Week-long walking holidays with private guide & transport

As well as our tailor-made walking & biking options, we are also offering this year two itineraries for set date departures. Both are ideal for single travellers, couples and small groups of friends looking to join up with others and experience some great walking in a small, friendly group, led by an expert guide. The itineraries offer contrasting styles and locations: Green Spain, following the "Camino de Santiago", the famous pilgrims' way that runs across the north of Spain, ending on the steps of the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, is a linear walk; while Moorish Spain is a tour based upon some great circular day walks in the Alpujarra and Sierra Subbética regions and cultural explorations in the southern cities of Málaga, Granada and Córdoba. Please contact us to book or enquire about one of these holidays, which can also be tailored to private departures.

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Moorish Spain: the Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday:  Meet the guide and the rest of the group at 4:00 p.m. in our hotel in Málaga. After a brief orientation meeting, we’ll set off to explore the city that boasts the birthplace of both Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas. Included in the three hour walk will be a visit to the magnificent Gibralfaro fortress, the Alcazaba sultan’s palace, and the house where Picasso was born amidst the winding streets of the old centre. The walk is sure to give us an appetite for a dinner featuring a selection of tapas in one of Málaga’s most famous local bodegas. Our hotel is the cozy and colorful Hotel California, just 30 meters from the beach. Hotel and dinner included.

Day 2 - Sunday:  Today we head to the beautiful town of Capileira in the Alpujarra mountain range.  When the Moors were defeated by the Christian monarchs in Granada in 1492, many decided to leave the city and settle in this remote and beautiful area. Known currently for cured ham, chestnut trees, wild flowers, welcoming residents, and stunning views it is a mecca for walkers.  After settling into our hotel, the beautiful Finca los Llanos, we will take an afternoon walk of three to four hours through the white-washed villages that are typical of the region.  After the walk, relax by the hotel pool before this evening's dinner in one of the many excellent local restaurants.  Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 3 - Monday:  Today's hike is a loop walk (five hours) taking us towards the Río Toril valley where we'll get some fabulous views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range (the second highest in Europe after the Alps).  The area is part of a National Park, so if we are lucky we'll see mountain goats, deer, and eagles.  After a picnic lunch on the banks of the river we begin the beautiful walk back to Capileira where we can have a swim, explore the winding, twisted, white-washed streets of the town, or just unwind with a book.  Dinner is on your own tonight so you might like to visit one of the local bodegas to try the local wine and a selection of tapas. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.

Day 4 - Tuesday:  A spectacular, twisting mountain road takes us down to Granada.  Here we'll discover the Alhambra palaces and gardens, the Albaicín (the best preserved Arab quarter in Europe), and the chapel where Spain’s most famous king and queen (Ferdinand and Isabel) are buried.  A walk through the center and the Albaicín will allow us to soak up the atmosphere of the city, with its rich past and vibrant contemporary scene.  In the afternoon we'll visit the stunning Alhambra, an entire medieval city complex of fortress, palaces, and gardens that is the emblem of Granada and Spain’s most visited monument.  We stay two nights in the Hotel Zaguán del Darro, originally built in 1563 but restored to modern perfection.  Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 5 - Wednesday:  Today's walk (four hours) starts just above the Alhambra palaces and takes us through pine and oak forests formerly the hunting grounds of the Moorish sultans - from where you can take in wonderful views of the city and beyond to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada.  We then wind our way down into a beautiful, verdant valley, passing the ruined monastery of Jesús del Valle and crossing several times over the meandering Río Darro.  From here the route passes through the fascinating cave district of Sacromonte, a rural idyll on the outskirts of Granada, but only twenty minutes from the city centre where the walk ends.  The rest of the day and evening are free for you to explore the city on your own. You might want to shop for local ceramics, visit the old Jewish quarter (Realejo), or just sit at a pavement café and watch the world go by.  Hotel, breakfast included. Dinner not included.

