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Guided
Walking holiday
in Alicante, Spain |
Ref:
ALI |
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8
days
Feb 15 -22, March 15 -
22, April 19 -26, May 10 - 17, Sep
6 - 13, Oct 18 - 25,
Nov 15 - 22, Dec 20 - 27 €560 per person
sharing
( Please see
booking information)
• Transfer from and to Alicante airport
• 7 Breakfasts
• 5 packed lunches
• 6 Dinners
• Expert local guide throughout
• Luggage transfer
- at all accommodation, cereal, yoghurt, toast, sweat buns,
fruit,
coffee tea fruit juice.
- Spanish baguette with various toppings, fruit and a sweet. Snacks of
almonds, dates etc. are also given.
- Three-course meal, mainly traditional Spanish cooking, e.g. soup, tapas,
fidewa (local seafood dish), fruit salad and ice cream/ Crema Catalana. Wine
and water are also served.
>> BOOK THIS TOUR
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Experience
Spanish rural life on this ‘village
to village’ trek. Walk along ancient
shepherds tracks through a marvellous
unspoilt landscape of rugged mountains
and deep gorges. Stay in a series of
remote and charming villages, and participate
in their relaxed and traditional way
of life. This is a cultural experience
as much as a walking holiday. This trip
and the people involved are committed
to the respect for nature and the development
of its villages, people and customs.
We follow old trade routes that connected
the villages as far back as Romans times.
These tiny villages and trails form an
important part in Spanish history.
Trails are graded moderate, but some of
the walks will require a degree of fitness.
Tough walking days are normally followed
by easier ones. The walks vary from 3.5
to 8 hours. The longest walk takes in three
peaks including the highest in the province
(1557m). The emphasis is on discovering
the natural environment and enjoying the
traditional way of life in this part of
Spain.
You can walk in this region all months
except July and August.
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Airport shuttle from Alicante to ‘Hort
de Gloria’ guesthouse arriving at
12:30. Time to unpack and settle in after
a light lunch of tapas and local wine.
Walk to the village (2kms), and visit the
village plaza and the Ermita. After the
walk we return to the guesthouse to swim
walk or just relax. A sunset drive up to
the climbing area for a drink and spectacular
views. Dinner at 20.00 in the guesthouse.
Acclimatise to local conditions on a circular
walk to the village of Relleu.
An easy\moderate walk on maily contour
paths. We stop for lunch and a drink in
one of the village bars and then return
to Sella using sheperd trails that are
hidden in amongst the many stone terraces.
We stop for another drink in Sella and
then return to the guest house via the
water mill, a 1000 year old mill that is
still in working order. Time: 4-5 hours.
The walk starts from the guesthouse after
a good breakfast. Today we leave the valley
of Sella ending up in the village of Guadalest.
It is moderate walking of 5-6 hours on
easy forest track. Along the way we take
in various spectacular views and sites,
including a Buddist monestry. The area
is full of big lime stonewalls and caves,
often forming the basis of a new fountain.
Enjoy a packed lunch and snacks en-route.
On arrival at the guesthouse we freshen
up, have some snacks, drinks and then walk
down to the famous village of Guadalest.
The village is perched on the edge of a
large reservoir and is still protected
by the huge cliff on which it was constructed.
See the museums and lookout and then return
to the guesthouse for dinner and an early
night. (Big day tomorrow!)
Breakfast 8:00-8:30. The walk starts at
the guest house, which is perched at the
base of the mountain, the Sierra Aitana.
Our aim today is to climb, summit and cross
this big mountain. The morning is spent
slowly meandering up to the summit. This
takes about 4 hours and has more then1000m
ascent.
Our long climb is rewarded with spectaclar
views and a series of geological faults ‘Las
Simas’, (the side of the mountain
is falling away exposing massive cracks
into which we may venture. The microclimate
within these very deep cracks is completely
unique to themselves. After reaching the
top of the mountain (the highest in the
province 1557m) we make our way down to
Sella via the long ridge. Walk duration
7-8 hours. On arrival at the guesthouse
relax, freshen up and have a swim in the
large spring fed pool. Walk down to the
watermill below the house for a guided
tour with Amable. Dinner is served at 8.00.
Vincent can often be persuaded to play
some music after diner with a good glass
of port.
The coastal walks of the mediterean are
wonderful. The walk we do is a an easy
2-3 hour walk but we take most of the day.
