NEWGuided walking, history, nature — small international group — west Andalusia
Mar y Sierra NEW
Guided walking, history, nature — small international group — west Andalusia
A holiday one day longer than usual... 8 nights instead of 7, so as to include the best scenery, history, traditions and gastronomy of western Andalusia... Ocean, dunes, mountains... sea birds, raptors, Iberian pigs... a flamenco evening, a Sherry bodega, the 'dancing horses' of the Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre... boat crossing of the Bay of Cadiz... the cities of Cadiz, Jerez and Seville... dolmens, Roman and Moorish sites... the Natural Parks of El Estrecho, Bahía de Cádiz, Doñana and Sierra de Aracena.
9 DAYS (8 NIGHTS) Activities: 5 walks of 3-4 hours in the Natural Parks of the Atlantic Coast and the Sierra de Aracena; historical visits; entry to a Sherry bodega, to a flamenco performance and to the 'dancing horses' included. No portage of luggage; no technical difficulty; on (occasionally steep and/or stony) paths. Denivellations 300-500m a day (Wed-Fri; insignificant on other days). Group 10 maximum.
FULL BOARD EXCEPT 4 EVENING MEALS (Sun, Tue, Thu & Fri), in twin rooms, 8 nights in hotels (private bathrooms) at Jerez de la Frontera (4), Almonaster la Real (2) and Seville (2).
PRICE 975 euros per person; single room supplement 185 euros.
DATES (Saturday-Sunday)
2012 24 March-1 April, 14-22 April, 19-27 May, 13-21 October, 10-18 November.
Discover the secrets of south-west Spain with 'Relaxing Zafra' and 'Mar y Sierra':
two weeks, Sunday 18 March-Sunday 1 April, at the special price of 1525 euros, single +285 euros.
RENDEZVOUS & DISPERSAL Seville (city centre, station or airport). Book a flight arriving at Seville by 17.00; for the return, a departure after 13.00. If you wish to arrive beforehand, we can reserve you the hotel we use in the Barrio de Santa Cruz (double room about 95 / single about 60 euros a night).
Location of this programme:
DAY-TO-DAY
SATURDAY: Transfer from Seville to Jerez de la Frontera, where we stay four nights.
SUNDAY: San Fernando salt-pans and the impressive Bolonia sand dune: views of Morocco when clear. The Roman fishing port of Baelo Claudia.
MONDAY: Visit to a Sherry bodega. Boat crossing of the Bay to Cadiz city: discovery of its rich history, original architecture and fish cuisine. Return to Jerez by train.
TUESDAY: 'Cómo bailan los caballos andaluces': the marvellous dancing horses of the Royal School of Equestrian Art. Doñana natural park: the Guadalquivir estuary, salt-marsh and fossil dunes. Jerez cathedral and alcázar.
WEDNESDAY: The ancient Sierra Morena mountains separate Andalusia from Castile. The most interesting part is the Sierra de Aracena: we follow the Madroñeros through forest and pretty villages. The delightful village of Almonaster (2 nights).
THURSDAY: The San Cristóbal walk presents a different aspect of the Sierra de Aracena, home of the Iberian black pig and of acorn liqueur. Visit of Almonaster la Real, which has some surprising and important historical buildings.
FRIDAY: Ruta de los dólmenes: exploration on foot of the hills of the Campiña of Huelva, whose copper deposits attracted settlers 5000 years ago. We arrive at Seville, where we stay 2 nights in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, right in the old centre. Visit to the Real Alcázar [royal palace]. Flamenco evening.
SATURDAY: Exploration of Mudéjar Seville, as well as the Cathedral, Giralda and Arenal (old port area): the world's richest city in the 16th century. Tapas evening.
SUNDAY: Transfer to Seville airport.
other walking in western Andalusia / walking in eastern Andalusia: Cordoba or Granada
walking: central Spain / northern Spain / nature rambles
festivals / historical journeys / relaxing weeks / Spanish and other courses
for families or friends / Holiday index+calendar / Introduction in English / How to book / e-mail us
2 or 3 weeks' walking? Choose a combination of 'Genal Valley', 'Natural Parks of the Serranía', 'Mar y Sierra', 'Caliphs & Knights: Cordoba & Segura', 'Moorish Kingdom Granada', 'Sierras of Extremadura', 'Sierra de Guadalupe', M&C Cuenca–Teruel', 'Alto Maestrazgo', 'Natural Parks of Old Castile' or 'Picos de Europa National Park': all are different and complementary. Reduction for 2 consecutive programmes, 80 euros; for 3, 120 euros.