Day 6 - Thursday:  On this morning's journey from Granada to Córdoba we pass through a landscape which appears as a "sea of olives". So it's fitting that this afternoon we stop in Baena, where we'll be shown round the Nunez de Prado factory, producing what many consider to be some of the finest olive oil in the world.  Before then, in the nearby town of Zuheros, a beautiful pueblo blanco, we will embark on a walk (four hours) through the Subbética mountain range, offering a good chance of seeing griffon vultures as well as some superb views back to Zuheros and its landmark Moorish-Renaissance castle. We arrive late afternoon in Córdoba, a city of incomparable history which between 711 and 1236, under Moorish rule, developed into one of the most advanced and enlightened cities of the Middle Ages. A walking tour this afternoon will reveal the city’s riches: a mosque-cathedral unlike any other, a small, simple synagogue in the old Jewish quarter, and the restored baths once used by the Caliph and his family. Tonight’s dinner features typical local dishes such as spinach and pine nut croquettes, orange and codfish salad, salmorejo (a thicker version of gazpacho), and the honeyed pastries based on recipes from the times of al-Andalus.  We stay at the Hotel Hacienda Posada de Vallina, a lovingly restored medieval coaching inn, whose centuries of guests include Christopher Columbus.  Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 7 - Friday:  This morning we begin with a breathtaking visit to the Mezquita (Mosque) of Córdoba.  Built between 785 and 990 AD, this ancient and unique mosque was once the largest in Europe and today is one of the few remaining medieval mosques in the world.  In the mid 1500s, Emperor Charles V authorized the bishop of Córdoba to remove the central aisles of the Mosque and erect an imposing Gothic cathedral in their place. Charles is said to have later regretted his decision but it possibly ensured, ironically, the survival of the mosque; now you see a unique fusion of the original mosque with a cathedral in its midst. The afternoon offers free time and the chance to further explore the streets and courtyards of Córdoba, celebrated for their floral balconies and patios, or relax in the waters of the Arab Baths, before meeting up for our farewell dinner.  Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 8 - Saturday:  Today we bid farewell to our travel companions and have a morning transfer to the train station.  Córdoba is well connected to Madrid, Seville and Málaga by high-speed and regular trains.  Breakfast included.

Private guide throughout. Luggage transferred by van. 1 night Málaga, 2 nights Capileira, Granada and Córdoba. Trips ends in Córdoba. Additional nights available upon request. *Depending on availability, some departures may stay at different hotels than those listed above.

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Moorish Spain: about this trip                             

When the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AD, they referred to their conquests as al-Andalus. Today, "Andalucía" refers to the southernmost region of Spain, known for its hospitable people, passion for life, great food, near-continuous sunshine, and stunning landscapes. Add to these some 4,000 years of history and the result is vibrant cities like Málaga, the intricate, ancient water channels in the villages of the Alpujarra, the dream-like Alhambra palaces of Granada, and the unique Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba. Our trip offers you the best of Andalucía's diverse scenery and rich cultural heritage, plus a variety of beautiful walks to discover the region’s natural beauty. Our evening meals are designed to introduce you to local specialties, and the hotels have been chosen for their comfort and style, making perfect bases for our journey through Moorish Spain.

We begin with a walking tour of Málaga, perhaps the most characteristic of all Andalucian cities. Explore the city's blend of the ancient and the modern, from the Roman amphitheatre to its imposing Moorish palaces and forts, a "one-armed" cathedral, and the museum dedicated to Pablo Picasso, one of its most famous sons. A delicious dinner of renowned Málaga tapas and a glass of fino (sherry) will introduce you to the local culinary delights.

The next two nights will be in the Alpujarra region, the mountains and valleys that divide the snow-capped Sierra Nevada from the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy two beautiful hikes, hearty meals, stunning views of Spain's highest peaks, and the delicious mountain cured ham here in this enchanting area. We stay in Capileira, the second highest village in Spain, its steep streets and white-washed houses seemingly clinging to the sides of the Poqueira Gorge.

