Occidental Isla Cristina QQQQ

El Rompido

Visit the beautiful fishing village of El Rompido, a village that will take you back in time: fishermen's wives still mop the pavements and families gather in the small square. Here you can visit the local church or stop for coffee and watch the world pass by.

Included on holidays departing before March 2020

Half day

Guadiana River and Vila Real Portugal

Head down the Costa de la Luz, or ‘Coast of Light’ and take in the scenic coastline as you wind your way towards the Portuguese frontier.

This beautiful stretch of coast passes through pinewoods, sand dunes and estuaries, such as that of the Guardiana River. It’s at this river mouth that you stop in Ayamonte – a quiet little fishing town, before taking a short ferry ride over the border of Spain and Portugal, to Vila Real de San Antonio.

Included on holidays before March 2020

Half day

Ayamonte and Tavira

This half day excursion takes you to two charming Spanish towns. Travel by bus across the bridge to reach Ayamonte, where you can explore its narrow streets lined with little shops. Visit the photogenic town of Tavira and admire its beautiful architecture and tiled houses.

Included on holidays departing from March 2020.

Half day

Loule

A trip across the border takes you to the Portuguese market town of Loule. Pick up some traditional gifts and food from the Arabic-inspired market.

Included on holidays of 14 nights or longer on departures from March 2020.

Half day

El Rocio

El Rocío, a small town of white cottages, sandy streets and horse-drawn carriages is renowned for its pilgrimage-fair (the Romería del Rocío) which takes place at Whitsun. This extraordinary spectacle commemorates the miracle of Nuestra Señora del Rocío (Our Lady of the Dew) – a statue found on this spot which has resisted all attempts to move it elsewhere! The heart of the village is the Ermita del Rocío, a church that houses the miraculous statue itself, a tiny wooden image dressed in long, bejewelled robes. Also visit a typical Spanish bodega where you can taste local wines and have the opportunity to purchase local olive oil, vinegar and the local orange wine.

Half day

Birdwatching

The wetlands of south-west Spain are one of the last refuges for many species of birds. As it's on the migration routes between Africa and Europe, it's also an important stopover for a large number of bird species on their travels. Join this birdwatching trip to spot some of the different species here.

Half day

El Rocío and Doñana National Park

El Rocío, a tiny village of white cottages, is renowned for its pilgrimage fair (the Romería del Rocío) which takes place at Whitsun. This extraordinary spectacle commemorates the miracle of Nuestra Señora del Rocío (Our Lady of the Dew) – a statue found on this spot which has resisted all attempts to be moved elsewhere! The heart of the village is the Ermita del Rocío, a church that houses the miraculous statue itself, a tiny wooden image dressed in long, bejewelled robes. You'll continue to Doñana, the greatest of the surviving European wetlands, where herons, egrets and spoonbills share the marshy spaces with flamingos, ducks and avocets. Almost 130 species breed in Doñana and many more pass through during migration. In order to protect the delicate environment, tours are conducted in special vehicles.

Full day

Seville

Seville is the largest city in Andalusia and traces its history back to the Carthaginians and the Romans. After capturing it from the Moors in 1248, the Castilian monarchs made it their southern capital. During the 16th century, the city grew rich with the rapid growth of trade with the Americas. Famous buildings in the city include the vast gothic cathedral, the largest in Spain, which incorporates the Orange Tree Court and Giralda minaret from the mosque originally on the site. Another is the Alcazar, the former palace of the Moorish emirs that was rebuilt in its present form by Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century. Entrance fees are not included.

Full day

Huelva city tour

Located in the Gulf of Cadiz, the Andalusian port of Huelva is rich in history. This maritime city has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians and Moors who settled here to take advantage of the mineral wealth.

Take a city tour or Huelva and marvel at the architecture that remains from the early 20th century as well as the Monumento a Colon – a commemorative statue dedicated to Christopher Columbus.

Included on holidays departing from March 2020

Half day

Cacela Velha and Tavira

Explore the east coast of the Algarve, with visits to two picturesque towns. First stop is Cacela Velha – a quaint town of whitewashed buildings precariously perched on a clifftop and largely free of tourism.

Afterwards you visit the larger town of Tavira, where shaded plazas, Gothic bell towers and castle ruins make for some spectacular photo opportunities.

Included on holidays of 14 nights or longer departing before March 2020

Half day

Tavira

Tavira is one of the oldest and prettiest towns on the east coast of the Algarve. Set on the banks of the River Gilhão, its narrow streets offer an intriguing mix of Roman, medieval and Renaissance buildings – including 37 churches – to discover. Enjoy a two-hour guided walking tour around this traditional town to see the castle, the many bell towers and distinctive tesouro-style rooftops.

Included on holidays departing from November 2020

Half day

Punta Umbria

Enjoy a visit to the fishing town of Punta Umbria, which sits on the bank of the Odiel river, surrounded by salt marshes – UNESCO-listed biosphere reserves. In high season this village is a favourite holiday venue for the Spanish themselves.

Included on holidays departing from November 2020

Half day

Footsteps of Columbus

Tour some of the places associated with Christopher Columbus, who recruited local sailors for his voyages in the 15th century. On his departure and return, he prayed to the patron saint of Huelva at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cinta. The abbot of the tranquil 14th-century Franciscan monastery at La Rábida played a big part in securing funds for the voyages to the New World from the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, while the Harbour of the Caravels has full-size replicas of the three caravels that made the epic voyage to the New World. The caravels are closed during January.

Included on holidays of 14 nights of longer departing from November 2020

Half day

British history of Huelva and the Rio Tinto mines

Housed in the former British hospital, the museum at Rio Tinto displays documents, rock samples, artefacts and machinery tracing the long history of the open-cast mines. Various scale models show the development of both the mines and the town between 1892 and 1992, illustrating how they expanded to meet demand and accommodate the English workforce.

One of the highlights is the reconstruction of a Roman mine: as you walk into the mine you'll hear dripping water and clanking metal picks as models of the poor shackled slaves work by the light of tiny oil lamps. The other not-to-be-missed attraction is the Maharajah's carriage. This luxurious wood and leather coach was built in Birmingham in 1892 for a visit to India by Queen Victoria, but her trip was cancelled so it was sold to the mines and used for a visit by King Alfonso XIII. There is a shop selling samples of many types of rock quartz and coffee will be available (extra charge).

You'll then enjoy a great view of the local landscape from Cerro Colorado, before heading back to Huelva. There, you'll visit the grave of Glyndwr Michael, whose corpse doubled as the fictitious Major William Martin – 'The Man Who Never Was' – in Operation Mincemeat, a brilliant ruse which the Nazis swallowed whole during World War II. Your representative will play a DVD documentary of this incredible true story.

Included on holidays of 14 nights or longer departing from November 2020

Half day