Malaga

British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Malaga. Transfer by private coach to our hotel, located in the historic centre of the city. Welcome drinks in the hotel followed by a group dinner together.

We begin our exploration of Malaga with a walking tour of the old town. Our first stop is the cathedral and the 15th-century Iglesia de Santiago, the oldest church in Malaga, built on the site of a former mosque. Continue to the Picasso Museum in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace, which has a permanent rotating collection of over 200 works donated by the artist’s daughter-in-law and grandson.  Before an independent lunch there is time to visit the Roman Theatre, at the foot of the Alcazaba. In the afternoon we visit the Museum of Malaga, housed in the impressive 18th-century customs building, which brings together the city’s fine arts and archaeological collections. We continue to the Alcazaba, the former Moorish citadel and the Gibralfaro fortress above, ending our day with a drink at the nearby Parador and magnificent views over the harbour and the city.  A group dinner tonight is included.

All day excursion to Antequera and El Torcal natural park.  Antequera is a pleasantly located market town in the valley of the Río Guadalhorce with the old quarter located at the foot of the ruined medieval Alcazaba.  The municipal museum, which traces Antequera’s history and is housed in an 18th-century ducal palace, has some interesting exhibits including a fine Roman bronze statue of a young man. Churches include Santa María la Mayor with a plateresque façade and beautiful mudéjar ceiling and Nuestra Señora del Carmen which has a stunning baroque altarpiece.  On the western edge of town the 19th-century Plaza de Toros (bull ring) is worth a visit and on the northern outskirts are three grand megalithic monuments which date from the mid-3rd to early 2nd millennium BC.  Leaving Antequera we drive to the natural park of El Torcal, which has striking limestone formations and lush plant growth and stop at a local winery for a visit and wine tasting.  In the late afternoon we drive back to Malaga. The evening is yours for an independent dinner.

We continue our exploration of Malaga with a visit to the bustling Atarazanas market, a colourful food market, which is a good example of 19th-century wrought iron and glass architecture and incorporates the monumental door of the 14th-century Nasrid shipyards. From here it is a short walk to the Carmen Thyssen museum which houses an excellent collection of 19th-century Spanish art.  Close by are two churches worth visiting: the Iglesia de los Santos Martíres, a fine example of Rococo style and associated with five brotherhoods involved in Malaga’s Easter Week celebrations and Santo Cristo de la Salud, founded by the Jesuits, which has a dome painted with scenes intended as a learning tool for the brothers studying there.  Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before reconvening in the evening for a flamenco show.  Dinner is independent.

Our first visit this morning is to Malaga’s Museum of Glass, located in a lovely 18^th-century mansion, which houses a collection of over 3000 pieces from the Phoenician period to the 20^th century of which about 1000 are on display alongside paintings and furniture.  Close by is the Salamanca Market where fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables are beautifully displayed in a unique 1920s Neo-Arab market hall. We stop for coffee at the Café Libo in the María Cristina Concert Hall, a stunning building which was originally a 15^th-century Franciscan Convent.  The extravagant decoration includes 19^th-century frescoes, a Hall of Mirrors and a colourful mudéjar ceiling. After an independent lunch we visit the English cemetery, the first Protestant cemetery in Spain, which has an assortment of interesting tombs and was designed as a botanical garden arranged in terraces overlooking the sea. In a striking modern building overlooking the old port, the Centre Pompidou Malaga has a fabulous collection of 20^th- and 21^st-century art from its parent museum in Paris and also hosts temporary exhibitions. From here it is pleasant stroll through the Malaga Park back to our hotel, were we have time to relax before our farewell drinks and dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast and one final stroll, we transfer to Malaga airport for our flight back to London Gatwick.