We then head down to Granada, where we stay two nights in a city that exceeds all superlatives. Granada will surprise you both for its fascinating history and for the dynamism of its large student population, which helps to explain the wide range of bars and nightlife. Spend the day admiring its exquisite Arab palaces and walking down streets which hark back to a glorious Moorish past, and then spend the evening sampling the local tapas – all sorts of tasty snacks which in Granada are served free with every drink you order!

Our final two nights on the Moorish Spain trip are, fittingly enough, spent in beautiful Córdoba, once the largest and richest city of the western world. Back in 950 AD when Caliph Abd al-Rahman III was in power, Córdoba was unrivalled in its learning and sophistication, a shining light in the Dark Ages. The city not only offers a wealth of Roman and Moorish treasures, but also some of the best food in Spain.

Green Spain: the Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday:  The group meets in the lobby of the hotel NH Plaza Mayor at 12:30 p.m. to get acquainted with each other and for a short orientation meeting. We’ll then walk into the Barrio Humedo, León’s best loved neighbourhood for bars and restaurants, and enjoy a tapas lunch sampling some of the local delicacies. Afterwards a local guide will take us on a two hour walking tour of the centre of León where we’ll visit, among other sights, the beautiful Gothic cathedral and the Royal Basilica of San Isidoro. We have the rest of the evening free to enjoy this beautiful city on our own.  Lunch, visits and hotel included. Dinner not included.

Day 2 - Monday:  The journey begins with a drive to the Puente de Órbigo, an imposing medieval bridge on the Camino that features in legends of noble knights in armour, damsels, and jousting competitions. From there we’ll drive into the Roman town of Astorga, founded in 14 BC by the Emperor Octavian, and one of the main points on the Camino Francés - the branch of the Camino taken by pilgrims from France. Here we will visit the impressive Bishop’s Palace built by the Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, and the 15th-18th century cathedral. Our walk today (20 kms) begins in the picturesque little village of Rabanal del Camino, from where we climb up to the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross - at 1500m the highest point on the Camino) and then descend arriving eventually in the the town of Molinaseca from where we’ll be driven to the Hotel Bierzo Plaza in the centre of Ponferrada.  Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 3 - Tuesday:  After breakfast we shuttle to Cacabelos where we can sample some local wine and enjoy a local specialty: empanadas (meat and fish filled pastries). We then drive to Villafranca del Bierzo, an old town steeped in the traditions of the Camino and possessing one of the most important Romanesque churches along the Camino: the Church of Santiago. The nearby town of Ambasmestas is the starting point for our walk (13 kms), which is considered to be one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino as we leave behind Castilla y León and enter into Galicia. The walk ends at the old Celtic village of O’Cebreiro, from where it is just a short drive to our hotel, the Casa Caxigueiro, outside the town of Sarria. That evening we’ll visit the Benedictine Monastery at Samos, where there's the chance to join the monks at evening prayers.  Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 4 - Wednesday:  Our hotel is on the Camino itself, so today we walk out of the front door and begin our 22 kms walk to the town of Portomarín. We will really be getting a feel for the Camino at this point as we start to mix with the other peregrinos (pilgrims), swap stories, and marvel at the various inspirations behind people's decisions to walk the Camino de Santiago. Today’s route takes us through some gorgeous rural areas of Galicia, long-abandoned towns, and probably the most attractive scenery along the entire Camino. We end our walk in the new town of Portomarín which sits above a reservoir, the waters of which cover the old settlement. It's impressive to discover that the village's magnificent fortified church, built by the monk-knights of the Order of St. John in the 12th century, was disassembled stone by stone and moved up the hill to its present location. Tonight we’ll enjoy the warm hospitality of our host Mario, together with great food and wine, at the Casa Santa Mariña.  Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 5 - Thursday:  We begin another beautiful walk today of 26 kms in the town of Ventas de Narón. Here, the Camino leaves the mountains behind, and this section runs through the Miño valley, through native woods of native oaks and chestnuts, passing a succession of villages of great interest such as Palas de Rei and Coto. We eventually arrive at Melide, once an important intersection in the Roman Via Traiana and the northern roads descending from the Cantabrian coast, now known for its delicious pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus). This afternoon we will be welcomed by our host, Joaquín, in our beautiful hotel for tonight, the Pazo de Sedor, in Santa María de Castañeda, where we can relax by the pool, have a drink on the terrace, or rest our perhaps by now weary feet. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 6 - Friday:  Again the walk begins on the doorstep of our hotel and takes us over some delightful countryside some 25 kms to the hamlet of Salceda. We are getting nearer and nearer to Santiago now and you can feel the excitement in the air. The simple church in Boente is worth a visit, then pause in Arzúa to sample its famous cheeses over a glass of wine and a chat with the locals, followed by a pleasant walk to Salceda. From here we have another short shuttle to our historic hotel, the Casa Brandariz, which dates back to 1523. Here our hostess, Maricarmen, will look to our every need and serve us with some of the finest cooking in Galicia. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 7 - Saturday:  The final stretch into Santiago de Compostela begins today! We have just 28 kms left to end our pilgrimage in front of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago. But first we have a lovely walk through eucalyptus forests, by neat allotments and fields, over medieval bridges, and through the outskirts of Santiago as we slowly weave our way through its ancient streets to the glorious Plaza del Obradoiro -  the final destination for all pilgrims. After soaking in the atmosphere and sense of achievement, it's but a short walk to our final night's accommodation, the intimate and homely Hotel La Herradura, for a chance to rest and get ready for a memorable dinner and evening on the town. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.

