One Week in Andalusia

Our adventure began as we touched down in the morning in Madrid, where we checked into the elegant and historical Santo Mauro hotel. The hotel's lovely staff greeted us. Also, were fortunate to receive an early check-in, which gave us the opportunity to rest and then freshen up before we started our day.

Venturing out, we stopped for our first taste of authentic tapas at La Campana. After lunch, we strolled around Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s grand central square.

Next, we visited the Reina Sofia museum, home to Picasso's "Guernica" and other masterpieces by Miro, Dali and more. My kids were ready to let out some energy after exploring the museum. We headed to El Retiro Park, where we saw locals relaxing, playing soccer and soaking in the beauty of the surroundings.

As the day wound down, we strolled back to the hotel. Then stopped for drinks at the gorgeous hotel bar before enjoying a delightful dinner at Ten Con Ten.

We started the morning with breakfast in the hotel's stunning library-turned-restaurant before heading to the Golden Mile, one of Madrid’s best shopping districts.

In the afternoon, we caught a train to Seville. We checked into the iconic Hotel Alfonso XIII, where we received such a warm reception from the hotel staff. My kids were eager to take a dip in the hotel’s pool since Seville boasts a whopping 300 sunny days per year. My husband and I enjoyed drinks on the veranda, which overlooks Seville’s bustling city center.

In the evening, we wandered through the charming Santa Cruz quarter and stopped for local tapas.

We started the day with a wonderful horse and buggy tour that took us to some of Seville’s most iconic sites, such as the Plaza España, Maria Luisa Park, Plaza Del Toros (the Bullring), and across the The Guadalquivir River to The Triana District and the Mercado Reno.

We then enjoyed tapas at La Ria overlooking the river before heading back to the hotel for a siesta.

In the evening, we enjoyed a mesmerizing Flamenco performance at the Teatro Flamenco de Triana, which our hotel concierge helped arrange. We capped off the day with dinner at El Rinconcillo, Seville’s oldest tapas bar located in the old town.

Our day started with a hearty breakfast before exploring the extraordinary Real Alcazar, with its mix of Christian and Islamic influences. Pro tip: buy tickets in advance to avoid long waits!

We then wandered through the Jewish quarter, stopping for lunch at Bar Santa Cruz, a lively and authentic tapas bar.

After shopping and sight-seeing, we returned to the hotel for a siesta. Later, we enjoyed our final (and favorite) meal in Seville at Dos De Mayo. They serve savoring dishes like pork in sherry sauce and sizzling garlic shrimp.

After breakfast, we drove to Cordoba. Here we explored the Jewish quarter and visited the synagogue, which is unique in Andalusia and one of the three best preserved Medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain. It was built between the years 1314 and 1315, and was in constant use right up until the Jews were finally expelled from Spain.

After lunch, we continued wandering the flower-covered terraces and alleys. We then visited the stunning Mezquita, a monumental religious and historical building in the city.

The drive to Granada was unexpectedly beautiful, with picturesque countryside views. We checked into the Seda Club hotel and had drinks on the rooftop before enjoying tapas on Navas Street.

A highlight of our trip was the private tour of the Alhambra. With its continuous occupation over time, is currently the only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period. Pro Tip: Buy tickets well in advance as they do sell out.

In the evening, we explored the Albacin neighborhood, marveling at the view of the lit-up Alhambra from St. Nicholas viewpoint. We wandered through Albacin to the Arab section, with its Moroccan-influenced shops and dining options.

On our last day, we had a late wake-up and a leisurely stroll by the river before enjoying a final lunch at Los Diamantés in the Jewish quarter.

Reluctantly, we made our way back to Madrid for our flight home. I can’t wait to return to Andalusia one day soon!