Spain 2026
the tour
MALAGA, SPAIN!!
Songbirds
A Musical Journey Through Andalusia
MÁLAGA · ANDALUSIA · SPAIN
10 Days · 9 Nights
The Burns Sisters — Annie & Marie Burns
with Kate Purcell of Cherish the Ladies
$3,000 per person · Land Only
About This Journey
Andalusia is where Europe feels most alive with sound — the cradle of flamenco, the birthplace of the classical guitar, and a region where music has threaded through daily life for a thousand years. Now, three extraordinary voices are bringing a small group of kindred travelers here to experience it together.
Join the Burns Sisters — Annie and Marie Burns, Ithaca's beloved folk duo — alongside Kate Purcell of the Grammy-nominated Cherish the Ladies for ten days based at the Hotel IPV Palace & Spa in Fuengirola, right on the Costa del Sol. Each morning the group boards a private coach van and heads out into Andalusia — to the Picasso Museum in Málaga, the cliffside drama of Ronda, the golden grandeur of the Alhambra, the flamenco stages of Seville — always returning to the comfort of the sea and the warmth of a shared table.
This is not a package tour. It is a musical pilgrimage — intimate, unhurried, and guided by three women who have spent their lives in song.
BASE · Spa, Fuengirola, Costa del Sol
LENGTH · 10 Days / 9 Nights
YOUR GUIDES · Annie Burns · Marie Burns · Kate Purcell
Your Guides
The Burns Sisters — Annie & Marie Burns
Annie and Marie Burns are one of American folk music's most treasured acts. Hailing from Ithaca, New York, the Burns Sisters have built a career spanning four decades on the strength of their luminous harmonies and deeply felt songwriting. Signed to Columbia and later Rounder Records, they have toured the world alongside Arlo Guthrie and released numerous critically acclaimed albums drawing from folk, country, Irish, and Americana traditions. Their Celtic recordings brought them back to Ireland year after year — and now they bring Andalusia to you.
Kate Purcell — Cherish the Ladies
Kate Purcell is a vocalist and guitarist with Cherish the Ladies, the Grammy-nominated, globally celebrated Irish ensemble led by Joanie Madden. A native of Feakle, County Clare — the same village that gave the world fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes — Kate grew up steeped in traditional Irish music and song. Her voice has graced concert halls, the White House, and the Olympics alongside Cherish the Ladies, and her four solo albums have won awards from Irish Music Magazine and the Chicago Irish American News. She brings the soul of County Clare to the sun-drenched plazas of Andalusia.
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival — Hotel IPV Palace & Spa, Fuengirola
Fly into Málaga Airport (AGP) and board the private coach van for the 20-mile drive down the Costa del Sol to Fuengirola. The Hotel IPV Palace & Spa sits directly on the beachfront — rooms overlooking the Mediterranean, a full spa, and the sound of the sea outside your window. The evening brings the group together for a welcome dinner of tapas and Andalusian wine. Introductions made, and the journey truly begun.
Day 2
Day Trip — Málaga: Picasso Museum & Flamenco
The coach takes us up the coast to Málaga for a day dedicated to art and music. Morning: a guided visit to the Picasso Museum, housed in the magnificent 16th-century Palacio de Buenavista, with works spanning Picasso's entire career. After lunch in the Old Town, we explore the Moorish Alcazaba fortress and the Roman Theatre below it. The evening brings our first flamenco presentation — a live performance showcasing the raw emotion and technical mastery of this Andalusian art form.
Day 3
Day Trip — The Alhambra, Granada
An early coach departure for the excursion every traveler to Andalusia dreams of. The Alhambra palace complex is one of the great wonders of the world — a labyrinth of carved stucco, mirrored pools, and fragrant garden courtyards built by the Moorish Nasrid dynasty. We walk its halls and the lush Generalife gardens, then descend into the winding lanes of the Albaicín quarter. Optional: flamenco at sunset in the legendary cave theatres of Sacromonte before the coach returns us to Fuengirola.
Day 4
Day Trip — Ronda & the White Villages
The coach heads west through the Sierra de las Nieves — cork oak forests and cool mountain air — to Ronda, one of Spain's most dramatic towns, perched on the lip of a sheer 360-foot gorge. We cross the famous Puente Nuevo bridge, take in views stretching toward Africa, and wander the ancient Moorish quarter. On the return journey, a stop at Setenil de las Bodegas — the extraordinary whitewashed village built directly beneath overhanging cliff faces.
