Meet in Granada in the lobby of the AC Palacio de Santa Paula Hotel at 8:30 am. Alhambra guided visit; 3-4 hours, easy. Transfer to La Joya-Antequera

This morning you enter the extraordinary world of the Alhambra—a magnificent ensemble of palaces and fortresses that once housed the Moorish rulers of Granada. The tour of the Alhambra is led by a local expert guide and provides a detailed overview of this overwhelmingly beautiful site. The visit comprises all of the most fascinating monuments, including the Alcazaba (the oldest part of the fortress), as well as the exquisite Palacio de Generalife gardens. The sultans’ summer palace known as the Generalife, or “the architect’s gardens” if literally translated from Arabic, is the oldest example of Moorish gardens in Spain. Even if you explored the site on your own prior to the tour (should you arrive early), you discover intriguing new facets of each of the ancient buildings and gardens, all the while relishing spectacular views over the rest of the city.

Lunch at a local restaurant may include a refreshing starter of shrimp gazpacho paired with the region’s white wine. By mid-afternoon, you depart Granada for the two-hour transfer to the small village of La Joya and your home for two nights―a charming boutique hotel peacefully located on the outskirts of the village. From its rural hillside setting, there are splendid views over the Guadalhorce Valley and the Málaga countryside with the Mediterranean coast in the distance. There is time to unpack and settle in before gathering again for a welcome aperitif of jerez (sherry) or vino dulce de Málaga (sweet wine from Málaga) on the hotel’s outdoor terrace. An exquisite dinner of Mediterranean specialties follows in your hotel’s warm wood-beamed restaurant.

Hotel Fuente del Sol to Antequera; 8.5 miles, moderate, 1,200-ft elevation gain, 2,000-ft elevation loss. Torcal de Antequera; 1.5 miles, easy, 150-ft elevation gain and loss

Following a hearty buffet breakfast, you depart the hotel on foot for the historic town of Antequera, home to numerous churches, chapels, and Neolithic and Bronze Age dolmens (burial chambers built with huge slabs of rock), as well as a profusion of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architectural gems. Your route passes isolated cortijos (traditional Andalucian farmhouses) as it skirts the Cerro del Águila (Eagle Hill). At the Cortijo del Robledillo (Oak Tree Farm), you continue along a cordel, a drover’s road used by shepherds travelling with their flocks of sheep and goats since time immemorial. A steady, yet gradual ascent ensues, leading to the pass at Escaruela. Rewarded with spectacular views over the distinctive limestone massif landscape of the Torcal, you begin a steep descent towards the foot of the pass. Reaching Antequera, your guides unpack a well-deserved picnic lunch―an assortment of local delicacies, such as chorizo, Iberico ham, and pâté, may be served alongside regional cheeses and fresh-baked bread.

After lunch, a short bus ride takes you into the heart of the Torcal de Antequera, a maze of surreal karstic rock outcrops dating to the Jurassic period. The area supports a variety of orchids, wild roses, mountain goats, and griffon vultures. After an easy walk around the Torcal (keep an eye out for fossils!), a 30-minute transfer returns you to your hotel to perhaps enjoy the swimming pool or spa facilities. Dinner, once again on site, may feature a traditional dish of grilled wild boar or roasted sea bass with vegetables freshly picked from the hotel’s garden.

Montecorto to Grazalema; 9 miles, moderate, 2,500-ft elevation gain, 850-ft elevation loss

Following breakfast and check-out, you depart on a two-hour transfer to the village of Montecorto, from where you set off on the day’s walk to the mountain village of Grazalema. Initially climbing steadily away from Montecorto, the trail descends, and then rises again to crest a ridge boasting spectacular views. You walk through undulating countryside of mixed farmland, hillside pastures, and open woodland, through the Guadalete valley, catching the occasional glimpse of Grazalema well before arrival. After another splendid al fresco lunch, you walk the remaining distance to your home for the next two nights in Grazalema, nestled on a hillside below the Gaidovar Mountains. Grazalema is one of the typical pueblos blancos (white towns) of Andalucia, characterized by their whitewashed walls and either red- or brown-tiled roofs. The town reached an economic height in the 17th century from a strong hand-weaving and, eventually, drapery industry, producing the famous shawls of Grazalema.

Your hotel, the Puerta de la Villa, is located in the heart of this whitewashed village and surrounded by the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Following time to unpack, a dinner of traditional Cadiz mountain fare is served at a nearby restaurant.

Grazalema to Benamahoma; 8.5 miles, moderate to challenging, 1,700-ft elevation gain, 3,600-ft elevation loss or Grazalema to Benaocaz; 6.5 miles, moderate, 800-ft elevation gain and loss

Two equally spectacular walks are available today depending on the time of year and recent weather. Following a short morning transfer to the trailhead in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the first option leading to the village of Benamahoma begins with an hour’s steep and steady climb to a dramatic ridge at 4,000 feet in the Sierra de las Cumbres. Skirting the north face of the Sierra del Pinar (clad with the dark green Spanish fir, a rare relic from the last ice age surviving in significant numbers only in pockets of southwest Andalucia and Morocco), you pick a spot to spread out a picnic lunch including an assortment of cheeses, sausages, and dried meats from Grazalema. Reenergized, you set off on the long descent to Benamahoma―an enchanting village whose streets are lined with orange trees exuding the scent of their blossoms for much of the year.

The alternative route follows a trail from Grazalema to Benaocaz, a charming village situated in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this park is one of Spain’s most ecologically important areas and home to the griffon vulture, deer, roebuck, Egyptian mongoose, and even the imperial and royal eagles. The walk takes you through countryside with dramatic views and past the spectacular cleft known as the Salto del Cabrero (Goatherd’s Leap), 330 feet deep and 1640 feet long.

Following either option, a short ride returns you to Grazalema, where there is time to relax at your hotel, explore the town’s cobbled streets, or browse the many shops for local products such as pure wool blankets and rugs. This evening you walk to dinner at a lively restaurant in the village square.

Grazalema to Montejaque; 7 to 10.5 miles, easy to moderate, 500-ft elevation gain, 675-ft elevation loss. Transfer to Ronda

After breakfast, you set off on foot for a full day’s walk to the village of Montejaque. Following an initial descent, the trail then rises to the Puerto de los Alamillos (Poplar Pass). Once through the pass, you find yourself walking briefly through picture-perfect farmland unchanged over the centuries, before dropping again to follow the gentle meanders of the Campobuche or Gaduares stream through open cork oak forest. En route, your guides lay out yet another delicious picnic lunch.

This afternoon, a 30-minute transfer brings you to the day’s final destination, Ronda―another of Andalucia’s pueblos blancos and its most dramatically situated. Meaning “surrounded by mountains,” Ronda is ringed by the Serrania de Ronda mountain range and perched on cliffs overlooking the spectacular 350-feet-deep Guadalevin River Gorge, known as El Tajo. Your parador hotel, housed in the former Town Hall, boasts a unique location at the edge of this gorge and next to Ronda’s famous Puente Nuevo, or “new bridge,” a breathtaking setting that you will relish for the next two nights. There is time to settle in before strolling to dinner at a nearby restaurant for another Andalucian feast featuring magnificent views over the gorge.

Walking tour of Ronda; 3 hours, easy. Free afternoon in Ronda

Following the previous days’ invigorating full-day hikes in the open countryside, the next part of the tour offers a more relaxed pace, highlighting the region’s historical and cultural gems. This morning, a guided walking tour takes you across the arched Puente Nuevo, built in the 18th century, which connects the old Moorish quarters of the city, La Ciudad, with the newer section, El Mercadillo. Entering the central Casco Antiguo (old quarter), packed with churches, palaces, and the remains of mosques and other reminders of Spain’s glorious Moorish past, you proceed to the main square and the city’s original mosque, now the ornate parish church of Santa Maria La Mayor. Following a visit to the Palacio Mondragon, a 14th-century palace with internal courtyards, fountains, a cliff-top garden, and the city museum, you proceed past two of the old town’s bridges―the Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) of 1616 and the Moorish Puente de San Miguel―before reaching the 13th- and 14th-century Arab baths just outside the old city walls. Looping back across the Puente Nuevo, you conclude your tour at Ronda’s elegant Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest and most revered bullrings in Spain.

