Secrets of Andalucia

Stay in a wonderfully restored 200-year old olive mill with pool Superb hosts / guides; exceptional cuisine, first class walking: choice of levels selected weeks Sub-tropical climate: lemons, kiwi, mango, avocado Stunning white villages; Granada’s beautiful Alhambra Palace Outstanding value fully inclusive holiday

By popular demand we have arranged an additional departure, the 18th April 2009. Please see our 'departure dates and prices' section for more details.

Situated in the heart of the southern Andalucian province of Axarquia, and on the edge of the Tejeda National Park, the recently restored Hotel Finca el Cerrillo is, quite simply, an absolute gem of a place to stay. It’s just 30 minutes’ drive from the coast, yet feels a million miles away!

There are just ten individually styled en-suite rooms – all south facing - and each with air conditioning (central heating for the cooler months) and tea/coffee making facilities. The living areas include a wonderfully atmospheric beamed lounge – cool in summer and kept cosy on winter nights with blazing log fire – dining room, small library and “honesty” bar. Outside, the terraced gardens, with 100-year old carob and palm trees, surround both sunny and shaded patios. The pool affords stunning views of the valley below and the pretty Moorish village of Archez with its C13 Moorish tower.

The food here is superb with menus relying on fresh, local produce. On four evenings, you eat at the Finca – either in the dining room or al fresco on warm evenings – and on the remaining nights we take you to our favourite local restaurants. Wine (1/2 bottle per person) is always included throughout as are all breakfasts and picnic/ tapaslunches.

Experienced mountain leaders, Dave Parsons and Andrew Paterson, will accompany all walks. Some of our paths will take us off-the-beaten-track in the Tejeda National Park; on other days, we’ll be exploring the pretty white villages and oliveplanted hillsides that date back to Moorish times.

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