Las Alpujarras from Almuñecar

Nat Geo Day Tour: Andalusian oliiviöljy – kasvimaalta pöytään

Molino de La Paca on paikka, jossa jokaisessa pisarassa maistuu vuosisatojen perintö. Täällä pääset tutustumaan huippulaatuisen oliiviöljyn maailmaan – ja samalla kuulla siitä ainutlaatuisesta suhteesta, joka paikallisilla viljelijöillä on oliivipuihinsa. Tämä side kulkee sukupolvelta toiselle, ja sen aistii kaikessa, mitä tilalla tehdään.Päivä alkaa rennolla kävelyllä oliivilehdoissa, jotka ympäröivät perinteistä myllyä. Saat kuulla, miten oliivipuita hoidetaan ja miksi juuri tämä maaperä tuottaa alueen parhaat öljyt.Lehtojen siimeksessä pääset maistelemaan raikasta appelsiinimehua Guadalhorcen laaksosta ja kypsiä oliiveja – ja samalla kuulemaan, millainen rooli oliivien viljelyllä on ollut Etelä-Espanjan kulttuurissa ja yhteisöissä.Seuraavaksi vierailet Molino de La Pacan sydämessä, jossa näet, miten oliivit muuttuvat laadukkaaksi extra-neitsytoliiviöljyksi. Opit, mitä vaiheita prosessiin kuuluu, aina murskauksesta uuttamiseen.Tämän jälkeen pääset maistelemaan kahta erilaista oliiviöljyä ja opit tunnistamaan niiden maut ja aromit – sekä sen, miksi toisin kuin viini, oliiviöljy ei parane vanhetessaan. Tämä on loistava tilaisuus oppia erottamaan oikeasti laadukas ja tuore öljy.Päivä huipentuu herkulliseen kokkausnäytökseen, jossa opit valmistamaan porra antequeranaa – rakastettua andalusialaista keittoa, jossa oliiviöljy on pääosassa. Maistellessasi tätä paikallisherkkua ymmärrät, miksi tämä kullanvärinen ainesosa on niin tärkeä osa Välimeren ruokavaliota – ja miksi se tunnetaan pitkän ja terveellisen elämän salaisuutena.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Al-Andalusin kaikuja Malagassa

Lähde matkalle ajan ja kulttuurin halki, kun tutustut Al-Andalusin kiehtovaan perintöön Malagassa. Vierailet Alcazabassa, mahtavassa linnoituksessa, joka on osoitus arabien aikakauden sotilaallisesta voimasta. Tutkiessasi sen mahtavia muureja ja strategista rakennetta siirryt ajassa takaisin loistokkuuden aikakaudelle. Jatkat tutkimusmatkaasi Museo de Málagassa, jossa Al-Andalusin kukoistusta esitellään keramiikkakokoelman ja kiehtovan maurilaisen kalligrafian avulla. Ihaile historiaa ja taidetta yhdistäviä näyttelyitä, jotka paljastavat entisaikojen kulttuurisen rikkauden. Sen jälkeen pääset nauttimaan arabialaisia ja välimerellisiä makuja yhdisteleviä tapaksia ja viiniä ravintolassa, ennen kuin opettelet kirjoittamaan nimesi arabiaksi kalligrafiatyöpajassa, joka on tarjolla vain National Geographicin matkailijoille. Kulje historiallisen keskustan lumoavilla kaduilla, joilla näkyy Al-Andalusin muovaama perintö. Ihaile koristeellisia laattoja ja monimutkaisia yksityiskohtia, jotka kertovat kulttuurien yhdistymisestä ja luovat ainutlaatuisen maiseman. Seikkailusi päättyy vilkkailla Atarazanasin markkinoilla, jonka maurilainen sisäänkäynti kutsuu sinut värien ja aromien täyttämään aistihurmokseen. Keskustele myyjien kanssa, kun kiertelet hedelmiä ja mausteita täynnä olevilla kojuilla. Jos haluat uppoutua täysin paikalliseen tunnelmaan, ota kulaus andalusialaistyylisestä viinileilistä.

Gibraltar day trip with St Michael’s Cave and tour of the Rock

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes of the Rock, St Michael's Caves and the Main Street. Rosa, one of our local guides, says: "Gibraltar is one of the most unexpected culture shocks I've ever encountered. It feels like my native Andalusia, but everything looks British. Wandering around, listening to the locals chat in their cute dialect is always a joy."The fun kicks off on a high with a guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar. Towering 426 metres above the Med, its steep slopes look daunting – but you'll be discovering it from the comfort of a minibus. The first stop is packed-with-monuments Europa Point, a popular spot for taking snaps. At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. On a clear day, you can see all the way across to Africa. Next up is St Michael's Cave. Once home to Neanderthals and used as a war hospital during World War II, they're now an atmospheric concert hall.Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it, whether it's the more obvious red phone and post boxes or the more succinct ones such as arched Georgian door frames. Tuck into a pie or maybe some fish and chips for lunch, before some retail therapy. Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, is famed for its duty-free shops.

