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A Week In Andalucia
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A Great Moorish cities, Pueblos Blancos, relaxing and walking in southern Spain |
Ref: EX-DSW
8 days
from £575 (minimum 2 passengers)
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Destination:
Spain
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Great Moorish cities, Pueblos Blancos, relaxing and walking in southern Spain
Andalucia is Spain's largest and most southerly province. It is a magical jumble of mountain ridges, cultivated land, sleepy villages and historic cities. Situated just a few miles across the sea from Morocco, it has been dominated by many different peoples throughout history, each influencing the landscapes and culture of today. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans all left their mark. The Moors and Berbers from Morocco built a sophisticated Moslem kingdom giving Andalucia its richest and most lasting cultural heritage and distinctive traditions. The Christian re-conquest in 1492 led to yet more change but Andalucia retains the richness and diversity of tradition from its unique past. The historic centres of Seville, Cordoba and Ronda are within easy reach of our base, a beautifully converted farmhouse in the rural community of Algamitas. On a less grand scale we visit Olvera, one of the most scenic of the 'pueblos blancos' ('white villages'), and take a walk on the trails of Penon Hill.
Extend your stay: It is not possible to book extra nights at the Cortijo Rosario but if you need an extra nights accommodation in Malaga this can be booked at the Hotel Carlos V. The cost is €55 per double/twin room and €30 for a single, paid locally. A £5 booking fee will be charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required:
comfortable shoes for city sightseeing and strong walking shoes or boots, small daypack, waterproofs.
Extra Expenses:
for lunch in a modest restaurant allow €10-15. Entrance fees are approx. €40 if you visit all the sights in the cities. You will also need cash to pay your bar bill.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts and 7 evening meals.
Transport:
a dedicated minibus is used for all transport.
Children:
children under 16 cannot join the group departure but it is possible to book this destination on a fly drive basis.
Joining locally:
the land-only joining and leaving point is the Cortijo Rosario. To get there go by train from Malaga Airport on the 'Cercanias' train to Malaga 'RENFE' station; cost €1. At Malaga Station buy a ticket to Almargen, the closest station to the Cortijo (approx. €10). Next take any train to Bobadilla and change there to a train to Almargen, which is on the Antequera/Ronda/Algeciras line. From Almargen station take a taxi to the Cortijo Rosario (approx. €22). Total journey time is about 2 hours with well-connecting trains. Alternatively a taxi directly from the airport to the Cortijo Rosario will cost approx €150.
Group & Staff:
Min. 2, max. 15; plus leader, driver and resident staff.
Accommodation:
This trip stays for the whole week at a delightfully renovated farmhouse, the Cortijo Rosario. It overlooks the village of Algamitas 20 minutes walk away which, together with its sister village Villanueva, are known as the 'forgotten villages'. The Cortijo is in Seville province, in a peaceful isolated situation in 25 acres of olive trees and arable land. You could be a million miles away from the touristy 'costas' relaxing by the private 11m swimming pool in summer or in front of the log fire in winter. The Cortijo Rosario is a tourist-class pension with eight twin rooms each with its own shower, washbasin and toilet. Due to the limited number of rooms only one single room is available on most dates. The atmosphere at the Cortijo is informal. Our Spanish staff caters for guests, with meals being served in the large dining room or al fresco on the terrace or by the swimming pool. The comfortable lounge has an open fireplace for cooler evenings and there is a well-stocked bar. A number of pet cats and dogs are resident at the Cortijo Rosario.
Food:
The cook and staff in the kitchen are very proud of the 'home cooked' tasty local specialities. The evening meal is the main meal of the day and normally traditional Spanish fare. All food is freshly prepared from locally grown seasonal produce, enough to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Once a week the cook's special Paella is served with due pride. Local table wine and tea or coffee is provided with the evening meal, and a selection of soft and alcoholic drinks are available at the pay bar. Vegetarian choices are always available. Breakfast is continental style, with various extras of fruit, yoghurt and cheese.
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Day 1 | Fly from London Heathrow to Malaga. On arrival we travel to Algamitas, approx. 2 hours. Those booking land-only arrangements should meet the group at the Cortijo Rosario. | Day 2 | A morning visit to Olvera, one of the most scenic of the 'pueblos blancos' ('white villages' built by the Moors); the Arab castle here dates back to AD 700. We head to Setenil, built under overhanging rock, and a good place to wander and buy ceramics and local crafts. Return to the Cortijo Rosario after lunch for a dip in the pool or a walk in the surrounding countryside.
| Day 3 | Ronda is perched on a high escarpment and famed for its dramatic 18th century bridge. It is pleasant to stroll in the historic quarters where there are churches and several Moorish palaces and Renaissance mansions to visit. You can visit the oldest bullring in Spain and its museum. After lunch we cross Andalucia's highest road, the 'Puerto de los Palomas' (1357m) on the way to the beautiful village of Zahara de la Sierra where we stop for a drink in the square and climb up to the Moorish fort.
| Day 4 | A gentle walk with the leader through the olive groves, on the good trails and paths of Penon Hill.
| Day 5 | A full-day trip to Cordoba, which was the capital of 'Al Andalus', rivalling Constantinople in wealth and culture for over four hundred years. One outstanding building remains, the 'Mezquita', the third largest mosque in the world and one of the most beautiful Islamic buildings in existence. After the Christian Reconquest the central part of the mosque was converted into a Cathedral and as such it still stands today. Around the 'Mezquita' lie the old Moorish and Jewish quarters of the town, with endless fascinating little alleys to explore on foot.
| Day 6 | A free day to walk in the surrounding countryside, perhaps to the nearest village Algamitas, or a longer route to Villanueva de San Juan for lunch in one of the bars. Alternatively relax at the Cortijo. | Day 7 | A visit to the magnificent city of Seville. Near the centre of the city is the evocative 'Giralda', an architectural masterpiece dating from the 12th century. Originally built as a minaret for the central mosque in Seville it is now the bell-tower for the enormous cathedral. Close by is the magnificent 'Alcazar', a complex of palaces with fine examples of Moorish and 'Mudejar' architecture and some lovely gardens.
| Day 8 | Travel to Malaga for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements will leave us at the Cortijo Rosario. |
Departures Between | Price from | 09 Oct 04
16 Oct 04 | *£575 | 30 Oct 04 | *£599 | 13 Nov 04
20 Nov 04
27 Nov 04 | *£529 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €120 (approx. £85)
Single room supplement £100
Insurance £25
**Mon to Mon
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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A Week In Andalucia
A Great Moorish cities, Pueblos Blancos, relaxing and walking in southern Spain
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