Our English-speaking cultural tour guide welcomes us at the airport. After the transfer in our modern, air-conditioned coach, we arrive at our 4-star HOLIDAY WORLD RESORT hotel on the beautiful Costa del Sol. There, a refreshing welcome drink gets us in the mood for our great holiday week.
On a panoramic city tour of Málaga, we see the city park, the lively harbour and the Paseo del Limonar district with its old mansions. We soon reach the imposing Castillo de Gibralfaro castle. From up here we enjoy a marvellous view over the coastal metropolis. A little later, we stroll through the Plaza de la Merced, one of the oldest and most famous squares in Málaga. The birthplace of the world-famous artist Pablo Picasso is located here. Use the rest of the time to explore Málaga on your own before we return to our 4-star hotel.
Granada, with its Arab splendour and Renaissance buildings, is an incomparable experience. On an unforgettable, optional full-day excursion, you will admire the most famous cultural site in Spain: the Alhambra, the world-famous masterpiece of Moorish architecture. The unique palace complex, known above all for its frescoes and mosaics, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, and quite rightly so. For us, the enchanting Generalife Gardens, the Palace of Charles V and the citadel, the so-called Alcazaba, are particularly impressive. Afterwards, we take a leisurely stroll through the old Arab quarter of Albaicín, which nestles on a hill right next to the Alhambra. From here, a truly spectacular panorama opens up – with the palace and the mighty Sierra Nevada mountain range in the background.
Today there will be plenty of time for relaxation. Enjoy the amenities and tropical flair of your wonderful hotel. Read a book by the sparkling pool or relax in the spacious wellness area! Alternatively, you can head off on your own journey of discovery to see the area‘s natural and cultural treasures. Gibraltar is worth a visit. The city state of Gibraltar, which belongs to Great Britain, is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and is famous for its Monkey Rock. You can take a rock tour to Europa Point, stroll along Main Street or do some duty-free shopping.
Today, on a unique, optional full-day excursion with your cultural tour guide, you will learn about the capital of Andalusia. After an exciting and detailed panoramic tour, passing the 1992 Expo site among others, we will cross the imposing bridges of the most important river in Andalusia – the Guadalquivir. We continue on foot to the beautiful Maria Luise Park, the Plaza de America and the Plaza de España, as well as the Santa Cruz neighbourhood in the old town. One of the largest cathedrals in the world awaits us there with the 104-metre-high Giralda Tower and the unique Alcázar Royal Palace – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience the charm and flair of the city with its idyllic patios and narrow, flowerdecorated alleyways on this walk. Afterwards, you will have some free time to take a closer look at the highlights of the old town, take a stroll or enjoy a few tapas at your leisure.
The first destination of our exciting, optional full-day excursion is the historic white mountain village of Mijas. We catch a whiff of the scent of blossoming orange trees on a typical plantation in Pizarra. On the way, we see the picturesque “White Villages“ of Monda and Ojén before finally reaching Marbella. In Puerto Banús, the city‘s fashionable marina, we take a short walk and marvel at the luxury boats moored here. In Marbella‘s old town, we will see the Plaza de los Naranjos (Square of the Orange Trees) and the venerable town hall, in addition to numerous historic buildings.
At the end of your cultural tour, you can relax and unwind once again. Enjoy the Spanish sun on the wide beach. Treat yourself in your 4-star HOLIDAY WORLD RESORT hotel to a pampering programme in the wellness area,or use the fitness room and the wide range of leisure activities. Alternatively, Córdoba would also be worth a visit in its own right. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Mezquita with its imposing architecture. The entire historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
An unforgettable week of cultural exploration and relaxation comes to an end today. On the way to the airport, we exchange addresses and make plans for our next holiday experience together.
The package includes the 3 unique full-day excursions “Granada incl. Alhambra and Nasrid Palace“, “Seville“ and “White Villages & Marbella“: only £229 per person.
£249 per person and week (subject to availability).
The Holiday World Resort is located in Andalusia directly on the famous Costa del Sol with its beautiful landscape and fantastic beaches. The coastal town of Benalmádena, with its original centre, picturesque white houses and narrow streets, is nearby.
The resort consists of several 4-star hotels. Look forward to relaxing days in one of the three hotels within the resort. Whether tropical flair, elegant furnishings or attention to detail – each of the three hotels impresses with its signature design. Your physical well-being will also be taken care of. Various restaurants offer international delicacies as well as regional specialities. You can refresh yourself with a cocktail in the numerous bars. The enchanting wellness area with heated indoor pool offers pure relaxation. Pamper yourself with a massage or one of the many beauty treatments (both for a fee). By the outdoor pool and on the idyllic sandy beach, you can unwind to your heart‘s content. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy the fitness room and a varied leisure programme.
