Rural Andalucia at its finest
I have been to Andalucia many times - over the last 10 years I have probably taken a holiday there 8 times.
People often ask me why I always choose to go there as I don’t feel Spain, particularly southern Spain, has quite managed to shrug off its sun and sangria image. Of course there are pockets of Andalucia that I avoid but the vast majority is simply stunning. If you then also consider the short flight from the UK – or train journey – and pretty-much guaranteed good weather between March and October then for me personally it is hard to beat.
Firstly there is the walking – our walking holiday in western Andalucia covers a quiet and beautiful corner of the region. Walk through meadows, forests, olive groves, and untouched villages that have not changed in centuries. You are unlikley to come across other walkers on the route – the area is still very much untouched. Unusually for the mediterranean there are four definite seasons here too . If you go in the spring (March – May) the area is awash with colour from wild flowers in bloom. In autumn everything changes again and the hillsides are dazzling in reds and golden colours. The summer months are hot but I have to admit I quite enjoy going during these months as it gives me the perfect excuse to do nothing but sleep and eat.
That brings me nicely on to the food … another highlight. I am a fan of locally produced food as it simply has more taste. In Andalucia I am absolutely spoilt for choice – olives, fish, salads, oils, honey, nuts and a huge vairety of fruit that I simply don’t bother with at home. Most food is just served as it is, on its own without the need for sauces to add flavour. You can stop in the simplest-looking tapas bar and enjoy the most delicious food. And I still stand by the fact that I have never had a bad coffee in Spain – OK I know coffee is not exactly local to Spain, they just know how to make it .
Then there are the villages. There are literally hundreds of white villages or pueblo blanco scattered around Andalucia. Most of them are perched high up on hilltops as they were built as fortresses to defend the ever-changing frontier between the Moorish and Christian lands. Today the villages are mostly still as they were back in the 12th century – narrow winding cobbled streets of white-washed houses with traditional tiled porches lead to the main village square where you usually have a Moorish castle and a Christian church – an insight into the history of the region. Between the afternoon siesta hours of 2 – 5 these villages are like ghost towns but in the morning and evenings they are bustling with locals shopping , chatting, eating and drinking. These villages have an incredible number of local fiestas – there are over 3,000 each year in Andalucia alone – so it shouldn’t be too difficult to time your visit to tie in with one of them.
Andalucia also has great variety. You can easily combine a walking holiday with time in the cities of Seville, Cordoba or Granada where you can really soak up the Moorish history and achitecture. You can add on beach time and enjoy the wild, mostly empty beaches of Costa de la Luz – the least developed of the Spanish costas. Or you can explore Jerez – home of flamenco and sherry – try not to think of Harvey’s Bristol Cream at this stage – vino de Jerez is delicious and a perfect accompaniment to the local jamon. If you want to explore the other side of Andalucia, the Alpujarra mountains near Granada and the remote desert of Almeria province are both easily accessible. All in all the possibilities for combining different experiences is endless.
Lastly, and for me possibly the main reason I love Andalucia, is the way of life. I find it impossible not to relax in Andalucia. The trick is to follow the locals and live as they do. When I first arrive I am usually irritated the first day by the complete lack of urgency applied to everything and the fact that all the shops bars and restaurants are closed when I want them to be open. But switch off your UK clock and you soon realise that the locals have it right. Then you just need to sit back and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
Find out more about our inn to inn walking holiday in Andalucia or any of our walking holidays in Spain or just call us on +44 (0)1273 676 712 to talk to one of our experts.
The virgin landscapes of Antarctica
Antarctica is a very special place for me. It is the coldest, driest and windiest continent. It is so hostile an environment that there are no permanent inhabitants. That such a hostile place can be so hauntingly beautiful is very special.
I have always had a fascination with vast open spaces and wildernesses. I don’t think I was much older than five years old when I announced to my parents that I wanted to go to the Outer Hebrides. After poring over a map of the UK in school I had singled out this set of islands as being remote and I wanted to go. I don’t think I knew Antarctica existed at the time or I am sure I would have chosen that instead.
It is the journey in every sense of the word that makes me love these places. Remote places are difficult to get to but that makes them raw, wild, largely untouched and completely authentic. It is as it is. No one has tried to mold these places to fit the tourist. Not yet anyway.
As the ultimate wilderness, I felt priviledged to visit Antarctica. The raw beauty of the place took my breath away. I don’t think I was expecting much more than penguins and icebergs to be honest. That would have been enough. The countless glaciers and massive mountain peaks as a permanent backdrop was a total surprise. We also did not come into contact with any other groups or travelling parties throughout the trip. It felt like we were alone to experience this huge continent by ourselves.
It was difficult for me to choose a photo to sum this up but I think this one comes close. Everything against the landscape looks so small in Antarctica – boats, wildlife, people. The landscape dominates and you have no choice but to respect it. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with Antarctica.
Read more about our holidays to Antarctica or read our holiday guide to Antarctica.