We now have a twin/double room available for this 6-day tour which runs from Sunday 25th to Friday 30th June 2023.
Jaén is known as the World Capital of Olive Oil because it is the biggest producer of the oil, referred to by locals as liquid gold. It is also known – by historians – as the “Holy Kingdom” as long ago Jaén Province was a kingdom, ruled first by Moors and then by Christians.
DAY 1: SUNDAY 25th JUNE – Jávea / La Roda (254 km) / Amalgro (172 km)
08.30 hrs: Departure from the layby opposite Golden Star apartments, Calle Bruselas, Arenal.
08.45 hrs: Departure from Interiors, opposite side of the road, Jávea port.
09.05 hrs: pick up at Mas y Mas, N332, Comfort break enroute.
12.30 hrs: Free time in La Roda, which has an interesting historic area with narrow streets and ancestral houses.
The 16th century Salvador Church has the Cultural Property designation and presides over the town. There are several palaces and stately houses, such as Dr. La Encina’s house, the Casa del Inquisidor and Lienzo de Doña Ana, with their beautiful façades.
Be sure to try “miguelitos”, a puff pastry and cream sweet whose secret lies in its traditional production.
16.45 hrs: Check in to the 4* Parador de Almagro (2 nights’ bed & breakfast).
We have paid for the hotel to provide a porterage service so on arrival you may make your way straight to reception and the luggage will be taken to the rooms.
The parador is located in the first Franciscan convent of Almagro, donated at the beginning of the 16th century by Jerónimo Dávila de la Cueva to his wife Catalina de Sanabria, which gives it its name. The materials used for its construction are brick, mud wall, stone, wood and it is finished off with Mudejar trace tiles. The convent underwent two enlargements in the 18th and 19th centuries when new naves identical to the first ones were built and new chapels were attached to the church, these already clearly Baroque. In a dilapidated state, in 1979 and over seven years, it was restored to adapt it as a hotel. The Parador is just five minutes from the Plaza Mayor.
17.25 hrs: Meet our guide in reception for the walking tour to visit the Corral de Comedias. Optional: price €10 pp.
The Corral de Comedias de Almagro was built in 1628, by Leonardo de Oviedo. It is located in the
Plaza Mayor and was declared a “Protected National Monument” on March 4, 1955. Today it is the
only stage space in the world , of the type of theatres of the 16th and 17th centuries, which is
preserved intact in shape and structure. After a delicate conservation and maintenance, it offers
theatrical activity during most of the year. As a result of its popularity since 1977, the Almagro
International Classical Theatre Festival has been held. It is one of the town’s most important art
treasures, with its decorat
DAY 2: MONDAY 26th JUNE
08.00 hrs: Breakfast; free day in Almagro. Almagro has been declared an Historic-Artistic Site. According to tradition, the origin of the city was an Arab castle called Almagrib. The name refers to the characteristic red clay of the area, Almagro colour, which you will see in the medieval Plaza Mayor and in other buildings of the historic centre. The Plaza Mayor was redeveloped by the Fugger family in the 16th century when new buildings were erected in the square with glazed galleries. Restoration began in the 1960s and was completed in 1967.
OPTIONAL TOUR: At an altitude between 750 and 850 metres above sea level, between valleys and mountains with a great density of holm oaks and junipers, rosemary and thyme, is the Encomienda de Cervera Estate, where you can distinguish the black earth of volcanic origin and the red (Almagre) which, according to some historians, gives the name of the city of Almagro. The 950 hectare farm is located on the banks of the Jabalón River, and is surrounded by the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Massif, with several volcanoes, Strombolians and the Maar de Cervera, a Natural Monument since 1999.
11.20 hrs: Meet in reception and departure to the Encomienda de Cervera (27.5 km)
12.00 hrs: The guide will board our coach and we will visit the volcanic area by coach. After which there will be a visit to the winery followed by a tasting of 3 of their Volcanic Wines accompanied with a selection of appetizers. The visit lasts approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Cost: €29 pp
DAY 3: TUESDAY 27TH JUNE – Amalgro / Bailén (119 km) / Úbeda (49 km)
08.00 hrs: Breakfast.
09.00 hrs: Check out, load luggage onto the coach.
09.15 hrs: Departure and travel to Bailén.
11.00 hrs: A visit to the olive oil cooperative, Picualia, regarded as one of the main contributors to the revolution that has shaken the olive-oil industry in recent years. It was created in 2009 when two experienced farm cooperatives, Agrícola de Bailén and Virgen de Zocueca, merged to create a powerful, modern oil mill. The name “Picualia” was chosen because the Picual olive is the members’ main crop. Of all the 2,600 types of olives found the world over, the Picual cultivar has the greatest number of healthy, antioxidant effects. The Picualia project is not only based on offering high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils as the basis of a good diet and a key element of the Mediterranean diet; the company also creates products based on their olive juices and, in collaboration with local artisans from our territory, develops gourmet and healthy products.