You will stay in a modern and comfortably furnished junior suite. Amenities include a bathroom with bath and shower, hair dryer, air conditioning/heating, telephone, TV, desk, safe and the suite‘s own small kitchen. Each junior suite also has its own terrace and free WiFi.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 22 | 15 | 12 |
| London | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking before your trip. Please check the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk) before your departure.
Spain is south-west of the Pyrenees on the Iberian Peninsula. Its neighbouring states are Portugal, Gibraltar, the Principality of Andorra and France.
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy. King Felipe VI has been the head of state since 19 June 2014. Pedro Sánchez has been the head of government since 2 June 2018.
Madrid
Roman Catholic (more than 90%)
Spanish (Castellano) is the official language. The respective regional languages have official status in the autonomous regions of the Basque Country, Galicia, Catalonia and Valencia.
The climate in Andalusia is Mediterranean. With around 3000 hours of sunshine per year, Andalusia is one of the sunniest regions in Spain. From the middle of October rainfall can increase again.
Electricity in Spain is supplied at a voltage of 230 V and in the form of alternating current with a frequency of 50 Hertz. You need an adapter in your hotel.
Spain is part of the Central European Time zone where GMT+1 applies, along with daylight saving time. The time difference to the UK is plus 1 hour throughout the entire year.
To make phone calls to the UK, pre-dial 0044 (+44). To make phone calls from the UK to Spain, pre-dial 0034 (+34).
If you are planning to travel to an EU country you must meet the Schengen area rules. Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
– less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
– valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Spain as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
From November 2024, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area. The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries, 25 of which are EU Member States. The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports. You will need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken when entering the Schengen area. You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en). Nationals of other countries are advised to enquire at the Spain Embassy about the entry requirements applicable to them. Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/.
The EU has a new visa waiver system (coming in 2025), called ETIAS, which will be valid for three years. British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to apply and pay for an ETIAS, via an online system (https://etias.com/).
Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that Andalusia has to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.
Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras on arrival.
Explorer package: The package includes the 3 unique full day excursions ‘Granada incl. Alhambra and Nasrid Palace’, ‘Seville’ and ‘White Villages & Marbella’: only £229* per person.
Half board: The Package includes 7x tasty evening meals: only £99* per person.
* Package prices may vary when booking on site.
The euro has been the official currency in Spain since 2002. Exchange rate (as at september 2024): 1 GBP = 1.18 EUR; 1 EUR = 0.84 GBP.
Purchases can be paid for in cash and using the most popular credit cards. This payment system is typical in Spanish shops; the symbols of credit cards accepted are usually displayed at the entrance to shops. Passports are required when paying by credit card. Travellers’ cheques (in dollars or Euro) can also be cashed in banks. It is also possible to withdraw cash from ATMs using EC/Maestro cards but high fees may be charged by the respective bank.
There are a number of products which have entry or exit limitations in Spain from outside the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. These include cultural goods, wild fauna and flora and products derived from these, vegetables and plant products, weapons and ammunition, medicines, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. Likewise, in the case of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, the amount must be declared and the corresponding taxes must be paid if you are carrying the following amounts or more: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22%, 2 litres of alcoholic beverages with a strength of less than 22%, 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer. You can only carry the medicines you need, and they must be accompanied by a copy of the prescription or medical report. Cash and other similar means of payment: If you are taking cash or pay-to-cash cheques in euros or other currencies, or prepaid cards not linked to a bank account and/or certain gold items, or a combination thereof, totalling an amount equal to or exceeding €10,000 into or out of Spain, you must fill out a Declaration (in person or electronically) and present at Customs on departure or entry. Souvenirs and gifts: Your purchases should not exceed €430 per person if you are travelling by sea or air. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. For further information, please visit this page: https://www.spain.info/en/travel-tips/customs-regulations/.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringinggoods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.
Crime: Vigilance should be exercised regarding pickpockets and petty crime in larger tourist centres in particular. We recommend leaving cash, identity documents, driving licences, air tickets and other important documents in the hotel safe, for example, and only carrying the cash (and EC or credit card) you need on a given day on your person.
Travellers should try to steer clear of large groups of people and keep an eye on their valuables at tourist spots, airports (including in the security area), railway stations, the metro, buses etc.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.
In Spain, anyone with state insurance in the UK is entitled to medical treatment – where urgently necessary – by doctors, dentists, hospitals etc. registered with the foreign statutory health insurance association. You should get a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have an EHIC it will still be valid as long as it remains in date. All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance, which covers risks not assumed by the statutory health insurance companies (e.g. repatriation to the UK in the event of illness, treatment by private doctors or in private hospitals). You can also contact your health insurance company for information on current regulations.
The customer must establish for himself that his physical and mental state is compatible with the selected journey. He is obliged to obtain information about the degrees of physical mobility and mental autonomy required for this journey.
All information is subject to change/Last updated: September 2024
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