Sherry Tio Pepe
La Gitana, drawn straight from the solera
Sherry & Andalucia
18 - 23 February 2013
Andalucía is startlingly beautiful with the Sierra Nevada rising dramatically from the sea. The area has mild winters and most years that we have offered this Spanish wine tour in February, we have had fine warm weather with blue skies. Add to this the excitement of the carnival, fascinating wines and great cuisine; a perfect winter wine holiday in Andalucía!
We explore the ‘triangle’ of Jerez de la Frontera, Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda.
We are first based in Jerez, with sites to visit including the Alcazar and La Colegiata, a church built with a mix of Gothic and Baroque.
We’ll discover the popular Finos, zingy Manzanillas, nutty Oloroso and voluptuous PX, (‘a Christmas pudding of a wine’). There’s an instructive tasting with the Consejo Regulador and visits to top bodegas. At Lustau we’ll taste their Alcemenista sherries made by individual ‘stockholders’; at Hidalgo you’ll taste superb ‘La Gitana’ Manzanilla straight from the butt and with Gonzalez-Byass their superb range with dinner.
We travel to Cordoba, famed for its great Mosque part of the Moorish influence that is in evidence throughout the region in the gastronomy and architecture. En route, we visit the ‘white village’ of Arcos de la Frontera. Near Cordoba is the Montilla-Morilles wine region and we’ll discover the best of the wines at Bodegas Alvear. This part of Andalucia is famous for its olive oil. When our team came here we had an olive oil tasting that was truly fascinating and we include it too.
You can choose to extend your Spanish wine tour with extra nights pre or post trip in Gibraltar or Malaga to visit the wonderful Picasso museum using the weekends on either side to turn this into a longer winter wine escape.
18 - 23 February 2013
£1,899.00 
per person
Tour completed.Price Includes:
Return flight London-Gibraltar, Malaga-London, all flight taxes.
3 nights in 5* hotels, breakfasts.
2 nights in 4* hotel & Parador , breakfasts.
5 meals with wines.
Visits and tastings, coach for the itinerary.
Arblaster & Clarke Wine Guide & Tour Manager.
No Flight Discount: £150 per person.
Please note: After the 3rd January 2013 the above tour is sold without the travel to the destination
Sole Occupancy: £300.00
Deposit: £500.00
Room Upgrade: £275.00
Sherry & Andalucia
Outline Itinerary
Day 1. Scheduled BA490 flight (10.05) London Heathrow to Gibraltar (13.55). Transfer to hotel. Visit Consejo Regulador. Included dinner in Jerez. Overnight 5* hotel, Jerez de la Frontera.
Day 2. Visit Lustau. Free time in Jerez for lunch and afternoon. Dinner at Gonzalez Byass. Overnight 5* hotel, Jerez de la Frontera.
Day 3. Visit Barbadillo. Lunch at Hidalgo. Free time in Sanlucar de Barrameda. Free time for dinner. Overnight 5* hotel, Jerez de la Frontera.
Day 4. . Free time in Arcos de la Frontera. Travel to Ronda, free time for afternoon. Included dinner in Ronda with wines of Bodega F Shatz. Overnight 4* Parador, Ronda.
Day 5. Visit and lunch at Alvear. Free time in Cordoba. Non-included dinner in Cordoba. Overnight 4* hotel, Cordoba.
Day 6. Free time in Cordoba. Transfer to Malaga airport for scheduled BA2713 flight (12.10) Malaga to London Gatwick (13.50).
Hotel Details
5* Prestige Palmera: This modern hotel has large and comfortable rooms which are are very well equipped. The breakfast room is located in the main building and the rooms are set in the hotel garden. An easy stroll to the centre of town.
Parador, Ronda: This attractive old town hall has been converted into a charming parador, which is situated on the edge of the Tajo gorge. The bedrooms combine traditional decor with very comfortable modern facilities.
4* hotel, Cordoba: The hotel is located in the historic heart of the city, next to an early 14th century synagogue and just five minutes from perhaps the most important edifice of the city: La Mezquita Cathedral. It comprises two eighteenth century mansions and an adjoining building and one wall is the historic boundary of the Jewish quarter. There is a lovely courtyard, a bar and a solarium with views of the cathedral tower.
Upgrade: To a suite in first four nights, and a superior room for second two nights.
Travel Details
Flight timings correct as of February 2012. This is not automatically updated when timings change. Please check at the time of booking for up to date travel information.
Please note: After the 3rd January 2013 the above tour is sold without the travel to the destination, as we have to confirm numbers to the airline. After this date you may make your own arrangements or we can quote on current travel costs which will always be more than that included in the original tour price. Room allocations are also reduced at this time so although there may be space on the tour you may be offered alternative accommodation. Consequently, early booking is strongly recommended for the best price and to ensure availability on the included travel and at the main tour hotels.
If you would prefer to travel to meet the tour instead of taking the included flights, please let us know at the time of booking and a no flight discount of £150 per person is applicable.
Wine Notes...
Click here to read wine notes by Tim Clarke and other guest writers on the wine regions visited.
