Tastes and Trails of Andalucia

This week-long tour begins in Aracena, a hill town whose whitewashed streets rise beneath a castle and Templar church, where chestnut and cork oak woods stitch the hillsides. From here, walks lead to Jabugo’s curing sheds for acorn-fed Iberian ham tastings, goat farms where cheese-making is hands-on, and a bee conservation project supporting local ecosystems.

Villages such as Almonaster la Real offer a chance to visit one of Spain’s rare rural mosques, perched on a ridge with broad views of the countryside. The pace is steady, with walks passing orchards, stone walls and shaded lanes, punctuated by rustic lunches and workshops in natural skincare.

Two final nights come in Seville, whose courtyards and centuries-old tapas bars contrast with the quiet sierra. The city’s Moorish palaces and the soaring Giralda tower stand as reminders that Andalucia holds many layers beyond its hilltop villages.

New to Spain? Our Spain guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.