The paths are very good, walking is either
on top of the sea cliffs or along the beach.
Spectaular views are had up and down the
coastline. We stop along the way in hidden
coves to swim, suntan and just have a pleasnant
time. Picnic lunch in one of the coves.
The walk starts and finishes in the town “La
Villa Jojosa”, a quaint fishing town.
Once back in la Villa we stop for drinks
in the habour and then head to the beach
or take in a bit of site seeing.
Today is a day for a well-deserved rest.
Either go to the coast to explore the markets
and fishing towns. Or spend the day discovering
a new activity. Sea-kayaking in the reserve
off the village of La Villajoiosa is very
popular. This is a great activity for anyone
and no prior experience is needed. Lunch
in one of the local beachfront restaurants
(tapas and fresh seafood with a cold glass
of beer).
Other free-day ideas: Rest with a book
by the pool in Sella. Come and do some
rock climbing with one of our guides. Depending
on the time of the year there are various
festivals in the near buy villages. For
the hardened walkers there are various
day trips that can be under-taken. Rent
a bike and discover the many miles of dirt
tracks in the area. Take the train that
runs along the cost stopping at a few of
the towns.
The Puig Campana is a massive tower of
rock that rises from close to the coast.
Its height is 1407m but we start walking
from quite low. This is the one mountain
that has to be climbed.
Breakfast at 8:30, followed by a 15 minute
transfer. The first part of the route is
on forest track up to” La Carrasca” (a
goatherds house). The route then follows
one of the shepherd trails to the Col de
Llamp, where we stop and admire the coastal
views and have a snack. After the break
the path goes down a rocky gully to the
Collado del Povet, the base of the Puig
Campana. There is a fairly steep one and
a half-hour walk to the summit rewarded
with 360-degree views. Lunch and and a
group photo on the summit,( depending on
the weather) followed by a walk back to
the col. Follow a different route to the
Sacarest farmhouse and down to the finishing
point. Walk time 7 hours.
We return to Hort De Gloria for an end
of trip celebration, or fiesta (A fiesta
in Spain is something of great importance.
As a nation the Spanish are very close.
One way of making you feel welcome and
at home is to have a fiesta in your honour.)
Breakfast served at 8:30. Transfer to the
airport at 9:20.
(*we have the option to slot this walk
in depending on group and weather, it
would replace the coastal walk but is
much harder)
Note: Itinerary subject to change according to weather
For more information or e-mail us at info@govisitireland.com
- Guests are accommodated
at Hort de Gloria and El Mirador, a guest
farm situated near the traditional village
of Sella This is a beautiful old masia
(farmhouse) surrounded by mountains on
all sides.) Food is all wholesome and home-cooked
with a lot of the produce coming straight
from the farm. Dinners are served in a
communal dining room. For those hot days
there is a 25m pool fed by a natural spring.
Rooms are all double sharing with communal
lounge, dinning.
- El Trestellador is a small hostel
close to the village of Guadalest. All
rooms are double en suites. The hostel
has a small restaurant and communal area.
There is a swimming pool for hot days.
People come from far to sample Charo’s
excellent food
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back at Hort de Gloria guest farmhouse.
The coastal climate of Valencia is very
mild with average max. Average temperatures
in Winter are 13C and in Summer 29C. The
generally sunny conditions give moderate
temperatures during the day, even in Winter,
although as soon as the sun disappears
temperatures can drop quickly. Walking
in summer is not recommended as temperatures
can soar to 35C.
is between 400-500mm.
Daylight hours - Winter solstice (dec.22)
10 hours.
- Summer solstice (june22) 16 hours.
Dry days - 300+
Snowfall - Very occasionally on the highest
peaks.
Clients should provide suitable walking
gear that includes a good pair of hiking
boots. Although the climate is moderate,
it is essential to have a waterproof jacket
and pants in the unlikely case of rain
or snow. Adequate sun protection is essential
(hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Travel insurance is required by all people
partaking on this trip.
Min 4, max 14 people.
