
Gardens
Moorish and Modern Gardens of Spain
Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Spain
Moorish and Modern Gardens of Spain
Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Spain
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Local flights
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Half board
See Southern Spain's Moorish gardens
Spend a week admiring the spectacular scenery of the Costa Tropical as you view its subtropical flora, private estates and formal gardens, including the stunning Generalife gardens which are part of the amazing Alhambra Palace.
Including...
All breakfasts (B) and dinners (D)
Expert Host
Plus...
- Return flights and transfers
- Expert host talks
- Wine with dinner
- Hosted welcome drinks reception
- Free Wi-Fi
- Included themed activities
- Hotel porterage
Included guided walks
- Albaicin (full day)
- Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens (full day)
- Almunecar and Casa de los Bates (full day)
- Alpujarras Mountains (full day)
- Architectural gardens (full day)
- Malaga gardens (full day)
Address
Hotel Helios Costa Tropical, Paseo de San Cristobal, 12 E-18690, Almuñécar, Granada, Spain
Introduction
The locally rated 3-star Hotel Helios Costa Tropical (3Q+) is a long term favourite with Saga guests – relax in the balmy climate and enjoy exploring the lovely region of Andalusia.
Accommodation
Most of the 232 bedrooms have a balcony with partial sea views. Most rooms have a shower over the bath. Several rooms have walk-in showers (these rooms will be without a sea view).
Television
Telephone
Hairdryer
Minibar
Safe
Food and Drink
All meals are buffet-style plus a glass of local wine per person is included with dinner. Complimentary tea and coffee is served in the bar between 4pm and 5pm every afternoon.
Entertainment
During your stay, enjoy the following programme of activities and entertainment. Some activities may be at an extra charge and activities may change from time to time.
- Organ player twice a week
- Flamenco show once a week
- Daily entertainment programme
- Talk on Spanish culture and customs (fortnightly)
- Spanish lessons
- Paella demonstration (fortnightly, subject to minimum numbers)
- Bike hire (extra charge)
Other experiences you may like to enjoy include:
- Visit the Castle of San Miguel (extra charge approx: €2.50 pensioners / €4 adult ticket)
- Walk through the Chirimoya and other fruit plantations backing onto the town
- Take the bus to Caleta la Guardia and descend to the old rum factory on the seafront and the cobbled seafront streets into Salobrena
Other Hotel Information
The hotel offers a good selection of facilities including a spa that offers treatments for an extra charge. The outdoor pool is heated from November to March and the hotel provide towels at no cost. The hotel is fully heated and air-conditioned. All hotel floors can be accessed by lift.




Albaicin
Discover the Albaicín, the oldest Moorish quarter in Granada. Situated on a steep hill facing the Alhambra, this is where the Zirid Monarchs first established their court in the 11th century. Enjoy exploring the maze of historic narrow streets and seeing the ancient city gateway, visiting a small market square and a mosque converted into a church. You'll also view the gardens of Casa Morisca del Chapiz, a fine example of Mudéjar style. In the afternoon, walk through the upper parts of the Albaicín which offers dramatic views contrasted with stolen glimpses through gateways into small, picturesque gardens.
Full day
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens
Nestling below the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is one of the loveliest cities in Spain. It was the last Moorish city to fall to the Christians, in 1492, and its most famous monument is the Alhambra, the magnificent former royal palace and fortress. You'll also see the spectacular Generalife, the summer palace of the sultans which is set higher up the hill. Small cascades, pools and fountains will greet you at every turn as you tour the shaded avenues, gazebos and water gardens which once offered a cool escape for the king and his court during the hot summer months.
Full day

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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Almunecar and Casa de los Bates
Enjoy a morning orientation walking tour of Almuñécar, a perennial favourite crowned by a handsome Moorish castle. The town is set on a small hill between the mouths of two rivers, the Río Seco and the larger Río Verde, which runs through the fruit orchards of Almuñécar's aptly named Tropical Valley. Visit the palm-tree shaded park, walk up to the castle and explore the twists and turns of its narrow alleys and steps that lead to the town square. Also visit Casa de los Bates, near Motril. This all-but-forgotten private garden opened in 2003 and its current owners have turned their thumbs green upgrading it. Surrounded by avocado and chirrimoya orchards, there are three levels to this serene, historic gardens which are set on a hillside.
Full day

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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Alpujarras Mountains
Enjoy a true taste of Andalusian scenery and life as you pass through gleaming white villages perched high on hillsides or clifftops, and follow the twisting mountain roads of the Sierra Nevada's southern slopes. This area was one of the last strongholds of the Moors before their expulsion from Spain by the Christian forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Its isolation has helped it maintain a strong character of its own.
Full day

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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Architectural gardens
The Modernist style of former painter Rodriguez Acosta's walled terraces coupled with the romantic gardens of Carmen de los Mártires will provide a morning's worth of entertainment for you. Contrast these with the Parque García Lorca, named after the distinguished Spanish playwright and author. These modern gardens are set around the old ‘huerta’ where Lorca spent his childhood.
Full day

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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Malaga gardens
Enjoy a morning visit to the Paseo del Parque, the city's long park promenade, followed by the formal Mediterranean-style gardens of the City Hall. Here in the Jardin Pedro Luis Alonso, designed by architect Guerrero Strachan in 1945, you can stroll along the walkways between orange trees and cypresses to admire the recently established rose garden. Then in the afternoon, admire the exotic subtropical plants of Finca de La Concepcion, an historic arboretum.
Full day

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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Moorish and Modern Gardens of Spain
Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Spain