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A Taste Of Southern Spain
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A Moorish history and architecture, gentle walks, and a touch of traditional cooking on Andalucias Atlantic seaboard. |
Ref: EX-DSV
8 days
from £659 (minimum 6 passengers)
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Destination:
Spain
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Moorish history and architecture, gentle walks, and a touch of traditional cooking on Andalucias Atlantic seaboard.
The Costa de la Luz is the wild, undeveloped face of Andalucia: long white-sand beaches; surging ocean waves; jagged cliffs; coastal towns where a living is made from fishing for sea bream, tuna, anchovies and squid. It is an area rich in history. The regional capital of Cadiz, founded 3000 years ago by the Phoenicians, is proudly claimed to be Europe's oldest city. At nearby Cape Trafalgar Nelson defeated the Spanish fleet in a decisive battle but subsequent British influence has been more benign – funding the burgeoning sherry industry. Everywhere in Andalucia the most striking legacy is that left by the Moors. This is where they first set foot in Spain and remained the longest, until their eventual expulsion from Cadiz in 1262. We are based in Vejer de la Frontera, one of the old frontier towns and acknowledged as one of the most spectacular and best-preserved in all Spain. It is situated high on a rocky hilltop a few kilometres from the sea and has a labyrinth of Moorish whitewashed streets and mediaeval gates set in the old city wall. This intriguing holiday combines gentle daywalks of up to 8kms (one ascent of 300m) and sightseeing on foot with an historical emphasis.
Extend your stay: extra nights can be reserved at the Hotel Plaza Sevilla in Seville. A single room is from £40 and a twin/double room from £44, depending on the season. A £5 booking fee will be charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required:
lightweight walking shoes or boots, small daypack, waterproofs.
Extra Expenses:
for the lunches and dinner not included, as well as extra snacks and drinks bought during the week allow about €150 (approximately £110 , although this depends on the standard of restaurant chosen.) To go to Tarifa allow approx. €50, Tangiers is approximately €50 and whale watching approx €30. A mountain bike costs €15 per day.
Meals Included:
all breakfasts, 1 packed lunch, 2 other lunches and 6 evening meals.
Transport:
private minibus or small coach for airport transfers and organised excursions.
Children:
children under the age of 16 can not join this trip.
Joining locally:
the land-only joining and end point is the Hotel La Casa del Califa. It is possible to take a bus from central Seville to Barca de Vejer (€9) and then a taxi to the hotel (€10). A taxi directly to the hotel is approx. €120.
Group & Staff:
Min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation:
We stay at the fascinating 3-star ‘La Casa del Califa’ situated on a palm filled square in the heart of the mediaeval town. The hotel is a clever restoration of 5 old houses dating back to the 16th century. A labyrinth of stairways, traditional flower filled courtyards and hidden rooms make staying here a unique experience. The terrace has sweeping views and the bar is located in some 15th century cellars overlooking an Arab-inspired garden. There is a study room with local maps and guidebooks. All twin and single rooms have en-suite facilities, a telephone and a TV.
Food:
Experience a variety of meals by not only sampling local cooking but also help to prepare an authentic gazpacho. 3 meals are taken in the hotel's garden restaurant and 3 in local restaurants. The hotel restaurant specialises in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking so variety and vegetarian dishes will never be in short supply. Being so close to the coast, Vejer is blessed with excellent seafood for a fine paella and good quality meat from the campo. Of course tapas are a major part of local culture so on one evening a ‘tapas fest’ is provided for dinner. A typical evening meal includes a starter of soup or country stew, a main course based on typical Andalucian country cooking, followed by a local dessert or fruit and coffee. Wine is served with the evening meal and is included in the price. Breakfast is continental in style, and the lunches taken in local restaurants will typically include omelettes or salads.
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Day 1 | Fly London to Seville and travel to Vejer de la Frontera (approx. 2 hrs). Those booking land-only arrangements should meet at the Hotel la Casa del Califa. Before dinner a tour of the hotel and an introduction to the local style of architecture is included. | Day 2 | We take a guided tour of Vejer, visiting the mediaeval castle, church and Arab watchtower. From Vejer we walk to the Santa Lucia Nature Reserve, where abundant water has led to the creation of the valley’s own micro-climate. The views of Vejer from the Roman aqueduct are spectacular.
| Day 3 | Drive to the fishing town of Barbate, where we visit the port. From here we walk to the Brenas Nature Reserve along the high stone cliffs. In the sandy bay we learn how to make paella over the barbecue using local ingredients. Later we visit Cape Trafalgar to view the watchtower and the Phoenecian ruins.
| Day 4 | We visit the historic city of Cadiz, where we explore the old quarter and fortified sea walls. Later we travel to the salinas of San Fernando, which is now a Nature Reserve, where flamingos and other waders have made their home in the redundant saltpans.
| Day 5 | A free day: relax in Vejer or for the more adventurous visit Tarifa or cross the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangiers. (If you are not a British citizen a visa may be required). Other options include whale and dolphin watching, cycling or a day at the beach.
| Day 6 | Walk to the Alcornocales Natural Park, which the botanist David Bellamy described as "perhaps Europe’s last real wilderness area". Our walk takes us up to the Algibe from where we can see to the Straits and the Rock of Gibraltar, Morocco, the sierras of Ronda and the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
| Day 7 | Today we participate in la recolecta, an old tradition of collecting seasonal produce from the waysides, hedgerows and unfenced meadows. We see how peppers are prepared and dried, how to string onions and garlic into plaits and learn how to cook an authentic tortilla (omelette). After lunch we walk back to Vejer along the Barbate River. We may stop off at the local sherry bodega for a tasting and a chance to learn how sherry is prepared.
| Day 8 | Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip in Vejer de la Frontera. |
Departures Between | Price from | 10 Oct 04 | *£659 | 07 Nov 04 | *£619 | 27 Dec 04** | *£799 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €95 (approx. £68)
Single room supplement £100
Insurance £25
**Mon to Mon
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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A Taste Of Southern Spain
A Moorish history and architecture, gentle walks, and a touch of traditional cooking on Andalucias Atlantic seaboard.
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