Sella: September
Penaguilla:
Benimantell:
Villajoyosa: July
Alcoy: April
The origins of this festivity date back
to the XVI century and, nowadays, in three
days of festivities, about 5.000 people "align" either
in the Moor or the Christian decree. The
colour, the music, gunpowder, the processions
and “arcabucería” battles
well deserve a visit.
is located on a high peak,
built-into a rocky outcrop the village
is entered buy way of a man made tunnel,
excavated into the rock. The peculiar
nature of the municipality is apparent
from afar, whilst its heart holds even
more surprises, ranging from a neighbourhood
that shows vestiges and remains from
a good part of the of the local history,
to a complete and varied selection
of museums. The village, is both surprising
and spectacular, the “Sierra
de Aitana”, the “Sierra
de Serrella” and the “Sierra
de Xortà” surround it.
is a small village situated at
the base of the Sierra Aitana and the
Puig Campana. With little over 300 inhabitants,
2 bars ,1 restaurant, a bakery and a
large church it is still truly rural
Spain.
The guesthouse is a 1km walk from the
village of Sella and 3km by car.
Hort De Gloria is a beautifully renovated
farm house with over 300 years of Spanish
history.
All accommodation. is twin sharing. The
25m pool is spring fed and all the rooms
have mountain views, as we are completely
surrounded by them. There is a large
terrace for drinks with brilliant views
overlooking the olive groves The garden
around the house has a grass area and
also barbecue and seating area. There
is a large fire place in the lounge for
those cold nights. All meals are served
in a communal dining hall
is situated in one of the regions
beautiful cherry growing valleys. Nestled
amongst mountains and cherry trees it
is a truly beautiful rural village rich
in history. Dating back to Roman occupation
it is one of the oldest villages in the
province of Alicante. Many of the sites
still stand. The fort dates back to the
6th century. The Roman aquaducts can
be seen in various places. The gardens
of Santos built in the mid 1800’s
are beautifully maintained and have on
their premises a museum dedicated to
local history. The area also has a number
of prehistoric painting sites.
has something special that
makes all those who visit want to return.
The light of a Mediterranean locality,
the configuration of the old town, with
its small streets that reminisce of the
past, its houses close to the port painted
in the purest of Mediterranean styles,
in bright luminous colours, are the biggest
attractions for tourists. Besides which
the town enjoys an excellent climate
that makes it a recommended destination
any time of the year. The town has a
street market that sells many locally
made items.
A characteristic of the locality, its
fishing tradition, held above all else,
is intimately related to the sea through
hundreds of years of customs. The production
and mending of fishing nets maintains
traditional methods and processes that
have been maintained, and effectively
used over many years. The village is
also the regions original chocolate producer
of past and present the two small factories
still follow traditional methods in production
and is well illustrated in the towns
chocolate museum.
The museum can be enjoyed both inside
and outside. Before entering, there are
large machines and a cart to be seen,
from which chocolate was once commercialised.
Once inside there are two programmed
tours, the thematic tour and the chronological
tour. The first tour shows the commerce,
consumption, packaging, the raw materials,
chocolates and their moulds. The chronological
tour shows the three factories of the
XIX and the XX centuries. The visit finalises
with the modern installations and a tasting
session.
The Old Quarter of the town preserves
an enviable degree of conservation.
Its traditionally seafaring and commercial
character has determined its particular
architecture, with a distribution and
layout typical to the era of the conquest
and the re-conquest. In excavations
in the area there have been found remains
from the Iberian era, of Phoenician
or Egyptian origin. The Fortress-Church
of the “Asunción”,
in the Historical-Artistic quarter
is worth a visit, belonging to the
Catalan Gothic style. The streets of “Colón” and “Canalejas” conserve
buildings of different architectural
styles, which range from the XIX and
the XX century. Another of the essential
attractions is the hanging polychromatic
houses above the river Amadorio, which
also serve as icon to the town.
Almond picking, the almonds trees are
on flower on the months of Jan- Feb.
Also other fruit picking depending on
season.
In October there is a very famous “Medieval
Fair” in Cocentaina, and Finestrat
has one in March.
Local Markets every day of the week and
in La Cala de Finestrat on Fridays.
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‘Thank
you for arranging this walking holiday for
me in May. I had a brilliant week with Jonathan
and his wife Violeta. Jonathan is an excellent
guide and great fun. I enjoyed the walking,
weather and the scenery was beautiful, I
would recommend it to anyone into walking’
Tess Cunniffe, Ireland. May 2007
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Go Ireland, Killorglin, Co. Kerry,
Ireland. Tel: +353-66-976 2094 Fax: +353-66-976 2098 e-mail: info@govisitireland.com
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