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Gardens

Moorish and Modern Gardens of Spain QQQ+

Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Spain

Alhambra Palace and gardens
This sumptuous Moorish fortress and palace, built in 889, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hotel Helios, Spain
The hotel is a short walk from the pretty Andalusian town of Almuñécar.

Prices from
£949 per person
7 2

Prices & Availability

Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £20 if not required

Local flights
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...

Expert Host
Saga Host
Included themed activities
Expert Host Talks
Hosted welcome drinks reception
Meet and greet with expert host
Leisure time
20kg checked-in luggage
Free hotel Wi-Fi
Hotel porterage
Optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK
Return flights and transfers

Plus, this hotel features:

All breakfasts and dinners
Glass of wine with dinner

Included excursions:

Six excursions with 12 garden and wild flora visits

Holiday Details

Address

Hotel Helios Costa Tropical, Paseo de la Flores (Playa San Cristobal), 18690 Almunecar, Spain

Introduction

The locally rated 3-star+ Hotel Helios Costa Tropical 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.

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 Hotel Information

The outdoor pool is heated from November to March and the hotel provide towels at no cost.

The hotel has a prime waterfront location

Climate

Amenities

Holiday Location

Excursions

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.

Granada Granada Andalusia Spain Europe

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.

Alhambra Palace Granada Granada Andalusia Spain Europe

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.

Almuñécar Costa Tropical Granada Andalusia Spain Europe

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.

Sierra Nevada Granada Granada Andalusia Spain Europe

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.

Granada Granada Andalusia Spain Europe

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.