The afternoon, including lunch and dinner, is yours to design. A walk through the winding streets of this picturesque town reveals a plethora of galleries, shops, and museums. Alternatively, you may choose to relax poolside at your hotel, embracing Andalucia’s pleasant climate or perhaps take a walk down into the gorge for a different perspective of the spectacular Puente Nuevo.

Seville city tour; 3-5 miles, easy

Following breakfast, you depart Ronda for the two-hour transfer to Seville. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville is one of the most important historical and cultural cities in Europe. Your exploration of this fascinating city begins with a stroll through the narrow streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz. This historic quarter with its beautiful houses, flowered balconies, richly decorated façades, and hidden patios is a treat to explore.

Next you visit the Alcazar (royal palace)—founded in the 10th century by Abd Al Rahman III and converted most notably by Peter the Cruel for use as his palace. The fortress displays varied architectural styles from Islamic to Neoclassical and features multiple delightful gardens, fountains, and pavilions. Home to thousands of tapas bars, Seville is said to be the birthplace of these delectable small dishes and appetizers. Sitting down to lunch in the early afternoon, you sample an array of this iconic food, ranging from pescado (fish) or mariscos (shellfish) to chacina (cured meats such as jamón, caña de lomo, and chorizo) and a number of specialties.

Your sojourn in Andalucia culminates with a final evening in this seductive city where the legendary Don Juan began conquering hearts of women across Europe. A final celebratory meal―perhaps a colorful Spanish seafood paella―is served at a lively restaurant. Afterward, you are welcomed to the inner patios (courtyard) of an old Seville home for an intimate flamenco performance. You retire to your elegant accommodations in a converted 18th-century palace in the heart of old Seville.

Transfer to Bilbao; free afternoon and evening

This morning you depart via taxi to the Seville airport for your flight to Bilbao. Upon arrival, a short taxi ride brings you to the superbly located Hotel Hesperia Bilbao (please note the taxi transfers this day are not included in the tour price). From your hotel, you have many nearby options to visit, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Museo del Belles Artes (Fine Arts Museum), Doña Casilda Park, and the many shops, tapas bars, and restaurants of the Casco Viejo (old town).

Meet in Bilboa int he lobby of the Hotel Hesperia Bilbao at 9:00 am. Erreta Lanteno to Torre de Quejana; 5-6 miles, moderate, 1350-ft elevation gain and loss

Upon meeting your new guides and fellow travelers at the Hotel Hesperia Bilbao, you depart for your first day of walking in the Basque Country. Entering the lovely Ayala Valley, at the foothills of the impressive cliffs of the Sierra de Orduña, you arrive in the tiny town of Erreta Lanteno. Your morning walk begins on a shaded dirt road with a steady ascent (approximately two miles), taking you to the hidden farmlands of the valley.

As lunchtime approaches, you arrive at a beautifully renovated typical Basque stone farmhouse, surrounded by green pasturelands. You are welcomed by Josu, a veteran CW guide ( turned mayor of the Ayala Valley), and his wife, Begonia, for a hearty country lunch of organic vegetables, local cheeses, chorizo, and freshly baked bread. The meal wouldn’t be complete without a first taste of txakoli, the refreshing sparkling white wine for which the Basque Country is known.

