Easy Short Hike from Benamahoma to El Bosque
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Easy short hike from Benamahoma to El Bosque: This excursion starts with a beautiful 30 minute drive into the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema to the picturesque village of Benamahoma, where we embark on a 2 hour hike through an old forest of poplars, elm and ash trees. The route is mostly shaded, gentle and easy, following the Rio Macajeite downstream. A few refreshing baths can be taken throughout the walk to boost your energy. The crystal clear waters of the Rio Macajeite are well known for their medicinal properties. On a lucky day, you might catch a glimpse of trout in the river. The walk ends up in the sweet village of El Bosque where you can stop for a drink or a local tapas meal at one of the cafes in the village square. Duration: 4 hours Price: 26€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Horse riding Enjoy a horse ride directly from Suryalila into the surrounding countryside. The part- bred Andalusian horses live on the Suryalila grounds with us but are owned by Conny Muennemann, who will be your guide. She has over 15 years of experience leading horse riding tours of southern Spain, and is a very knowledgeable and fun local guide. There are beautiful trails to explore for 1 or 2 hour rides. These are available for all levels of experience and all the equipment is provided. Price: The cost for a 1 hour trek is 25€ and for 2 hours 45€. Canyoning The Garganta Verde (Green Gorge) in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park (declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO) is a spectacular canyon artfully carved by the streams of the Pinar River. It is only 5km away from the gorgeous village of Zahara de la Sierra. Famous for its lush vegetation and wildlife, it offers outstanding views, some which are over 400 meters in depth. Be prepared for an unforgettable hike, several exciting abseils and refreshing baths in the Garganta Verde Canyon. The Garganta Verde Canyon Hike is 5km long and is of medium difficulty. Please be aware that the abseiling could be challenging for those who are afraid of heights. Duration: The entire excursion lasts five hours. Price: 45€ p/p (minimum 4 people) May–September 60€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Oct–April (includes wetsuit hire) Visit to the Hammam in Jerez de la Frontera Enjoy a dreamy visit to a beautiful Arabian bath house, with stunning Moroccan interiors. This is a deeply relaxing and soothing experience that you won’t forget. Relaxing complimentary therapies, massage etc. are also available. There is also an opportunity to visit the town of Jerez, famous for its wines and its wonderful Carthusian horses. This visit to Jerez consists of a walk through the historical town centre and a stop for tapas and a glass of wine! Duration: 5 hours Price: 22€ p/p Hammam + 30€ p/p transportation + Optional 9€ 15 minute massage (minimum 4 people) Visit to Arcos de la Frontera Arcos is a UNESCO world heritage town of unique beauty located only 30 minutes’ drive from Suryalila. Perched on top of a high cliff, it enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Arcos is considered to be the entrance way to the famed white villages of Andalusia. The name ‘de la Frontera’ signifies its history as a Moorish fortified town until its capture in 1255 by the Christian king Alphonso X who claimed it for Sevilla. In the 11th century, it was an independent Berber-ruled kingdom for a short period. Enjoy strolling through the winding cobbled streets of the old town, where you can stop at tapas bars and cafes and shop for souvenirs. In the summer months (May to September) this can be combined with a trip to the Arcos lake beach for swimming and sunbathing. Duration: 4 hours Price: 26€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Visit to Grazalema and hike in the nature reserve For an appreciation of a white painted town nestled in the mountains, there is none better than Grazalema. Grazalema is an exquisite small town nestled in the heart of the Grazalema Nature reserve in the Sierra de Cádiz. It is a 40 min drive from Suryalila. On the way there, you will enjoy spectacular views, stopping at viewpoints to observe the stunning landscapes of the mountains of Cádiz. From Grazalema, you will be led on a two hour hike in the reserve and return to the town for refreshments and a stroll around the picturesque town. Grazalema is a typical Arab style village with narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed facades and beautiful sunny squares. Duration: 4-5 hours Price: 32€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Visit to