T Select AATORURISM & HERITAGE cultural tourism

“Culture is dialogue, the exchange of ideas and experiences, apreciation for other values and traditions, which is exhausting and dying in isolation ”

AART SELECT www.aartselect.com World conference about cultural politics, mexico D.F 1982

Cover Photo: Detail of casement. Ancient aljama almohad mosque door, actually Puerta del Perdon (Forgiveness Door) Seville Cathedral. Photography: Alameda de Hércules (Seville) Stefania Scamardi Dear Travelers

In collaboration with El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation, we have the pleasure of presenting our catalogue: AL ANDALUS SELECT.

Through a selection of itineraries, we have wanted to guide you on the pursuit of an attractive touristic and cultural Andalusian experience.

Our desire is to share the beauty of an exclusive heritage, testimony of a common historic period, to allow you to get to know and live our present and, in some way, contribute in respecting diversity and an enrichening gathering.

A journey through heritage capitals considered symbolic references of cultural values and territories that have been adapted to a contemporaneity without forgetting the memory of a shared history.

A select an exclusive programme, with a personalised service to cater your requirements and show the ability of reception and excellent services has to offer.

In Colaboration: TEXTURES in ART

OMAYYAN CORDOBA – ALMOHADE SEVILLE – NASRID We will engage in an itinerary through the three biggest al–Andalus capitals and we will offer a vision through history, Arts and Science DAY 4/ Seville After breakfast, we will keep getting to know our vast tangible and intangible heritage which enhances this magical city. Majestic palaces, unique boroughs, traditions…

TEXTURES This last night, we will share a very special evening, with a farewell panoramic visit and afterwards an evening meal and flamenco show as ¨grand finale in ART ‘to our visit. DAY 5 / Seville - Granada Breakfast and we will travel on towards an ancient DAY 1/ Cordoba DAY 3 / Cordoba - Seville Nasrid capital: Granada. A city which awaits us to show us the present day of what was the epilogue of Our itinerary will start in Cordoba, a city which Breakfast and we will resume our trip. We have the history of Islam in the Peninsula Iberica, which lives its present day without forgetting the memory visited one of the three greatest andalusi capitals, it keeps with pride, the memory of the splendor of of its glorious andalusi past. We will welcome Omayyad Cordoba, our itinerary will continue on to such great reign of al-Andalus. Evening meal and and accompany you to your chosen hotel and we an intermediate historic period, with the city which night visit. will begin our cultural touristic experience with was an Almohade capital of al-Andalus: a lovely visit to the historical area of this ancient caliphal city, led by a local expert guide who will On this day, led by a local tour guide, we will get to set us up for this first part of the journey. Evening know one of ´s most important historic city DAY 6 / Granada meal in restaurant. centers ; we will visit its impressive Gothic cathedral Breakfast and we start our day with a visit to the and Real Alcazar, two important monuments that incredible Alhambra, led by an Islamic art and will allow us to visualize its historic becoming and culture guide. After lunch we will enjoy a walk DAY 2/ Cordoba the styles development and transformations, great through the city, visiting part of its rich historic memories of a shared past. Evening meal in hotel. Breakfast and visit to Mezquita -Cathedral, one of and artistic heritage that leads us into the present. the most important artworks of all time, an example Evening meal at hotel and lodging. of the splendor of the Omayyad architecture. After an interesting visit we will have free time to walk around till lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the caliphal city of Medina azahara and we will return DAY 7/ Granada to our hotel where evening meal will be offered. Breakfast and transfer to railway station or airport. Here our services end. Granada AL-ANDALUS Universe Alhendin The Routes of El legado andalusí Cultural Route of the Council of Europe Padul

Nigüelas Mendújar From Granada, we suggest you continue your route Lecrín and carry out one of the stages of The Route of al-Idrisi, through a unique experience which will take you to the Al-Andalus universe.

Vélez de Benaudalla It involves an exclusive route designed in Málaga Frijiliana collaboration with Azimnth company specialized Torrox Salobreña in education and astroturism activities in which Art, Science, Nature and history come together to Nerja offer unforgettable memories

Mapping of the Route of al-Idrisi El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation AL-ANDALUS UNIVERSE

AL-IDRISI ROUTE The Routes of El legado andalusí, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

From stars names to celestial coordinates and planetarium monuments, andalusi astronomy legacy lives on in modern science, and in the territories where the main characters inhabited.

