Twenty Three things not to miss....

It's not possible to see everything that Andalucía has to offer in one trip - and we don't suggest you try.  What follows is a selective taste of Andalucía's highlights: outstanding buildings, natural wonders, historic sites and vibrant festivals.

1. Cádiz, steeped in history, this is one of the great cities of the Spanish south and serves up the best seafood in Spain.

2. Generalife, Granada.  The tinkling fountains, pools, gardens and flower-filled terraces of the Alhambra's Generalife were created by the Moors to remind them of paradise.

3. Ronda, occupying two sides of the yawning El Tajo gorge, elegant Ronda is the most famous of the Pueblos Blancos ("White Towns").

4. Futbol, Andalucians are as passionate about the national game as the rest of Spain, and Seville, Real Betis and Malaga are the regions top teams.

5. Catedral, Seville.  The bell-tower of the world's largest Gothic church, La Giralda, is a twelfth-century Islamic architecural materpiece in its own right.

6. Banos Árabes, Jaén.  Bathing was central to the Moorish way of life and the remarkable baths that they constructed in Jaén are the largest in Spain.

7. Cave district, Guadix.  Troglodytes have their own quarter in Guardix and their's even a cave hotel if you fancy trying it out.

8. Semana Santa, solemn, noisy and festive all at the same time, Holy Week is celebrated in a sumptuous manner throughout Andalucía.

9. Mezquita, Cordoba. Nothing can prepare you for the beauty of Córdoba's medieval mosque, one of the greatest Islamic buildings of all time.

10. Natural Parks, birds of prey, especially eagles and vultures  including the rare Lammergeir abound in Andalucía's twenty-three Parques Naturales.

11. Feria de Abril, Seville's week-long spring fiesta is Andalucía's at its celebratory best with plenty of dancing, drinking and all the fun of the fair.

12. Sierra de Cazorla.  The Cazorla Natural Park is a vast area of rugged mountains and forested valleys inhabited by a feast of wildlife including ibex, wild boar, golden eagles and griffon vultures.

13. Alcázar, Seville.  This fabulous Mudéjar palace decorated with dazzling artesonado ceilings, tiles and stuccowork is one of the glories of the city.

14. Grazalema, this charming white village of Grazalema lends its name to the surrounding Parque Natural where soaring limestone peaks are swathed in forests of oak and fir.

15. Bael Cludia, many civilizations have left their mark on Andalucía including the Romans, who raised the fishing town of Baelo Claudia on the coast near Cádiz.

16.Gibraltar, this colonial hangover with its pubs, sterling currency and tax-free booze shops makes a bizarre contrast with the rest of Andalucía.

17. Jardín de la Concepción, among many magnificent gardens in Andalucía, Málaga's Jardín Botanico La Concepción is a spectacular natural wonder.

 

18. Museo Bellas Artes, an eighteenth century former convent provides the spectacular setting for Seville's fine-arts museum.

19. Capilla Real, Granada. This is the final resting place of Spain's great monarchs Fernando and Isabel, who conquered Granada and ejected the Moors in 1492.

20. Cabo de Gata, the desert Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata with dunes, saltings and volcanic hills provide a habitat for a great variety of birdlife, including storks, egrets and magnificent pink flamingos.

21. Museo Picasso, Málaga's famos son.  The new Museo Picasso displaying many of his major works opened in the city in 2003.

22. Alcazaba, Almería.  The largest of all the Moorish castles built in Andalucía dominates the provincial capital.

23.  Castillo  de Santa  Catalina, Jaén. Formely an impregnable Moorish fort,this monument now houses Andalucía's most spectacular sited parador.

also; Sierra Nevada, Las Alpujarras, Medina Azahara, Coto de Donana National Park and Arcos de la Frontera.