Ronda, the city of dreams Ronda is one of the most famous and picturesque towns in Andalusia, just under one hour from Suryalila. The history of Ronda can be traced back to the 9th century BCE, making it one of Spain’s oldest towns. Similar to many towns in the region it is a fortified white town on a hill with stunning views that was once a centre of Islamic culture. The old town is situated on the other side of a gorge, with a beautiful bridge connecting it with the newer part. Many travellers and writers have written about Ronda, most famously in the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway and Orson Wells. The town was so gorgeously romantic, Hemingway said, that it was "where you should go ... on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone." The writer Rainer Maria Rilke said of Ronda: “I have sought everywhere the city of my dreams, and I have finally found it in Ronda.” The bull ring, one of the most striking in Spain, is made entirely of stone. Today it caters to many tourists; museums, shops and good restaurants abound for all tastes. Duration: 6 hours Price: 40€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Day trip to Seville The culturally rich and beautiful capital of Andalusia is one of Europe’s most charming and romantic cities. The old town of Seville is magical, with winding cobbled streets, Moorish architecture and many memorable attractions. It has a stunning Gothic cathedral, the largest in Europe, founded on the site of a former mosque. Its bell tower, the Giralda, was the former minaret of the mosque and is an important example of the fusion of Islamic and Christian architecture in Andalusia. You can also visit the Alcázar, the magnificent Moorish palace in the centre of Seville. The beautiful manicured gardens of the Alcázar combine Arabic and Renaissance styles, with orange trees, palm trees, fountains and pavilions. Also don’t forget to visit the Plaza de la Encarnación to view the famous mushroom sculpture - which provides magnificent views of the city – and the Plaza de España situated next to the Maria Luisa gardens. An enjoyable way to see some of the old town and the Plaza de España is to take a horse and carriage ride for 45€ through Seville. Seville’s history is woven into folklore, with Bizet’s Carmen capturing the image of a steaming, sultry city fuelled by colonial passions. Walk the streets of this beautiful city and along the way stop at one of the famous tapas bars for an authentic Sevillian lunch. Duration: 1 day (8 hours) Price: 40€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Day trip to the beach of Caños de Meca & visit to Vejer de la Frontera Caños de Meca is a small, unspoilt seaside village to the east of Cape Trafalgar on the Costa de la Luz. Deep in the Parque Natural del Acantilado, Caños de Meca has beautiful beaches backed by cliffs and pine trees. Spend the day at the beach and then visit Vejer in the evening for dinner at El Jardin de la Califa, a wonderful Moroccan restaurant which we highly recommend. Squeezed between the sierras and the sea, Vejer de la Frontera is a labyrinth of white washed houses and winding cobbled streets. Declared a national monument and set 200m above the surrounding countryside, Vejer has spectacular views across open countryside, wooded sierras and the Atlantic Ocean with Africa clearly visible on the horizon. Vejer has many monuments to visit, flower filled courtyards to peer into and turreted walls to see views from and is one of the most beautiful of the white fortified towns. Duration: 10.30 – 21.00 Price: 50€ p/p (minimum 4 people) Explore Cádiz and relax at the city beach! The perfect combination of city and beach! Explore the beautiful old city of Cádiz in the morning and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach! Cádiz is an hour and a half drive from Suryalila, which makes it a great day trip. Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It was a centre of the Phoenician empire up to 3,000 years ago and then became the 3rd most important city in the Roman Empire. Later it became the city where Columbus left for the Americas and later still was the city where the first liberal constitution in Spain was written in 1812. Cádiz has a unique position, being situated at the end of a narrow peninsula of land, surrounded on all sides by water, leaving it vulnerable to the elements, especially winds and storms in the winter. In the summer, most of the city seems to move to the beautiful beaches that surround the old city and that continue in the newer parts of town. The atmosphere reminds one of a smaller Rio de Janeiro. The old city is unique in its charm, with typical narrow streets opening up to beautiful plazas.