Olive Oil at its Best

Five days inmersion tour – Cordova & Jaén (Andalusia)

Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, and the country with the greatest olive diversity: 260 varieties are cultivated in Spain!

Andalusia, in particular, is a true Paradise for any olive oil fan. The perfect place to tour never ending olive groves, see the trees from up close, learn to taste olive oil and distinguish the nuances of different varietals and, if you come at the right time of year, witness the harvesting and get the very first taste of the fresh new oils.

Departing from Cordova, capture the essence of olive oil traveling through the territories of the Baena and Priego de Córdoba Designations of Origin, visiting three of Spain’s most prestigious Extra Virgin olive oil producers, as well as the beautiful towns of Úbeda and Baeza, with the magic and charm of a historical past come alive.

A dream come true for any olive oil lover!

Itinerary

B =Breakfast L =Lunch D =Dinner

Day One – Cordova sights and tapas
Check-in at your cozy 4* hotel in the heart of Cordova, housed in an old palace house.
Meet your local English-speaking guide for a walking tour through the enchanting centre of Cordova, a labyrinth of narrow winding streets full of history, including a visit to the stunning Mezquita (Mosque).
Taste delicious Andalusian Tapas along the way.
Night in Cordova
D

Day Two – Baena olive oil region
Today starts your chauffeured journey through the Andalusian olive groves, in the company of your olive oil expert guide. In just one hour you will get to Zuheros, a hill top white-washed town with spectacular views of the endless olive groves of the Baena region. Make yourself comfortable at a splendid Hacienda, a 4* rural hotel with restaurant nearby Zuheros, in the heart of the Subbética Natural Park, where you will stay for 2 nights.Enjoy a private visit to a family-owned Cortijo and mill, producing award-wining organic olive oils in the Baena DO territory. Take a stroll through this property’s beautiful olive groves and learn about the distinctive characteristics of the Picudo, Hoijablanca and Picual olive varieties. Enjoy a meal with the authentic flavor of “home cooking” at a very nice restaurant housed in an old almazara (mill).
Back to your Hacienda-hotel, you will have time to take a walk around this wonderful landscape.
Dinner is on your own.
Night in the Hacienda
B, L

Day Three – Priego de Córdoba olive oil region
The territory of Priego de Cordova DO awaits you, the other olive oil region in the province of Cordova. Visit a premium olive oil producer located in a spectacular mountain landscape dotted with century-old olive trees. You will taste the house Extra Virgin olive oils, considered among the Spain’s best.  Take a stroll through Priego de Corodova, a beautiful town known as the cradle of Spanish Baroque – admire the stunning Fuente del Rey with its 139 water spouts. Lunch will be on you own.
Back to your Hacienda, if you wish, you can relax in the hotel’s Arab-style baths before dinner.
Dinner at the restaurant of the Hacienda, featuring seasonal local products and the olive olis of the region.
Night in the Hacienda
B, D

Day Four – Jaén province, olive oil and monuments
Today you’ll be moving on to the province of Jaén, in Northern Andalusia, with olive trees as the inseparable companions of your journey. In Canena you will visit an impressive Renaissance style castle owned by a family involved in olive oil making since the 18^th century. Their Extra Virgin olive oil is considered one of the world’s best. Your time with them will not only be a thrilling plunge into history, but a master lesson on the “abc’s” of making excellent olive oil.
After this visit, you’ll continue to the beautiful town of Úbeda, where you’ll check in at the Parador – housed in a Renaissance palace in the heart of town. Lunch will be on your own.
After you’ve settled in, visit Úbeda and its olive oil Museum, for a comprehensive look at this product. If you wish, discover nearby Baeza, a small but splendid monumental town.
Tonight you will enjoy a mouth-watering farewell dinner at the Parador, with olive oil as main protagonist.
Night in Ubeda
B, D

Day Five – Back to Cordova
After breakfast, private transfer to Cordova (1 ¾ hour drive)
End of your tour
B

Interested? Contact us or check out other ideas in Andalusia:

· Discover Andalusian Delicacies· Ibérico Ham, from Farm to Fork · Olive Oil Excursion · Cooking class in Seville · Tapas Tour