Tailormade tour The white villages of Andalusia tour Spain

Collect your hire car from Malaga airport upon arrival and drive along the coastal road, passing the beach resorts of Marbella and Estepona and then north of Gibraltar you turn inland, crossing through the natural park of the Alcornocales. You reach Vejer de la Frontera, the first of the pueblos blancos on this tour. This town will introduce you to the charm of the villages of Andalusia, ready for the later stops on this luxury tour. Spend two nights at the boutique Hotel V…, a converted 17th century residence, and stay in a room which mingles contemporary technology with furnishings that hark back to a more traditional Spain.

During the day, wander along the cobbled streets of Vejer de la Frontera, passing the white-washed houses, cafes, and quaint shops selling local goods, and take in the spectacular views across both the countryside and the sea in the distance. Trace the remains of the old-world castle wall, which merges with the walls of the cafes and houses. Visit the unusual Iglesia del Divino Salvador, which combines the traditional white-washed walls with the addition of flints and stones. Inside, the decorative arches contrast the dark brown and gold altar, which acts as the austere church’s dramatic focal point. The town’s main square, the Plaza de España, has, as its central feature, a colourful tiled fountain that seems to epitomise Spanish eclectic design. Outside Vejer de la Frontera, you may wish to visit the Ermita San Ambrosio, near the Barbate Marshes. The picturesque chapel is ruined and overgrown, but the arches of the nave still stand, letting the sunlight fall into the ancient chamber. For a few hours on a typically beautiful Andalusian beach, we would recommend the El Palmar beach near Vejer de la Frontera, which offers 12km of unspoilt white sand, blue sea, and grassy banks. Longer possible excursions include Gibraltar (you may wish to stop off here on the trip from Malaga to Vejer de la Frontera) to see the Barbary apes. In the evenings, retire to the Hotel V… to experience the exceptional level of service, and enjoy the rooftop terraces and pools, the chic design, and the romantic hidden courtyards.

Leave Vejer de la Frontera in the morning of your third day and head north past the Bay of Cadiz to Jerez. Perhaps stop off in Cadiz, reputedly the oldest town in Europe, to see the white-fronted Cadiz Cathedral which blends neoclassical, rococo, and baroque architectural elements. If time permits, visit one of the golden beaches, one of the castles, or the Roman theatre. Upon arrival in Jerez, check into the intimate Villa Jerez, a haven of luxury in the centre of this lively little town.

Spend the day exploring the narrow streets of Jerez some of which have trees growing up the walls, with a cultivated canopy of leaves stretching overhead and shading passers-by from the sun. The effect is romantic, shady, and somewhat idyllic. The central monument in the town is the Cathedral, built over a period of nearly 100 years, starting in the 17th century. As a result, its five naves, focal dome and decorative balconies have taken on a variety of styles. The Alcazar fortress in Jerez is formidable in size, with rigid walls and a geometric shape. Around it, however, pools and ponds have been built, and palm trees and flowers have grown. Jerez is of course the home of sherry and there are numerous sherry bodegas open for tasting sessions. It is also the home of the Royal School of Equestrian Art. The beautiful natural landscape of Andalusia can be enjoyed either in the reservoir of Los Hurones, or at the Embalse de Guadalcacín, both of which are excellent for observing the local wildlife. In the evenings, either dine in Jerez or at the Las Yucas Restaurant at your hotel, sampling regional and national specialities and the local wines.

You leave Jerez for a scenic drive across the southern Andalusian landscape. Take the road through Zahara de la Sierra, stopping to explore the village and to admire the panoramic views over the reservoir from the castle. Your final stop on this tour in another of the pueblos blancos, Ronda, on the edge of the El Tajo gorge, which splits the old town of Ronda from the new. You stay in the Parador of Ronda, whose building is the former Town Hall of Ronda, and bedrooms and terraces have magnificent views out across the gorge, the Andalusian countryside, and the Puente Nuevo, a bridge of incredible stature.

Spend your full day in Ronda appreciating the spectacular situation and views either on foot, by bicycle, or by car. Attractions within the town include the Plaza del Toros, on which the bullfighting museum is located, which tells the story of one of Andalusia’s most famous and controversial traditions. An art museum is housed within a converted 16th century cloistered convent; a Bandit Museum is the only museum in Spain dedicated to bandits and highwaymen; and, the Interpretation Centre for the New Bridge allows visitors to walk under the bridge and look out, through glass windows, at the gorge below and the hanging houses that cling to the sides of the rock, just as prisoners once shackled to the underside of the bridge once did. Visit the water gardens of the Palacio Mondragón, which houses another museum, or the atmospheric Arabic Baths. Perhaps kick back and enjoy a drink on the tree-lined Plaza Duquesa de Parcent before following the rocky trail of the Guadalevin River which leads out of the town. Perhaps hike across the Sierra de la Nieves Mountains if you enjoy a more active holiday or walk around the shores of the beautiful Zahara-El Gastor Reservoir, the turquoise water of which is surrounded by surreal green rolling hills. An hour away, between Ronda and Malaga, is the Camino del Rey, famous for its metre-wide pathway that scores the sides of the cliffs above the gorges of the Guadalhorce Reservoirs and El Chorro. While this terrifying walk may not be for everyone, the experience is undeniably thrilling and, like the bridge in Ronda, lets visitors get that little bit closer to Andalusia’s amazing landscape.

After spending one final morning in Ronda watching the sun rise from behind the rugged mountains, drive back to Malaga airport and your flight home.