Upgraded - Highlights of Andalucia, Gibraltar and Eclipse

Our journey begins in Malaga, a city famed for its coastal charm, historic Alcazaba, and as the birthplace of Picasso. Upon arrival, there's time to settle into our hotel and explore a little, as there are no activities scheduled until the evening. Our tour leader will meet us in the reception area of the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Malaga airport, which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, on this tour we also offer a complimentary transfer for those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your arrival day.

This morning we drive to the border of Spain and Gibraltar, where our group will be split across three smaller vehicles for a guided visit of Gibraltar. The three-hour tour takes us along the iconic Rock, through the historic Great Siege Tunnels, and to other local highlights such as St Michael's Cave and Europa Point. We then continue our journey to the ancient port city of Cadiz. In the late afternoon, we'll enjoy an insightful introduction to the constellations and the upcoming eclipse led by an expert astronomer. This evening, we gather for an included dinner at a local restaurant to sample the region's renowned seafood.

After breakfast, we'll make our way to a viewing location in the vicinity of our hotel to witness the solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin its partial phase at 9.40 am, as the moon first touches the sun's edge. Over the next hour, you can watch through your eclipse glasses (provided for you) as the sun transitions into a thinning crescent. The eclipse reaches totality at 10.45 am. As the moon completely obscures the sun for nearly three minutes, the sky will darken to a deep indigo, the temperature will drop, and the sun's white corona will become visible to the naked eye. This is also the moment to look for "Baily's Beads" and the 'Diamond Ring' effect as the final rays of light vanish. Throughout the morning, we'll be accompanied by an expert astronomer with a telescope at hand to help you navigate each phase and identify the planets and stars that emerge in the sudden midday darkness. Once totality ends, we'll observe the final partial phases as the day returns to normal. In the afternoon, we'll enjoy an orientation walk through the charming old town with our tour leader, followed by free time to explore the city's sun-drenched plazas and coastal fortifications.

Leaving Cadiz this morning, we'll take a public ferry to El Puerto de Santa Maria, a town known for its beaches, pine woods and whitewashed houses. We'll have time for lunch there before driving to Jerez, home to sherry and flamenco. The historic centre is a beautiful mixture of Baroque, Moorish and Gothic styles, and we'll explore on foot. No visit to Jerez is complete without experiencing its most famous export, so we'll visit a traditional sherry bodega for a tour and tasting. Bodegas are unlike other wine cellars and are often referred to as 'wine cathedrals' - they have high ceilings, thick walls and high windows, aging wine via the 18th-century 'Solera' system. Our journey continues to the 'white village' of Arcos de la Frontera, where we'll spend the night in a historic Parador in a former Moorish fortress on an imposing limestone cliff.

Heading further into the heart of Andalucia, we arrive in Ronda. We'll be joined by a local guide for a tour of this dramatic town, famously split in two by the El Tajo Gorge and connected by the iconic 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You might choose to walk down into the gorge for a different perspective of the Puento Nuevo bridge or explore the hidden gardens of the Palacio de Mondragon before we settle into our boutique hotel for the next two nights.

Our day begins with a drive to Setenil de las Bodegas for a stroll through its unique streets, where houses are built directly into the overhanging cliffs. We then continue to the village of Zahara de la Sierra, a classic white village set on a steep hillside in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. After a enjoying the village we head to a nearby olive oil farm. The trade in olive oil has shaped the region's landscape and economy for centuries and we'll get an insight into how traditional methods are still very much alive. In the afternoon, we return to the outskirts of Ronda to visit one of the region's prestigious local wineries. These small-scale, family-run operations are the lifeblood of the area, preserving artisanal techniques passed down through generations. We'll discover the unique terroir of this high-altitude enclave and learn about the long history of Ronda's wine production before enjoying a tasting of local labels.

This morning, we head to the Caminito del Rey to walk the famous 7 kilometre/4.3 mile trail suspended along the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge. The walk is not challenging and takes place on good quality walkways and paths. For those who would prefer a more relaxed morning, the nearby lake is a good place to spend some time before rejoining the group. We'll then drive back to Malaga for our final afternoon. You'll have free time to visit the Alcazaba fortress or the Picasso Museum, or perhaps enjoy a final sunset stroll along the Muelle Uno waterfront.

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Malaga. If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Malaga airport, which is around a 20 minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, this tour includes a complimentary transfer for those who have made post-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your departure day.