On this route we will revise said legacy and we will be amazed with the wonders in our Universe. A spectacular journey which will take us from the Nasrid Palaces of La Alhambra to the modern telescopes of Calar Alto observatory. In the cosmologic vision which radiates from the stars and their cycles you can see reflected in the building of the palace of la Alhambra…

DAY 1/ Granada Breakfast and start of our day with an interesting visit to la Alhambra. Accompanied by a specialized guide in Art history and expert in Astrophysics, we will discover the relationship between our Universe and the architecture of this unique space. Lunch and we move on to get to know the relationship between the sky and the everyday world of the andalusi period through some of its most important testimonies. Evening meal and lodge. Following in the footsteps of the Arabic philosopher Ibn Tafayd and his novel “The Self-Taught Philosopher” we will remove our actual knowledge and draw a clean slate on us to get into the skin of the prehistoric settlers of the highlands.

We will get near the stars from a personal perspective, nearly intimate, to return to the medieval cosmology.

DAY 2/ Granada Breakfast. Today we will delight ourselves with the amazing landscapes and get to know the beautiful and historic towns of , Baza and Galera. Lunch during the route. To end the day we will offer and unforgettable interpretation of the sky at the Alicun Spa. Evening meal and return to hotel. Medieval astronomy still lives on in todays astrophysics. Astronomers from Calar Alto Observatory scrutinize the sky with huge telescopes and up-to-date scientific instruments with the same purpose; discover the secrets of the Cosmos.

The future of humanity will be written in other worlds, in other suns. To reach them and prosper in them we need all our science, past, present and future.

DAY 3/ Granada - Almeria - Granada After our interesting visit, we will move on to the city of Almeria. There we will have lunch; afterwards we will enjoy a walk through its historic center. Return to Granada.

Our itinerary will finish in Granada, or if you wish to, we will move on towards Malaga, as “The Route of al-Idrisi. The Routes of El legado andalusí” suggests to us. Navas de Tolosa La Carolina

Baños de la Encina

Bailén Linares Andújar From Granada Úbeda TO JAEN Baeza Mengibar The Routes of El legado andalusí Arjona Cultural Route of the Council of Europe Porcuna Jimena Jódar Jaén Mancha Real Torredonjimeno Torredelcampo La Guardia de Jaén Cambil Martos Or we can discover one of the stages Huelma on The Route of the Nasrids, heading towards the province of Jaen to know its richness in History, Art, Nature and the production of one of our most important culinary treasures: Olive oil.

Piñar

Iznalloz

Deifontes

Albolote Granada

Mapping of the Route of the Nasrids. El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation FROM GRANADA to JAEN

THE ROUTE OF THE NASRIDS The Routes of El legado andalusí Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

On this vast tour that this route offers, we have chosen the part that will take us from the to Jaen.

You can feel the dense artistic history that this tour offers, admiring the old towns that are testimonies of the past, the remnant of their andalusi past, the beauty of its renaissance splendor, its natural areas, and its crops.

Jaen’s ‘land is intimately united to the presence of one the Mediterranean’s most characteristic element: the olive tree. An incredible landscape that shows the depth of the olive oil tradition in this Andalusian land. “Heading south and sailing in its sea of olive trees, Martos appears…. villa in which you can already feel the graceful bright touch and the white magical scent of Andalucia”

