ALMERIA TAPAS & WINE CELLAR

Transcription

1 Excursions ALMERÍA

2 ALMERIA TAPAS & WINE CELLAR After picking up the guests from their hotel we will start our trip with a panoramic tour of the city. We will see La Alcazaba (visit not included), an Arabic fortress from the first half of the 10th century where we get a splendid view over the city and the bay. We will see the cathedral: one of the very few ones considered cathedral and castle at the same time (visit not included) and we will pass through the old town, the square Plaza Vieja where the town-hall is and whose clock gives the hours beating in the rhythm of fandango de Almeria - a typical rhythm of Andalusia. We will have lunch in tapas bar in the town. Each of us will enjoy 3 drinks (beer, wine, sangria, soft drink or water) and 3 tapas. We will have some free time in the city center. Our excursion will continue with a guided visit of Bodega Perfer: a wine cellar, dedicated to the production of high quality wines. Its main facilities are located in the village of Uleila del Campo, where the cellar is, as well as a wide expanse of vineyards - almost 12 hectares - where varieties of tempranillo, merlot, garnacha and cabernet sauvignon are cultivated. Once we finish the visit, we will taste some of the wines produced in the cellar. * Approximate length 8-10 hours, depending on the origin. 2

3 ALMERIA After picking up the guests from their hotel we will start our trip with a panoramic tour of the city. We will visit La Alcazaba - an Arab fortress from the first half of the 10th century, where we get a splendid view over the city and the bay. We will also visit the cathedral - one of the very few ones considered cathedral and castle at the same time. We will pass through the old town, the square Plaza Vieja (old square), where the town-hall is and whose clock gives the hours beating in the rhythm of fandango de Almeria - a typical rhythm of Andalusia. Free time in the city center. * Approximate length 6-7 hours (depending on the origin). 3

4 CABO DE GATA / NIJAR We will start the tour by taking the highway up to the popular town of Níjar, famous for its traditional products: rugs, pottery, and objects made from esparto. We will use our free time to do some shopping or just to stroll through the streets. Leaving Níjar we will enter in the famous Cabo de Gata Natural Park. We continue our trip towards Rodalquilar, a former mining town, whose first exploitation was a British colony initiative, where we can visit the mines exhibition (optional). We will make a small stop for photos in La Isleta del Moro, one of the most beautiful corners of the park. We will continue to Las Salinas, where we can observe a great diversity of plants with very peculiar characteristics and birds that stop here to use this point as a migratory stopover in their journey from Europe to Africa. And just before the arrival at the famous lighthouse of Cabo de Gata, we will be amazed by an unusual landscape of volcanic origin and great beauty: coves, cliffs and crystal waters. *Approximate length 8-9 hours, depending on the origin. 4

5 CAMINITO DEL REY Pick up from the hotel at the indicated time to get into the inland of the province of Málaga through the Valley of Guadalhorce until the Conde of Guadalhorce reservoir, the main and principal hydrological reserve in the province of Málaga. We will enjoy a typical spanish breakfast in Ardales. On arrival we will begin with a beautiful tour of the Caminito del Rey, recently rebuilt on the original sections built between 1860 and 1866, it runs through the natural landscape of Gaitanes canyon, carved by the Guadalhorce river with very steep walls and of considerable height which is one of the most spectacular scenery of the province of Málaga. The estimated time of pathway takes from two and a half to three hours. Comfortable or athletic shoes are required. Not suitable for people with vertigo or people with mobility difficulties. The minimum age for children is 9 years. Approximate duration hours 5

6 GIBRALTAR VISIT Pick up from your hotel on Costa de Almeria at the indicated time and departure to Gibraltar, one of the most strategic sites in the world, an overseas British territory that lies on the feet of a huge rock, which rises above sea level and offers from its viewpoints fabulous views over the bay of Gibraltar and even the northern coast of Africa if the weather permits it. A minibus waits for us in Gibraltar to do a guided tour of the famous rock, including stops at the Point of Europe, where we can see the whole Strait of Gibraltar; St Michael s Cave, where we will meet the famous Barbary apes - the only wild primates in liberty in Europe. As a free port, Gibraltar offers a fantastic opportunity to make several purchases. Free time. EU citizens should bring ID card / non EU citizens should check the documentation required * Approximate duration hours 6

7 GRANADA - ALHAMBRA AND GENERALIFE Pick up from the hotel at the indicated time and departure to Granada. We will have free time in the city and apart from its cathedral (optional), we can also visit the Royal Chapel (optional), founded as a funeral chapel for the Catholic Monarchs by decree in 1504 and which houses their graves. We can also have a walk in the spectacular district of Albayzin - one of the oldest centers of Muslim culture in Granada. We will continue with Alhambra, the most visited historical monument in Spain and reference of the architecture and the Muslim art in the country. The visit lasts almost 2 hours and 30 minutes and includes the Palace of Charles V, the Generalife Gardens and the magnificent Nasrid Palaces with the Patio of the Lions. * The program in Granada can be altered depending on the visit hour of Alhambra. ** Approximate duration hours. 7

8 GREENHOUSE & WINE CELLAR PERFER We will start the day with a guided visit of the greenhouse Clisol, where will be taken on a tour through the protected agriculture of Almeria, and given a perspective view of its past and present, the importance of the intensive under-plastic agriculture for the economy of the province and the different cultivation techniques used. We will also taste the different varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers with locally-produced olive oil, bread and honey, fried vegetables and, as a novelty, the latest vegetable jams and marmalades. Our excursion will continue with a guided visit of Bodega Perfer: a wine cellar, dedicated to the production of high quality wines. Its main facilities are located in the village of Uleila del Campo, where the cellar is, as well as a wide expanse of vineyards - almost 12 hectares - where varieties of tempranillo, merlot, garnacha and cabernet sauvignon are cultivated. Once we finish the visit, we will taste some of the wines produced in the cellar. * Approximate duration 6-7 hours, depending on the hotel of origin 8

