
James Monro
As great as they are, there is so much more to Spain than paella, sangría and beachside resorts!! So often the stereotypical images of a country remain just at that and bear little resemblance to everyday life for locals. It didn't take me long to realise this on arrival in Andalucia, some 11 years ago and I fell for the most authentic version of Spain with its focus on quality of life & personal bonds, its stunning landscapes and its pride in its own traditions and culture.
Travel, as a means of recreation or even as a hobby has so much we can learn from, whatever our travel 'style' is and however we prefer to 'get out there and explore'. It should clearly never just be a matter of ticking boxes and I believe that the most worthwhile experiences are those with which we feel we've seen, done or experienced something novel, eye-opening and authentic. This is where I hope to lend a helping hand!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialise in custom making complete itineraries including accommodation and private transport for couples, families and small groups around Spain. We incorporate private tours and excursions with a guide for you to get the absolute most out of your visit, however long it may be. Tell us what you're interested in and we'll do our best to organise it, be it a flamenco jamming session or a culinary tour of the White Villages! "
How did you get involved in travel?
"While growing up in the UK, I was lucky enough to visit a number of European countries and the US from a young age and so I always knew that once I had the chance, I would jump at the chance of broadening my horizons. And this I did before, during and after studying my degree in Spanish & Geography at Leeds University, and thereby develop my enthusiasm for thinking up and planning trips to a whole range of destinations.
This, combined with the local knowledge of southern Spain gained from living and working here means that creating travel itineraries for other visitors was a natural progression and a real pleasure. I truly believe that Spain, and Andalucía in particular have so much to offer as a destination and I love the challenge of creating the ideal trip for each & every visitor."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"One moment stands out among the many while travelling with friends and living in Argentina for 6 months before going to University. Thanks to some contacts, we were never short of ideas or recommendations. It was while staying with local friends (of friends!) in a small mountain village in the foothills of the Andes. We were warmly taken into their home and shown the authentic (and very active!) local life in a beautiful natural setting including how to prepare the real Asado barbecue and play the complex card game of Truco. More than anything, it was ideal for that particular moment for its authenticity and sense of discovery and has left lasting memories for these same reasons."
James's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice

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Check off Spain's three most exciting cities for a weeklong adventure you won't soon forget. The trip starts in Seville where you'll explore the best rooftops, tapas, and...

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Recent trip reviews for James
Cook and Taste cooking school in Barcelona wa...
Spain
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May 21 - Jun 1, 2023


Hi Chris,
Great to hear you enjoyed the cooking and hiking especially, and so thanks for your comments! We'll be sure to update the info for this specific ebike activity. Thanks and best, James
Great Family Vacation
Spain
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May 21 - Jun 1, 2023


Hi Julie,
Many thanks for the detailed and complete comments about your trip. I'm so pleased it was an enriching experience overall and that you will be returning to explore more of the country, at some point. We take note of the moments where it could have run a little more smoothely and so many thanks for this. It was a pleasure to have you travelling with us at long last, after the Covid postponement!! Saludos, James
Amazing Road Trip in Portugal
Portugal
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Mar 17 - Apr 2, 2023

Hi there Tina, Wonderful to hear this and thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to plan it all out with you and especially such a long time in advance, which gave us plenty of time to fit all together nicely. We're thrilled you enjoyed seeing some classic and 'other' parts of Portugal! Un abrazo, James
Amazing, Carefree and Worry Free! and WOW.
Portugal
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Mar 17 - Apr 2, 2023


Hi Jim, many thanks for taking the time to write and for your kind words. It was a real pleasure to organise it with you and Tina and of course to host you while travelling. We're thrilled you had such a wonderful trip and it's comments like this that really make our day! It's really useful to hear which parts you enjoyed most and we'll be sure to pass on your comments. All the best from the Tailormade team!
Great trip to central /northern Portugal!
Portugal
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Mar 18 - Mar 26, 2023


Hi Laurie, many thanks for taking the time to review your trip in detail and it's great to get your feedback about all the different elements that went into the trip. Of course, we're also thrilled that you enjoyed the trip and that it was an enriching experience overall! As you say there is so much to see and do, it can be tough to squeeze it all in and keep it to a reasonable pace! I hope there will be a next time for you. With v best wishes from Chaima, myself and the Tailormade team
Thanksgiving trip to Spain
Spain
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Nov 20 - Nov 26, 2022

Hi Tamara! Many thanks for your review, we're thrilled you had such a fantastic time. Lots of happy memories created, I'm sure! It was a pleasure to plan and arrange this 'go-go-go' trip for and with you, and I'm pleased it all worked out well. Thanks again and un abrazo! James
An amazing trip in Andalucia Spain!
Spain
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Oct 16 - Oct 26, 2022


Hi there Ariana, Thanks very much for your comments and great news you loved it! It was a pleasure to plan it out with you too! All the best and I hope you'll be back sometime soon. Best wishes, James and the Tailormade Andalucia team
Primas in Portugal 2022
Portugal
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Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2022

We had great guides and drivers, especially Valter, Francisco, Sophia, Ricardo and Daniel.
The trip was just the right combination of structure and spontaneity, and we didn’t get exhausted from doing too much.