Day 5
Songbirds Music Day — No Coach Today
A day that belongs entirely to music — no coach, no itinerary. The morning opens with an informal singing circle led by Annie, Marie, and Kate at the hotel: folk songs, Irish traditionals, original compositions, and whatever the group brings to the room. The afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel spa, walk the Fuengirola
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
promenade, or simply sit by the sea. The evening gathers us for an intimate Songbirds concert — Annie, Marie, and Kate performing together under the Andalusian sky.
Day 6
Day Trip — Seville & Flamenco Night
The coach heads west to Seville, Andalusia's great capital. We visit the Cathedral — the largest Gothic building in the world — and climb the Giralda tower for sweeping rooftop views. The afternoon is spent in the historic Barrio de Santa Cruz and the spectacular Plaza de España. The evening brings a world-class flamenco presentation at one of Seville's legendary tablaos — an immersive evening of dance, guitar, and song that stays with you long after the journey ends.
Day 7
Day Trip — Nerja & the Costa del Sol
A gentler day — the coach heads east along the coast to Nerja. We visit the Balcón de Europa, a clifftop promenade above luminous turquoise water, and the famous Nerja Caves, a vast prehistoric cavern with breathtaking stalactite formations. Free time in the afternoon to explore or relax on the beach before returning to Fuengirola.
Day 8
Day Trip — Córdoba & the Mezquita
The coach travels north to Córdoba, home to one of the most extraordinary buildings in Europe: the Mezquita-Catedral, a forest of 856 columns crowned with distinctive red-and-white striped horseshoe arches — built as a great mosque in the 8th century and later transformed around a Christian cathedral. We explore the Judería (Jewish quarter), cross the ancient Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir river, and wander the flower-filled patios for which Córdoba is world-famous.
Day 9
Day Trip — Málaga Market & Farewell Dinner
One last coach ride up the coast to Málaga's magnificent Mercado de Atarazanas — the great 19th-century iron-and-Moorish-arch market, alive with seafood, olives, fresh spices, and colour. Free afternoon for a final wander or time back at the hotel spa. The evening brings our farewell dinner on the Costa del Sol — a long, generous table of good food, great company, and the songs that carry this journey home.
Day 10
Departure
Morning coach transfer from the Hotel IPV Palace & Spa to Málaga Airport (AGP). Safe travels — and adiós, Andalusia. Until the music brings us back.
"Come for the sunshine. Stay for the music. Leave with a piece of Andalusia in your heart."
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
Sources: Andalucia.com — Málaga · Patronato de la Alhambra, Granada · Cherish the Ladies — About · The Burns Sisters, Wikipedia
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
Ireland!
Annie · Marie Burns · Kate Purcell
October 4 – 13, 2026
Spanish Point · Ennis · Connemara · Galway · Bunratty
JOINING THE SONGBIRDS TOUR
Mark Zabel
Guitarist Mark Zabel, originally from Detroit and now based in Ithaca, is a soulful guitarist with a social media following exceeding 300,000. His playing reflects deep roots in Motown and American electric guitar traditions across multiple styles. Don’t miss WICB Ithaca NY radio “Blues Progressions” — Mark is the DJ!
About This Trip
Where the music finds you.
We have been looking forward to putting this trip together for a long time, and Ireland 2026 is finally happening — and we would love for you to join us. Annie and Marie Burns of The Burns Sisters, and Kate Purcell of Cherish the Ladies are thrilled to be your guides through the music and magic of Ireland.
This October 4–13, a small group will travel through the West of Ireland on a musical journey unlike anything you’ve experienced. We’ve designed this trip around the music — not just listening to it, but living inside it. We look forward to listening and sharing music together throughout every step of the way.
We settle into each town for two nights — no rushing from place to place. We’ll find the best trad sessions in Spanish Point and Ennis, invite local folk musicians to sit at our dinner table and play, and every evening, after the dishes are cleared, the Songbirds will make music of our own.
Along the way we’ll visit the Cliffs of Moher, wild Atlantic coastline at Spanish Point, the Connemara landscape and Kylemore Abbey in autumn color, the medieval streets of Galway, and finish at the legendary Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
Dates October 4 – 13, 2026
Included All hotels · Daily breakfast · Shows · Special guest musical evenings Group size Very limited — small and intimate by design
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Spanish Point, Co. Clare
Oct 4–6 · Travel + 2 nights · Spanish Armada Hotel
Day 1 — Oct 4: Travel Day
Depart the US for Ireland. Overnight transatlantic flight to Shannon — rest up, because the music starts tomorrow.