Day 8 - Sunday:  After a leisurely breakfast we'll be taken by a local expert guide on a fascinating two hour visit through historic Santiago. The highlight of this is likely to be the Cathedral, the largest Romanesque church in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. As we stand back to contemplate its splendour in the vast Plaza del Obradoiro ("Workman´s Square"), a sense of history as a continual process is palpable, and as we enter its long aisles a feeling of achievement and fulfillment is guaranteed as we reach the end of our journey. At 12 noon we will bid farewell to our travelling companions as the tour ends.  Breakfast and visits included.

Private guide throughout. Luggage transferred by van. Trip begins in León. Overnight stays in León, Ponferrada, Sarria, Portomarín, Santa María de Castañeda, Dombodán and Santiago de Compostela. Trips ends in Santiago. Additional nights available upon request. *Depending on availability, some departures may stay at different hotels than listed.

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Green Spain: about this trip                             

The history of the Camino de Santiago ("Way of Saint James") goes back over a thousand years to the year 813 AD. Teodomiro, the bishop of Iria Flavio (just outside Santiago de Compostela), informed King Alfonso II of Asturias that a tomb had been discovered containing the remains of the apostle Santiago (St James). St James had been decapitated in 44 AD in Jerusalem, but his followers had stolen the body and transferred it by boat to Spain, burying it at Iria Flavio.

Once word was out that the remains of St. James had been found, a pilgrimage began to pay homage at this holy site. The Cathedral of Santiago, consecrated in 1128, stands over the tomb of the apostle and the faithful have been flocking here ever since, following a series of well-worn paths known collectively as the "Camino de Santiago" which stretch across northern Spain.

The holiday begins in León, a city endowed with many impressive monuments, from outstanding medieval to avant-garde modern buildings. The most notable are the gothic cathedral, with its superb stained glass windows, the Basilica of San Isidoro, housing tombs of the Kings of León and fine Romanesque paintings, and the old monastery of San Marcos. We will visit all these sights - as well as the elegant Plaza Mayor (above), where our hotel is situated - as part of an introductory walking tour, which follows a tapas lunch in one of the of the city's many lively bars.

We begin our walk on the Camino at the bridge of Órbigo (above), a Gothic structure which has survived the ravages of time, floods and retreating armies to appear to modern-day pilgrims more or less as it would have done in the 15th century. Indeed, during the week we will walk over many noble bridges, pass stone pilgrims' crosses, and see countless churches, monasteries (such as Samos, below) and chapels, both ornate and simple, manifestations of the devotion of the centuries of pilgrims who have passed this way.

On the Camino we will meet fellow-walkers from all over the globe, and one of the highlights of this holiday is likely to be the wealth of tales and experiences that we share with them as we walk. Meeting local people, too, forms a rich part of this adventure - on the Camino villagers feel pleased and honoured to see pilgrims pass through their village. As for traffic, all you are likely to encounter for much of the way are herds of gentle, lazy cows as they return to their village barns in the late afternoon...

Journey's end, Santiago de Compostela, is one of Spain's most attractive cities, rich in atmosphere and tradition. A university city and a site of pilgrimage for over eleven centuries, it has been the site of dynamic exchanges of ideas and culture, a destination for many outsiders, and yet at the same time it represents an area of Green Spain - Galicia - which historically has been profoundly rural and conservative. An interesting paradox behind a fascinating, proud city.

Dates and Prices, 2009

• Moorish Andalucía: 16-23 May (Guaranteed Departure). Other dates - please enquire
• Green Spain: all dates April-October are open - please enquire

Prices are per person, in Euros (€), and include all taxes:

Group size is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 persons. For private departures, on open dates, please contact us for a specific price quote.

What's included on each Walking Holiday and useful information

The Walking Holiday package includes:

Not included are: transfers to starting point of the Holiday and from end point, drinks with meals, meals other than those included and snacks, travel insurance, tips & gratuities, other entrances fees to monuments and museums you may wish to visit.

Walking levels:-

The walks on each Holiday are generally to be considered as "Easy-to-Moderate", provided you are accustomed to walking/hiking. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks.

Distances:-

Moorish Spain: We walk between 10-16 km per day (6-10 miles), more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon.

Green Spain: This trip is rated moderate with some challenging stretches. We cover about 22 kms per day (14 miles), which amounts to 5-7 hours of walking per day, but there are options to do fewer miles and the trip may be van supported (please ask us about this if it is of concern).

Equipment needed:-

Walking boots (worn-in!) or sports shoes with good grip and ankle support, other shoes for town walking and relaxing, swimwear, rainwear (hopefully won't be used!), sun protection (hat, cream, lip protector), small rucksack to bring on the walks, walking pole (optional, but useful for descents).

Acommodation

We have carefully chosen accommodation that we feel really complements the nature of each Walking Holiday.

On the Moorish Andalucía trip each place reflects the character of the city or village in which we are staying. In Málaga we stay in the colourful Hotel California, near the park of the Alameda and only 30 metres away from the beach; in the Alpujarra mountains, the traditional, stone-built Finca Los Llanos, with a pool and lovely terraced gardens overlooking the pretty village of Capileira; in Granada we are based in the beautifully restored 16th century Hotel Zaguán del Darro, in the shadow of the Alhambra itself; and in Córdoba we stay in a similarly historic building, an old coaching inn, the Posada de Vallina, set between the Mosque and the Río Guadalquivir.

The hotels and rural inns we use on the Green Spain tour are chosen from many years of walking on the Camino de Santiago and all offer comfortable lodging, warm hospitality and excellent local food and wine. After two nights in hotels in historic squares in León, with the elegant NH Plaza Mayor, and Ponferrada, where the Bierza Plaza is a 17th century mansion set in the stone arcades of the town square, we move on to a selection of casas rurales (rural inns), in the countryside, or in small towns and villages along the Camino. In Sarria the Casa Caxigueiro is a typical Galician farmhouse, with stone walls and chestnut timbers; the Casa Santa Mariña offers peace, tranquility and green open spaces on the banks of the Río Miño; the Pazo de Sedor, near Arzúa, is an elegant stone house originally built by a 17th century lawyer, with a large garden containing a pool and orchard; Casa Brandariz, for our penultimate night, is a lovely place, with many period details and a cosy library and living room in which to relax; and, finally, the Hotel La Herradura offers modern style and design in a listed building in the old part of Santiago de Compostela, near parks and gardens.

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