After lunch, you descend quiet country roads and mule tracks en route to the medieval castle of the powerful landlord of this region, the Chancellor Lope de Ayala. After visiting the 14th-century Tower of Quejana, you are met by your coach for the 25-minute transfer to the walled medieval town of Orduña. Arriving at the main town square, you are welcomed to your home for the next two nights―an 18th-century customs house that has been recently restored into a unique hotel featuring spa facilities. There is time to unpack and explore the neighborhood before gathering again for a welcome aperitif and presentation on Basque history and culture, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Nervión Canyon: Unza to Puerto de Orduña; 6-7 miles, easy to moderate, 500-ft elevation gain and 350-ft elevation loss

After a buffet breakfast you embark on a 30-minute drive to the rural village of Unza and the start of the day’s walk in the high plains of the Sierra de Orduña. Ascending grassy slopes and high pastureland dotted with grazing cows, horses, and long-haired sheep, you arrive at the spectacular Nervión Canyon, with its 2,000-foot vertical drop. (While the drop-off can be vertiginous, those who suffer from vertigo can stay at a safe distance from the edge). Walking along the rim, you are treated to breathtaking views of the canyon’s dramatic cliffs and the sweeping valley below. Soaring overhead are Griffon vultures, the largest birds in Europe. Nervión Canyon boasts the highest concentration of this species who favor the high pasturelands in search of prey. Don’t forget your binoculars for an unforgettable flying show! A shady grove provides the perfect setting for a fresh picnic lunch prepared by your guides―perhaps salad with goat cheese, chorizo, tuna, ham, melon, and peppers, finished off with chocolate and almonds for dessert. Following lunch, your walk continues along the canyon rim into the afternoon. Reaching the outskirts of Puerto de Orduña, you are met by your driver for the 30-minute return drive to your hotel in Orduña.

Later, those interested reunite for a guided tour of Orduña, a medieval town at the foot of the Sierra Salbada mountains. Dinner tonight is at a typical Basque restaurant only a short distance away in a neighboring town.

Salinas de Añana visit; 1 mile, easy. The Salt Trail: Salinas de Añana to Fontecha; 5 miles, easy to moderate, 250-ft elevation gain and 180-ft elevation loss

This morning, a 40-minute drive over the Sierras brings you to Salinas de Añana, an ancient town linked to the history of salt as early as the year 822 when its saline springs were first documented. Arriving at the town’s salt pans, you are met by a local guide who provides an overview of the traditional salt extraction process and the important role this precious commodity played in the history of the town and entire Basque region. Extracted from the remains of an oceanic deposit of salt, the Salinas de Añana salt is ultrapure and highly prized by top chefs. Despite a decline in business due to the competition of more affordable international brands, Salinas de Añana has carved out a niche for itself as a specialty product and is hoping to have the valley appointed a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Setting off on foot from the salt valley, you follow the old Salt Trail used by hundreds of mule drivers during the Middle Ages. Passing through Mediterranean forest and cultivated rolling fields―home to many migratory birds flying from Europe to Africa―you skirt Arreo Lake before reaching the little town of Fontecha. The town is watched over by two medieval towers, built by two rival families made rich and powerful by the salt trade. Stopping at a terraza, the outdoor seating of a local café, your guides unpack a late lunch and order a round of well-deserved cold drinks.

This afternoon, a 50-minute drive delivers you to the southernmost part of the Basque Country: La Rioja, Spain’s most renowned wine-producing region and to the medieval hilltop town of Laguardia. Considered the capital of the Rioja Alavesa, this fortified town is home to more than 300 cellars used for making and storing wine beneath its streets. You arrive at your home for the next two nights, a unique hotel designed to meld tradition with modern comfort located on a lively village square in the heart of the town. Before your delicious Slow Food dinner served in the hotel's fabulous restaurant, you enjoy a brief city tour as well as a visit and tasting at the La Bodega del Fabulista wine cellar.

La Rioja: Santa Maria de la Piscina to San Ginés; 4 miles, easy to moderate, or Santa Maria de Toloño monastery; 8-9 miles, moderate, 1,092-ft elevation gain and 2,076-ft elevation loss

Following a delicious breakfast of fresh yogurt, fruit, meats and cheeses, and croissants, you set off to explore the northern portion of La Rioja wine country. An easy-to-moderate walk option begins at the Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria de la Piscina, set amidst poppy fields, and takes you through world-renowned vineyards. Alternatively, you may opt for a more challenging option up and over the Sierra de Toloño to the ruins of Santa Maria de Toloño, a 9th-century monastery with spectacular views of the wine country.

