Thanks to the Forum community for great advice on planning our trip to Sevilla and a small slice of Andalucia. My husband and I traveled with another couple, departing on October 22 and returning home on November 6.
We really enjoyed our unhurried two weeks in Andalucia. The weather was sunny, we saw beautiful cities, hiking areas, and beaches, and ate many, many yummy tapas. And I was able to dust off my high school Spanish!
For this trip report, I am including only highly recommended stays or unique activities since there are so many posts and details on this Forum about Andalucia. Just let me know if you want any more specific details about our trip.
Sevilla, 5 nights
Stayed in an Airbnb in the San Gil neighborhood. This was a great location, not super touristy. All of Sevilla’s tourist highlights were within a half-hour walk.
Julia Rozet of Sevilla a la carta took us on a private, four-hour walking tour of the city. Highly recommended.
Of course, we had many great tapas meals in Sevilla, but our most memorable meal was pizza at Grosso Napoletano at the north end of the Alameda. So good!
Cazalla de la Sierra, 1 night
We picked up our rental car at the train station and drove north towards Cazalla de la Sierra. It was a beautiful drive through rolling hills, oak pastures with Iberian pigs, and hiking trails.
In Constantina, we stopped at Anís La Violetera Distillery to taste their anise, cherry, and chestnut liquors. It is a very casual and charming place. Our tour and tasting guide did not speak English, but we had a fabulous time through the miracle of the Google Translate microphone.
In Cazalla, we stayed in wonderful apartments at Casa Rural Sierra Morena, reserved through Booking. Then we wandered the town, visited the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación church, and went to a few bodegas. A highly recommended “off-the-beaten path” area with absolutely no tourists at the end of October.
Near Grazalema, 1 night
Driving south, we stopped in Olvera, where we toured the castle and had lunch at a café. This was another day without seeing many tourists.
We arrived early in the afternoon at Tambor del Llano, an old estate that has been converted into a rural inn. It is a special property with hiking trails, a cork oak grove, and grazing sheep. We had a fabulous dinner, breakfast, and drinks in the common room. I would return in a heartbeat!