Day 2 — Oct 5: Arrival at Shannon & Spanish Point
We’ll pick everyone up at Shannon Airport and travel together to the Spanish Armada Hotel, perched right on the Atlantic at Spanish Point. Evening orientation walk along the wild Atlantic shore, dinner together, and your first musical evening as a group — set the tone by sharing songs around the table and talking about the music you hope to find.
Day 3 — Oct 6: Spanish Point
Morning: a walk along the wild Atlantic shore. Afternoon: visit the Doolin Music House — Christy Barry opens his home to small groups, plays music by the fire, and shares the history of Clare traditional music. Wine, brown bread, salmon, and local cheese included (€20/person). Evening: live music at the Spanish Armada Hotel’s legendary bar.
Ennis, Co. Clare
Oct 7–8 · 2 nights · Old Ground Hotel
Day 4 — Oct 7: The Burren & Cliffs of Moher
Morning drive through The Burren — stop at the 5,000-year-old Poulnabrone Dolmen. Afternoon: Cliffs of Moher — October brings dramatic light and far fewer crowds. Check into the Old Ground Hotel in the heart of Ennis. Evening: dinner and Songbirds musical evening.
Day 5 — Oct 8: Ennis
Morning: Ennis Friary, Quin Abbey, Clare Museum. Afternoon: visit Custy’s Music Shop — one of Ireland’s finest traditional music stores. Evening: dinner followed by a special guest session — County Clare is the heartland of Irish traditional music. Glór Irish Music Centre or Cois na hAbhna can connect you with local Clare musicians for a private session.
Connemara, Co. Galway
Oct 9–10 · 2 nights · Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden
Day 6 — Oct 9: Into the Heart of Connemara
Travel north into wild Connemara and check into the magnificent Abbeyglen Castle Hotel on the scenic Sky Road above Clifden. This 4-star castle, built in 1832, is the perfect Songbirds home. Evening: complimentary champagne reception by the turf fire, hosted by the owners — stories of local history, a regal dinner, and live piano music in the bar afterward.
Day 7 — Oct 10: Connemara & Clifden
Morning: explore Clifden town — charming shops, galleries, and traditional pubs. Afternoon: scenic drive through Connemara — golden moorland, Connemara ponies, and Kylemore Abbey blazing in autumn color. Evening: special guest dinner at Abbeyglen — a local trad musician joins your table. The piano bar and singalongs await.
Galway City
Oct 11–12 · 2 nights · Radisson RED Hotel
Day 8 — Oct 11: Travel to Galway
Scenic drive east into Galway City. Afternoon: Eyre Square, Spanish Arch, the Claddagh, Shop Street. Evening: dinner in the Latin Quarter, Songbirds music after dinner.
Day 9 — Oct 12: Galway & On to Bunratty
Morning and early afternoon: explore Galway at your own pace — the Latin Quarter, Salthill promenade, local art galleries, and the medieval city walls. Late afternoon: travel south to Bunratty and check into the Bunratty Castle Hotel, steps from the legendary 15th-century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Evening: farewell dinner — one final special musical night together, with a local folk or trad musician joining our table. The most memorable Songbirds evening of the trip.
Bunratty, Co. Clare
Oct 12–13 · 1 night · Bunratty Castle Hotel
Day 10 — Oct 13: Bunratty & Departures
A leisurely morning at Bunratty — time to explore the Folk Park, a living museum of Irish rural life just steps from the hotel. Transfer to Shannon Airport, just 10 minutes away, for afternoon departures. A reflective drive through Clare — time to process everything you heard, sang, and created together.
About the Burns Sisters
The Burns Sisters
Annie and Marie Burns are a captivating musical duo celebrated for uplifting, transcendent music that radiates warmth and conviction. Their harmonies and lyrics carry a rare depth of passion and soul, stirring listeners wherever they perform. In early 2015, they released their acclaimed album Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls, a work that showcases the purity of their harmonies, the beauty of their songwriting, and the joyful energy that defines their sound.
Born into a progressive, politically engaged, and deeply creative family in Binghamton, New York, Annie and Marie are two of twelve siblings who have been singing together since early childhood. Their mother, Teresa, was a cherished local vocalist and church soloist, while their father, John J. Burns, was a progressive politician educated at the Kennedy School. Several of their siblings have also built careers in music, film, and television as singers, actors, and producers, reflecting a creative spirit that runs deep in the family.
Drawn to the vibrant music scene in Ithaca, New York, the sisters settled there and began performing as The Burns Sisters. They went on to write, record, and release their own material through respected labels including Columbia Records and Rounder Records. Today, Marie and Annie release their work under their independent label, Sisters Music. Together and individually, they have written and produced nearly 20 albums.