This route begins high in the Sierra at the 3,051-foot Rivas de Tereso pass and, after gently ascending a forested dirt road, continues along an open gravel trail bordered by high pastures and grazing cows. Reentering the forest, the walk continues uphill over steep switchbacks and mountain trails before reaching the ruins of the massive rocky formation known as Santa Maria de Toloño. Rewarded with spectacular views over the lush farmland and vineyards of the Ebro River Valley, you depart the monastery and begin a steep descent towards the town of San Ginés. All walkers reunite at a shaded picnic area on the outskirts of town where your guides lay out another delicious lunch. Afterwards, you may opt to join your guides for an additional 1½-mile walk to town before returning to your hotel by mid-afternoon.

You may opt for a visit to the hotel’s wine cellar where you taste wines from the region before enjoying dinner on your own this evening. Whether your preference is to dine at a simple café or to enjoy a refined dinner at one of this classic Basque town's wonderful restaurants, your guide(s) will offer recommendations.

Zumaia to Zarautz (including sections of the Camino de Santiago); 6-8 miles, easy to moderate, 1000-ft elevation gain and loss

After breakfast, a scenic 1½-hour drive brings you to the Basque Country’s northern coast along the Bay of Biscay. Reaching the seaside town of Zumaia, located in Gipuzkoa Province, where the Urola and Narrondo rivers convene, you set off for the day’s walk. Departing from the village beach, a steep but short ascent takes you up and over the hills on a dirt road, affording spectacular views of the Bay of Biscay. This undulating trail with wide open views was first used by the pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela over 1,000 years ago. You cross white wine vineyards of txakoli and lush farmland, dotted with horses and sheep, before stopping at a txakoli cellar for a tour and tasting of this typical Basque drink.

After lunch, you continue on a combination of mule tracks and cobblestone medieval roads and wind past lookouts of old Basque whalers. Your guides explain how this ancient practice played a major role in the region’s development. Arriving at the town of Zarautz―an ancient whaling settlement turned beautiful seaside resort―there is time to break for an ice cream at a seaside café.

A 45-minute transfer brings you to the day's final destination of Hondarribia, a charming border town on the shores of the Bidasoa River. Your home for the next two nights is the old gothic palace of a medieval bishop born in this town. This picturesque area offers a multitude of fine dining options and tonight you enjoy a memorable meal at one of the region's many Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Cliff of the Basque Coast: Haizabia to Hondarribia; 4 miles, easy, 80-ft elevation gain and 150-ft elevation loss

To complete this diverse tour of the Basque Country, a brief drive across the border into France brings you to the spectacular Cliffs of Sokoa, a world famous area known as “La Corniche de la Côte Basque,” the Basque coast’s winding oceanside drive. Following the cliffs’ edge, where gentle green slopes and apple orchards meet the rough Atlantic Ocean, you discover hidden islands and tiny bays, until you reach Hendaye Beach, the longest in the Basque region. You stroll along the shore, with its old casino and elegant villas facing the waves of the Cantabrian Sea, before embarking on a 15-minute ferry ride on the Bidasoa River, crossing the international border into Spain. Soon, you return to Hondarribia and go bar hopping for pinxtos (Basque high cuisine tapas) in the colorful local taverns. These delectable small plates are a social food, meant to be enjoyed with others, and are best when accompanied by some txakoli.

Later, you board the bus for a short 25-minute transfer to San Sebastián for a relaxing rest of the afternoon, discovering the wonders of this elegant provincial capital with French flair during a guided city tour. San Sebastián spreads over a bay with beautiful fine-sand beaches on one side, and the old fishing port of Parte Vieja on the other. With a population of approximately 200,000, it offers a multitude shopping and sightseeing opportunities.

In the evening you enjoy a memorable final celebratory dinner where you offer one last toast to the dramatic and fascinating Basque culture.

Farewell

Your Spanish cross country tour concludes after breakfast. You may choose to extend your stay in Hondarribia or arrange for taxi service based on your return connections.