9 GREENHOUSE 1/2 DAY During our guided visit, we will be taken on a tour through the protected agriculture of Almeria, and given a perspective view of its past and present, the importance of the intensive under-plastic agriculture for the economy of the province and the different cultivation techniques used. In addition, we will review the evolution of this agriculture, the application of new technologies with entertaining and colloquial demonstrations. They will explain to us how these new technologies are contributing every day, to the development of a new kind of agriculture, more sustainable and respectful with our environment. There are chairs available for the guests, so they could attend the presentations comfortably seated. We will also taste the different varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers with locally-produced olive oil, bread and honey, fried vegetables and, as a novelty, the latest vegetable jams and marmalades. * Approximate luration 4-5 hours, depending on the hotel of origin. 9

10 MINI-HOLLYWOOD Pick up from your hotel at the indicated time to leave the cost behind us and enter a desert landscape which take us to Mini-Hollywood Park, one of the most important outdoor film studios in Almería, which has served as scenario of many well-known western movies, for example Lawrence of Arabia or For a few dollars more, starred by great actors like Sofia Loren, Burt Lancaster, Clint Eastwood We can enter in the Saloon, the Prison, the Bank or the Sheriff s Office. We can also visit the Carriage Museum or the Cactus Garden. We will attend a real duel of cow-boys with cars and horses. In the park we can find souvenirs shop, cafeteria, restaurant-buffet, photo studio with costumes from the period. Within the park we will also find the zoological reserve, located in the middle of Tabernas desert and extended on 200,000 square meters. The reserve is inhabited by more than 100 species of Iberian and African fauna: reptiles, birds, crocodiles, giraffes, deer and many more. For the little ones there is a children s zoo. During the summer months you can use the pool area from 12:00hrs until 19:00hrs. So don t forget your swimsuit! * Approximate length 8-9 hours (depending on the origin). 10

11 MOJACAR AND BOAT TRIP FROM AGUILAS At the indicated time pick up from your hotel with direction to Mojacar, where we will have free time to take a walk through its peculiar streets. The town of Mojácar is located 2 km away from the coast. It rises over a fertile valley and has a millenary history in which all civilizations left their mark, but it was undoubtedly the Arab culture that left the best of it, a fact that can be seen in its narrow streets, white cubic houses shining and squares. Then we will go to the Port of Águilas where a boat named Don Pancho will be waiting to take us on a tour of approximately an hour and a half along the coastline, crossing the east coast (Levante), passing through its main and most picturesque corners. We will sail along cliffs, virgin beaches of fine yellow sand, islands of reddish colors and the enormous variety of living beings that inhabit the Mediterranean Sea. We will make a stop to enjoy a bath in one of the most beautiful places of our route. Upon returning to the port we will have lunch (included) and then return to the hotel. Approximate duration: hours, depending on the hotel of origin. 11

12 MOJACAR After the pick-up from your hotel we will head to Mojácar where we will have free time to take a walk through its peculiar streets and visit its famous fountain. The village of Mojácar is located 2km away from the cost. It stands on a fertile valley which used to have the first settlers in the Neolithic and Bronze Age. It has an ancient history in which all civilizations have left their mark, but without any doubts it was the Arabic culture which left the best of it. A fact that can be seen in its narrow streets, gleaming white cubic houses, squares, etc. Mojacar offers a wide range of tourist sites and 17km of beaches. Then we will go to Garrucha, where we will stop for lunch (not included). To end the excursion, we will continue through Carboneras in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, where we will make a stop to contemplate its castle and windmill. * Approximate duration: 6-8 hours, depending on the hotel of origin. 12

13 SAN JOSE Pick up from the hotel at the indicated time to head to the coastal village of San Jose, part of Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Originally it was a fishermen village, located in the bay of San Jose. Rests of old houses are still conserved. But nowadays this small population has replaced its fishing activity with a maintained and coherent tourism. It is, with no doubt, the more important touristic center in Cabo de Gata Natural Park. This beautiful village is surrounded by beaches, tiny coves and a lots of nature and here we can find the last virgin beaches of the Mediterranean. San Jose has many and good services such as restaurants, cafes, tapas bars, shops... It is ideal for sports lovers who can enjoy diving, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding We will enjoy our free time taking a walk, staying at the beautiful golden sanded beaches, having lunch o shopping. * Approximate duration: 6-8 hours, depending on the hotel of origin. 13

14 SIERRA NEVADA & GUADIX After picking up from the hotel we will start our tour passing through the picturesque villages in the Mountains of Almería. We will continue our way to enter in the south area of Sierra Nevada, one of the most beautiful mountain system in Europe and the highest in Western Europe (over 3000m). There we will stop at Puerto de la Ragua where we will visit a pottery with a demonstration of pottery art and work. Next we will stop at Guadix: one of the largest and oldest towns in the province. It is also one of the oldest human settlements in Spain. The passage of history is evident in its different neighborhoods. Guadix stands out for its famous caves - houses dug in the ground. There are some 2,000 inhabited caves that form original neighborhoods that constitute a true troglodyte city. On our way back to Almería we will make another stop to taste the typical wine of this area. The visit will take about 30 min. Then we will take the highway to go back to the hotels. * Approximate duration 8-10 hours, depending on the hotel of origin. 14