The tour includes a guided visit and tasting menu at the olive oil cooperative, Picualia, and you will discover the different products and chocolate which Picualia also produces!
The visit will last approximately 4 hours and will include:
Olive grove visit
Oil mill tour
Olive oil tasting
Special Picualia menu (with wine and water) in the Restaurante Almazara.
15.00 hrs: Re-join our coach and travel to Úbeda (49 km)
16.00 hrs: Check in to the Parador de Úbeda (3 nights’ bed & breakfast).
We have paid for the hotel to provide a porterage service so on arrival you may make your way straight to reception and your luggage will be taken to your room.
Remainder of the afternoon/evening free.
The World Heritage City of Úbeda is in the province of Jaén with the Parador located in the old quarter, housed in a 16th-century palace of Renaissance-style. Just a short stroll separates the Parador from some of the loveliest buildings in Úbeda, including El Salvador Chapel, the palace of the Marquis of Mancera and Vázquez Molina Palace, now home to the city hall. The city’s wealth of cultural heritage is reflected in its walls, palaces, churches, monasteries and convents. Úbeda benefitted from extensive patronage in the early 16th century resulting in the construction of a series of Renaissance-style palaces and churches, which have been preserved ever since.
The Synagogue of Water was discovered by chance by the businessman Fernando Crespo during a real estate project in what was previously a ladies’ hairdresser. The Jewish Synagogue dates from the 14th century and is composed of six unique spaces that include the ritual bathing room of purification or Mikveh, a space dedicated to the ritual baths of purification so common in Jewish customs; the Women’s Gallery, a place occupied by women during ceremonies and rituals hidden behind lattices; the room “Del Inquisidor”, with its patio, cellar and ovens.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE – Úbeda / Jaén (61 km)
08.00 hrs:Breakfast
09.00 hrs: Join the coach and travel to Jaén.
10.00 hrs: Free day in Jaén (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003). Jaén is known for its olive oil production and for its fortresses, including the medieval Castillo de Santa Catalina which houses the Parador de Jaén.
15.00 hrs: Reboard coach and return to Úbeda. Remainder of the afternoon/evening free.
DAY 5: THURSDAY 29TH JUNE – Úbeda / Baeza (13 km)
08.00 hrs: Breakfast.
09.00 hrs: Travel to Baeza.
09.30 hrs: Free time in Baeza, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its heart is the combined Plaza Mayor and the paseo which is flanked by pavement cafes.
14.30 hrs: Re-board our coach and return to our hotel.
The rest of the afternoon/evening free.
DAY 6: FRIDAY 30TH JUNE – ÚBEDA / ALCARAZ (125 km) / JAVEA (297 km)
08.00 hrs:Breakfast
09.00 hrs: Load luggage on to coach and departure for Alcaraz.
Alcaraz is an “Historic-Artistic” site for its monuments and the surrounding mountain scenery. It was once an Arab town and was also an important town at the time of the Reconquest. Wealth came with a flourishing carpet industry, since gone. The heart of Alcaraz is its 16th century Renaissance square, the Plaza Mayor, flanked by the Trinidad and El Tardón towers; it is one of the most beautiful in Spain and has arcades on three of its sides. Nearby is the Lonja del Corregidor, an 18th century exchange market, with Plateresque decoration. The church of the Holy Trinity is Gothic in style and dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. As well as its distinctive tower it also has a cloister which was built in Renaissance style. At the highest part of Alcaraz you will find the walls from its 13th century castle. There are other interesting buildings to be seen, such as the María Magdalena Convent but the best thing is to wander through its narrow streets.
11.00 hrs: Free time in Alcaraz.
14.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Jávea (refreshment break enroute).
19.00 hrs: Approx. arrival time in Jávea.
PLEASE NOTE: We regret that this tour is not suitable for anyone with a walking disability – although the Parador de Ubeda has lifts, it is housed within a palace and there are some steps inside the building.
What is included
Coach transport
2 nights’ accommodation in the 4* Parador de Almagro (breakfast included).
3 nights’ accommodation at the 4* Parador de Úbeda (breakfast included)
Guided visit to the olive oil cooperative, Picualia, with lunch.
Gratuities.
Cost: sharing twin/double room – €495 per person. If you wish to book this interesting tour, please send an email as soon as possible to Angela & Tony: spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
