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1 Biar VALENCIA

2 WELCOME TO Biar Only an hour away from Alicante and its busy coast, we find the small medieval town of Biar and an area of tranquil beauty amidst the hills of the Sierra Mariola. The town itself, largely undiscovered by tourists, is rich in history and tradition, with narrow streets and steps rising up to the crowning glory of a 12th century castle. Fountains, shrines and chapels are abundant and there are cafés in many squares. There are also several well-stocked supermarkets. Traffic bypasses the old town allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere and admire the architecture. The surrounding landscape has pine forests sprinkled with occasional oaks, maples and ash trees. Open areas of hillside are rich in herbs and aromatic plants, which have been used for perfumery, alcoholic beverages and medicinal purposes for centuries. We will visit two botanical trails high in the hills surrounding Biar. Further afield we will visit the fascinating town of Bocairent, with its well-preserved archaeological treasures. Slightly larger than Biar, it boasts a bullring, and the Covetes Dels Moros, a group of artificial caves with 50 window-like holes entering into more rooms but with no floors, all carved into a cliff of vertical limestone. The Covetes still baffle the experts today as to exactly what was their purpose or function. Alcoy is a much larger town rising dramatically to a spectacular ravine, made all the more awesome by the sight of vultures circling overhead from their protected sanctuary high up in the hills. Climbing out of the ravine reveals far reaching views of the Natural Park of Font Roja, which we will also visit. There will also be an opportunity to reach the summit of Menejador which, at 1,356 metres, is the highest in the area. This holiday provides an opportunity to experience the real Spain, an area of fascinating landscape, history and architecture far away from the madding crowd on the Costas. 2 Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk

3 ACCOMMODATION Hotel Villa de Biar Calie San Jose Biar (Alicante) Tel: Situated in the heart of picturesque Biar, this excellent 4-star hotel has recently been renovated and modernised to a high standard. Bedrooms: There are 40 large en-suite bedrooms which are decorated in a modern and comfortable style. Each bedroom is equipped with a hairdryer, telephone, TV, safe deposit box, mini-bar, air conditioning and central heating. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the bedrooms and hot drinks can also be purchased from the bar. Facilities: The main areas for meeting fellow guests are a small lounge area and a bright airy dining room which looks out onto the garden terrace and bar area. Leisure facilities include a pleasant garden with outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna. Free WiFi is available at this hotel. Meals: All our holidays include breakfast and evening meal. If you have any special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, it is recommended you advise us before you travel. On arrival at the hotel please reconfirm your requirements with reception. Breakfast: This is available from 8.00am until 10.30am and is a self-service buffet with a good choice of cold items. A cooked breakfast is also available to order. Evening meal: A popular dining venue with the locals in Biar, Restaurant Visconde de Valdestro serves a 3-course evening meal, offering a combination of local specialities and international cuisine. There is a choice at each course including a vegetarian option. Lunch: You may be able to purchase a picnic lunch from the hotel. Alternatively it is possible to buy ingredients from local shops or on some days to eat at one of the local cafés; your leaders will advise you of the options. Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk 3

4 Guided Walking Easier Walks: 4 to 8 miles (6.5-13km) with up to 1,200ft (360m) of ascent in a day. ITINERARY A unique feature of our Guided Walking holidays is the daily choice of walks. Each evening your leaders will give a short talk about the options for the next day and answer any questions that you may have. In Biar you ll have a choice of two guided walks on each walking day. The cost of the transport to and from your walks each day is included in the cost of your holiday. Harder Walks: 5 to 10 miles (8-16km) with up to 2,300ft (690m) of ascent in a day. Please note that the itinerary outlined below is provisional and could be subject to change. For the most up to date information, please check our website. A finalised itinerary will be available at the resort and your leaders will talk every evening about the next day s walks. Day 1: Arrival day Depending on your arrival you may have the opportunity to see a little of Biar before your evening meal. On the first evening your leaders will explain more about the walks and there will be plenty of time to meet with your fellow guests. Day 2: Biar Both parties start and finish their walks from and to the hotel. Both groups enjoy magnificent views back to Biar from the medieval aqueduct and then follow a quiet road up to Ermita de los Santos. 4 Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk Easier Walk: This group then join a pleasant track through olive and almond groves, to a road to Sanctuary Senora de Gracia. As well as a short visit, this offers a great picnic area before returning to Biar via a road passing the big tree and Placa Espanya for refreshments before returning to the hotel. 6 miles (9.5km) with 800ft (240m) of ascent Harder Walk: Leaving Ermita our route takes us to the valley under the castle to a small barranca and gorge via olive and almond groves. A stony path takes us through wooded countryside to join a section of GR330 (Cost Blanca interior route). The Cuevo Negra (cave) offers a great lunch spot with views and then we traverse the hillside returning into the valley and to Placa Espanya for refreshiment back in Biar. 8 miles (13km) with 1,00ft (300m) of ascent.

