Culinary Tour of Andalucía October 22nd - October 28th, 2011   This autumn join us in Andalucía, the southern tip of Spain for a week of culinary adventure and fun. From the “white villages” of the Sierra de Ronda to a magical 140 hectare family estate north of Seville, our comprehensive program combines local food and wine heroes, cookery, tastings and fully guided excursions to the cities of Ronda, Jerez and Seville.

Day 1: Arrival: Saturday 22nd October 2011 (Arrival Malaga) Leave the US on October 21st via an overnight flight to Malaga. Join the party on Saturday afternoon at Malaga airport for our transfer to the 4-star hotel La Herriza, near Gaucin in the Sierra de Ronda nature reserve.  The family run hotel is located in a rural 25 acre estate. Accommodation is in spacious villa-style junior suites. Bedrooms are upstairs with an en suite bathroom.  There is a separate drawing room downstairs. The restaurant, bar and large lounge area are set in a separate club house overlooking the valley. On arrival freshen up and enjoy the views over the nature reserve before dinner including mineral water and choice of beer or wine.

Day 2 – Sunday 23rd October 2011 (Mushrooms, tapas & Gaucin) Enjoy buffet breakfast (including Spanish Cava if you so wish) before a morning walk in the national parkland foraging for mushrooms.  Afterwards join local cook Maria in preparing the mushrooms and other tapas dishes for a late lunch.

This evening enjoy a visit to the nearby “white village” of Gaucin.  Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa. Dinner will be served at La Herriza, including mineral water and choice of beer or wine.

Day 3 – Monday 24th October 2011 (Ronda & wine) This morning visit the city of Ronda, perched dramatically over the Tajo gorge, which effectively divides the city in two. Next we continue to Acinipo, site of the Roman ruins of ancient Ronda on a hilltop overlooking the Grazalema valley. Here we visit the vineyards of Ramos Paul, whose cellars are carved into the mountain below the ancient Roman theatre.  We meet owners Jose and Pilar to taste their wonderful wines (their first vintage in 2004 was awarded 91 points by Robert Parker) and enjoy lunch. Dinner will be served at the hotel including mineral water and choice of beer or wine.

Day 4 – Tuesday 25th October 2011 (Jerez, dancing stallions & sherry) This morning we depart for Jerez, famous for its white stallions, sherry and flamenco. We will attend a show at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art for a dazzling display of the skills of horse and rider, before visiting a sherry bodega for a tasting and lunch. After free time to enjoy a stroll in the historic centreof Jerez, we continue to the picturesque family estate of Trasierra in the Sierra de Morena.

Trasierra is a beautiful family home, lovingly restored by Charlotte Scott.  The exceptional beauty of the interior design and winsome charm of the Scott family make staying here a relaxing and wholly unique experience.  Daughter Gioconda is our hostess and chef, ably assisted by Dolores. Dinner will be served at Trasierra including mineral water and wine.

Day 5 – Wednesday 26th October 2011 (Trasierra & Pata Negra ham) Enjoy a cooking lesson with Gioconda.  Gioconda has worked in kitchens in London, India and of course Spain.  Her cooking has earned her not only the admiration of past guests at Trasierra, but also a starring roll presenting Paradise Kitchen on the Good Food TV channel. Lunch is included. This afternoon there will be an excursion to a pig breeder who raises the local black hoofed pig.  Spain’s most famous cured ham is Pata Negra, a breed that originates in the Sierra de Morena.  A tasting is included. Dinner will be served at Trasierra including mineral water and wine.

Day 6 – Thursday 27th October 2011 (Seville) This morning enjoy an excursion to Seville to see the classic sites such as the Plaza de Espanaand the Giralda, built as a minaret and later converted to the Cathedral bell tower after the Reconquista. Gioconda will join the tour for a gourmet focus on tapas in Seville including lunch at one of her favorite tapas haunts. Dinner will be served at Trasierra including mineral water and wine.