Hi Melinda, many thanks for sharing your comments and that's fantastic you had a great trip! We're thrilled that together, we got the balance right too and the guides and drivers contributed to the experience :) Un abrazo, James and Chaima
Lisbon to Porto to Cascais. Sept 2022
Portugal
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Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2022

Hi Laurie! That's so good to hear you had such a great time! It really makes our day to hear comments like this!! It was a delight to plan it out with you and we're so glad it all came together well. All the best to you all and thanks for travelling with us. Un abrazo, James
Amazing España and tailormade andalucia
Spain
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Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022


Hi Sachin!
Fantastic to hear that you had such an enriching trip and it was a pleasure to plan it out with you! Many thanks again for taking the time to write and the photos show what fun you had!
Un abrazo, James
Two weeks in Portugal
Portugal
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Jul 29 - Aug 11, 2022

Hey Gertrude,
Fantastic to know you had such a great trip and it was a pleasure to have you travelling with us! Many thanks for taking the time to write and I hope you can make it back to Portugal sometime soon!
With our very best wishes, James
Thank you so much we had a fantastic trip and...
Spain
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Jul 31 - Aug 5, 2022

Hi Niamh,
Great to hear that and thank you for taking the time to write! So pleased you had a great trip and felt you got the most out of the wonderful Andalucian sights & history! All the best and it was a pleasure to plan it with you and have you travelling with us!
Un abrazo, James
So impressed! We really loved our trip and th...
Spain
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Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022

Hi there Chris & family,
Thanks so much for sharing your comments. I'm so pleased that you had a wonderful family holiday together and got to visit a great variety of locations in Spain. I hope you've taken many happy memories with you too!!All the best and un abrazo from Sevilla,
James
Excellent Tour
Spain
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Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2022

Hi James,
Many thanks for sharing the highlights of your trip and I'm so pleased that the hotels and guides, contributed to a memorable trip with the family. I'm glad we could help make rearrangements after the a little misfortunate and hope the slight delay didn't affect your enjoyment nevertheless. We've taken note about the train station also and are to include more information for travellers. It was a pleasure to plan out the trip with you. Un abrazo, James
All our local tour guides have made our trip ...
Spain
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Jul 31 - Aug 9, 2022

Hi Lee!
Many thanks for taking the time to write the review and I'm so pleased that you've taken some wonderful memories of Spain back home with you! It was a pleasure to have you travelling with us! Un abrazo, James
Fun in Spain
Spain
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Jul 30 - Aug 7, 2022


Hey Susan,
We're so pleased that you enjoyed the trip and it all came together well. Thanks very much for taking the time to post the review too and it was a pleasure to have you travelling with us and Kimkim!
All the best and we hope to host you again soon!
James, Rocio & the Tailormade Andalucia team
Highly Recommend!
Spain
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Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2022


Hi Randi!
Many thanks for your detailed feedback and kind words. We're thrilled that you had a great time and it all came togther well! I'm especially pleased you loved the visits in Andalucia! It was a delight to plan it with you & have you travelling with us. Good luck with the Spanish course!
Un abrazo,
James
Best Experience Ever 😊 !!
Spain
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Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2022


Hi Neida,
It makes our day to read comments like this!! Many thanks for taking the time to write and it was a real pleasure to have you travelling with us. We are THRILLED that the trip all came together well and that you enjoyed it so! I hope you'll remember the experience for many years to come!
Thanks again and un abrazo,
James
First Visit to Spain for 25th Anniversary
Spain
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Jun 22 - Jul 1, 2022


Hi there Kelli & Clark,
We're so pleased to hear you had such a great trip and that it all worked just right for you. Cycling routes included! It is such a great area and I'm glad we didn't try to squeeze too much in. It was a real pleasure to plan it out with you and while travelling with us. Thanks also for taking the time to review the trip. All the best from Chaima and myself and ¡hasta la próxima!
Un abrazo,
James
This was an excellent trip!
Portugal
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Jun 4 - Jun 12, 2022

Hotels were beautiful with friendly staff, comfortable rooms and wonderful morning breakfasts. The restaurants that we chose for each of the three main cities had excellent cuisine, great service and atmosphere. And, of course, first-rate Portuguese wines!
Our guides and drivers on this... Read more

Hi Robert & Vicente,
Planning the trip with you (over almost 2 yrs thanks to 'the' situation!) and hosting you for your trip to Portugal was a pleasure! Many thanks for your comments and kind words too. We're all so pleased that you had such a memorable trip and that it all came together just right!
Un abrazo from all the Tailormade Andalucia team!
Best,
James