Spain
The Hidden Villages of Andalusia
Program No. 23675RJ
Journey through the hills of Andalusia to uncover the hidden gems of whitewashed villages and meet friendly locals excited to teach you about their culture, history and cuisine.
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Protecting the Environment
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10 days
9 nights
18 meals
8B 6L 4D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
7
The Ronda of Hemingway & Welles, Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera
8
Baelo Claudia Roman Ruins
Vejer de la Frontera
10
Program Concludes
Departure
At a Glance
Carved into the hills of Spain’s Sierra Mountains are small villages overlooking the sparkling sea. Each of these pueblos blancos – or white villages – are known for their bright white homes with tiled roofs, a beautiful contrast against the verdant countryside. On this enriching two-week journey, venture off the beaten path to explore the treasures of these towns and their deep-rooted history. Along the way, meet the locals that make these pueblos blancos truly unique. Immerse yourself in a side of Spain few experience as you learn the beautiful secrets each city holds.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Extensive walking (3-5 miles, approx. 2-4 hours, at a steady pace, some days in a row). In many of our visits we will encounter winding or hilly roads as well as cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is a necessity.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore the breathtaking Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, such as the temple, Forum, basilica, baths and aqueduct, while studying their history.
- Learn how to make traditional Spanish paella during a hands-on cooking class with a professional chef.
- Discover Córdoba, an important Islamic center in the Middle Ages, and study the Islamic and Jewish landmarks that still stand tall today.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Elena Moro
Elena Moro, born in Australia to an Andalusian family, is a professional Flamenco dancer. She began at the age of 5 and has toured all over Australia and parts of Asia with a Flamenco dance company. After many years traveling back and forth with dance scholarships, Elena now lives in Seville. She has worked with Road Scholar for almost ten years as a Group Leader and travelled to most parts of Spain.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Elena Moro
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Elena Moro, born in Australia to an Andalusian family, is a professional Flamenco dancer. She began at the age of 5 and has toured all over Australia and parts of Asia with a Flamenco dance company. After many years traveling back and forth with dance scholarships, Elena now lives in Seville. She has worked with Road Scholar for almost ten years as a Group Leader and travelled to most parts of Spain.
Maria Blanco
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Maria Blanco was born and raised in Extremadura, a region located north of Andalusia and east of Portugal. She studied art and graphic design at the University of Seville and at universities in England and the Netherlands. Throughout her professional career, she has combined her work as a group leader with other artistic and graphic design functions. Maria is passionate about the simple pleasures of life, especially music, art and, meeting people who provide her new perspectives.
Carolina Molina
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Carolina Molina has a degree in philology and a master's degree in linguistics, cultural, and literature studies for which she was awarded summa cum laude at the University of Sevilla. She is passionate about education, languages, and exploring different cultures and their history. Her current main field of interest and research is psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics. For over two decades, she has taught English, Spanish, and classes related to the field of humanities such as the history of Spain, intercultural management, and cultural development.
Suggested Reading List
(8 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Hidden Villages of Andalusia
Program Number: 23675
Spain: The Root and the Flower
Tapas: The Lilttle Dishes of Spain
A day in the Life of Spain
A Taste of Spain
Basic information is given for kids about the history & culture of Spain, followed by material on Spanish food & a group of representative recipes.
Travellers' Tales: Spain
If I lived in Spain
Basic introduction on Spain and Spanish for kids.
Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia
Chris, eternal optimist and itinerant sheep shearer, moves with his wife Ana to a mountain farm in Las Alpujarras, an oddball region in the south of Spain. Misadventures gleefully unfold as Chris discovers that the owner has no intention of leaving and meets their neighbours, an engaging mix of peasant farmers and shepherds, New Age travellers and ex-pats. Their daughter Chloë is born, linking them irrevocably to their new life. The hero of the piece, however, is the farm itself - a patch of mountain studded with olive, almond and lemon groves, sited on the wrong side of a river, with no access road, water supply or electricity.
Moorish Architecture of Andalusia