Trip Notes A WEEK IN ANDALUCIA HIGHLIGHTS SUMMARY IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?

Transcription

1 Trip Notes Trip Code: ADH Country: Spain Amended: October 2013 Edition No: SA Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 A WEEK IN ANDALUCIA HIGHLIGHTS Explore the fascinating Moorish history of White Villages Cultural visits to Seville and Cordoba Visit Ronda and the oldest bullring in Spain Enjoy stunning views from our converted farmhouse and delicious home-made cuisine SUMMARY Andalucia is Spain's largest and most southerly province, situated only a few miles across the sea from Morocco. While the common perception of Southern Spain is of high-rise hotels along the coast, it is possible to spend a week just a few miles inland seeing only a handful of tourists and sampling the rich Moorish history of the area. Along with the region's varied scenery, Andalucia is also one of the great ethnic melting-pots of the Mediterranean. It was the westernmost meeting place of the pre-historic migrants from Crete and the Greek islands, and later the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Most significantly, Andalucia received several waves of Moslem invaders. In the early eighth century Andalucia received the first of these waves and for over 700 years the kingdom of Al Andalus thrived, giving the region many of its most distinctive traditions. A large migration of gypsies during the time of the Christian re-conquest in 1492 strengthened the oriental presence, whose influence is still evident today. Our base, the Cortijo Rosario, is surrounded by arable land and rolling hills dotted with olive trees and sunflowers. The country round about is tranquil and timeless, offering the perfect insight into the Moorish way of life. From the Moorish architecture of Seville to Ronda with the oldest bullring in Spain, there is a wealth of culture to indulge in. This is a relaxing trip combining cultural highlights and the peace and quiet of the Andalucian countryside with great food and wine. Little English is spoken in the villages, as the tourism boom on the coast has not affected the lives of these people, who are very friendly and keen to meet newcomers. The main income of the community is agriculture, with olives the main crop along with cereals, wheat and sunflowers. Much of the farming is traditional and it is not uncommon to see the farmers heading to their fields with a couple of mules in place of a tractor. This is the real Andalucia! IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? The majority of drives are short except for the journeys to Seville and Cordoba, which may take up to 2 hours. There is some gentle walking involved. Andalucia is usually very hot in July, possibly high 30s. Grade A Cortijo Rosario is renovated to a high standard whilst retaining its traditional heritage. As such, the farmhouse should not be considered a luxury villa or hotel. Towels are changed once during the week and rooms are serviced every other day. Please note all activities are optional and a rest day may be taken at any point should you prefer to relax at the Cortijo. Extra Spanish sessions with the local teacher may be available and should be requested and paid for locally through our local contacts. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 golden era one outstanding building remains, the Mezquita, the third largest Mosque in the world and one of the most beautiful Islamic buildings in existence. After the Christian Reconquest the central part of the mosque was converted into a Cathedral on the orders of the monarch, Charles V, and it has remained so to this day. Around the Mezquita lie the old Moorish and Jewish quarters of the town, with endless little alleys beautifully decorated with flowers and plant-filled patios. (B,D) Day 5 Free Day A free day to explore around the farmhouse and surrounding countryside or an optional self-guided walk to a nearby village for lunch. It is also possible to travel by train to Granada. If you would like to visit the Alhambra palace in Granada, tickets are restricted so you will need to book this in advance. Please visit com for details on how to book. You should search for 'Alhambra' in the search box and purchase a morning entry ticket to the site (up to 14 hrs) with entry to the Nazrid Palace between 12:30-14:00 hrs. This will then match train arrival and departure times. (B,D) LEARN TO COOK SPANISH STYLE! Learn how to prepare the signature dishes of Spain on selected departures (All departures - New dates will be online soon). The Cortijo Rosario catering team will demonstrate how a true paella is made with the tricks you don t normally get from recipe books. Paella varies in its ingredients in different regions of Spain - this is the andaluz version using long grain rice - and Maria (our queen of the kitchen) will share her secrets! She will also prepare Gazpacho, a typical cold summer soup that originates from Andalucía. And what could be the only thing to drink with these two dishes? Sangria, of course! Rocio will demonstrate the Cortijo version (there are many!) showing you how it is made. Once all is finished you will sit on the terrace to eat and appreciate why these dishes are so popular. To help you remember how all is done you will receive a free Cortijo Cookery book as a memento. As well as lots of recipes it has pages of photos and information about the most famous parts of Andalucía. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Cortijo Rosario (D) Day 6 Ronda Today we visit the city of Ronda, which is considered to be the seat of bullfighting and equestrian sports and contains the oldest bullring in Spain. We have time to explore this remarkable historic city before crossing Andalucia's highest road to climb up to the Moorish fort. (B,D) Day 7 Seville A visit to the magnificent city of Seville. Your guide will offer an optional walking orientation of the city. The remainder of the day is free to sightsee at your own pace. Now the capital of Andalucia, Seville was one of the first conquests of the Moors. After the fall of the Cordoba Caliphate in the 11th century, under whose direction it previously lay, it became the most powerful city in Al Andalus. Near the centre of the city is the evocative Giralda, an architectural masterpiece dating dating back to the 12th century. Originally built as a minaret for the central Mosque in Seville, this Mosque was later destroyed, and it is now the bell-tower for the enormous cathedral. Close by is the magnificent Alcazar, a complex of palaces dating back from Roman times and later used by both Moorish and Christian rulers. It has fine examples of Moorish and Mudejar architecture, rivalling that of Granada's 'Alhambra' and has some lovely gardens. After the Christian re-conquest Seville became famed as the gateway to the 'New World'. Christopher Columbus negotiated here with Queen Isabella to fund his epic voyage to the Americas, bringing her back untold riches and making Seville one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. (B,D) Day 8 End at the Cortijo Rosario (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the evening and will arrive in the UK the same day. Day 2 Walk in area near Cortijo Rosario Take a half day guided walk on the trails and paths around the Cortijo, through the local hills, olive groves and paths of Penon Hill. The route is very flexible and can be tailored to suit changes in the weather. Alternatively, you can relax by the pool. (B,D) Day 3 Olvera and Setenil A morning visit to Olvera, one of the most scenic of the 'pueblos blancos' or white villages. These villages were built during Moorish times as a border between what was then 'Al Andalus' and Christian Spain and Olvera's Arab castle dates back to AD 700. From here we head to Setenil. Built under the overhanging ledge of a gorge, Setenil is also a good place to buy ceramics and local crafts. We return to the Cortijo after lunch and the afternoon is free for a dip in the pool or walks in the surrounding countryside. (B,D) Day 4 Cordoba A full-day trip by minibus to Cordoba. Your guide will offer a walking orientation of the city, which you can join if you wish. The remainder of the day is free to sightsee at your own pace. Cordoba was the capital of Al Andalus, rivalling Constantinople in wealth and culture for over four hundred years of the Moorish occupation. From this 2

