Al Andalus Express - Seville to Madrid

On arrival in Seville, you'll be transferred to your hotel to relax. Choose from our selection of 4 and 5-Star hotels on a B&B basis. You may wish to extend your tour into a two-night stay instead of one, and you can choose our optional excursions, available at a supplement.

This morning, you'll be transferred to meet your fellow Al Andalus passengers. After lunch, a panoramic tour of Seville unveils the main sights of the historic capital of Andalucía - including the cathedral crowned by the Giralda and the narrow streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz, where the Jewish community once settled. Boarding the luxurious Al Andalus, savour your first dinner aboard as the train begins its journey, arriving in Córdoba, where it stops for the night.

Following a hearty a al carte or buffet breakfast served on board to your table in the restaurant car, you'll continue your adventure as you travel by luxury bus to Cadiz. You'll visit the attractions of this ancient city, which is the oldest in the western world. You'll then have some free time to explore the city a little further on our own. Lunch, prepared by the onboard chef, is served back on the train, and dinner will be taken in an authentic restaurant in Jerez. The train will remain at the station, and you'll spend the night in Jerez.

Enjoy a flavour of this celebrated region in Jerez this morning, beginning after breakfast with a famous equestrian ballet. Set to Spanish music, an elegant equine performance of How the Andalucían Horses Dance introduces the region's charming traditions. After lunch in a local restaurant, head to one of Jerez's most prestigious wineries to discover how its celebrated fortified wine is produced. Known by its anglicised name of sherry, you will also be treated to a tasting before returning to the train. Dinner is served on board while you travel towards Zafra, a historic town known for its 15th-century castle.

While you have breakfast, the rain makes its way to the Extremadura city of Cáceres. A tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site reveals a city brimming with well-preserved medieval streets, timeless squares and grand palaces. Later, Al Andalus rolls south to the nearby city of Mérida. Sightseeing here uncovers the remains of Emerita Augusta, the capital of the former Roman province of Lusitania, as you view breathtaking theatres, temples and aqueducts stretching back to the city's founding in 25BC. Dining back on the train this evening, Al Andalus rests for the night in Mérida.

Enjoy breakfast on the train before arriving in Alcázar de San Juan. While here, you will learn how La Mancha's most famous products are produced. One of the largest vine-growing regions in the world, La Mancha is renowned for its wines, as well as cheeses including Manchego. During visits to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar help uncover the soul of the region through its food and drink. Lunch is enjoyed before a trip to Campo de Criptana. This evocative area dotted with its iconic windmills inspired Cervantes' most-famous work, Don Quixote. Later, return to the train in Alcázar de San Juan and savour dinner this evening

Arriving in Aranjuez after breakfast, you transfer to Toledo, a city that was once the capital of Spain during the reign of Holy Roman Empire, Charles V. The blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish architecture can be seen in its Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque and synagogues like Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito. Today, this cultural impact has seen Toledo awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. After lunch in the city, you return to Aranjuez and explore another UNESCO-listed site, wandering round the Royal Palace and its gardens, admiring the beauty of the complex that dates from the 16th century.

After enjoying breakfast on board, you'll leave the alluring Al Andalus train today, and make a final visit to the iconic city of Granada. After lunch in Granada, you'll take a private transfer to Malaga, to your choice of hotel, on a B&B basis.

Extend your stay in Malaga for two night and you can choose our optional excursions to get to know the city better.

From Seville to Madrid, this luxurious journey aboard the magnificent Al Andalus train has taken you through some of Spain's most renowned locations. Visits to Córdoba, Jerez and Cádiz have revealed the charm of Andalucía, while tastings of tapas and sherry have offered an enchanting glimpse into its culture. Palaces and timeless history were uncovered in Toledo, Cáceres and Mérida, and the evocative scenery that inspired Cervantes - and delectable cheese and wine - were experienced in La Mancha. Awaking in your hotel this morning, your once-in-a-lifetime adventure comes to an end as you are transferred from your hotel to Madrid airport ready for your flight back to the UK.