Flamenco Performance

In the evenings the lively music of the gypsies, flamenco, resonates from the hillside caves of Sacromonte. This neighborhood has traditionally been home to the gypsies and the unique art form that has it’s origins in Southern Spain. We will enjoy an evening performance demonstrating the three forms of flamenco, Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing. The white-washed and dimly lit caves of Sacromonte provide the ideal venue for this passionate art form.

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Cathedrals

Granada is home to many wonderful and historic cathedrals. The most prominent of which is the Royal Cathedral. The chapel in the cathedral was built in 1521 and houses the tombs of the Catholic kings, Ferdinand and Isabel, who conquered Granada in 1492. Also buried here is there daughter, Juana la Loca, and her husband Felipe el Hermoso. The cathedral is built in the Gothic style and houses much of Isabel’s impressive art collection.

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Granada City Tour

With Granada’s deep history and mix of so many cultures the city tour is a walk through time. We will visit hidden plazas and wind our way up cobblestone streets to inspiring lookouts, or miradores. There are many Islamic buildings in the central part of the city such as La Madraza, the remains of the old Muslim University. Also on the tour is the Corral del Carbón, a 14th century market place built by the moors. Plaza Nueva is arguably the center of the city. Here amongst tapas bars and cafés is the Iglesia de Santa Ana, whose bell tower was a former mosque’s minaret. We’ll also walk Paseo de los Tristes which curves along the Darro River and into the Albayzin. Finally making our way up to the San Nicolás mirador we’ll see striking views of the Alhambra and surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

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Festivals

In the evenings the lively music of the gypsies, flamenco, resonates from the hillside caves of Sacromonte. This neighborhood has traditionally been home to the gypsies and the unique art form that has it’s origins in Southern Spain. We will enjoy an evening performance demonstrating the three forms of flamenco, Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing. The white-washed and dimly lit caves of Sacromonte provide the ideal venue for this passionate art form.

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Museum Visits

Granada is home to many unique museums. One of which is the personal art collection of Queen Isabela housed in the Royal Cathedral. The archeological museum has a nice collection of artifacts from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and other cultures that inhabited Granada. Another highlight is the Manuel de Falla Museum. This is the former home of the famous composer from Granada. The house has beautiful gardens and paintings by Picasso and others.

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Theater Night

Throughout the year there are many wonderful performances that come to Granada. During the summer is the Festival of Music and Dance. Fantastic performances take place under starlight on the beautiful stages of the Alhambra. Usually concerts are enjoyed in the impressive Palace of Carlos V or in the gardens of the Generalife.

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Tea Houses

Granada’s historic quarter known as the Albaycin is full of exotic Arabic tea houses or teterías. These intimate locales are cool and dimly lit with low lying tables and plush Arabic cushions. The aromas of exotic teas, brewed in the Arabic tradition, fill the rooms. This is a bohemian experience and with Granada’s large student population the teterías are always frequented with young people, both Spanish and foreign. You’ll definitely want to savor the famous Moroccan tea made with mint leaves and sweetened with honey and snack on the exquisite Arab cakes. Many of these tea houses have belly dancing and other forms of Arabic music.

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Yoga Classes

Granada is a bohemian city and has always been influenced by many great cultures. It is an ideal location to practice this ancient practice that originally comes from India. There are many yoga studios in the historic sections of the city. Try yoga for the first time or continue your practice of this wonderful exercise of mind and body.

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Spanish Cuisine Tasting Classes

Learn about the culinary traditions of Southern Spain. We’ll taste the wide variety of olives and olive oils that come from the region. Spain produces and consumes more olive oil than anywhere else in the world. In Andalucía there are 262 varieties of olives! Also, experience the fine cheeses and meat cuts that are cured in the high sierra just outside of Granada. We’ll also enjoy other items such as honeys and preserves. No venture to any exotic locale is complete without enjoying and learning about the culinary delights it has to offer.

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Cooking Classes

Learning to cook traditional dishes while abroad is the best way to take something back from your experience. Granada is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. Learn typical dishes such as croquetas, roasted bell pepper salad or tapas. These are all dishes you can later share with friends and family.

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Dance Classes

Flamenco, of course, is a must while in Granada. Everyone will have the opportunity to take a Flamenco dance class. Then those who are interested can continue to learn about the different parts of this passionate art form, Cante, the song and Baile, the dance. Granada is a very artistic community and you can basically find any dance instruction you’d want, from salsa and merengue to hip hop. Dance classes are a great way to improve your dance skills and get involved with local activities.

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Hiking

The wild mountain landscapes of Southern Spain provide the perfect locale for hiking. The valleys that lead up to the high Sierra Nevada mountains are full of infinite hiking trails. Some of the most popular areas located just outside of Granada are Los Cahorros, the Sierra de Alfaguara and the high peaks accessible via the ski slopes. Los Cahorros is an area of breathtaking scenery and deep ravines cut by the Monachil River. Cross suspension bridges and squeeze through tight canyon walls. The high sections of the trail are rugged and full of great views of the river gorge below. Other trails found in the mountain terrain of the Sierra Nevada wind through pine forests, green meadows, and past mountain streams. Arid and rugged landscapes stretch in the distance. You’ll have views of impressive peaks in the area such as La Veleta, El Mulhacén, and El Caballo, among others. MORE PHOTOS!

Bullfight (completely optional)

Bullfighting is the national pastime of Spain. The practice of sacrificing bulls in the Mediterranean region is ancient and dates to pre-historic times. There is evidence in Greece, for example, dating back to 2000 BC. The Moors, who ruled Spain from 711 to 1492, heavily influenced the way bullfighting on the Iberian Peninsula developed, especially in relation to horsemanship. The current style of bullfighting in Spain has not changed much since 1726, when the first formal bull rings began to be built. This is an optional cultural activity, and we ask that you go with an open mind and understand that whether you agree with it or not, bullfighting is an integral part of the Spanish culture and is a deeply rooted Mediterranean tradition. This is often one of the favorite cultural activities. MORE PHOTOS!