Gibraltar day trip with dolphin-watching boat tour and Rock visit

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes, the Rock and Main Street. And to top it off, you'll set sail around the Bay of Gibraltar for the chance to spot dolphins along the coast. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Gibraltar's monkeys are the most accommodating wildlife around. Unlike dolphins, you don't have to search for them – they come looking for you, especially if you're holding food.'The fun kicks off with a boat trip in the bay to look out for dolphins. Three species – bottlenose, common and striped – are known to frolic in these waters. Then, back on dry land, head for a guided minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. You'll stop at Europa Point, where there are many famous monuments, a mosque and a historic Christian shrine. Plus, you'll also visit the Rock's recently renovated St Michael's Cave, which now hosts an auditorium.At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British. Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it. Head to Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, for a mooch around its duty-free shops.

Marbella and Golden Mile half-day tour with Puerto Banus visit

The charming old town of Marbella and the upscale opulence of Puerto Banus provide a perfect contrast on this trip. Take half a day to discover them both, with a little help from your guide. Sip a coffee in its famous Orange Tree Square, see the Dali sculptures along the Avenida del Mar, and see the millionaire's playground of Puerto Banus.

Caminito del Rey hiking trail tour from the Costa del Sol

The Gaitanes Gorge is the must-see natural attraction in inland Malaga. This deep and steep canyon has a legendary walkway halfway up one of its vertical walls – the Caminito del Rey – which you'll get to trek on this full day tour. After a scenic drive through the country, we'll stop off at a typical village for some free time to wander around its narrow, whitewashed-fringed streets. Then, don your walking boots as we set off on an 8km walk along the recently reopened Caminito del Rey, or King's Walkway.Departing from the pine-fringed reservoirs, you'll trek along a spectacular walkway pinned along the steep gorge walls. Your guide will give you an insight into its geological origins and fascinating historical past. Finally, at the end of the journey, you'll have a well-earned break in El Chorro for the chance to grab a spot of lunch.

Malaga old town and Mijas mountain village tour

From big city to quaint whitewashed village, experience both sides of life in the Costa del Sol. In Malaga, you can shop-till-you-drop, explore the historic old quarter or visit one of the many art museums. A change of pace in Mijas sees you stroll flower-lined streets and enjoy views over the sea.

Guided tour of Axarquia, Frigiliana and Nerja

Considered the most picturesque part of the Costa del Sol coastline, Nerja is a trip that you shouldn't miss out on. On this half-day morning excursion, you'll explore the white village of Frigiliana and the charming town of Nerja to visit the ‘Balcon de Europa'– a stunning coastal viewpoint.

Andalusia tour with El Torcal, Antequera and lunch

This tour is a scenery-rich journey through some often-overlooked corners of inland Andalusia. You'll visit historic Antequera, immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of El Torcal and the Guadalhorce lakes, and round off the day at Juanito's orange farm. Sonia, one of our guides, says, ‘You'll pass through miles of stunning, varied and unspoilt scenery. It's a rare chance to try local food and wine in a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.'First up is the UNESCO-listed nature reserve of El Torcal. Here, you can stroll about its gnarled and otherworldly karst rock formations, which date back to the Jurassic age. Next, we'll stop to enjoy panoramic vistas of the Antequera's Moorish fortress and Lovers' Rock – a mountain steeped in local legend. The city has been dubbed the ‘Florence of Andalusia' because of its Renaissance and baroque palaces and churches. Free time to explore the old town is followed by lunch made from locally sourced seasonal ingredients, washed down with regional wine, in a family-run restaurant.In the afternoon, we'll head to the jade-green waters of the Guadalhorce reservoirs. But the best is yet to come, with a visit to the citrus farm of the larger-than-life Juanito. He'll proudly show you around his groves and offer you his tangy fruits. ‘Juanito is a true character who'll give you insights into local farming methods and let you taste his freshly squeezed orange juice and homemade orange cake,' Sonia adds.

Gibraltar Shopping

Gibraltar's shopping scene is surely unique. With plenty of tax-free goods, unique souvenirs, and vibrant shopping districts, this tour from Costa del Sol gives you roughly five hours to bag a bargain in this sunny slice of Britain.A scattering of Union Jack flags, red phone boxes and arched doorways gives Gibraltar town centre a distinctly British feel. And we'll drop you off in the heart of it for a spot of retail therapy. Pedestrianised Main Street is a great place to pick up everything from clothes to crystals. It has all the British high street chains as well as international brand boutiques. You'll find that electronic goods, spirits and tobacco are much cheaper in Gibraltar, too.Fashionistas will love the cosmopolitan waterfront-complex, Ocean Village, with a host of stylish boutiques, trendy shops, and high-end brands. Or, if you're after souvenirs to take home, a trip to Gibraltar's lively market is a must.