Sherry Tio Pepe
La Gitana, drawn straight from the solera
Sherry & Andalucia
18 - 23 February 2013
Andalucía is startlingly beautiful with the Sierra Nevada rising dramatically from the sea. The area has mild winters and most years that we have offered this tour in February, we have had fine warm weather with blue skies. Add excitement of carnival, fascinating wines and great cuisine; a perfect winter break!
We explore the ‘triangle’ of Jerez de la Frontera, Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda. We are first based in Jerez, with sites to visit including the Alcazar and La Colegiata, a church built with a mix of Gothic and Baroque.
We’ll discover the popular Finos, zingy Manzanillas, nutty Oloroso and voluptuous PX, (‘a Christmas pudding of a wine’). There’s an instructive tasting with the Consejo Regulador and visits to top bodegas. At Lustau we’ll taste their Alcemenista sherries made by individual ‘stockholders’; at Hidalgo you’ll taste superb ‘La Gitana’ Mazinilla straight from the butt and with Gonzales-Byass their superb range with dinner.
We travel to Cordoba, famed for its great Mosque part of the Moorish influence that is in evidence throughout the region in the gastronomy and architecture. En route, we visit the ‘white village’ of Arcos de la Frontera. Near Cordoba is the Montilla-Morilles wine region and we’ll discover the best of the wines at Bodegas Alvear. This part of Andalucia is famous for its olive oil. When our team came here we had an olive oil tasting that was truly fascinating and we include it too.
You can choose to extend your holiday with extra nights pre or post trip in Seville using the weekends on either side to turn this into a longer winter wine escape.
The Wine Guide is Angela Muir M.W.
18 - 23 February 2013
£1,899.00 
per person
Places available.Price Includes:
Return flight London-Gibralta, Malaga-London, all flight taxes.
5 nights in 4* hotels, breakfasts.
5 meals with wines.
Visits and tastings, coach for the itinerary.
Arblaster & Clarke Wine Guide & Tour Manager.
No Flight Discount: £150 per person.
Travel: Return flight London - Gibralta, Malaga - LondonSole Occupancy: £300.00
Deposit: £500.00
Room Upgrade: £275.00
Sherry & Andalucia
Outline Itinerary
Day 1. Scheduled BA0490 flight (10.05) London Heathrow to Gibralta (13.55). Transfer to hotel. Included dinner in Puerto de Santa Maria. Overnight 4* hotel, Puerto de Santa Maria.
Day 2. Visit Consejo Regulador. Free time in Jerez for lunch and afternoon. Dinner at Donzalez Byass. Overnight 4* hotel, Puerto de Santa Maria.
Day 3. Visit Barbadillo. Lunch at Hidalgo. Free time in Sanlucar de Barrameda. Free time for dinner. Overnight 4* hotel, Puerto de Santa Maria.
Day 4. Visit Lustau. Free time in Arcos de la Frontera for lunch. Travel to Ronda, free time for afternoon. Included dinner in Ronda with wines of Bodega F Shatz. Overnight 4* parador, Ronda.
Day 5. Visit and lunch at Alvear. Free time in Cordoba. Non-included dinner in Cordoba. Overnight 4* hotel, Cordoba.
Day 6. Free time in Cordoba. Transfer to Malaga airport for scheduled BA2713 flight (12.10) Malaga to London Gatwick (13.50).
Hotel Details
4* Monasterio, Puerto de Santa Maria: For the main part, the hotel uses the original monastic building and it has been thoroughly and tastefully modernised. There are lots of beautiful, spacious public areas around the central courtyard.
Parador, Ronda: This attractive old town hall has been converted into a charming parador, which is situated on the edge of the Tajo gorge. The bedrooms combine traditional decor with very comfortable modern facilities.
4* hotel, Cordoba: The hotel is located in the historic heart of the city, next to an early 14th century synagogue and just five minutes from perhaps the most important edifice of the city: La Mezquita Cathedral. It comprises two eighteenth century mansions and an adjoining building and one wall is the historic boundary of the Jewish quarter. There is a lovely courtyard, a bar and a solarium with views of the cathedral tower.
Upgrade: To a suite in first four nights, and a superior room for second two nights.
Travel Details
Flight timings correct as of November 2011. This is not automatically updated when timings change. Please check at the time of booking for up to date travel information.
If you would prefer to travel to meet the tour instead of taking the included flights, please let us know at the time of booking and a no flight discount of £150 per person is applicable.
Wine Notes...
Click here to read wine notes by Tim Clarke and Andrew Williams on wine regions visited.