Camilo José Cela Primer Viaje Andaluz

DAY 1/ Granada - Jaen DAY 2 / Jaen - Ubeda - DAY 3 / Jaen - Martos - Breakfast and start of our trip. Before leaving the province of Granada we will visit the Monastery Baeza - Jaen Granada of La Cartuja, founded at the beginning of Breakfast and we leave to the monumental city of This landscape wouldn’t be understood without the XVI century in the old setting of what was Ubeda, affixed to a sea of olive groves opposite considering its bond with the olive world; because known as Aynadamar, we will enjoy the beautiful the solid range of mountains of Magina and of that we will stop off in Martos, were we will surroundings of the Grenadian La Vega and then Cazorla. Accompanied by an art historian we enjoy a lovely stroll through this villa and get to move on towards the city of Jaen where we will stay will visit during the morning some of its most know on the spot the production of this culinary for two nights, on half-board room. This first day we important heritage landmarks. In the afternoon treasure. Lunch and return to Granada. Evening will see some of its main heritage landmarks, such we will go onto Baeza to enjoy the beauty of all its meal and board. as Santa Catalina Castle, its majestic Cathedral, monuments. We will return to Jaen for our evening and the Andalusian Baths of Villardompardo. meal and to rest. Evening meal at hotel. FROM GRANADA Granada

Las Gabias to the white Campillos La Malahá Olvera Antequera TOWNS Teba Algodonales The Routes of El legado andalusí Alcaucín Setenil Zahara Cultural Route of the Council of Europe Jerez de la Frontera Ronda Arcos de la Grazalema Velez-Málaga Frontera Atajate Cádiz El Puerto de Benadalid Santa María Algatocín Benalut Alacalá de los A third option is to travel from Granada, last Gazules Gaucín bastion of Al-Andalus, towards the Strait of Jimena de la Algeciras Medina Frontera Gibraltar. A return to the beginning of our shared Sidonia history that can end in the province of Cadiz, or

Castellar de crossing the Strait to Morocco or going back to an la Frontera ancient Almohad capital: Seville, to continue on enjoying the city and its vast province. Algeciras

Tarifa

Mapping of the Route of the Almoravids and Almohads. El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation FROM GRANADA to the white TOWNS THE ROUTE OF THE ALMORAVIDS AND ALMOHADS The Routes of El legado andalusí, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

In the first decade of Al-andalus history, numerous Berber tribes and clans settled in the Serrania of Ronda and Grazalema…

DAY 1/ Granada - Antequera - Ronda From Granada we will begin our route towards Antequera, where we will visit its historic center and admire the beauty of one of its most important heritages: The national Park El Torcal. We will continue on to Ronda. In the afternoon we will do an attractive itinerary by seeing some of its most emblematic places and enjoying its incredible natural landscapes. Evening meal at the hotel. DAY 2/ Ronda - Setenil - Zahara - Ronda

On this second day we will visit the peculiar town of Setenil de las Bodegas and we will continue on towards Zahara de la Sierra to keep enjoying the beauty these towns of this unique route offer us.

DAY 3/ Ronda - Grazalema - Arcos We will begin our day heading towards Grazalema, outstanding spot in the Serrania of Cadiz. After a short stop we will continue on to Arcos de la front era, where we have lodging. We will stroll through its historic town and its maze of tiny streets that will conjure its andalusi past. Evening meal at hotel.

DAY 4/ Arcos - Jerez - Cadiz

Today we will enjoy an extended visit to Jerez. A city, according to archaeological testimonies and historiographic sources, reached its urban relevance in the XII century, during its North African period. We will get to know its andalusi imprint through its urbanism and some of its most important heritage elements, and, afterwards, we will enjoy a special meal with a show, where we will discover the unique traits of the art of flamenco dancing. After this lovely soirée we will return to Cadiz to rest in our hotel. DAY 5/ Cadiz DAY 6/ Cadiz - Vejer de la Today will be dedicated in learning about this Frontera - Bolonia - Tarifa beautiful city, the oldest permanent settlement The first stop in our itinerary will be Vejer de la of the West. One of the most important marine frontera, well-known as one of Spain’s most beautiful empires of Ancient times and base to the naval fleet towns. We will move on towards Bolonias beaches and of Almoravids in the Atlantic. A city that knows how visit Baelo Claudio’s Architectural complex and after to transmit the richness of its historic legacy united we will head to our lodgings in Tarifa. Evening meal with its unique Andalusian and sea flavor. Evening at hotel. meal and board.

DAY 7/ Tarifa On our final day we will visit Tarifa where we end our route.

