Routes
Legacy Routes through other cultures | 7 nights
Penetrate Al-Andalus history and culture. This route invites you to enjoy the artisan products, cuisine, popular festivals and customs of the towns and villages linked to the Andalusí civilisation.
The route includes the following Paradores:
Jaén: First day
The Almoravids added Jaén to their empire in 1091, and the Almohads captured it in 1148. Before losing ourselves in the lovely streets of the city, we come to the Parador, Sta. Catalina Castle, built by the great al-Ahmar. Its 820 meters offers a fascinating panoramic view, making it possible to understand the town’s importance for controlling access to Granada during the Nazarid era. Highlights in the town include the Arab baths in the Magdalena Quarter, built by Ali, and located on the same site as Villardompardo Palace. Other sights for you to discover are the cathedral and other churches, including San Juan, San Ildefonso and la Magdalena, and palaces such as Condestable, Quesada-Ulloa, Velez and Vilches.
Úbeda: Second day
It was during the Arab period that Úbeda became a population center, when Abderrahman II founded the city of Ubbadat al-Arab. In 852 the town was walled, and during the 11th and 12th centuries, it was conquered first by Almoravids and subsequently by Almohads. But Úbeda, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is noteworthy above all for being home to the best of the Andalusian renaissance, with buildings such as the Holy Chapel of San Salvador and Santiago Hospital, Cadenas Palace and Santa María de los Reales Alcázares Church.
Cazorla: Third and fourth days
Along our journey from Ubeda to Cazorla seas of olive trees come out to greet us. The Muslims were well aware of the possibilities of this green gold for their increasingly refined cuisine. In Cazorla you can truly immerse yourself in nature at the Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Nature Reserve, with spots such as the Torre del Vinagre Interpretive Center, Iruela Castle and Collado del Almendral Game Park. This extremely beautiful natural area will surprise you during any season of the year with its lovely scenery. In the enticing old quarter of Cazorla, highlights for visitors include Yedra Castle and the Museum of Arts and Traditions of the Upper Guadalquivir (Museo Artes y Costumbres del Alto Guadalquivir).
Granada: Fifth and sixth days
Granada seems like something out of a Middle Eastern fairy tale. Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the city was the last redoubt of the Nazarids, and the end of the road for the routes of Al-Ándalus. Granada owes a great deal of its layout, and also the fact that it is one of the loveliest cities on the planet, to its Muslim period. The Alhambra is a gift for the senses. Water, light, gardens and art all find their greatest expression here. Granada is also the beauty of the Albaycín, the streets that made up the trading center of Granada’s medina. Yet the rounded body of the cathedral, the palace of Carlos V, and the Gothic, Renaissance and baroque style buildings which proliferate in her streets also betray other aspects of Granada, a city on which the blending of cultures has left its mark.
Cordoba: Seventh day
Córdoba was the realization of the dream of the caliphs, capital of the Omeya Caliphate and center of learning in the Muslim West during this period. In the city and its surrounding area we can discover all the splendor of this culture in monuments and sites such as the mosque/cathedral and Medina Azahara. Also of note are the synagogue, city walls, Roman bridge and royal stables. Interesting museums include the Julio Romero de Torres Museum, Archeological Museum, Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino) and Fine Arts Museum. Wandering through the lovely streets of Córdoba is a pleasure for all the senses. The city offers one of the most complex and richest town plans on the route, spaces filled with enchantment and sensuality.
Rates
Route with bed and breakfast (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 522 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 70 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 522 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 944 euros.
Route with half board (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 725 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 175 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 725 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 1.147 euros.
The route includes:
Seven nights’ stay in a standard double room with the meal option of your choice (Bed and Breakfast or Half Board)
The route does not include:
Transport, which is the responsibility of the guest(s)
Tours or tickets to monuments or places of interest (details provided for informational purposes only)
Terms and Conditions
General Terms and Conditions
The route begins on Sunday and ends on Sunday.
Neither the dates of your stay, nor the hotels, may be altered or changed during the route.
This route is valid for visits starting February 13-July 10 (inclusive) and August 21-December 11, 2011 (inclusive). Except visits starting April 17 and 24; May 8, 15 and 29; June 5; October 9 and 16; and December 4, 2011.
This route and rates are not valid for groups.
The client must carry a valued voucher up to the total amount of the Route indicating the name of the Route. This voucher will be given to the first Parador of the Route.
Cancellations
Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the date of arrival will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the first night’s stay on the route.
Cancellations made during the course of the route will not be entitled to any refund of the price paid.
No-shows: Failure to keep your reservation on the first day of the route will result in cancellation of the entire route, and will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the first night’s stay.
Once the route has begun, failure to keep your reservation at any Parador without giving prior notice will result in automatic cancellation of the reservation at that Parador, as well as at the remaining Paradors on the route.