Destination: Spain

Itinerary: Andalucian Adventure

THREE WEEKS

Capture the colour, excitement and variety of Spain's southernmost region by combining its three great World Heritage cities - Seville, Cordoba and Granada - with an exploration of one of its most beautiful country areas and a relaxing beach spell to finish your trip. If you're flying in or out of Malaga, as many do, don't miss that vivacious city's great new Museo Picasso.

Andalucia was the heartland of medieval Islamic Spain and each of the World Heritage cities is home to one of Spain's three great Islamic monuments - Seville's Alcazar, Cordoba's Mezquita and Granada's Alhambra - as well as an array of other treasures, from Seville's great cathedral and baroque churches to Cordoba's Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and Granada's historic Capilla Real and old Muslim quarter, the Albayzin. Modern Andalucian culture and entertainment, too, is at its strongest in these university cities: Seville and Granada are hubs of the flamenco scene, and their bars serve up the most delectable tapas in the region.

For a change of key, venture outside the cities to the great Roman site of Italica near Seville, the caliphs' palace Medina Azahara near Cordoba, or the otherworldly valleys of Las Alpujarras south of Granada. Both Granada and Las Alpujarras provide easy access to mainland Spain's highest mountains, the Sierra Nevada, great for walking in summer and skiing in winter.

Finally, wind down on the beautiful sandy coves of El Cabo de Gata, Andalucia's southeastern tip.

The ideal months to visit the inland cities and Las Alpujarras are April, May, June, September and October. These are also the months when the cities hold their major festivals - book accommodation in advance if you're going to be there for one.

The route from Malaga to Cabo de Gata is 750km. Add another 245km if you need to return to Malaga at the end. Three weeks allows just enough time to savour the places you visit; four weeks would permit you to linger where you like best and follow up your own discoveries.