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Holiday focus Spain
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Spanish Footsteps is a family run business based in the province of Soria in Northern Spain. Their walking holidays and cultural guided tours take travellers on a journey of discovery through one of Spain’s best kept secrets.......
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Holiday focus Spain
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Casa Alferera, a barn for 2-4 people, in 3 hectares of olive grove under the peaks of the beautiful Sierra de Montanchez. Superb bird watching and walking, 3 towns of great historical interest within 30 minutes drive, the nature reserve at Monfrague an hour away. Solar electricity, spring water, a natural swimming pond....Jane Wheeler who owns the lovely converted barn in Extremadura explains a little about her project to create a peaceful and natural place for relaxing and enjoying the natural world. You can find out more about renting the property by contacting Pippa Sharman at Finca Al-Manzil
"I fell in love with this part of Extremadura five years ago, while staying at Finca Al-Manzil. The steep boulder-strewn slopes and peaks, the trees growing out of the rocks everywhere - mainly cork and holme oak, the horses and cattle, the vultures and eagles, all the wild-life – the peace and quiet, the old-fashioned courtesy of the locals, the last vestiges of an old order – all called out to my sensibilities.
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Holiday focus Spain
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Groups are accommodated in relaxed house-party style at our 18th century farmhouse in the Pyrenees and will be led by an expert local guide with inside knowledge. Our itineraries are flexible, adapted to local conditions and group interests.
Navarre is the ONLY region in Europe lying at the confluence of three bio-climatic regions. Within the same day birdwatchers can experience Atlantic, Mediterranean and Alpine influenced habitats; starkly different landscapes with an unparalleled diversity of bird life. Should this not be enough, Navarre’s position at the western extreme of the Pyrenees, where the mountains end abruptly at the shores of the Atlantic, means that it also lies strategically on the Atlantic migratory route.
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Holiday focus Spain
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Mountainwalks have this excellent offer....Guided Birding holiday...7 Nights with full board...only £740 per person The holiday will be accompanied by a bird expert, Mike Pointon who has an excellent knowledge of the birds of the region. This is a holiday suited to both committed birders and beginners as you will always have someone on hand to help with identification.
The holiday is a full board holiday and includes all meals. These consist of
- Breakfast, packed lunch or bar lunch (Albufera), evening meals including wine.
- 7 nights accommodation in our comfortable cottages in the mountain village of Quatretondeta
- airport transfers from/to Alicante and all local transfers.
Also included are hide fees at the Canyetes project and the 2 hour boat trip at the Albufera of Valencia.
Brett Westwood, BBC RADIO 4 , described it as “possibly the best weeks birding in Europe”
For more information contact:- Brian on 0844 910 5158 www.mountainwalks.com |
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Holiday focus Spain
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Join Birdwatch Alpujarras for tours and excursions in the beautiful southern foothills of the Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alpujarras offer some of Spain's most spectacular birdlife. Based in the village of Lanjaron, they can show you the rich variety of birding highlights the region has available. Who?Ian Williams is the "heart and soul" of Birdwatch Alpujarras. His enthusiasm for our feathered friends knows no bounds. He has vast experience of birdwatching throughout Europe, but especially in the Alpujarras, where he now lives, and in his native UK. Kiersten Rowland is resident in the Alpujarras and looks after the website and administration functions. She also helps support Ian on birdwatching tours throughout the region. Contact her if you have relevant and related information you wish to be included on the site. Both are passionate about the area and it's birdlife. The BirdsResident raptors include Golden and Bonelli's Eagles and these are joined by large numbers of Booted and Short Toed Eagles over the breeding season. All three of southern Spain's "exotic" species, namely, Hoopoe, Rollers and Bee-Eaters, breed locally and are seen regularly. Golden orioles nest in and around the village. Chats and Thrushes include the Northen, Black and Black Eared Wheatear. Black Redstart and Blue Rock thrushes. Other seasonal visitors of note include Great Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, with Subalpine Warblers in the spring. Local woodland brings frequent sightings of Crossbills and Crested Tits. Firecrests are another local speciality. The ToursThey offer guided tours in 4x4 transport in small groups to ensure we get the best the region can provide. Recent days have brought great sightings of Eagle Owl, Goshawk and Iberian Yellow Wagtails. There is always something fantastic to see! You will find much more information about the tours and birdlife on the interactive website at www.birdwatchalpujarras.com |
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Holiday focus Spain
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The spectacular Ordesa National Park is one of the highlights of the Pyrenees and this guided walking holiday explores the incredible scenery and diversity of the park. You'll walk in the famous Anisclo and Ordesa Canyons as well as searching out some of the lesser known spots and high alpine meadows. Mention Wildside Holidays when booking and save £75 making the holiday just £604! The price includes 7 nights full board accommodation at the 4 star Hotel Ordesa (evening meal not included on your rest day), transfers to and from Zaragoza airport and 5 days guided walking. The Ordesa National Park was Spain's first protected area created by Royal decree in 1918 and is now a world heritage site. In June the park's incredible displays of wild flowers will be at their peak and we'll see orchids, lilies, iris, asphodels, insect eating butterworts and rock jasmine on our walks. Marmots and sarrios (Pyrenean chamois) are regularly spotted as are griffon vultures and occasionally lammergeier. To find out more and to see the itinerary please visit the Discover Ordesa walking holiday page. |
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Holiday focus Spain
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Autumn is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the stunning countryside scenery in Catalonia, and what better way to discover the area than on foot based at Els Canterers guest house in the small riverside village of Miravet in the Ebro Region. You can follow the GR99 trail along the winding river down to the village of Benifallet. Miravet is in a privilegded location, situated between 2 beautiful Natural Parks; Els Ports and Montsant. Els Ports lies between Catalonia, Valencia and Aragón and is a natural forest area, full of wildlife, such as the Spanish Ibex, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Click the read more below for more information and pictures about this beautiful area.