Day 7–Friday 28th October 2011 (Departure) This morning after early breakfast we depart at 07:15 for Seville airport in time to catch the Iberia flight departing at 10:30 to LAX via Madrid.  Or opt for our Madrid extension, and be whisked away by high-speed rail to Madrid, and enjoy three days and nights exploring this fabulous city. The price of $2745 per person is based on shared accommodation of a double room, including: 3 nights bed and breakfast at 4-star La Herriza, Gaucin 3 nights bed and breakfast at Trasierra, Cazalla de la Sierra 2 cooking lessons 1 cooking lesson, Gaucin 1 cooking lesson, Trasierra 5  lunches with wine and mineral water 6 dinners with wine and mineral water Food visits as listed: Mushroom foraging in Sierra de Ronda Wine tasting at Bodegas El Chantre Sherry visit in Jerez de la Frontera Tapas tour in Seville Pata Negra ham tasting Excursions as listed: Ronda Jerez de la Frontera including horse show Seville Coach transfers as described Tour director Not included:  Flights, Insurance, meals not listed, extras and personal spending such as optional excursions and gratuities. A limited number of single supplements are available: $365 additional. Minimum number:16 people. Maximum number: 24 people. Deposit:  $400 deposit and booking form will secure a space.  Deadline for deposits: June 15th, however we expect this trip may sell out quickly, so sooner is better.  Balance will be due August 25th. Flights: Iberia airlines flies direct from Los Angeles to Madrid, with connecting flights to Malaga and Seville. Please note that we have based the trip around your arrival at Malaga airport by 5PM on October 22nd (if flying from LAX, consider Iberia flights 6170 & 226), and departure from Seville airport the morning of October 28th (consider Ibera flights 115 & 6171).   Update: This trip is currently sold out. Please let us know if you'd like to be placed on the wait list.  Or if you'd like to hear about our next trip, let us know and we'll make sure you get all the info as soon as it's available!   * * * *   Comments from those who joined us on the 2010 Provence Barge Cruise: We just returned home safely after our wonderful France Culinary Barge Trip!  Thank you so much for organizing everything.  We had a superb time and we even appreciated the nice weather you ordered for all of us. The staff of Le Phenicien was great and the accommodations and barge were beyond our expectations.  And, a special thank you goes to Thierry, the barge chef who prepared so many delicious meals for us in such a small kitchen.  He certainly is a miracle worker and he's definitely an inspiration to all of us who like to cook. We really enjoyed our experiences with the other chefs as well. They were a very talented group of men with interesting and fun personalities and we all learned a few new cooking tips along the way.  I think "our" favorite chef had to be Jean-Claude from La Mirande.  What a beautiful setting for a cooking class and wine tasting.  Jean-Claude and his staff were extremely delightful and they extended a warm welcome to our group. Overall, this once in a life time trip for us rates a 10+++++++  I think I took over a thousand photos so I know we'll always have many fond memories of this very special vacation. This is the third "Tastes of Italy" trip I've been on so far, and I only have one question.....Where are we going next?  **** We did indeed have a wonderful holiday in provence. The barge was lovely and the food and service first class. We would not hesitate to use your services again and will pass on our great experiences to friends. Thanks to all involved  for a great holiday.  **** The Provence barge trip was fantastic and well beyond anything I had anticipated.  And I agree, every one of the bargers and the entire crew were fantastic. Thank you both for a great experience.  **** Our hats go off to you for providing yet another fantastic and memorable Chez Cherie culinary vacation.  Just when we think you can't top the last Chez Cherie trip we went on, you actually do!  There aren't enough 'thank yous' to express our sincere appreciation for the superb time we had and all of the very special things we did.  None of this would have been possible if we had done it on our own.  So with great pleasure and anticipation, we're looking forward to the next Chez Cherie culinary vacation.... wherever that may be! ****   If you missed our 2009 Culinary Tour of Sicily, or our 2008 Culinary Tour of Tuscany, this video slideshow of our recent Provence cruise will give you a feel for the flavor of our tours, and the sorts of (foodie) things you can expect on our Andalucia trip: