How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Antonio our tour leader fitted in well with the group.Always available for advice and good local knowledge about the local attractions. Group meals and trips were always well organized. Liked to joke which is always positive on a holiday.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Some of the options mentioned on previous explore trips no longer apply so there was not a great amount of money needed as extras.

 

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Elaine was excellent - she was well prepared, very knowledgeable and informative and friendly.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

I'd recommend the additional excursion to the flamenco show in Cordoza, it was great.  Also the optional extra guide for the Mezquita and area in Cordoza was great to get the really local knowledge.  There's plenty of free time in the itinerary which gives lots of time for exploring, so do a little homework, although the Explore Tour Leader will give you lots of suggestions of things to do.

Do you have anything else to add?

A very well thought out itinerary giving very good balance.

I have just returned from Andalucia and thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of cultural visits to Seville, Granada and Cordoba interspersed with staying in the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Nevada. 

There really is something for everyone on this trip and because all the walks are optional there is no pressure to do more than you are capable of.  Our guides in Granada (for the Alhambra) and Cordoba (the Jewish quarter and the Mezquita) were very entertaining, and with lots of free time in each place we stayed there were plenty of opportunities for personal sightseeing after the main sights had been ‘ticked off’.  Cordoba has been beautifully preserved yet still feels like a town where ordinary people live and work rather than a tourist destination.  It is ideal for just wandering around the narrow lanes and alleyways, and is small enough that you cannot get lost.   

I loved the walk on the 4 wheel drive expedition from Cazorla which followed the river from its source through the most magnificent scenery, thankfully all downhill, and the appearance of a café with shade, drinks and ice cream was the perfect end to a wonderful day.   

The walk from Grazalema to Benaocaz was a hard 2 km climb up into the Natural Park but the stunning views of limestone peaks and soaring vultures made it all worthwhile. (SP -2nd September 2011)

The tour was very well organised with well located hotels and a variety of transport. There are good introductions to the various cities yet plenty of spare time to explore the towns and cities according to your interests.   Because of the locations of the hotels it is always easy to get back to base. 

Couple of hints-- take walking poles as though the walks are "moderate" the slopes are steep and slippery.           -- if at all possible try the week before Easter as the afternoon & evening processions with tableaux  bands and penitents make a lasting impression of the spirituality of the spanish. (SP -15th April 2011)

I found this trip excellent for getting to know the Andalucia region. It was a good mixture of sightseeing and walks, included excursions and free time. There was plenty of free time in each place to explore at my own pace (my pace is rather frantic cramming as much in as possible but others chose a more relaxed pace). All the hotels were excellently located so everywhere of interest was within walking distance and the excellent maps Vivian (our brilliant tour leader) handed out at each place were invaluable.  It was fascinating (and well worth the long walk up hill!) to visit the isolated monastery, populated by one solitary Brother, who happily showed us around. I would definitely recommend the optional 4x4 trip in Cazorla as that was one of my favourite parts of the trip. The scenery is beautiful and the drivers give you excellent information about the local wildlife, climate, flowers etc. The walk is stunning, following a trail that takes you through tunnels and along rivers and we even had our picnic by a waterfall. Cordoba was also another highlight and the local guide we had to show us around the beautiful narrow alleys of the Jewish Quarter and the stunning Mezquita was excellent. Because of all the free time on this trip I would definitely recommend doing some research into what you would like to see and investing in a good guidebook as well (also Michael Jacobs book on Andalucia is great to read before going and Washington Irving's Tales From the Alhambra is definitely one to read whilst in Spain, just before you visit the Alhambra). This is a great tour for all ages for anyone interested in Moorish history and who enjoys stunning scenery. (SP - 20th May 2011)