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Holiday focus Spain
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18 - 25 June
€510 (farmhouse) €420 (camping) Early-bird 10% discount for bookings before end of February 2010
Spain still has a strong tradition of herbal medicine. Local folk pick wild chamomile and collect wild food from the country around their homes and they will consult the “curandera” or “curandero” (healer) specialising in such things as bone-setting, or skin complaints. In the local markets the herbalist’s is usually one of the larger stalls, with sacks containing a fascinating variety of spices and herbs, culinary and medicinal. The herbalist and author, Julio Donat has lived for over two decades in his typical Alpujarran cortijo, La Palmera, surrounded by lush green gardens. He has brought up his children in this wonderful environment, and devoted his working life to the study, cultivation and use of medicinal plants.
Hidden in the valley of Padre Eterno his home is named after the palm tree beside the house. He has chosen a simple and healthy lifestyle; growing, gathering and preserving herbs, making unguents and selling products in local markets and shops. He owns no car; to reach his home you follow the old camino down a steeply terraced hillside, or find the path beside one of the three Moorish acequias which water our fertile valley. Sophie Paulding grew up in the Alpujarras and returned to the UK for her higher education and degree studies. In 2006 she graduated from Middlesex University with a BSc in Herbal Medicine and she has now returned to the area to practice her skill. Their expertise, skill and wide local knowledge will be shared with you during this week of herbalism and walking.
The week: Julio is a skilled and enthusiastic teacher, and has run courses for the last decade. He will introduce you to the vast and intriguing world of plants, teaching you to identify the varied flora of the Sierra Nevada (including medicinal, edible, and dangerous plants). You will learn about the qualities of different plants, collecting methods, drying,conserving and cultivating....Sophie will teach simple traditional methods of preparing plant medicines: infusions, decoctions, tinctures, creams, ointments, poultices, liniments, syrups, vinegars and sprays. By the end of the course you will be able to create your own home-made herbal First Aid Kit! Throughout the week you can explore the region’s exceptional countryside on walks with us, giving you an opportunity to experience the wide variety of plants found in the Alpujarra – a superb setting for your growing knowledge and a wonderful activity holiday!
Accommodation: will be in neighbouring converted farmhouses (€510pp,single room supplement, €70, limited availability), or on camp at La Dominga* (individual tents - €420). Early-bird 10% discount for bookings before end of February
Food: the usual Bootlace vegetarian board!
Group size: up to 12
Workshop time: approx. 15 hours
Walks: two full and two half-day excursions
For more information contact Bootlace c/o Cortijo Romero Tel: 01494 765775 or visit www.bootlace.com |
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Holiday focus Spain
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From the city of Tortosa the mountains of the Els Ports rise up like a child's drawing from the flatlands of the Ebro river. Driving across the olive studded campo the calcareous crags and peaks make it hard to believe that it is possible for a green valley to exist here, but as one weaves around the bends of the small ravine of the Conca it suddenly appears like magic. The valley from here on is shown on Michelin maps as a scenic route as it winds its way up to Alfara de Carles and the Fonts del Tosca.
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Holiday focus Spain
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Perfect for nature lovers, the tranquil white washed pueblo of Zahara de la Sierra serves as the back drop for Al Lago, a charming hotel and restaurant. American Chef Stefan Crites and his English wife Mona moved to the Sierra de Grazalema three years ago looking for an idyllic rustic lifestyle for their young family as well as a culinary adventure. Good food is the focus of this relaxed hotel which can be enjoyed on a wonderful shady terrace overlooking Zahara´s lake in summer months or in the elegant dining room with central fireplace during winter. The hotel is situated in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema and many activities are availble such as walking, cycling, paragliding, photography and general appreciation of the wildlife of this stunning part of Andalucia. Mention Wildside Holidays when enquiring to receive a 10 percent discount on all published room prices!
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