Our suggestion… continue on towards Morocco (See itinerary SOUNDS BETWEEN TWO SHORES). AN ANDALUSI past an andalusi PRESENT Different gazes through Art, Science, history, its cuisine, its people, their traditions and the crafts which enrichens them, its passion…

A heritage which sets us apart. Exclusive experiences which CUISINE Personalized gastronomic could complement your stay. cuisine. LEISURE EQUESTRIAN WORLD ART, ARCHEOLOGY AND AND BULLFIGHTING and Culture ARCHITECTURE Learning and enjoyment. Visits to private areas with specialists. The luxury on entering TRADITIONS AND a world of 8 stars SCIENCE AND HISTORY CRAFTS Exclusive routes. Emotion and dedication.

MUSIC Private Opera and Flamenco shows. DAY 1/ Malaga DAY 3/ Malaga - Granada DAY 5/ Granada - Almeria DAY 8/ Cordoba The itinerary begins in Malaga, one of the touristic Breakfast and continuing on our itinerary towards Our first hours in this beautiful city will be and cultural destinations with largest international a stunning Nasrid capital: Granada. Following the - Granada enjoyed with a stroll through the old historic part outreach. A city expert will exert as a great host for depiction made by the famous geologist al-Idrisi, Today we will have a full day trip to Almeria, to get to of this unforgettable caliphal city and a visit to the most demanding visitors. we will visit the picturesque seaside towns of Nerja know part of our vast artistic and natural heritage with the Mezquita- cathedral, chaperoned by a local and Almuñecar, and we will be delighted with lunch and evening meals included. Return to Granada expert tour guide who will uncover one of the most We will personally meet you at the airport and take the beautiful natural landscape of The Valley of spectacular examples of Omayyad art. Free time you to your chosen hotel. Once you are settled in Lecrin and Padul Lagoon till we reach our desired till our lunch and we will end our day with a visit to we will show you details of our itinerary and some destination, the city of Granada. A city which the caliphal city of Medina Azahara. Evening meal optional suggestions. As a welcome to Andalucia you awaits us to show us the present of what was the DAY 6/ Granada - Jaen at hotel. will be offered an evening meal and afterwards a beginning of the Islam history in the Peninsula Breakfast and we continue our route. . Before panoramic nocturnal tour of the city. Iberica and which conserves the memory of the leaving the province of Granada we will visit the splendor of the great reign of al-andalus. Once you Monastery of La Cartuja, founded at the beginning are settled into your hotel we will do a panoramic of the XVI century in the old setting of what was DAY 9/ Cordoba - Seville nocturnal visit that will end with an evening meal known as Aynadamar, we will enjoy the beautiful Breakfast and we will proceed our journey towards in a unique place of the city. surroundings of the Grenadian La Vega and then the last part of the itinerary. We have visited two of DAY 2/ Malaga move on towards the city of Jaen, where we will the largest andalusi capitals: the Omayyad Cordoba After breakfast we will visit some of the most have our lodgings. This first day will be devoted to and the Nasrid Granada; our itinerary will end at an emblematic places, accompanied by a local getting to know some of its historic sites such as intermediate historic period, with the city which specialized guide. Lunch at a restaurant. In the DAY4/ Granada Santa Catalina Castle, its majestic cathedral and the was the capital Almohade of Al-Andalus Ishbilia afternoon, depending on our client’s wishes, Breakfast and will start off the day with an exclusive andalusies Baths of Villardompardo. Evening meal (Seville). optional activities will be organized (consult). visit to the Alhambra. Accompanied by a tour guide at hotel. Evening meal at hotel specialized in Islamic culture and an expert in On this day, accompanied by a local tour guide, Astronomy, we will carry out an exclusive visit we will get to know of one Spain’s most important throughout Art History, Architecture and Science. historic centers, we will visit its impressive After lunch we will enjoy a lovely stroll through Gothic cathedral and Real Alcazar, two important the city visiting part of its rich historic and artistic DAY 7/ Jaen - Ubeda - monuments that will allow us to visualize the styles heritage and entering into its present time. If time development and transformations, and it will allows us, we will have the opportunity to have Baeza - Cordoba remind us of a shared past history in an optional panoramic visit of the landscape that Breakfast and departure to the monumental cities of Lunch and free afternoon. Evening meal at hotel. surrounds this magical city. Evening meal at hotel. Ubeda and Baeza chaperoned by and art historian; we will visit during the morning some of their most notable heritage testimonies. After lunch, we will continue our itinerary towards Cordoba. Arrival, evening meal and lodging. DAY 10/ Seville After breakfast, we will resume learning about our vast tangible and intangible heritage, which enhances this magical city. Majestic palaces, unique boroughs, traditions...

