Our journey, discovering Spain
Welcome to Sol y Sombra Tours!
As you embark on your Spanish adventure, let us be your guide to a truly unforgettable experience. At Sol y Sombra Tours, our passion for Spain resonates throughout every aspect of what we do. We specialize in curating unique and luxurious small group tours as well as transformative art retreats, designed to take you beyond the beaten path and elevate your creativity to the next level.
Our mission is to unveil the hidden gems of Spain, allowing you to discover the country's authentic charm whilst ensuring we consciously respect the environment. We believe that travel should be more than just ticking off tourist attractions; it should immerse you in the vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes that make Spain so enchanting. What sets us apart is not only our deep knowledge and expertise in all things Spain but also the personal touch we bring to each journey. We take pride in personally leading every tour, ensuring that you receive individualized attention and care throughout your experience.
With us by your side, any language barriers will be effortlessly overcome. Fluent in Spanish, Grant has not only lived in Spain but has also extensively travelled all across Europe. His profound understanding and connection to the country will enrich your experience, making every moment seamless and enjoyable.
But our expertise doesn't stop there. Both of us are practising painters, with works showcased in private collections around the world. Grant's deep understanding of art, Spanish culture, language, and history will transport you through time, allowing you to appreciate the warmth and passion of the Spanish people.
At Sol y Sombra Tours, we believe in giving you a complete experience that includes art, culture and food in Spain. Grant and Alexandra love to discover local dishes and share authentic Andalucian food with you during your tour. Every day ends with a delicious meal, good wine, and great company. Our tours are known for finding the right balance between group activities and personal exploration. We know that everyone has their own unique journey, so we give you plenty of time to explore on your own. You can wander through quaint streets or enjoy the lively atmosphere of a local market. You have the freedom to create your own memories. Join us at Sol y Sombra Tours as we uncover the hidden gems of Spain together. Let us inspire your love for art, culture, food, and adventure. So, prepare to embark on a remarkable journey, where the allure of Spain unravels before your eyes. Join us at Sol y Sombra Tours and let the enchantment begin.
Let's go! ¡Vamos!
Our personal story
We met in New Zealand at a Christmas party in an art gallery. A daring motorcyclist stole a ham, creating what was to become a memorable fiasco! leaving a lasting and hilarious impression on both of us.
Later, after a couple of years we were looking at where our next life adventure would take us as we both had a love for Europe, and Grant missed Spain. So it came as a delightful surprise when a couple offered us a chance to care for their villa in Otivar, Andalucia. It just so happened that this was exactly the region that we were thinking of. Excited, we started our adventure in the coastal town of Salobreña.
In a delightful twist of fate, the charismatic owner of Hotel Palomares in Salobreña, Jose Luis, introduced us to a friend named Philippe, whom he told us, hailed all the way from New Zealand and had made Salobreña his home for the past 25 years. Naturally, we were initially sceptical, aware of the frequent mix-ups between Kiwis and Aussies or Brits. However, with a quick phone call, a distinguished, grey-haired gentleman appeared before us, greeting us with a cheerful "Helloooo!" that carried hints of both English and New Zealand accents. Little did we know that this encounter would mark the beginning of a deep friendship and ignite our passion for Andalucia. Phillippe whisked us away on extraordinary excursions to enchanting riverbeds where the iconic film 'And God Created Woman' was shot in 1956, hidden Alpujarras villages scarcely explored by foreigners, and obscure towns that had seldom seen international visitors. Phil's unparalleled knowledge of Spain, flamenco, and the essence of Spanish culture and life was invaluable.
Immersed in these captivating experiences, we knew they were too extraordinary to keep to ourselves. And so, our love for art, our thirst for adventure, and our profound connection with Spain inspired us to share these treasures with fellow travellers.
A few little videos taken during our tours
You will discover as we have the warmth and hospitality of the Spanish people is second to none!
What our guests say
“Sol y Sombra tours
My wife and I experienced a 12 day Andalucia tour with Sol y Sombra Tours. We both agree that this was one of the best holidays we have had. Grant and Alex cared for us well, and we enjoyed their company. Because they were looking after everything, we could relax and enjoy the sights, history, culture, food and wine of this wonderful region. The small size of our tour group meant we were able to visit many places that would not be included with more traditional tours, and their experience and knowledge took us to places we would not have known about if we had tried to guide ourselves. They were also flexible, giving us time to ourselves when we needed it, and consulting us about options for activities and meals. We stayed in quality accommodation and had great meals with plenty of variety. We covered a lot in 12 days, but it did not feel rushed as the tour allowed plenty of time in each place. Some highlights for us were:
• Staying in a cave house in Granada
• The Flamenco show in another cave in Granada
• Being shown around an old Renaissance Palazzo in Ubeda by the owner.
• The beautiful white-washed villages of the Alpujarras, and a great meal at a rooftop restaurant.
• Mountain walk in Cazorla
• Wandering the streets of the old town in Cordoba.
This was a truly memorable experience and one that I would highly recommend.
”
“Alex and Grant are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about Spanish Culture, Art, Food, and History. A tour with Sol y Sombra tours will be one you never forget - a veritable feast of rich memories incorporating delicious and authentic food and wine, great company, stunning vistas, amazing architecture and incredible art. Staying in luxurious hotels and seeing the ‘Real Spain’ up close and personal, I would highly recommend travel with Alexandra and Grant if you are looking for a holiday to remember.”
“It is with pleasure that I recommend any budding or keen artist join Alexandra and Grant on the Artists Retreat in Spain. Alexandra has been my tutor for several years now and it has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. I started off as a total beginner, not even knowing how to mix colours and am now doing portraits in oils and charcoals and just loving it. I have also had lessons in painting landscapes in both oil and pastel.
She explains how to do things so well, then lets you get on with the painting, corrects you and lets the canvas do the talking. I now enjoy every minute I am painting and the rest of the world seems to pass away. If you want to get into painting I have no hesitation in recommending Alex to you. Just enjoy,”
Discover your next adventure
The performance of Andalucian Horses and Flamenco in Cordoba is one of the highlights of our tours in Spain