 |
|
|
|
|
|
Andalucta Sierra De Arasena
|
|
A Superb daywalks in the wonderful sierras and a visit to magical Seville |
Ref: EX-DSS
8 days
from £665 (minimum 8 passengers)
|
|
Destination:
Spain
<
Go Back
|
|
Superb daywalks in the wonderful sierras and a visit to magical Seville
The Sierra de Aracena Natural Park is a 186,000 hectare nature reserve of wooded hills close to the border with Portugal and next to Spain's longest mountain range - the Sierra Morena. The Sierra de Aracena is one of Andalucia's little-visited gems where an excellent network of footpaths weave their way through chestnut and cork oak woods from one tiny castle-crested village to the next. A long spring fills the valleys with wild flowers, blooming until early June, while the shade of the woodland keeps walkers cool even on the warmest days. In autumn enjoy warm days and the changing colours in the foliage of dense chestnut and cork trees. Herds of black pigs graze amongst the oak trees gorging on the acorns to give the local hams their distinctive flavour. A keen eye will spot roe deer, wild pigs, otters and mongoose while overhead we may see griffon and black vultures, golden, booted and snake eagles, kestrels, harriers and of course storks. A typical day includes walking on narrow drovers trails and footpaths in hilly country for between four and six hours with the odd day entailing an ascent of up to 300m. The small village of Galaroza, our base for six nights, is one of the hill towns that marked the boundary of the Moorish Caliphate of Cordoba. It nestles in the Murtiga valley and is dominated by a classic Iberian church. The last day and night are spent discovering the highlights of the magnificent city of Seville.
Extend your stay - by booking extra nights at the Hotel Plaza Seville, from £40 single and from £44 a double/twin, depending on the season. A £5 booking fee is charged.
Further Information
Special equipment required: small daypack, fleece for evenings, light waterproofs, lightweight walking boots.
Extra Expenses:
4 lunches are not included. Expect to pay up to €10 for a lunchtime restaurant meal or €5 for a couple of tapas or a sandwich and a drink. The dinner not included will cost €15 - 25 in Seville, depending on the standard of restaurant chosen. Limited wine is included with six evening meals. A soft drink, a beer or a coffee cost about (€1-€1,25). The 'Cave of Marvels' costs approx €8 and the flamenco evening in Seville costs €5.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches and 5 dinners.
Transport:
a minibus or small coach is used for airport transfers and most organised excursions.
Children:
children under the age of 16 are not permitted to join this trip.
Joining locally:
we highly recommend you be at Seville airport to meet the group flight. There are only two buses a day, via Aracena, to the hotel in Galaroza. If you come from Seville airport you should take a bus or taxi to the central station, Estacion de Autobuses, Plaza de Armas. There are 2 buses a day to Aracena leaving at 0900 and 1600 (2003), costing €7. From the Aracena bus station you will have to take a connecting bus to Galaroza (17km) or take a taxi (€20) to the hotel.
Group & Staff:
Min. 8, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation:
in Aracena accommodation is at the two star Hotel Galaroza Sierra. There are 20 rooms all with en-suite facilities but please note there is only a limited number of single rooms available. The hotel has an outdoor pool, private garden, sun terrace, bar, swimming pool (normally open May-Sep) and restaurant. The hotel is close to the village shops, banks etc and the maze of narrow white-washed streets and public fountains. In Seville we use the comfortable two-star Hotel Plaza Sevilla (or similar).
Food:
The specialities of the area figure heavily on the menus; mushrooms are plentiful in both spring and autumn seasons attracting gourmets to experience the freshest and most varied produce. The best of Spain's' hams come from this area and trout are plentiful from the mountain streams. Many tasty vegetable and meat stews are made with fresh produce from the many huertas (smallholdings) of the area. Chestnuts, walnuts, jarred fruits and many other conserves add to the local flavours.
|
Day 1 | Fly from London to Seville. Travel to Galaroza (approx 1 ½ hours). After checking in to the hotel take a short tour of the town followed by a dinner. Those booking land-only arrangements should join at Seville airport at the arrival time of the group flight. | Day 2 | For our first day's walk we explore the area around Galaroza. We walk up to the local Hermitage built in the 13th.C. and admire wonderful views across the Murtiga valley. Lunch is available along the way in a local Venta.
| Day 3 | Short transfer to the village of Santa Ana. Walk through chestnut groves and on to Castano del Robledo to visit a ham curing shop and explore the narrow streets of traditional architecture. Walk on narrow footpaths to Galaroza.
| Day 4 | A short drive of 20mins. to the Pena Arias Montano, visit the Hermitage and the cliffs which have spectacular views to the distant Huelva coastline. Walk first to Linares de la Sierra to visit the cobblestoned village, ancient bridge and 'lost' hamlet of Los Madroneros. Lunch in Linares, then finish the walk in the amazing 'Cork' bar of Alajar.
| Day 5 | The market town of Aracena is a fine mix of merchants’ houses, airy plazas and cobbled streets all leading up to the church and ruins of the Arab castle. We explore the town, the Nature Park visitor centre and the open-air sculptures. There is the opportunity for a tapas lunch. An afternoon walk includes the option of visiting the mile deep 'Cave of Marvels', a limestone warren of underground pools and wierd rock formations.
| Day 6 | Almonaster la Real is considered to be one of Spain's most attractive villages. We visit the monuments and the outstanding 10th.C mosque before setting out through pretty hamlets to the 'Cerro San Cristobal' and return via ancient mills to Almonaster.
| Day 7 | Morning transfer to central Seville. Check-in to hotel followed by a guided tour through the maze of the Jewish quarter (Barrio Sta. Cruz), visit the lush and cool Maria Luisa Park and amble under the palms along the Guadalquivir river. Afternoon free to visit the Cathedral or just enjoy the street cafés and shopping. In the evening in Seville there is the chance to see some traditional flamenco.
| Day 8 | Transfer to Seville airport for the return flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip in Seville. |
Departures Between | Price from | 31 Oct 04 | *£665 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
|
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €75 (approx. £55)
Single room supplement £95 (except 04 Apr £130)
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
|
| |
|
|
|
Andalucta Sierra De Arasena
A Superb daywalks in the wonderful sierras and a visit to magical Seville
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