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6 Day 3: Ibi Today s walks will begin near the beautiful town of Ibi to the east of Biar. Both groups will have the opportunity to look at ice caves for which the area is famous. Easier Walk: We will make a steady ascent on tracks leading us into fairly remote countryside eventually arriving at a renovated ice cave high in the hills above Ibi. Having spent some time at the cave we descend along the Cami Del Geladores, a route used in ancient times to transport the ice from the caves to nearby Ibi. 7 miles (11km) with 1,300ft (390m) of ascent. Harder Walk: Having travelled a little further on the coach we ascend quite steeply following the Cami del Galodores. Eventually arriving at the first ice cave of the day. The route continues descending into the valley before ascending again to reach the highest point of the week, the summit of Menejador. At 1,356m the summit has a vantage point offering great panoramic views. A number of ice caves are passed en route before joining a path leading back down to the outskirts of Ibi. 8 miles (13km) with 1,700ft (510m) of ascent. Day 4: Bocairent Today we will visit the medieval town of Bocairent, a hidden gem with its fascinating architectural history. The start point for both walks is on the outskirts of the town. Both groups should have time to explore and enjoy refreshments in the town. Easier Walk: The walk follows The path of steps an old mule track using steps cut into the solid rock. In ancient times the path was used to transport textiles manufactured in the now derelict mills passed on route. After passing a couple of the mills we ascend out of the valley to higher ground offering good views. Our descent is on a track leading us to Bocairent. 5 miles (8km) with 1,000ft (300m) of ascent. Harder Walk: Starting along the same route that the easier group, we will follow this walk which continues to the end of the valley. Further derelict mills and interesting rock formations can be observed in passing. From the end of the valley a fairly steep ascent leads to today s high point on the summit of Alt de Castellar offering great views of the surrounding area. Leaving the summit behind we soon join the route of the easier party which can be seen ahead. Arriving in the town there should be time to join the easier group for refreshments. 7 miles (11km) with 1,500ft (450m) of ascent. Day 5: Free day Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest. Some options for your free day may include: Biar Visit the castle tower, the museum, the Sanctuary and a ceramic pottery for which the town is famous. There is 6 Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk

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9 also a small market in Biar on Wednesday. Alternatively, you could relax by the pool in the gardens of the hotel or have a sauna. Those feeling more energetic may wish to take a stroll in the local area. Villena A hired bus or taxi will take you to Villena just 8km away. Villena is a thriving town with shops as well as a locally renowned museum, bullring and castle. Wine tasting There may be an opportunity to join an educational and fun wine tasting session. This is exclusive to HF Holidays guests and is run in the hotel by a sommelier from a nearby Bodega. Bocairent You may wish to return to Bocairent to see the sights which were either closed on Monday or perhaps when there was not enough time to explore fully. Alicante There is more to Alicante than shops and beaches, although they may be your choice for the day. There are many interesting buildings amongst which Santa Barbara is spectacular. The archaeological museum is one of the best in Spain and was voted museum of the year in For information on Biar please visit Day 6: Onil and Reconco Having used the coach to get to the start point of the walks, today both groups return to Biar on foot. From different start points both walks pass the Sanctuary of Sancturio de Gracia (Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary and follow the Stations of the Cross on the route back to Biar. Easier Walk: Prior to starting the walk there may be the opportunity to accompany the harder group for a short but worthwhile visit to Onil. We then return to the coach for a short journey to a point near the summit of Reconco. Leaving the coach we will ascend to the summit, crowned by a radio mast which can be seen from Biar. Having visited the summit, our route follows a series of paths and tracks winding their way towards the Sancturio de Gracia. Leaving the Sanctuary we will pick up the Stations of the Cross route back to Biar. 5 miles (8km with 700ft (210m of ascent. Harder Walk: The harder walk will begin at Onil which lies on the far side of the Sierra Onil, the range of hills separating the two towns. The walk ascends through the town initially before further ascent on a path through some spectacular rock scenery. A track leads us to a botanical trail along a broad ridge with fine views on either side. After a visit to the summit of Reconco we will follow the winding route towards the Sancturio de Graci and the Stations of the Cross route to Biar. 7 miles (11km with 1,800ft (540m of ascent. Day 7: Alcoy Today the coach will take us to a high point and a recreational area high above Alcoy where our final day s walks begin. Thanks to a conservation project for griffon vultures it is not unusual to see these huge birds at fairly close proximity. Easier Walk: Having dropped off the harder group, we continue on the coach for a short distance to the end of the spectacular gorge Barranc de Cint. Our walk leads us through the most interesting section of the gorge to a point where we may be able to observe griffon vultures perched on the cliffs and flying above. Returning out of the gorge by the same route a path takes us over the tunnel used by the coach earlier. Cantina/bar Preventori provides a useful lunch spot. After lunch the walk continues to the high point of the day. San Christofol a chapel and cross high up on the mountain. It is not unusual to observe the vultures here flying below and in quite close proximity. The descent returns us to bar Preventori where there should be time for refreshments before returning to Biar on the coach. 5 miles (8km) with 1,100 ft (330m) of ascent. Harder Walk: Starting from Preventori our route takes us on a path passing over the narrow road tunnel which is unsuitable for pedestrians. Soon views of the spectacular Barranc de Cint start to appear. Having walked through all of the best section of the gorge we join a rough track leading us to a quiet road on the far side of the crags. After a short section of road walking another track is joined ascending past project Canyet (a feeding station for vultures). Now on a pleasant path, our ascent continues to the summit ridge of Alt de Pedreres. Traversing the broad ridge the cross of San Christofol, perched precariously above Alcoy, is our next objective. There may be opportunities to observe the vultures flying below. After visiting San Christofol we descend to Bar Preventori where we can join the easier party for a drink celebrating our week s walking. 7 miles (11km) with 1,400ft (420m) of ascent. Day 8: Departure day In the evenings In Europe, our walking holidays continue into the evening. Enjoy a glass of wine or local beer whilst listening to your leaders outlining the next day s walks. One evening you will be listening to local musicians and there may be some opportunities to join in one of the many colourful local festivals. Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk 9

10 Your Walking Leaders: HF Holidays leaders are a pivotal feature of our walking holidays. During the day they will guide you on the walks in a caring and considerate way, showing you places of interest on the route. All our leaders have been selected on an intensive residential course so you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing that you are in safe hands. Our leaders welcome your comments on the holiday survey; constructive suggestions are very helpful. We take pride in the quality of our holidays and work closely with all our providers to ensure our holidays meet your expectations. If for any reason you are not satisfied our leaders are the best people to help. Local interest guides: In some of our resorts we may employ the services of a local interest guide who will accompany you on a walk to enhance your enjoyment of the area by giving you an insight into its history and culture. Tips for local guides have not been included in the price of your holiday. This is at your own discretion and we invite you to do this directly with the local guide. Maps: Your leaders will of course carry all the maps and detailed walk instructions needed for the walks. Children: We welcome unaccompanied children of 14 or over on our walks on the basis that they can take full responsibility for themselves. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. WALKING SAFETY Hydration: In warm weather it is very important to keep hydrated. You will need to carry water with you on walks, more during hot weather or on more demanding walks. One good way of hydrating is to use a hydration pack which allows drinking without constant stopping. This can then be filled up from water sources as required. Insurance: Insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so, and advise us of the insurance company and policy number. We have negotiated special holiday insurance and full details of this cover can be found in our brochure or at hfholidays.co.uk. There is no extra charge for preexisting illnesses. If you would like to purchase insurance from us please call us on or holidayservices@hfholidays.co.uk. Even with an EHIC card, medicines and out-patient treatment normally have to be paid for at the time and the costs reclaimed afterwards details are available at dh.gov.uk/travellers. Therefore insurance is extremely important, as is access to emergency money, preferably a credit card. 10 Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk WHAT TO WEAR & BRING To enjoy your walking comfortably and safely, it is essential that your footwear, clothing and equipment are suitable. Changeable weather is possible throughout the year, so our advice is to come prepared for all eventualities. You will need: comfortable outdoor clothing waterproof jacket and overtrousers ankle supporting footwear with non-slip soles small rucksack water bottle (at least 2 litres, more for hot climates) and a thermos flask if you wish sunhat, sun cream and sunglasses The following are recommended to all walkers, and are essential for mountainous and hilly areas: walking boots spare pullover or fleece hat and gloves spare high-energy food e.g. chocolate bar or Kendal mint cake torch You may also wish to consider bringing: walking pole(s) many guests find these useful, particularly for descents camera personal first aid kit Footwear: We recommend wearing walking boots on all our walks, as these provide the best ankle support and grip. Modern approach shoes offer appropriate levels of grip and may be worn on some low level walks, but users should be aware that they offer less ankle support. Lightweight trainers, denim jeans and waterproof capes are not recommended for any walks. HOLIDAY TIPS Language: Spanish Currency: Euro Money: There are several ATM machines in Biar where you can obtain money. Electricity: 230 Volt AC with round two pin plugs; you will need an adaptor for any appliances brought from the UK. Tap water: Is considered safe to drink, but if you prefer, bottled mineral water can be purchased from the hotel or local supermarkets. Telephone code: If the international number you wish to call starts with a 0, you must drop the starting digit when dialling the number. To dial a UK number 0044 To dial a Spanish number 0034

11 linger a little LONGER If you enjoyed your holiday in our destination of Biar, we recommend our other holiday at our new destination in Catalonian Spain, Roses. Two weeks or more Make the most of your break and enjoy a longer holiday either two weeks of walking at one resort or by combining complementary holidays, such as Sorrento on the Neapolitan coastline and Altamura, in the undiscovered region of Puglia. We arrange the transfers between the resorts so that you don t have to. See our brochure or website for more information. Self-guided Walking For those who prefer to explore independently, we recommend our Self-guided Walking holidays. In selected European destinations you can discover unspoiled scenery, historic sites and the local culture at your own pace by following our carefully planned walking routes. Leisure Activities We offer a range of Leisure Activities holidays at some of our European destinations, including Discovery or Garden Tours, Photography, Painting, or Yoga. Worldwide From Alaska to Australia our Worldwide Journeys invite you to explore world famous destinations, and some lesser known gems, on six continents including Europe. TRANSFER INFORMATION If you have booked your holiday with flight you will arrive at Alicante Airport. From the UK we offer flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham which may arrive at different times. Please note that meals are not usually provided on European flights, although some airlines may offer a small snack. Where possible you will be met in the arrivals hall at the airport by an HF Holidays leader. Your leader may be on the same flight as you or may arrive on another flight. Occasionally we will ask the transfer coach company to meet you. The coach driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding an HF Holidays sign. Please note that where possible we combine our airport transfers and you may have a short wait at the airport for the rest of your group who will be arriving on a different flight. You will be notified of this in your final confirmation letter. The onward journey to Biar by coach takes approximately 1 hour. For independent travellers: For guests who have booked their holiday without flight HF Holidays can help you to reach the hotel in the following ways: HF Holidays transfer coach from Alicante airport. These are timed to meet the HF Holidays flights (provisional flight times can be found on or by calling (0) ). Cost per single journey is 14. Please note that HF Holidays is not responsible for your onward travel if you fail to meet the transfer coach under any circumstance Our Airport Taxi service is available on request. Transfers and taxis must be pre-booked. If you have not already booked your transfer or taxi please call +44 (0) Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call and quote HX031 or book online at holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Call or visit hfholidays.co.uk 11

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