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Slow Lane Magazine, May 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • favourite (but oft-forgotten) festivals
  • Nepal's secret valley
  • boutique beauty in Drôme Provençale
  • carving out a future in southern Italy
  • Inntravellers' Tales – our new writing competition
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New Year Break in Grazalema

Andalucia
 
Celebrate the New Year with a special four-course dinner in the pretty ‘white town’ of Grazalema. This self-guided, single-centre walking holiday, with car hire, promises a wide range of walks in the Grazalema Natural Park, and the chance to visit other pueblos blancos.
New Year Break in Grazalema. 4 nights
New Year Break in Grazalema. 4 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A New Year break in Grazalema

The amazing landscapes, rewarding walking and fresh mountain air of the Grazalema Natural Park in Spain’s deep south make it a great choice for a festive getaway. Africa is close in every sense, from the scent of orange trees to the Moorish influence on the whitewashed buildings. If the scenery is magnificent, equally outstanding is the wildlife – the craggy limestone peaks shelter surprisingly green valleys and gullies, which in turn are home to an astonishing array of flowers and birds.
Of the region’s famed pueblos blancos (‘white towns’), Grazalema is one of the prettiest, framed by mountains and with sloping cobbled streets, and makes a perfect base for walking and discovery. This is an area we know very well – Inntravel has offered holidays here for many years – and we offer an exceptionally wide range of detailed and informative walking routes. If this were not enough, you enjoy first-rate hospitality at La Mejorana, making for a New Year to remember.
 
Gallery
 

Walking & more

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes as the mood takes you. 
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    Spring flowers start to appear in February, although the best time is mid-April to mid-May. In March, the flowering gorse bushes provide a yellow carpet on the slopes.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 11 11 14 16 20 24 29 29 25 19 14 11
    mm 111 102 83 76 52 33 13 13 32 79 128 124
  • An introduction
    Knowing this area as we do, we are able to provide you with a wide selection of walking routes in the Grazalema Natural Park. Some lead direct from Grazalema (sometimes requiring a bus or taxi back – pay locally), while others are accessed using your hire car.

    Please note that access to the protected areas within the Natural Park is strictly controlled by entry permits of which a limited number are released each day in order to protect the unique bio-reserves. The Natural Park authorities may also very occasionally close these areas at short notice during particularly dry weather to prevent the risk of fire. You can either visit the Park Office in the nearby village of El Bosque to book tickets or arrange for them to be faxed to the Tourist Office in Grazalema. A permit is required for the walks marked with an asterix (*).
  • Choice of routes: 7.5km to 16km

    The Pinsapo Reserve* (grade 2-3): 16km, 6hrs; ascent/descent 940m
    This out-and-back walk from Grazalema promises some magnificent views, taking you up onto the ridge that contains both the highest and third highest peaks in the sierra, standing at 1,654m and 1,556m respectively. Along the way, you will encounter an old ice-well before entering a UNESCO-protected reserve housing Abies pinsapo, a very rare fir, which now exists in only two other Spanish forests. (*Permit required)

    From Grazalema to Benaocaz via Dornajo (grade 2): 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 540m
    This is one of the classic walks from Grazalema. It is a beautiful route over the ridge of the Sierra del Endrinal to the ruined Dornajo farmhouse, which stands in a secluded valley amidst poplars and tiny streams. From the farmhouse, you continue to follow the valley to Benaocaz, entering this whitewashed village through its deserted, centuries-old, Moorish quarter. Take the afternoon bus back to Grazalema.

    The Two Valleys (grade 2): 14km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 620m
    On this lovely circular walk, you explore two parallel valleys, where ruined farms, overgrown threshing floors, hand-hewn troughs and collapsed stone walls evidence a time when the people herded their animals, made cheese and charcoal, sheered wool and grew vegetables then took it all by donkey to the market in Grazalema along the same paths you will walk today.

    Cork Woods circuit (grade 1-2): 7.5km, 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 160m
    This is a gentle, half-day circular walk from Grazalema that explores an area of cork oak woods, streams and green open valleys, grazed by the sheep and goats that give these villages their famous cheeses.
  • Choice of routes: 5km or 8km

    The Green Gorge* (grade 2): 5km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 390m
    To reach this walk, you drive over panoramic Dove Pass (1,300 metres) which affords fantastic views over the turquoise waters of the nearby lake. The walk itself descends some 300 metres through the dramatic Garganta Verde (‘Green Gorge’). Lined with Mediterranean bushes, the gorge is home to 200 pairs of griffon vultures, and it is well worth detouring to the vulture-viewing platform, from where you may also see choughs, crag martins and alpine swifts. Continue via a steep stone 'stairway' to the bottom of the gorge, where there is a huge cave overhung with wild fig trees and ferns, and retrace your steps back to your car. (*Permit required)

    Smugglers' trail (grade 1-2): 8km, 3hrs; ascent 200m/descent 240m
    This is a pretty and easy walk along the river Guadiaro, following an old drovers’ trail, also used by smugglers in days gone by.
  • Ronda and the Pileta Caves
    To ring the changes, we highly recommend spending some time in Ronda. This magnificent and astonishingly sited white town is unmissable, and we provide notes for a self-guided town trail to help you explore. Another worthwhile visit is to the Pileta Caves (advance booking required), in which rock paintings dating from some 32,000 years ago have been discovered.
  • Celebratory meal included
    The focal point of the break is, of course, New Year’s Eve, when you are treated to a fine four-course dinner at a lively, traditional restaurant in the centre of the village. Afterwards, join the locals in the square and celebrate in traditional fashion with uvas de la suerte (‘lucky grapes’). This Spanish custom of eating a grape with each chime of the bell and washing them down with cava is not as easy as it sounds!
 

Accommodation

Grazalema is a charming town and makes a great base for your break.
La Mejorana
  • guesthouse

Bedrooms

 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
Currency converter

We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.

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NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 4 nights: 28 December - 04 January 2020

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    28 - 31 December £320 £95
    3rd & 4th person discount -£35
    Single traveller supplement £35

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 4 days' category B car hire (eg Seat Ibiza (255, 255, 255) or similar with manual transmission)

    Driving time to/from the hotel: Seville 2h, Malaga 2h15

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    La Mejorana
    Village view: 28 Dec - 04 Jan 2020 £0

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    La Mejorana (B&B) Double room Single room
    28 Dec - 04 Jan 2020 £55 £75
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Seville, Málaga

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Málaga or Madrid. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Malaga Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Malaga Aer Lingus,  easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Malaga Flybe,  jet2,  Norwegian,  Ryanair,  TUI,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Malaga Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Malaga easyJet,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Bristol - Seville easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Cardiff - Malaga TUI,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Doncaster Sheffield - Malaga Flybe,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Malaga jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Nottingham East Midlands - Seville Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Malaga jet2,  Norwegian,  Ryanair 
    Edinburgh - Seville easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Exeter - Malaga Flybe 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Malaga easyJet,  jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Malaga Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Inverness - Seville (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Malaga jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Leeds Bradford - Seville (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Malaga easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Malaga British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Malaga British Airways,  easyJet,  Norwegian,  TUI 
    Gatwick - Seville British Airways,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Malaga British Airways 
    Heathrow - Seville (via Madrid) Iberia 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Malaga easyJet,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Luton - Seville easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Malaga easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Malaga British Airways,  easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair 
    Stansted - Seville Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Malaga easyJet,  jet2,  Norwegian,  Ryanair,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Manchester - Seville Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Malaga easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Malaga Flybe 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Malaga Flybe 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Málaga or Madrid. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £30 per person for our flight booking service (£50 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 1 celebratory dinner
    4 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • 4 days' category B car hire
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (if you are travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • (Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; in Catalonia, for example, Catalan has equal status. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 7/19/2019 12:49:10 AM