On this last night here, we will share a very special evening, where we will enjoy a goodbye panoramic visit and afterwards an evening meal and flamenco show as finishing touch to our experience in Andalusia.

If you wish to continue living this touristic and cultural DAY 11/ Seville experience we suggest some interesting options Breakfast and free time till transfer time to airport/ train station for your return home, or if desired, Expand your stay in Seville, from, where we can organize visits extend this appealing trip with some of our to Cadiz, and Huelva or venture towards a territory which is suggestions... near and a friends: Morocco FROM ANDALUCÍA to Morocco

SOUNDS BETWEEN TWO SHORES THE ROUTE OF THE ALMORAVIDS AND ALMOHADS

The Routes of El legado andalusí, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

Inspired by the legacy of these two very important African dynasties, we suggest you continue on your trip from Seville towards Morocco and enjoy some exclusive locations that the path offers heading towards the Strait of Gibraltar, getting to know the beautiful province of Cadiz. In the first century of XII century, in the Western part of Maghreb a Berber Dynasty arises headed by Muhammad h. Tumart: the almohads (al muwahhidun) Isbiliya, capital of al-Andalus, under this dynasty, lived its maximum splendor, during that last century of Islamic presence (1147-1248)

Stage I - Seville, Almohad capital As am introduction to this first stage of our route, we will offer a walk along Almohad Seville, rediscovering this historic legacy through its archaeological and architectural remains, the stories and memories of those landmarks that made part of their history, and which, in some way, still belong to them.

After an interesting visit we will move on to Cadiz, where we will have our fist overnight stay and we will enjoy a lovely evening meal as a welcome to Cadiz terrain. Stage II - Road to the Strait... CADIZ - VEJER DE LA FRONTERA - BOLONIA - TARIFA.

The second stage of our journey will begging in Cadiz, a city that conveys light, history and happiness in each corner of its bay. After a stroll through it most important spots we will continue on towards the Strait of Gibraltar and we will visit some unique towns such as Vejer de la Frontera, Bolonia and Tarifa. In this last one we will stay overnight and the following day sail towards Morocco. Stage III - Strait Crossing TARIFA- TANGIER- TETUAN - CHAOUEN

From Tarifa we will cross the Strait towards Tangier, and continue our itinerary to Tetuan and Chaouen, two cities imbued with the legacy of al-Andalus. Evening meal and lodging.

Stage IV - Heading on to Fez… FEZ - VOLUBILIS - MEKNES

This stage will be centered on the city in which a great mix of artistic and intellectual trends of Eastern and Western Muslim culture merged: Fez. We will enjoy two overnight stays in half board room and from here we will visit the archaeological ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.

Stage V - Around Marraquech MARRAQUECH

In this next to last stage we will discover one of Morocco’s most important cultural stages, ancient almoravide and almohad capital: Marraquech. Two night stay with half board basis, to enjoy a touristic and cultural experience which you will always remember.

Stage VI - Back to Spain Our itinerary has come to an end. Transfer to airport to embark with destination to Spain.

Note: don’t hesitate to inquire if you prefer getting to know more of this wonderful country, we will suggest interesting options.

Photography: Stefania Scamardi General information for all itineraries:

• Accommodation in four and five star establishments. • Advice and arrangements are made on extending the booked trip. • Personalized assistance during itinerary. • Tickets to monuments. • Chaperone during the route (upon request). • Specialized guides- heritage interpreter each city.

• Organization of additional activities. • Catering adapted to specific need (Halal, Muslim friendly). • Travel Insurance. • Tourist services: AART SELECT (NIF 28882420-D) partnered with ISBILYA TRAVEL ( CIAN 41698-2). • Ground transport by private high range vehicles.

IITINERARIES AND PERSONALIZED QUOTES.

ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION AT : [email protected]

T Select AATORURISM & HERITAGE