The last episode of the BBC’s Travellers' Century featured adventurer Benedict Allen exploring Laurie Lee’s semi-autobiographical novel As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, in which the author embarks on an epic journey across Spain on foot. Lee sets off from Vigo in the north to walk to Andalucia in the south, creating an evocative and atmospheric travelogue based around the towns, countryside and generous hospitality he encounters along the way. Discover quintessentially Spanish Andalucia, its Moorish history and culture, and spectacular mountain and coastal landscape popular with writers for decades, and perfect for the pedestrian adventurer. Unlike Lee’s progress, Walks Worldwide’s 8-day Andalucia in Style self-guided walking tour is accommodated in a handpicked selection of idyllic hotels en route. The holiday departs Malaga daily – best time to go - September to November. Walks Worldwide’s journey focuses on three specific areas - the Sierra de Grazalema, the Pueblos Blancos or ‘White Towns’ region and historic Granada. Firstly, Grazalema, spectacularly nestled beneath the craggy peak of San Cristobal in the centre of the Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema - offering some of the best mountain walking in Spain. Wooded ravines and high rugged peaks produce a micro-climate for numerous ancient and rare botanical species and provide a perfect habitat for Golden Eagle and Ibex. Next, the picturesque whitewashed towns and villages pocketing the mountain hillsides of the Pueblos Blancos region. The jewel in the crown here is the celebrated town of Ronda, made famous by Hemingway, and breathtakingly situated on the El Tajo gorge – it’s a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. Later, for a complete contrast, board a train and head for the Moorish city of Granada, set against the snow-capped peaks of Spain’s highest mountains. Dating back over 1,000 years, this medieval Islamic city with its twisting alleyways, churches, scented gardens and star attraction, the Alhambra Palace, is best explored on foot during a guided walking tour. As a fantastic finale, walkers get to stretch their legs even further, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, ascending one of the 1,500 metre-plus peaks for stunning, far reaching views.
The holiday costs £1,150 p/p (land only) including all accommodation with breakfast, private taxi and rail transfers, maps and route notes plus a guided tour of Granada. Flights are not included, but numerous budget options to Malaga are available and Walks Worldwide are happy to assist.
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