You’ll touch down in southern Spain’s Andalucía region and be met by your tour manager before being transferred to your hotel in Jerez de la Frontera.

Following breakfast, a day of activities awaits, and you’ll first be transferred to the heart of Jerez de la Frontera for a walking tour. Your guide will lead you around the streets and piazzas of this lesser-known city, a hidden gem rich in history with a beautifully preserved old town.

At its historic centre, you’ll discover Alcázar de Jerez, a Moorish fortress, which was built in the 11th century and is bounded by a pretty estate. The Catedral de Jerez is another highlight and was only built in the 17thcentury, despite looking medieval with its striking bell tower.

Jerez is also home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, and you’ll be dropped off here to see where some of the finest horses are bred, trained, and taught to dance. It’s one of the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world and it seeks to conserve the ancestral abilities of Andalusian horses. You’ll get to watch a show of the ‘dancing stallions’ during your visit, as well as walk around the grounds.

There will be a break for lunch, where you can wander to one of the many tapas bars to refuel – we recommend trying fresh langoustines, a local favourite. The tour will then resume with an activity to celebrate the city’s long heritage of port and sherry production, as you’ll make a stop at the House of Sandeman, behind the school, for a tasting and to learn about the fermentation process and the different styles.

Later in the day, you’ll return to the hotel to enjoy a relaxed evening.

Post-breakfast, prepare to discover more of this corner of Spain’s cultural and natural splendours, as you’ll be driven to Seville.

This lively, colourful city, abounding with grand monuments, and famed for flamenco dancing will be soaked up with the help of a guided walking tour. Traverse its narrow lanes, bordered with tightly packed shops, cafés, and bars by foot, pausing to rest in the shade of an orange tree-ringed piazza.

Towering over Seville, the Giralda bell tower is unmissable, as is the Royal Alcázars of Seville, a royal palace in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its chambers, towers, and gardens adorned in vibrant Moorish tiles. The Cathedral of Seville, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest churches in the world, as well as the largest Gothic church, and houses 80 chapels.

The city’s biggest and most eye-pleasing piazza, Plaza de España, built in 1928, will also be sought out, with its canal, mosaic-lined alcoves, trickling fountains, and Venetian-inspired bridges. You’ll then have a break for lunch, which is best enjoyed in the tapas bars of the old town and complemented by a cold beer or glass of wine – tapas is an integral part of life in Seville after all.

Your last excursion of today is a boat ride across the Guadalquivir River, and you’ll be driven to a dock to board. Observing Seville from the water provides a different view of the sights. Sit back and take in the landmarks on the banks while learning more about the city’s history.

This evening, you’ll return to your hotel to unwind and have dinner.

Today after breakfast, you can choose to spend the day at your leisure, perhaps taking advantage of the facilities at your hotel or setting off to explore the surrounding area.

Alternatively, you can join an optional white villages (pueblos blancos) tour, which takes you through the provinces and picturesque countryside of Cádiz. On the way, you’ll call at some of the white-washed houses built in a Moorish style and set into the hillside. Each charming village features its own collection of castles, churches, and archaeological sites, and is surrounded by rows of olive trees and sprawling Andalusian plains.

The coach will then drop you back at your hotel to take it easy in the evening.

Rise for breakfast and you’ll then be picked up and driven to Bajo de Guia beach. From here, you’ll board a traditional barge and set off to the Doñana National Park, a nature reserve, one of Europe’s most important wetlands, and a major site for migrating African and European birds.

You can amble around this UNESCO World Heritage Site, observing the diversity of ecosystems, including pine forests, lagoons, marshlands, and pristine white beaches, abounding with wildlife. In the centre of the park, you’ll also visit Palacio del Acebron, an old hunting lodge, which houses the national park visitor centre.

There will then be a break for lunch – heading to the seafront promenade of Playa de Matalascañas bordered with bars and restaurants is recommended.

After lunch, you’ll return to Bajo de Guia beach before travelling to the small seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Here, you’ll be taken around on a walking tour, passing by ancient sites, sherry bars, for which it’s known, and the pretty squares, like Plaza de Cabildo, with its mosaic stone floor and fountain. Castillo de Santiago, originally built in the 1400s, is another point of interest, as well as Nuestra Señora de la O in Barrio Alto, a charming church.

In the evening, you’ll head back to your hotel to relax and perhaps have a refreshing swim in the pool before dinner.

Enjoy breakfast ahead of exploring southern Spain further today. You’ll begin by being transferred to Cádiz, where you’ll experience a morning walking tour of the ancient port city, the oldest in Western Europe. During this time, you’ll learn about the town’s 3,000-year-old history, how it is now the home of the Spanish Navy, and currently features 100 watchtowers. Heading to the waterfront, you’ll see the striking Cádiz Cathedral, with its neoclassical and baroque elements.

The city’s historic centre is particularly attractive, made up of a maze of narrow lanes and squares. It’s a good idea to seek out a lunch spot in this area, or head to Mercado Central de Abastos, Spain’s oldest fish market for a dish of fresh, grilled seafood. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time at your disposal to potter around. Perhaps call at Cádiz’s most famous beach, Playa de La Caleta, for an iced tipple and to laze in the sun or to the shopping streets around the Plaza de las Flores to pick up some souvenirs.

You’ll then head to the port and board a catamaran before sailing across the Atlantic waters to Rota. A guide will take you by coach beyond this seaside town’s medieval-like ramparts to see some of the historic buildings, including the 13th-century Castillo de Luna, and the San Roque Church, home to the statue of the town's patron saint. The fish market, Pesquero Astaroth, is another interesting sight, as is Torre de la Merced, a bell tower overlooking the town.

As the day ends, you’ll be driven to your hotel for dinner and to relax.

Once you’ve had breakfast, you can decide to embrace another day at leisure or join the optional Marbella excursion.

This outing will begin in the morning, and you’ll be driven to Marbella, a city and fashionable resort area set on Costa del Sol, with the Sierra Blanca Mountains in the background. After arriving, you’ll venture on a guided tour, leaving the ‘Golden Mile’ of stylish hotels, bustling clubs, and lively beach bars for the 15th-century old town, with its whitewashed houses and colourful flower displays.

The Plaza de los Naranjos in the old town dates to 1485 and is especially appealing with its assortment of orange trees, palms, and tropical plants. Why not take a seat in one of the open-air eateries for lunch before browsing the boutique clothing stores?

Alameda Park, tucked in the middle of the city, provides a tranquil and welcoming retreat with its brightly coloured ceramic benches and a trickling fountain. Paseo Maritima, the snaking seafront promenade, is also perfect for taking in the sea breeze in between exploring. You’ll get to view the Iglesia de la Encarnación (Church of our lady of Incarnation), the Marbella castle, and the Moorish walls too.

Your last activity will be a boat trip to Puerto Banus, Marbella’s world-famous marina, known for its beach clubs and nightlife. Luxury yachts satiate the harbour and trendy alfresco restaurants, and high-end shops border the streets. You’ll have some time to roam while keeping an eye out for visiting celebrities before returning to your hotel by coach.

After breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK.