 |
|
|
|
|
|
Andalucia Algamitas
|
|
A Walking through the olive groves and rugged hills of Andalucia with a day in Seville |
Ref: EX-DSA
8 days
from £659 (minimum 2 passengers)
|
|
Destination:
Spain
<
Go Back
|
|
Walking through the olive groves and rugged hills of Andalucia with a day in Seville
Andalucia is Spain's largest and most southerly province. Just a few miles across the sea from Morocco, it still harbours many characteristics of its Moorish history. While the common perception of the south of Spain is of development along the coast, it is possible to spend a week inland without seeing more than a handful of tourists. This holiday is based near Algamitas in the heart of an agricultural community where life goes on much as it has for generations. Many of the old traditions that have been lost elsewhere, survive in the rural areas amidst the beautiful countryside on the edge of the sierras. It is not uncommon to see farmers heading to the fields with a couple of mules rather than a tractor - this is the real Andalucia. The scenery is varied; beyond the southern sierras is the long fertile valley of the Guadalquivir, a rich agricultural belt thriving in a favourable climate. The Guadalquivir is Spain's great river; it rises in the wild, forested mountains of Jaen, and flows through the plains of Cordoba and Seville to the Gulf of Cadiz. We will find rugged hills, picturesque white villages, tranquil olive groves and granite peaks of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. There is also time to include a trip to the magnificent city of Seville for a contrast of scene.
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:
walking boots or strong walking shoes are recommended; small daypack; waterproofs.
Extra Expenses:
for the lunch not included allow €15 for a restaurant meal. You will need cash to pay your bar bill at the end of the week.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches 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. €25). 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 local 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 has 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. Please note that 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 is 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. Picnic lunches will usually consist of a bread roll with meat/salad, some fruit and some biscuits or cake.
|
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 | Five days are spent walking amongst the rugged hills, white villages and olive groves. The week can include; a walk round the trails and paths of Penon hill, close to the Cortijo; an easier route along the banks of the Guadalele River; a more strenuous walk below the granite peaks of the verdantly-forested Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park; or a walk in the vicinity of the Chora gorge. We will walk for between 3 and 6 hours at a steady pace, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. The majority of the paths we follow are old mule paths and farm tracks, though we may walk on one or two smaller paths. The paths are mostly quite wide and not very rough. Daily ascents range from next to nothing to more sustained climbs on a few steeper sections around Grazalema or the Chora gorge. On one day an unguided visit to Seville is included. Seville is one of Europe's greatest cities with its huge cathedral, palaces, museums, and gardens. If you prefer any day can be spent relaxing by the private pool in summer or in front of a log fire in winter. It is also possible to go by taxi/bus/train (at extra cost) to Ronda or Cordoba.
| Day 3 | As above | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | As above | Day 6 | As above | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | We travel back to Malaga for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements will leave us at the Cortijo Rosario. |
Departures Between | Price from | 23 Oct 04 | *£659 | 06 Nov 04 | *£529 | 20 Dec 04** | *£685 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
|
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €130 (approx. £95)
Single room supplement £100 (only 1 single room available)
Insurance £25
**Mon to Mon
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
|
| |
|
|
|
Andalucia Algamitas
A Walking through the olive groves and rugged hills of Andalucia with a day in Seville
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
