Culinary Tour to Enchanting Seville and Southern, Spain

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 remarkable diversity and beauty. From the rugged alpine landscapes of the Pyrenees to the sun-kissed shores of Andalucía, it's a place of endless surprises. The country blends its rich history with a modern lifestyle, creating a unique cultural tapestry. Our journey will take us to the southern region, a place steeped in history, bursting with energy, and renowned for its culinary delights.

One day, we could venture to historic Cádiz, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities! Just up the hill, we can visit Jerez de la Frontera, where we'll uncover the mystery behind the region's distinct fortified wine, Sherry. On another day, we can head to beautiful Jamón de Huelva, where the famous dry-cured ham is produced. This excursion was one of my guests' favorites, and I concur. In fact, I could have this succulent ham every day! We should also visit the stunningly-situated city of Ronda, where we can tour the Plaza de Toros, one of the first bullrings constructed entirely from stone.

Then, we'll walk through white-washed alleyways past orange trees in historic Seville. This city is an architectural gem, and many say that the concept of tapas 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 join the locals in this tradition and visit a few spots to taste their signature dishes. Don't worry, there will be Flamenco, and this will be an unforgettable experience!

As this tour is all about the culinary delights, we'll have the opportunity to use the spacious kitchen at our hacienda to prepare some of the region's best dishes. From the classic Tortilla Espagñol to the flavorful Garlic Prawns with Oloroso Sherry and Pimenton, and not forgetting the fabulous pasta dish called Fiduà that we'll prepare in a giant paella pan and top with a drizzle of homemade aioli, we'll be immersed in the culinary traditions of southern Spain.

And let's remember the wine. With 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 wines 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.

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, where we'll uncover the mystery behind the region's distinct fortified wine, Sherry. We'll taste straight from the barrel and learn about the variety of styles, from dry to sweet and light to intense.

On another day, we can head to Jamón de Huelva, where the famous dry-cured Serrano ham is produced. This excursion was one of my guests' favorites, and I concur. In fact, I could have this succulent ham every day! Or we can visit 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. we can tour the Plaza de Toros, one of the first bullrings constructed entirely from stone. 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 can 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!

While all of the rooms and suits at the Hacienda are lovely, there are a few that have extraordinary features. If you are interested in one of these upgraded accomodations, please inquire about availability.

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 price for this tour is $6750.00 US per person, based on double occupancy. A deposit of $2000.00 US per person is required to register for the journey. Limited single occupancy rooms available and a single supplement charge of $1500.00 US applies for solo travelers. Please read the Tour Terms and Conditions here.

We strongly recommended that participants obtain travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance policies and their provisions vary, so be sure to read the details and choose a policy that meets your needs.

The closest International airport to your villa is Seville Airport. A group transfer to and from central Seville is included in the cost of the tour. The tour begins with a welcome reception on the evening of the first day and concludes with breakfast on the final day.

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. Private transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

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.

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.

Included:

Limited group size and carefully curated itinerary
Meals- breakfast, lunch and dinner (one exception) with wine
Accommodations for 6 nights
Hands on and demonstration cooking classes
Excurions, day trips and multilingual guides
Tastings
Transportation during the tour
Group transfer from Seville to our Hacienda, and group transfer back to Seville Airport at the conclusion of the tour

Not Included: