Lemon Valley Holidays

Granada & Las Alpujarras

• Difficulty Level: Medium • Average Altitude: 1000m • Average Daily Walking Distance: 15 km

Introduction

The province of Granada holds Spain's most precious Moorish jewel "The Alhambra Palace", it is also home to Andalucia's most favoured walking destination "Las Alpujarras"; the fertile hills which were the last resting place for the Moors in Spain. Ancient history colours every view in Granada, from the medieval city streets of the Albaicin to the white Berber villages, that cling precariously to dramatic river cut mountain gorges. This holiday enables you to explore the best of Granada city and then escape to the hills to walk through some of Andalucia's most stunning scenery, below the back drop of the snow capped Sierra Nevada, and Spain's highest peak "Mulhacen". In Granada your base will be a converted Nazari palace situated at the foot of The Alhambra Hill, transferring mid week to a traditional rural hotel in the high Alpujarran village of Berchules.

Culture and Walking Itinerary for Granada and Las Alpujarras

Day one: Arrival Granada airport

Arrive Granada airport and transfer by taxi to the hotel "Casa del Capitel Nazari", situated in the medieval Albaicin, a UNESCO world heritage site just a short walk away from The Alhambra Palace and Granada's other main historical sites.

Day two: Guided morning walk of Granada City

This morning you will be given a 2 hour guided walk of Granada, the Albaicin and other major sights by a local professional English speaking guide. They will take you on a journey explaining the rise and fall of The Moors and the conquest by The Catholic Kings, Isabel and Ferdinand. Your afternoon is free to further explore the city; visiting the Cathedral, The Royal Chapel and the gypsy barrio of Sacromonte. You can finish off your day by seeing a flamenco show in the evening and sampling one of the Moroccan "teterias" in the souk like Alcaiceria.

Day three: Pre-booked visit to The Alhambra Palace & Generalife Gardens

The Alhambra Palace complex has been short-listed to be one of the the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is a stunningly preserved example of Moorish architecture featuring the inner Nazrid Palaces, the Alcazar fortress and the beautiful summer palace and gardens "Generalife". You will have a full day to explore the site at your leisure and your tickets will be waiting for you to collect upon your arrival at the palace.

Day four: Collect your hire car and transfer to Las Alpujarras

After collecting your hire car, transfer to Las Alpujarras on the south side of the Sierra Nevada. On the way to your hotel in the Berber village of Berchules, you will pass through the famous village of Lanjaron; home to Spain's most popular mountain spring water, where you can explore the village and take lunch in one of the traditional local restaurants, before continuing your journey deeper into the mountains.

Day five: The Acequia Circuit (10km)

To get the feel of the area you can start your walking by taking a long half day, circular walk out from the hotel which takes you up into the green mountains of Las Alpujarras along stone laid mule paths which criss-cross the countryside. You will pass a beautiful stone acequia (water channel), left over from The Moors and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the region.

Day six: Yegan and the trail of Gerald Brenan (2 x 5km)

Gerald Brenan's South of Granada introduced the world to Las Alpujarras when the book was published early last century, which detailed his life in the high Alpujarran village of Yegen. In the village you can see the house he lived in and also take two short 5km walks out from the village, one of which is said to have been his favourite afternoon ramble along the olive terraces, with time for lunch in the village in between.

Day seven: The Walk of the Rio Trevelez (15km)

This is a really scenic circular walk which starts from the high Alpujarran village of Trevelez. It is here you get the most famous cured ham of Andalucía so be sure to have a tapa and a glass of the local "vino" in the village square before you leave! Small stone paths lead you up an out of the village following the huge river gorge that cuts the mountain range. You will pass by some authentic working cortijos which will give you the chance to see life as it has been led in rural Andalucía for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Day eight:

Transfer back to Granada airport, deposit hire car and say farewell to Andalucía.

What is included in the holiday

• 3 nights bed & breakfast in a boutique city centre hotel in Granada
• 4 nights bed and breakfast in a traditional rural hotel in the Alpujarran village of Berchules
• 5 days car hire of a Renault Clio (5 door) type model with air conditioning and GPS
• Detailed independent walking route notes and maps for 3 days walking in Las Alpujarras
• Pre-booked entrance to The Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens
• Guided walk of Granada city
• Driving maps and notes
• A comprehensive holiday guide pack sent to your home by post
• Access to our telephone support line should you need assistance whilst in Andalucía

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Client's Comments

Sally & Jan Tour of Andalucia May 2011 UK

Well, Sally and I are back in the chilly UK and are already missing sunny Andalusia! We had a fantastic time and want to thank you so much for arranging such a fabulous trip for us. Everything went like clockwork – even our entry tickets to the Alhambra! The hotels were lovely and so well located in each city and the trains were wonderful so we h had no problems at all – only too many fantastic places to see in only a week! We were left wanting more! It would be hard to pick out any particular highlights but in relation to what you arranged the flamenco in Seville was amazing – a wonderful evening - and the tour with Concepcion around Seville was really good. So good in fact that we immediately booked her afternoon tour around the Cathedral! The information you provided us with was excellent in every way – we really couldn't go wrong. It was as though you were with us! I will be recommending your company to anyone I know who is thinking of going to Spain and keeping an eye on your other current trips and any further developments you make.

Barbara Sykes, UK. Las Alpujarras & Granada. April 2007

Just a line to say how much we enjoyed our holiday, everything went smoothly thanks to your detailed notes. Our first two days in Berchules it rained but as we had the car we were able to explore the area and the remainder of our time there we walked. We liked both of the hotels, especially Berchules as Wendy and family were so welcoming and could not have done more for us. Thanks again for arranging everything so well for us - we are interested in Nerja maybe in February next year so hope to be in touch with you again.