Over the years, The Burns Sisters have taken on several band configurations. They began as a trio, later expanded to include all five sisters and released two records on Columbia, and eventually returned to their original trio format, signing with Rounder/Philo Records. Some years ago, Jeannie Burns left the group to pursue her musical aspirations in the Austin scene. Marie and Annie followed their hearts to Ireland, where they performed at established festivals throughout the West of Ireland. While there, they explored their family's roots and immersed themselves in the true history of the Irish famine and mass migration. That experience inspired them to write and record Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls, a rich blend of Celtic and Americana influences that has been warmly received in Ireland, Wales, the UK, Scotland, Canada, and the United States since its 2015 release.
The Burns Sisters have shared the stage with folk legends including Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Odetta, and Willie Nelson, performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry to the hills of Northern Thailand and County Clare, Ireland. They have contributed harmonies to numerous recording projects and have been featured on television programs such as ER and Holiday High School Reunion.
Annie's commanding and sensitive voice has been praised by singer-songwriter and author Rosanne Cash for its bell-like, steady, warm, and heartfelt quality. Acclaimed writer, music producer, and poet PJ Curtis described Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls as a truly magnificent and superb body of work, praising the flawless vocals, the moving renditions of classic songs, and the exceptional production.
Today, Annie and Marie continue to pursue solo projects while also leading their acclaimed Songbirds musical tours to Ireland and Spain, sharing music, culture, and community with travelers drawn to their artistry. The Burns Sisters continue to inspire audiences around the world with their heartfelt music, authentic harmonies, and unwavering dedication to their craft, creating a profound connection through the timeless power of song.
Malaga, Spain!!
Songbirds
A Musical Journey Through Andalusia
MÁLAGA · ANDALUSIA · SPAIN
10 Days · 9 Nights
The Burns Sisters — Annie & Marie Burns
with Kate Purcell of Cherish the Ladies
$3,000 per person · Land Only
About This Journey
Andalusia is where Europe feels most alive with sound — the cradle of flamenco, the birthplace of the classical guitar, and a region where music has threaded through daily life for a thousand years. Now, three extraordinary voices are bringing a small group of kindred travelers here to experience it together.
Join the Burns Sisters — Annie and Marie Burns, Ithaca's beloved folk duo — alongside Kate Purcell of the Grammy-nominated Cherish the Ladies for ten days based at the Hotel IPV Palace & Spa in Fuengirola, right on the Costa del Sol. Each morning the group boards a private coach van and heads out into Andalusia — to the Picasso Museum in Málaga, the cliffside drama of Ronda, the golden grandeur of the Alhambra, the flamenco stages of Seville — always returning to the comfort of the sea and the warmth of a shared table.
This is not a package tour. It is a musical pilgrimage — intimate, unhurried, and guided by three women who have spent their lives in song.
BASE ·Costa del Sol
LENGTH · 10 Days / 9 Nights
YOUR GUIDES · Annie Burns · Marie Burns · Kate Purcell
Your Guides
The Burns Sisters — Annie & Marie Burns
Annie and Marie Burns are one of American folk music's most treasured acts. Hailing from Ithaca, New York, the Burns Sisters have built a career spanning four decades on the strength of their luminous harmonies and deeply felt songwriting. Signed to Columbia and later Rounder Records, they have toured the world alongside Arlo Guthrie and released numerous critically acclaimed albums drawing from folk, country, Irish, and Americana traditions. Their Celtic recordings brought them back to Ireland year after year — and now they bring Andalusia to you.
Kate Purcell — Cherish the Ladies
Kate Purcell is a vocalist and guitarist with Cherish the Ladies, the Grammy-nominated, globally celebrated Irish ensemble led by Joanie Madden. A native of Feakle, County Clare — the same village that gave the world fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes — Kate grew up steeped in traditional Irish music and song. Her voice has graced concert halls, the White House, and the Olympics alongside Cherish the Ladies, and her four solo albums have won awards from Irish Music Magazine and the Chicago Irish American News. She brings the soul of County Clare to the sun-drenched plazas of Andalusia.
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival — Hotel IPV Palace & Spa, Fuengirola
Fly into Málaga Airport (AGP) and board the private coach van for the 20-mile drive down the Costa del Sol to Fuengirola. The Hotel IPV Palace & Spa sits directly on the beachfront — rooms overlooking the Mediterranean, a full spa, and the sound of the sea outside your window. The evening brings the group together for a welcome dinner of tapas and Andalusian wine. Introductions made, and the journey truly begun.
