Moorish Spain: The Architecture & Cuisine of Andalusia
8 Days
Córdoba & Granada, Spain
The Moors entered the Iberian Peninsula from North Africa in the 8th century, significantly shaping Spain's cultural, architectural, and culinary landscape. Their innovative designs and artistic traditions, combined with the influences of Sephardic Jewish and traditional Christian styles, create a rich tapestry that frames this course from Córdoba to Granada.
Field Seminars include guided exploration and interpretation of the great architectural marvels of the region: La Mezquita, a one-of-a-kind cathedral that was originally built as a mosque, and the breathtaking palaces of the Alhambra, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Your syllabus also covers the profound culinary influence of the Moors, highlighted by an exclusive tour of some of Granada’s best tapas bars. You’ll uncover how food and architecture together reflect the Moorish legacy, shaping Andalusian culture in both tangible and symbolic ways. This interconnected perspective offers a deeper appreciation of the traditions that continue to define the region today.
Upcoming Courses
March 30-April 6, 2025
$5499 $4949 (Pilot 10% off)
October 26-November 2, 2025
$5499
Course Schedule
Sunday - Córdoba
Arrivals
Check into hotel
Meet your cohort for drinks and introductions
Welcome Dinner
Monday - Córdoba
9:00 Morning Meeting
10:30 Field Seminar
Free time for lunch
2:30 Self-Guided Study
5:30 Daily Discussion
Free time for dinner & evening
Tuesday - Córdoba
9:00 Morning Meeting
10:30 Field Seminar
12:00 Daily Discussion
Historical tapas tasting
Wednesday - Córdoba
9:00 Morning Meeting
10:30 Field Seminar
Free lunch
Private transport to Granada
Check into hotel
Free time for dinner & evening
Thursday - Granada
9:00 Morning Meeting
10:30 Field Seminar
12:00 Daily Discussion
Free afternoon & evening
Friday - Granada
9:00 Morning Meeting
10:30 Field Seminar
Free time for lunch
2:30 Self-Guided Study
5:30 Daily Discussion
Free time for dinner & evening
Saturday - Granada
Free day and/or recommended activities for continued Self-Guided Study
Farewell dinner
Sunday - Granada
Depart at your leisure
Itinerary and course schedule are subject to change. A final, detailed program will be shared with participants two weeks before the course begins.
What’s Included
Course materials, including pre-course reading list and suggested continued readings for after the course
All Field Seminar activities, transport, and entrance fees, including La Mezquita, La Alhambra, tapas tasting
Single occupancy room in 4-star hotels - 3 nights in Córdoba, 4 nights in Granada
Breakfast every day
Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Transportation from Córdoba to Granada
Farewell Dinner
Options
DISCOUNT*: Share a Room - Get 10% off your enrollment fees if you enroll with a friend or partner and choose to share a room. Note: shared rooms have double beds unless specified. Contact us to request twin beds; availability must be confirmed with hotel(s).
DISCOUNT*: Bring a Friend - Get 5% off the enrollment fees if you attend with a friend and stay in separate rooms.
Arrive early & get over jet lag - Let us know if you would like us to book your room for extra nights at the start of the trip, pending hotel availability.
*Discounts cannot be combined.
Extracurriculars
Your Facilitator will organize two optional activities during your free afternoons or evenings. Details and costs for these Electives will be provided one month in advance, and if you choose to participate, we will handle the booking. For outings such as concerts, performances, or tastings, your Facilitator will accompany you to the event.
In addition to these optional advance bookings, your Facilitator and your Instructor will provide a wide variety of suggested activities and restaurants for during your Self-Guided Study and free time.
Extracurriculars for this course may include:
Flamenco Show:
Flamenco reflects Andalusia's multicultural history, blending influences from the Moors, Jews, Gypsies, and Christians. Its rhythms and melodies draw from Arab, Jewish, African, and Spanish traditions, embodying the region's diverse heritage.
Hammam:
The hammam, or traditional bathhouse, symbolizes the region's Islamic heritage, blending Arab, Roman, and Christian bathing traditions. These thermal baths, housed in historic buildings in Córdoba and Granada, offer a unique glimpse into this cultural legacy.
Equestrian Show:
The Andalusian horse, or purebred Spanish horse, is a refined breed with roots in the Iberian peninsula's prehistoric and oriental equestrian traditions. At the Royal Stables of Córdoba, purebred Spanish horses perform a majestic equestrian show synchronized with the rhythm of flamenco.
Sherry Tasting:
Wine is deeply rooted in Andalusian culture, with Phoenician and Roman influences shaping its traditions. Multiple varieties of sherry, one of the region’s most iconic contributions, is sampled alongside local specialties like jamón ibérico, offering a true taste of Andalusia.
Accommodation
H10 Palacio Colomera Córdoba
Hotel Vincci Albayzín Granada
Elective aims to provide accommodations in safe, central locations that adhere to our standards of comfort and service. Hotels may not be the ones shown here, but will be of equal or better quality, while also accounting for convenience. Please note that hotels will not all have the exact same amenities. If there are amenities that you require, please reach out to us as early as possible so that we can do our best to help you secure them. Note: if the rooms are not all of the same category, the earliest participants to book will be assigned the higher category.
What to Expect
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Arrivals
Málaga is the closest airport to Córdoba, where the course begins. From there, you can either take a train (50 minutes) or book a car transfer (1 hour 40 minutes) to the hotel.
Departures
The program finishes in Granada, which has flights to Madrid and Barcelona, from which you can connect to most major US airports (or stay on for a few days before heading home!). You can also get a train or car transfer to Málaga and fly from there.
We are happy to help arrange airport transfers.
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Córdoba and Granada are both small cities with a pedestrian center. Expect a good amount of walking, including on cobbled streets, during Field Seminars. Participants should be comfortable walking 4 to 5 miles. Contact us if you have questions.
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It’s generally cool and breezy but dry in southern Spain in early April. Lows are typically in the mid- to high 40’s Farenheit. Highs can get up to high 60’s in Granada and low 70’s in Córdoba. Rain is always possible in the spring.
In Fall, temperatures in Andalucía are mild. Expect highs up to high 70s and lows down to low 50s, especially in Granada, due to the higher elevation. Chance of rain is 20%.
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Spain uses the Euro. Euros can easily be obtained at ATMs at the airport upon arrival or at any bank in Granada or Córdoba. Visa and Mastercard are taken almost everywhere; AMEX is less widely accepted.
We recommend traveling with only a small amount of cash for tips or small purchases (a cup of coffee or a bottle of water). Check exchange fees with your credit card provider before traveling.
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There are multiple hospitals in both Córdoba and Granada.
Travel insurance is mandatory for participation. Please reach out if you have questions about this or would like recommendations of providers.
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You will need to have a passport that is valid until 6 months after your travel ends. We will ask you to provide your passport information along with health & dietary information, an emergency contact, travel insurance, and your arrival and departure information.