Luxury rail holiday on the Al Andalus train in Andalusia with six nights on the train and two nights in Seville
Highlights
• Spend six nights on the Al Andalus • Spend two nights in Seville • Excursions in Seville, Jerez, Ronda, Granada and Cordoba • All meals included on the luxury train
A once in a lifetime experience with outstanding serviceMr T, June 2018
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double Grand Class cabin on the train and a double or twin hotel room for two nights.
From about
£4,460 per person Grand Class cabin on Al Andalus
£5,340 per person Deluxe suite on Al Andalus
Holiday Code SNFH01
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Al Andalus train in Andalusia with six nights on the train and two nights in Seville
Begin your holiday by flying from London Gatwick to Seville. A private car transfer to your hotel is included. Settle into your hotel and spend the night here, ready to start your rail adventure the following day.
Check out of the hotel and take a taxi to Hotel Alfonso XIII which is just a few minutes’ drive from the hotel. Here you meet everyone who is participating on this tour, and the crew will take care of your luggage. You have lunch at this hotel, then enjoying a sightseeing tour of the city before boarding the Tren Al Andalus when you will be welcomed with an on-board cocktail and shown to your cabin. Dinner is on board whilst you make your way to Jerez, where you spend your first night on the train.
Begin your day with a delicious buffet and a la carte breakfast on board the train, and then visit a wine cellar in the city of Jerez. You then have the chance to watch a famous equestrian ballet “How the Andalusian horses dance” at the Royal Andalusian school of Equestrian Art, set to traditional Spanish music with riders who wear 18th century costumes. Lunch will be in Sanlúcar de Barrameda with views towards the salt marshes of Doñana National Park and the mouth of the river Guadalquivir. Time to explore the area and then a luxury coach takes you back to Jerez, where you have dinner on board and spend the night.
Today after breakfast you’re taken by coach to Cadiz where you have a city tour and then free time to explore the oldest city in Europe which is surrounded almost entirely by water. Be sure to make time to visit the Baroque Cathedral and take a leisurely walk around the coastal Castle of Santa Catalina. You have lunch on-board the train and head towards Ronda, where you have dinner and stay overnight.
After breakfast, leave the train and spend the morning exploring Ronda, a spectacular city which is split in half by a narrow gorge through which the Guadalevín river runs. Enjoy the stunning views from the famous bridge and discover the charm of the old town. Eat lunch in Ronda, then board the train in the afternoon to travel to Granada. Dinner is served on board the train before it stops in Granada for the night.
Enjoy breakfast on board the train then spend the morning at the Alhambra, the magical palace fortress which has guarded the city since the 9th century. The complex sits on an elevated crag amongst vast, aromatic gardens and originally housed the Nasrid rulers of the Kingdom of Granada. After lunch there is time to explore more of this beautiful city and enjoy views of the Sierra Nevada. You then have dinner and spend the night on board the train in Granada.
Leave Granada early morning and have breakfast as you travel towards the station of Linares-Baeza. You leave the train here and visit the Renaissance towns of Úbeda and Baeza, both of which are listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After lunch, you return to the train to begin the journey to Córdoba. This evening dine on board the train and spend the night in Córdoba.
Enjoy your final breakfast on board the train and then disembark to visit the city of Córdoba. Discover the former capital of the mediaeval Caliphate of Al Andalus, home to an astounding mosque turned Catholic cathedral, plus a fascinating Jewish quarter and Roman ruins. Enjoy some free time here before returning to the train where you have lunch as the train continues to Seville. Arrive back in Seville, disembark and take a taxi back to Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza. Check in here for one night.
Spend most of the day at leisure in Seville, before travelling back to the airport by private transfer for your flight back to the UK.
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double Grand Class cabin on the train and a double or twin hotel room for two nights.
From about
£4,460 per person Grand Class cabin on Al Andalus
£5,340 per person Deluxe suite on Al Andalus
Holiday Code SNFH01
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
● Flights London to Seville return with British Airways
● Private transfers between the airport and hotel
● Two nights’ bed and breakfast at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, Seville based on two people sharing a Dreamer Room
● 6 nights’ full board on Al Andalus train based on two people sharing a Grand Class Cabin, including the excursions and meals mentioned in the itinerary
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
● Transfers between hotel and station
Call us on 01392 441245
Train departure dates
18 and 25 May 2020 1, 8, 15 and 22 June 2020 7, 14, 21 and 28 September 2020 5, 12, 19 and 26 October 2020
You begin your holiday one day earlier when you fly into Seville for one night at the beginning of the holiday.
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double Grand Class cabin on the train and a double or twin hotel room for two nights.
From about
£4,460 per person Grand Class cabin on Al Andalus
£5,340 per person Deluxe suite on Al Andalus
Holiday Code SNFH01
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
• Flights London to Seville return with British Airways
• Private transfers between the airport and hotel
• Two nights’ bed and breakfast at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, Seville based on two people sharing a Dreamer Room
• 6 nights’ full board on Al Andalus train based on two people sharing a Grand Class Cabin, including the excursions and meals mentioned in the itinerary
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
The journey and how you get there You fly from London Gatwick to Seville with British Airways. The flying time is about 2hrs 45 mins. We include a private car transfer for you from the airport to the hotel and back again at the end of the holiday. For the journey between the hotel in Seville and the meeting point for the train, we suggest you take a local taxi.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Al Andalus train in Andalusia with six nights on the train and two nights in Seville
Hospes Las Casa del Rey de Baeza is a charming, 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Seville's Old Town. Delicious, modern Anadalusian cuisine and refreshing rooftop cocktails make it a restorative haven from the bustle of the city.
From about Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double Grand Class cabin on the train and a double or twin hotel room for two nights.
Holiday Code SNFH01
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Al Andalus train in Andalusia with six nights on the train and two nights in Seville
About Andalusia
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Andalusia offers the chance to explore a holiday destination famed for its indulgent climate and coastal appeal. The region cannot deny its fair share of sun, sea and sand, but what is often neglected to mention is the region's immense variety. Comprising of eight unique provinces, Andalusia spans west to east from the wetlands and the Atlantic Ocean to the deserts and the popular Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean Sea. Poised at the southern-most tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia acts as a gateway between the European and African continents, harbouring a myriad of influences that speak of the layers of civilisation that have roamed and inhabited the land. From the vibrant cities to the tiny white-washed villages, from vast sierras to the extensive coastline, Andalusia is a region of contrasts which promises an authentic luxury holiday.
Highlights of Andalusia
With 800km of coastline, there are plenty of beaches to choose from - facing the Atlantic are the long, sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz, extending south from the Portuguese border to Tarifa; covering the area between Malaga and Gibraltar is the famous Costa del Sol, known for its numerous beach resorts which range from the cheap and cheerful to exclusive luxury; to the south of Granada is the Costa Tropical, a stretch of coast with sandy coves and a pleasant microclimate; and to the east is the more rugged Costa de Almeria. A number of luxury resorts and hotels are located along each of these coastlines. Surrounding Granada is the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range where the Spanish mainland's highest peak can be found and home to white-washed mountain villages. In the far east of Andalusia is the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, the largest protected area in Spain where you can find hiking trails, mountain villages and many wild animals. Further south is The Cabo de Gata Natural Park, a land and sea reserve near Almeria which is home to unspoilt scenery and an abundance of wildlife. In the west of the region is the Doñana National Park, an extensive area in the delta of the Guadalquivir River which includes marshland and sand dunes and is a breeding ground of the endangered Iberian Lynx. Thanks to the region's great variety in landscapes, culture and cuisine, a luxury holiday to Andalusia is sure to be a delightful experience.
Cultural highlights of Andalusia
Many of the Andalusia's cultural highlights can be found in the three Moorish cities of Cordoba, Granada and Seville, all of which are home to a number of excellent luxury hotels. Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former centre of Muslim control during Andalusia's colonisation by the Islamic Empire. At the city's heart is the astounding Mezquita de Cordoba, a mediaeval mosque turned Catholic cathedral with endless Moorish arches, columns and glinting tiles of vibrant hues. Other highlights include the fascinating Jewish quarter and Roman ruins galore. Nearer the coast is Granada, where Islamic rule endured the longest and the magical Alhambra remains as a monument to this legacy. A 9th century palace fortress, it guards over the city from an elevated crag amongst vast, aromatic gardens. To the west, on the peaceful plains of River Guadalquivir, Seville quietly awaits discovery along with its three World Heritage Sites: the Alcazar palace, the gothic Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies. Other towns and cities of interest in Andalusia include Jerez de la Frontera, where you can visit the sherry bodegas which make the city famous and watch the dressage displays which are held at The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art; Cadiz, the oldest city in Europe which is surrounded almost entirely by water; Ronda, a spectacular city which is split in half by a narrow gorge; Malaga, birthplace of Picasso and home to a Museum which displays a collection of his work; the small town of Baeza, where you can find stunning examples of Renaissance architecture; and Almeria, a coastal city which is dominated by the Alcazaba, the largest Moorish fortress in Spain. During your stay in Andalusia make sure to witness the seductive art of flamenco. Alluring, passionate and cathartic, it's easy to understand how this gypsy tradition has become one of the most familiar emblems of Spanish culture.
Festivals in Andalusia
There are a huge number of local festivals held in villages, towns and cities throughout Andalusia, many of which have a religious significance. 5 January: Three Kings parades, February: Shrove Tuesday Carnivals, February: Seville Tapas Fair, February to March: Jerez Flamenco Festival, March/April: Holy week celebrations, April to October: Seville Bullfighting season, April/May: Seville Spring Fair, April/May: Úbeda Classical Music Festival, Mid May: Jerez Horse Fair, June to July: Granada Music & Dance Festival, June - July: Cordoba Guitar Festival, August: Malaga Summer Fair, September: Ronda bullfighting festival, November: Granada Jazz Festival.
Gastronomy in Andalusia
Cuisine in Andalusia is diverse, varying throughout the region and combining Arabic flavours with more common Mediterranean ingredients such as seafood, olive oil and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. As the birthplace of tapas, Andalusia is an excellent place to try the snacks which are often served free with drinks in Granada. Other Andalusian specialities include Serrano ham from the Sierra Nevada and sherry from Jerez de la Frontera, as well as dishes such as ‘Ajo blanco’ (a white gazpacho), ‘Espetos de sardina’ (roasted sardines), ‘Huevos a la flamenca’ (baked eggs with vegetables) and ‘Fritura de pescado’ (mixed fried fish).