Day 2
Day Trip — Málaga: Picasso Museum & Flamenco
The coach takes us up the coast to Málaga for a day dedicated to art and music. Morning: a guided visit to the Picasso Museum, housed in the magnificent 16th-century Palacio de Buenavista, with works spanning Picasso's entire career. After lunch in the Old Town, we explore the Moorish Alcazaba fortress and the Roman Theatre below it. The evening brings our first flamenco presentation — a live performance showcasing the raw emotion and technical mastery of this Andalusian art form.
Day 3
Day Trip — The Alhambra, Granada
An early coach departure for the excursion every traveler to Andalusia dreams of. The Alhambra palace complex is one of the great wonders of the world — a labyrinth of carved stucco, mirrored pools, and fragrant garden courtyards built by the Moorish Nasrid dynasty. We walk its halls and the lush Generalife gardens, then descend into the winding lanes of the Albaicín quarter. Optional: flamenco at sunset in the legendary cave theatres of Sacromonte before the coach returns us to Fuengirola.
Day 4
Day Trip — Ronda & the White Villages
The coach heads west through the Sierra de las Nieves — cork oak forests and cool mountain air — to Ronda, one of Spain's most dramatic towns, perched on the lip of a sheer 360-foot gorge. We cross the famous Puente Nuevo bridge, take in views stretching toward Africa, and wander the ancient Moorish quarter. On the return journey, a stop at Setenil de las Bodegas — the extraordinary whitewashed village built directly beneath overhanging cliff faces.
Day 5
Songbirds Music Day — No Coach Today
A day that belongs entirely to music — no coach, no itinerary. The morning opens with an informal singing circle led by Annie, Marie, and Kate at the hotel: folk songs, Irish traditionals, original compositions, and whatever the group brings to the room. The afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel spa, walk the Fuengirola
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
promenade, or simply sit by the sea. The evening gathers us for an intimate Songbirds concert — Annie, Marie, and Kate performing together under the Andalusian sky.
Day 6
Day Trip — Seville & Flamenco Night
The coach heads west to Seville, Andalusia's great capital. We visit the Cathedral — the largest Gothic building in the world — and climb the Giralda tower for sweeping rooftop views. The afternoon is spent in the historic Barrio de Santa Cruz and the spectacular Plaza de España. The evening brings a world-class flamenco presentation at one of Seville's legendary tablaos — an immersive evening of dance, guitar, and song that stays with you long after the journey ends.
Day 7
Day Trip — Nerja & the Costa del Sol
A gentler day — the coach heads east along the coast to Nerja. We visit the Balcón de Europa, a clifftop promenade above luminous turquoise water, and the famous Nerja Caves, a vast prehistoric cavern with breathtaking stalactite formations. Free time in the afternoon to explore or relax on the beach before returning to Fuengirola.
Day 8
Day Trip — Córdoba & the Mezquita
The coach travels north to Córdoba, home to one of the most extraordinary buildings in Europe: the Mezquita-Catedral, a forest of 856 columns crowned with distinctive red-and-white striped horseshoe arches — built as a great mosque in the 8th century and later transformed around a Christian cathedral. We explore the Judería (Jewish quarter), cross the ancient Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir river, and wander the flower-filled patios for which Córdoba is world-famous.
Day 9
Day Trip — Málaga Market & Farewell Dinner
One last coach ride up the coast to Málaga's magnificent Mercado de Atarazanas — the great 19th-century iron-and-Moorish-arch market, alive with seafood, olives, fresh spices, and colour. Free afternoon for a final wander or time back at the hotel spa. The evening brings our farewell dinner on the Costa del Sol — a long, generous table of good food, great company, and the songs that carry this journey home.
Day 10
Departure
Morning coach transfer from the Hotel IPV Palace & Spa to Málaga Airport (AGP). Safe travels — and adiós, Andalusia. Until the music brings us back.
"Come for the sunshine. Stay for the music. Leave with a piece of Andalusia in your heart."
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
Sources: Andalucia.com — Málaga · Patronato de la Alhambra, Granada · Cherish the Ladies — About · The Burns Sisters, Wikipedia
Songbirds — A Musical Journey Through Andalusia, Spain · The Burns Sisters & Kate Purcell
To order t-shirts go to Paypal at Annieburns@gmail.com just send your size and payment. Right now we have men's Xl and women's medium. OR you can find me on Venmo @A-Burns-1 for $35 for each shirt. I'll be ordering more in different sizes. Or send a check to Annie Burns Po Box 845 Ithaca, NY 14850. We are getting ready to advertise our next trip to Ireland!