Active Southern Adventure (Granada)

Enjoy a private tour with a local guide as you visit the UNESCO world heritage site of the Alhambra palace and gardens. On a rocky hill, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and amongst the eldest quarter in the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle with its distinctive reddish stone in its ramparts that prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty enclosed within. Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royalty and the court of Granada in the middle of XIII century. The complex of monuments has also an independent palace opposite the Alhambra; The Generalife, which is surrounded by orchards and beautiful gardens which you will also visit. (Tour includes entrance into the palace).

Please note that this tour does not include transfers to or from the palace. Your guide will meet you at the Alhambra ticket office (best to take a local cab from your hotel). At the end of your tour, you can either choose to walk back down the hill to explore the city, or return by taxi (payable by you locally). If you prefer us to arrange private transfers, please let us know.

Enjoy navigating the custom of tapas with a local expert. Going out for drinks and tapas – or “tapeando” – is an event enjoyed throughout Spain, and everywhere has its local variations. The frustration that many visitors experience is that this can mean never quite knowing the “rules of the game”, and a feeling that the authentic bars and tapas are eluding them. A local resident guide will steer you away from the comfortable but bland, sit-down options and take you into the places where locals go, jostling at the bar for elbow-room, and sampling some great dishes amid a lively atmosphere. There is an option to sample vegetarian tapas if requested. (Includes drinks & tapas in three different bars). (Vegetarian on request).

See inside life in one of Granada’s most singular districts, the Sacromonte (meaning “sacred mountain”) with an English-speaking guide. This private informative 3 hour walk will introduce you to the history and legends of the area and familiarize you with the centuries-long presence of the gypsies, who lived in its famous cave dwellings (some families still do to this day). These are the caves made famous by flamenco zambras: raucous, spontaneous, communal performances, which would often last the entire night. You will see how life was – and still is - lived in these caves at an imaginative folklore museum, set in several caves on a hillside in the Sacromonte. Enjoy splendid views over the Alhambra and the city. (Includes English-speaking guide, taxi from your hotel or central meeting point to start of walk and entrance to museum). The walk is easy, although there are some steps to climb and some of the streets are cobblestone. Comfortable footwear should be worn.

Sail the azure waters of the Mediterranean aboard a 45-foot ocean-going yacht and enjoy the scenery of sheltered coves and secluded bays along “la Costa Tropical”. This stretch of coastline of Granada Province is so-called on account of its sub-tropical micro-climate which grows crops such as bananas, avocados, mangoes and custard apples in over 320 days of sunshine each year. The drive from Granada is scenic and follows the old highway south to the coast. There will be time to stop and enjoy the views and take photos before you arrive at the exclusive yacht harbour of Marina del Este where around midday you will board your skippered craft, enjoy a welcome glass of champagne and set sail for a 3 hour voyage along the coastline. The boat will drop anchor in one of the many coves where a simple picnic buffet lunch with wine is served on the main deck, after which you can join the skipper at the helm if you wish, perhaps take a dip in the crystal-clear sea, or simply soak up the sun and sea breezes on the foredeck. Back on land, you will drive along the coast, passing Salobreña with its imposing Moorish castle, towards the port of Motril. Here, tucked away in a secluded spot is the delightful boutique hotel Casa de los Bates, a family mansion from the turn of the 19th century, set in spacious landscaped gardens. Here you can enjoy refreshments and wander the 18th/19th century gardens which contain many species of trees (Chile Pine, Magnolia, Cypress, Cedar of Lebanon as well as several varieties of palm) set amid elegant borders and Italianate features. Afterwards you will be driven back to your Granada hotel.

Enjoy a private Flamenco dancing lesson. One of Andalucía’s badges of cultural identity, Flamenco is especially in the traditionalist heart of Granada. Many visitors seek out flamenco performances but few get the chance to try out for themselves this vibrant and graceful dance, and the opportunity is not to be missed. Whether you are a complete novice or already have some experience, you will be surprised at how quickly you can pick up the essentials, and all ages and levels are catered for. Your teacher - a native of Granada and dancer practically all her life - radiates enthusiasm and that quintessential Andalucían characteristic, alegria (happiness!). She has extensive experience of teaching flamenco to many nationalities and has worked abroad in the United States and Germany. The classes usually take place in a dance studio but can sometimes be arranged in a unique cave museum in the Sacromonte district of Granada, an area with strong flamenco roots (the class is two hours long and entrance to the museum is included for a self-guided visit). Comfortable shoes advisable, with a (low) heel if possible.

Start your evening with a 15 minutes drive to the Sacromonte neighborhood – a fascinating district famous for the cave houses in which gypsy families lived (and some still live) and whose flamenco “zambras” were performed at their weddings and celebrations. As such, the cave house is the authentic venue in which to see such a show and it has the bonus that you are really close to the dancers and musicians. Before the show, take a stroll around the neighborhood and enjoy magnificent views of the Alhambra. Later on you will see a flamenco show in a cave house accompanied by a selection of local dishes.

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.