3 ACCOMMODATION Our week is based at the Cortijo Rosario, a converted 'finca' (farmhouse). The house is in the Seville province well away from the touristy 'costas'. It has been rebuilt and extended in traditional local style and is situated amidst 25 acres of olive trees and arable land. There are a number of cats and dogs at the Cortijo Rosario. Single Accommodation: There is one single room available, which can be guaranteed with the supplement of 90 payable in advance on booking. We may be able to confirm another single room closer to departure, which will be 150 for a twin room as single occupancy. Please contact our sales team to check if this is available NO MORE than two weeks before departure. Extra Accommodation: If you require any additional accommodation before or after the trip, we can book this for you (subject to availability) in Malaga, provided you notify us at the time of booking. Please notify us at the time of booking and we will provide up-to-date prices. It may also be possible to book extra nights in the small apartments next to the Cortijo Rosario. Please contact us for up-to-date prices. Please note a 5 booking fee is added to the invoice. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food all breakfasts and 7 dinners included. Breakfast: Continental buffet-style breakfast with local fruit and yoghurt. Evening meal: The evening meal is the main meal of the day and will be local Spanish cuisine. All food is freshly prepared from locally grown seasonal produce. Water, wine, tea / coffee are provided with the evening meal. A selection of soft and alcoholic drinks is available at the bar (payable locally). Vegetarians are generally well catered for at the Cortijo Rosario. Please advise us on booking if you have any special dietary requirements. Transport Private minibus will be used for transfers and organised excursions but occasionally some local transport may be necessary. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways or EasyJet (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. Spring generally has pleasant daytime temperatures, getting a little cooler in the evenings. There is the chance of some rain, which then offers views of beautiful spring flowers. Summer months are hot and dry with night time temperatures of around 17-25ºC. Autumn brings cooler weather although it is still fairly dry. The possibility of rain is more likely in winter months but temperatures usually stay mild in the daytime, becoming cooler after sunset. 3 JOINING THE TRIP IN CORTIJO ROSARIO 8 days, normally start Cortijo Rosario Sat, end Cortijo Rosario Sat Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Cortijo Rosario in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If you would like us to organise a private transfer for you, the cost is approx 140 per vehicle and is paid locally. Please ensure that you provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure. Alternatively, the closest train station to the Cortijo is Almargen and from Malaga you need to take a train to Bobadilla and change here to reach Almargen. You can take any train to Bobadilla however only 3 connect well with the trains to Almargen. Please visit for up-to-date train times (you should search for Malaga - Bobadilla and then Bobadilla - Algeciras). From Almargen you

4 will need to take a taxi to the Cortijo (approx 30) or from Bobadilla ( 60). Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. On this tour we stay in a family-owned farmhouse, where the food and supplies are locally produced and sourced. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport that must be valid for 3 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this. No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT +1hr Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 2 and 15 people. There will be a UK leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The trip is led by a resident Exodus leader, plus local staff and a driver. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.19 to the UK and 0.74 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Cashpoints are available in Algamitas and the major cities visited. Many restaurants and shops in Seville accept credit cards. Bars in local villages and the Cortijo Rosario only accept cash. Extra Expenses and Spending Money For lunch in a modest restaurant you should allow about On some days it is possible to eat Tapas lunches together as a group if you wish to take part in this the leader will arrange a kitty to cover the cost. Entrance fees to monuments and museums are not included (though some are free on the production of an EU passport). We suggest that you allow each for Cordoba and Seville. You will also need cash to pay your bar bill. Extra Spanish sessions with the local teacher may be available and should be requested and paid for locally through our local contacts. Tipping (leader and local staff) We recommend a collection of approximately 20 per person for the week, which the leader will help to arrange for the local staff. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Comfortable walking shoes or boots for sightseeing and walking Small daypack and water bottle Some waterproofs (perhaps an umbrella) Optional items: Swimming costume (for swimming pool) Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. 4

5 As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5