Southern Spain – The Independent Way
Footloose - 16 Nights/17 Days
Walking and Culture. As seen in The Listener. Madrid to Granada; Granada & walking in the Alpujarra; Ronda to Madrid. Experience the proud heritage of Southern Spain’s splendid cities like Seville, Cordoba and Granada then discover pretty white-washed villages, the stunning Sierras and beautiful Grazelema National Park. Andalucía has a wealth of Moorish and Roman monuments and culture. Truly a combination to excite all the senses!
This walking tour has been split into three modules which can be combined to give an extensive exploration of Southern Spain over 17 leisurely days starting in Madrid. There is a combination of walking, history and culture. You travel independently by bus and train (tickets provided) with accommodation pre-booked in authentic characterful hotels. You are equipped with walking notes, route maps and general information on the places you will visit. A local representative is on hand to assist. Read More...
Seville to Granada
Guided - 7 Nights/8 Days
Bullfights, guitars and flamenco epitomise Southern Spain’s Andalucia region. Brilliant white-washed villages are draped over the hills, their narrow maze-like streets and alleyways exuding a distinctly Moorish air, the legacy of the Muslim occupation centuries ago.
Begin your guided walking trip in stately Seville, the provincial capital and home of flamenco. You’ll travel to the Grazalema National Park, the gem of which is Ronda with it’s dramatic location perched above a gaping chasm. The landscape is hilly and dotted with small white-washed villages (‘pueblos blancas’) built on steep slopes. In Granada, visit the beautiful Alhambra Palace and Gardens of the Generalife, legacy of the Moorish period. To complement your Andalucian walking experience discover the local cuisine and learn about the nuances of tapas while enjoying Andlaucia music and dance. Read More...
Southern Spain and Morocco
Guided - 14 Nights/15 Days
In this guided adventure you cross over where Europe, Africa and the Middle East meet and experience two very different worlds that are only miles apart. Andalucia’s strong Moorish influences and wild hilly landscapes dotted with brilliant white-washed villages, are a short flight across the Straits of Gibraltar from Morocco’s old medinas, grand mosques, colourful souks (bazaars) and majestic minarets.
From Casablanca, follow the classic route to the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes and end in the icon of Morocco - Marrakech. Spice markets, snake charmers, story tellers and architectural masterpieces little changed by time, are a small part of the fascinating culture mix of this country. Ruined citadels, Roman remains, desert oases with lush palm groves, and kasbahs (villages) the colour of burnt siena, cast an evocative spell on the vast landscape. Read More...
The Camino De Santiago
Footloose - 0 Nights/0 Days
As seen in The Listener. An unguided walking trip across Green Spain along the pilgrim's route – THE WAY OF ST JAMES
The historic Camino de Santiago is an epic journey on foot across the Iberian Peninsula, in the North West of Spain, following the pathways of European priests, monarchs and peasants whose pilgrimages to the tomb of St James at Santiago de Compostela, spawned a Christian Renaissance. 2010 is Holy Year and a special commemoration of the Camino De Santiago. Read More...
The Way of St James
Footloose - 9 Nights/10 Days
As seen in The Listener. The very first pilgrims’ way to Santiago de Compostela dates from the early Middle Ages when devotees coming from northern Europe traversed the Iberian Peninsula on their way to the holy shrine.
This unguided walking holiday follows part of the coastal St. James Way in green Asturias, through picturesque fishing villages, hilly landscapes dotted with Pre-Romanesque churches – and combines cultural heritage, folklore and nature. The northern area of Spain is known as 'Green Spain'. Read More...
Picos de Europa
Footloose - 4 Nights/5 Days
A footloose walking trip in the mountain range of the Picos de Europe – just 20 kms from the northern Spanish coast.
Legend says it was named by the early explorers whose first site of Europe on their returning voyages was the ranges high peaks. There are three major massifs and deep glacial valleys. Walking trails abound and link attractive mountain villages and a network of mountain refuges. Read More...
The Way of St James - GUIDED
Guided - 7 Nights/8 Days
As seen in The Listener. A guided walking holiday from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela
This journey across Northern Spain, known as Green Spain for its verdant forests and meadows, starts in the stylish city of Bilbao where a visit to the renowned Guggenheim Museum is an artistic and architectural highlight. Read More...
Camino Primitivo
Guided - 9 Nights/10 Days
This route through green Asturias and Galicia, is one of several other historic trails that were known as the Camino Primitivo.
Used by the Asturian King Alfonso ll in 829 on the first pilgrimage from Asturias to Santiago de Compostela, it is a scenic, less busy route from Oviedo through picturesque villages, hilly landscapes dotted with pre-Romanesque churches that combines cultural heritage, folklore and nature. Highlights of this 10 day journey are: Oviedo with it’s UNESCO World Heritage cathedral of the Saint Sebastian and many sculptures; a countryside of green pastures, rolling hills, backdrop of peaks, Romanesque churches, traditional architecture and medieval villages; the 3rdC Roman walls of Lugo; and your destination, Santiago de Compostela. Stay at characterful hotels in keeping with the pilgrims’ route. Read More...
Côte Vermeille to the Spanish Border
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
The Côte Vermeille in the south east part of France is bathed in warm Mediterranean sunshine most of the year.
The peaks of the Pyrenees provide a dramatic backdrop to this exploration on foot of the coast either side of the Franco-Spanish border. This is Catalonia, vibrant and proud of its distinct culture, you walk between the charming fishing villages, small rocky coves, craggy headlands and rugged cliffs, below which the sea sparkles in the bright sunlight. Unsurprisingly, the coast (in French the Côte Vermeille, in Spanish the Costa Brava) and its fishing villages have long attracted many artists, among them Dalí and Picasso. You walk from Collioure, the most beautiful French town of the coast to Cadaqués and discover the lure of this region. Read More...
Camino de Santiago
Footloose - 9 Nights/8 Days
The historic Camino de Santiago is an epic journey on foot across the Iberian Peninsula, in the North West of Spain, following the pathways of European priests, monarchs and peasants whose pilgrimages to the tomb of St James at Santiago de Compostela, spawned a Christian Renaissance.
It was one of the busiest trunk roads in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries when between 500,000 and two million devotees each year, from every part of Europe, walked, rode, or were carried along the ‘Camino’ to Santiago de Compostela. Today, walkers take about a month to complete the 800-kilometre (500-mile) journey from Roncesvalles Pass on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side. There are five stages. You can choose to do all five or perhaps just one or two. Read More...