| Spain Andalucia Walk details |
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Departures: Private departures only. Please contact us for details.
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departing from: Malaga at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Day 1
Tour finishes: Cordoba train station, morning of Saturday, Day 8
Price: Trip price depends on number of participants. Contact us for more information. |  |
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The magnificent Alhambra in Granada
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Plaza Romanilla in the sunshine
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Get away from it all in
the
Alupjarra mountains
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Moorish architecture in the Mezquita
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Your hotel in Cordoba
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See the real Sierra Nevadas
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Explore a traditional "pueblo blanco"
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Sittin' on top of the world
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Spain Andalucia Walk |
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Spain Andalucia Walk Itinerary
Preview - When the Moors invaded Spain in 711 AD, they referred to the entire Iberian Peninsula as al-Andalus. Today, however, Andalucia refers to the southernmost region of Spain, known for its passion for life, great food, hospitable people, continuous sunshine, and stunning landscapes. Add to this some 4,000 years of history and you get vibrant cities like Malaga, the intricate and ancient water channels in the Alpujarra, the dream-like palaces of the Alhambra in Granada, and the truly unique Cathedral/Mosque of Cordoba. Our evening meals are designed to introduce you to a variety of local specialties, and the hotels have been chosen for their comfort and style, making a perfect base for our adventures (**depending on availability, some departures may stay at different hotels than those listed below). Our trip offers you the best of Andalucia's diverse scenery and rich cultural heritage, plus a variety of beautiful walks to discover the region’s natural beauty.
We begin with a walking tour of Malaga, perhaps the most characteristic of all Andalucian cities. Explore the city's blend of the ancient and the modern, from the Roman amphitheater to Moorish palaces and forts, a one-armed cathedral, and the birthplace of Picasso. A hearty dinner of renowned Malaga tapas (appetizers) and a glass of fino (sherry) will introduce you to local culinary delights. The next two nights will be in the Alpujarra mountains that divide the snow-capped Sierra Nevada from the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy three beautiful hikes, hearty meals, stunning views of Spain's highest peaks, and some of the best cured ham on earth here in this enchanting area. 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 Arabic palaces and walking down streets which hark back to a glorious Moorish past, and then spend the evening sampling the local tapas – which are served free with every drink! Our final two nights are spent in beautiful Cordoba, once the largest and richest city of the western world. Back in 950 AD when Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III was in power, Cordoba was unrivaled 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.
Day 1 - Saturday: Meet the guide and the rest of the group at 4:00 p.m. in our hotel in the heart of the old center of Malaga. 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 3-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 Malaga’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'll get an early start and transfer by van (2.5 hours) to the beautiful town of Capileira in the Alpujarra mountain range. When the Christian monarchs took the city of Granada from the Moors in 1492, many decided to leave the city and settle in this beautiful area known currently for cured ham, chestnut trees, wildflowers, welcoming residents, and stunning views. After settling into our hotel, the beautiful Finca los Llanos, we will take an afternoon walk of 3 to 4 hours through the white-washed villages that are typical of the region. After the walk, relax by the hotel pool before convening again for dinner in one of the many excellent local restaurants. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today's hike is a loop walk (5 hours) taking us towards the Rio Toril valley where we'll have 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. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river and then 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 local wine and a selection of tapas. Dinner is on your own tonight so you can go light or splash out! Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: A spectacular, twisting road takes us down to Granada (1.5 hours). Come discover the Alhambra palaces and gardens, the Albaicin (the best preserved Arab quarter in Europe), the chapel where Spain’s most famous king and queen (Ferdinand and Isabel) are buried, and the legendary, free tapas in this fascinating and ancient city. A walk through the center and the Albaicin 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 (3 hours). We stay two nights in the fascinating Hotel Zaguán del Darro, originally built in 1563 but restored to modern perfection. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: Today we have a 4-hour walk which starts just above the Alhambra Palaces. The route takes us through pine and oak forests which used to be the hunting grounds of the Moorish sultans. From here you can enjoy wonderful views over the city and beyond to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. We then wind our way down into a beautiful, verdant valley, passing a ruined monastery and crossing over the River Darro several times. From here the walk passes through the fascinating cave district of Sacromonte, a rural idyll on the outskirts of Granada, but only 20 minutes from the city center where the walk ends. You have the rest of the day and evening free to explore the city on your own. You might do some shopping for local ceramics or visit the old Jewish quarter (Realejo), the Royal Chapel, or just sit at a sidewalk café and watch the world go by. Hotel, breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 6 - Thursday: We sadly leave Granada this morning, but will soon be enticed by the charms of Cordoba. On the way we stop in Baena, one of the most important olive oil producing towns in Spain. We have a tour of the Nunez de Prado factory, which produces what many consider some of the finest olive oil in the world. We then drive up to the nearby town of Zuheros for a quick walk around this beautiful pueblo blanco. Enjoy the views from the Moorish castle, then embark on a 4-hour walk through the Subbetica range offering stunning views of the town of Zuheros and the surrounding olive groves. After the walk we head to Cordoba (1 hour), whose history encompasses the Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and then Moors. Under Moorish control from 711 to 1236, Cordoba developed into one of the most advanced and enlightened cities of its era. 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 Cordobese dishes such as spinach and pine nut croquettes, orange and codfish salad, salmorejo (a thicker version of gazpacho), and the sweet, honeyed pastries based on recipes from the Moorish times. Overnight at the Hotel Casa de los Azulejos, inspired by the colors and lush gardens of Latin America. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
Day 7 - Friday: This morning we begin with a breathtaking visit to the Mezquita (Mosque) of Cordoba. Built between 785 and 990 AD, this ancient and unique mosque was once the largest in Europe and today it remains one of the few medieval mosques in the world. In the mid 1500s, Emperor Charles V authorized the bishop of Cordoba to remove the central aisles of the Mosque and erect an imposing Gothic cathedral in its place. Charles 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 center. The afternoon offers free time and the chance to further explore Cordoba on your own before meeting up for the 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. Cordoba is well connected to Madrid and Seville by high-speed and regular trains. Breakfast included.
General Information
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Qualifications: This trip is rated easy to moderate. There are four walks through the countryside, roughly 3-4 hours each with some steep ascents and descents on uneven terrain; and two days of city walks and visits. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. A regular conditioning program consisting of walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are able to enjoy fully all that this wonderful trip has to offer.
Van Support and luggage transfers: When required and indicated in the itinerary, we use van transfers to shuttle you from the beginning and end of the hikes. Your luggage is moved by van from hotel to hotel.
Trip Cost Includes: Seven nights accommodations (in comfortable 2-3 star hotels); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all transfers by van and luggage transfers; and guided visits as noted in the itinerary.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport to hotel transfers on arrival; lunches; one dinner; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages; and items of a personal nature.
Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the
trip, a non-refundable deposit of €200 is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page
on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement
that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Weather: In May and June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures in the 80s and evening temperatures dropping 10-20 degrees. Rain showers are a possibility but typically do not last longer than a few hours. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear.
General Information: This trip is subject to the
booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation
information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully
and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us"
page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of
Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking
on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We
look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why
wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip.
Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train
timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
Come join us! |
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