head to one of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia, Zuheros. The town is nestling in a gorge backed by steep rock cliffs and it enjoys superb scenery across the dusty plains. It is a typical Arabic-Andalus with a Moorish castle built on and into the rock with 16th century church alongside. Lunch will take place at a renowned restaurant excelling in regional specialities. Back to the Finca, rest and into the kitchen for your second cooking session followed by dinner.
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AT RESTAURANT, DINNER
Day Four
For those on the 3 night program, transfer after breakfast to Granada or Málaga international airport, or Antequera or Málaga train station.
For those on the 6 night program, following an early breakfast, you will travel through a scenic route, deep in the Andalusian olive country to reach the provincial capital city Jaén. Here you will visit a remarkable Moorish baths, one of the largest to survive in Europe, which was originally a part of an 11th century Moorish palace. You will then climb up to the world-famous state-run Parador, Catillo de Santa Catalina looking over the panoramic views of the city and the endless olive groves that disappear into the distance. You will stop at a tapas bar to savour some local dishes. After a long relaxing lunch, you will head back to the Finca, unwind and attend your third cooking session followed by dinner.
BREAKFAST, TAPA LUNCH, DINNER
Day Five
Following a relaxing breakfast, you will have a chance to stroll around the whitewashed village of Rute. Rute’s fame throughout Andalusia is rooted in the production of Anís, anise-flavoured liqueur, Serrano ham, traditional pastries and confectioneries. You will also visit the lakeside village of Iznájar where you will find many photo opportunities as you are never far away from the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. Return to the Finca to have a light lunch followed by a lazy siesta.
Early evening, you will join your host chef for your last cooking session followed by dinner.
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AT FINCA, DINNER
Day Six
After breakfast, you will travel through delightful olive groves of the southern Campiña and the rich farmlands of the north to visit one of the world’s most magnificent architectural monuments, Mezquita (the Mosque-Cathedral) in Córdoba. You will learn about the history of different cultures - the Moors, Jews and Christians, who influenced this exquisite city. You will see a typical Cordoban street, the Callejón de las Flores whose balconies and walls are decorated with hanging pots of bright-coloured geraniums in summer. Have a cup of mint tea the Moroccan tea salon and then free time to wonder around the World Heritage site, the Judería, or old Jewish quarter. Lunch stop at a popular tavern offering some of the most celebrated regional cuisine. Return to the Finca, refresh and a special farewell dinner will be served by your hosts.
BREAKFAST, TAPA LUNCH, DINNER
Day Seven
After breakfast transfer to Granada or Málaga international airport, or Antequera or Málaga train station in hopes that you will return to visit in the future.
BREAKFAST
*Schedule or contents of the itineraries may change due to prevailing local conditions without advance notice.
| BOOKING INFORMATION |
2008 FEES PER PERSON
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DEPOSIT |
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Three Night Program
Standard Double Room/US$1550
Luxury Suite Double Room/US$1650
Single Supplement/US$300
Six Night Program
Standard Double Room/US$2850
Luxury Suite Double Room/US$2950
Single Supplement/US$450
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After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable 25% deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date. |
| 2008 DATES |
INCLUDED |
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Available year round on request for a minimum of 2 people
*Program generally runs Sunday to Saturday or Monday to Sunday
*Please inquire about other itineraries or lengths of stay
*Recommended time to travel is March through October
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*Welcome drinks upon arrival
*Six (6) nights' accommodation
*All breakfasts
*Five (5) lunches
*Six (6) dinners
*Four (4) hands-on cooking sessions
*Arrival and departure airport transfers
*Escorted excursions including olive oil and wine tasting
*Dinner includes a bottle of wine per 2 people plus water
*Recipe booklet and a surprise gift
Airfare , extra meals, drinks and excursions not listed in the itineraries, visas, travel insurance, gratitude and personal expenses, or any other services that are not listed in the itinerary are not included. |
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Client may cancel the reservation at any time, provided that the cancellation is notified in writing. The following cancellation charges will be applied and it will be calculated from the day when written notification is completed and received : (1) 43 days or more days – Forfeit of deposit; (2) 42-30 days – 50 %; (3) 29 days or less – 100%. We reserve the right to cancel any tours at any time before departure for any reason, including insufficient participants to run the tour. Full refunds will be made if we cancel a tour in any circumstances, except for force majeure. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS
