LAS ALPUJARRAS ESCAPE WALKING & MORE IN “OLD SPAIN” LAS ALPUJARRAS ESCAPE - SINGLE CENTRE HOLIDAY SUMMARY Slow down and allow yourself to be embraced by the rural tranquillity of “Old Spain”. The tiny village of Mairena is the perfect base to unwind and explore the secluded green valleys and tranquil villages of Las Alpujarras in Southern Spain. Perched on the edge of the Sierra Nevada in an oasis of green, Mairena seems caught in a time warp and boasts excellent walking and a host of other activities. The spectacular views from Casa Rural Las Chimeneas, an 800 year old house, captivated David and Emma on their first visit. Since then they have poured their heart and soul into transforming Las Chimeneas into a very special place. Oozing simple solid comfort the house is sympathetically decorated and just the place to kick back, relax and enjoy great locally sourced food and drink for which the restaurant is so well known. The terraced hillsides and sheltered valleys of Las Alpujarras are ideal for walking. Starting from the front door you can meander through olive groves, citrus plantations and explore Moorish villages where you are more likely to meet a donkey than car. Steep terraced hillsides sweep down to the distant Mediterranean Tour: Las Alpujarras Escape and the area is well known for its prolific birdlife. Code: WSpSLAE Type: Single Centre Walking & More We supply a detailed information pack which includes a number of tempting walks to suit all abilities so Price: See Website each day you can choose to explore independently at your own pace. For a break from walking, cooking Single Supplement: See Website classes, cheese making, or visiting local wineries and furniture makers are just a few of the many activities Dates: Mar-Nov available locally. The historic City of Granada, and the Alhambra, is just one of a number of possible day Days: 8 (6 Walking/Active) trips. Nights: 7 Location: Mairena, La Alpujarra HIGHLIGHTS Nearest Airport: Malaga Distance: 68 Miles Enjoying a delicious picnic in the shade of an almond grove. Fabulous walking between Moorish Villages. IS IT FOR ME? Authentic and comfortable accommodation with sweeping views. This holiday is a tranquil escape. Pick Locally sourced food and wine lovingly prepared. and choose from the wide range of walk- Discovering the “Old Spain” and its traditions. ing and activities available to do as much or as little as you wish. Great for families THE MACS ADVENTURE DIFFERENCE or for parties where not everyone is so Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are keen on walking. passionate about delivering outstanding walking and active holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique and can be tailor made to meet your requirements. WHAT’S INCLUDED? Our single centre walking and active holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to really get under the skin of a Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, destination. At the heart of your holiday is a welcoming, authentic rural hotel where you can just relax and small hotels, country inns and guest- be yourself. houses. Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch Great food, accommodation and wine are all very well but we believe that it is by walking, chatting and and dinner not included but always sharing that you get the most from your holiday. So we've combined great hotels with outstanding walking, available at accommodation or nearby. cooking classes, cheese making, olive picking, sightseeing and so much more so that you can get the Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door most from your holiday. Of course if you would rather curl up in a sunny corner with a book that’s fine by baggage transfer. us. Information Pack: Guide Book and info pack. LAS ALPUJARRAS ESCAPE WALKING & MORE IN “OLD SPAIN” and soap the traditional way. First visit the goats ITINERARY to get the raw materials and then back to Las ACCOMMODATION Chimeneas for a hands-on demonstration. As this is a single centre holiday each day you Casa Rural Las Chimeneas can choose from a menu of activities including Mountain Biking - enjoy a 15 km mountain bike descent on forest trails back to house from walking, mountain biking, sightseeing, soap Las Chimeneas has become the place to stay for mountain pass of Puerto de la Ragua. making, olive crushing or just simply relaxing. walkers in Las Alpujarra. Located on the outskirts of the tiny village of Mairena, Casa las Horse Riding - enjoy a full day of riding and a Chimeneas is an extremely spacious house WALKING picnic in the mountains. which has been restored in the local style and is furnished with authentic antiques throughout. Las Alpujarras is a region of mountain villages Furniture Making - Enjoy Day in the which cling to the southern flanks of the Sierra workshop and learn about local crafts with tuition/ There are en-suite bathroom facilities for each of Nevada, Spain’s highest mountains. Deep guidance from the local English speaking the large bedrooms, which have their own private furniture maker. sheltered valleys are lined with terraces and fed balcony or terrace. With only ten rooms the by melt water. Making this an oasis of green house has a lovely relaxed atmosphere and above the barren plain which stretches to the Painting- Indulge your artistic side David and Emma go out of their way to make you painting among the olive and almond trees with distant Mediterranean. feel welcome. an experienced local painter. A network of dirt tracks, ancient footpaths and There is an ample living/dining room with open quiet roads link the mountain villages. Walking Activities for Kids - A range of activities are wood fire and a terrace with breathtaking views these quiet trails through wild flower meadows, also available for families such as village from which you can enjoy an evening barbecue olive groves and citrus orchards is a delight. treasure hunts, fruit and vegetable picking and or a dip in the pool. watering at our organic farm, milking the goats You can choose from a selection of over fifteen and craft mornings. In addition to the rooms in main house three suggested self guided walks each day. These studios are available which are ideal for families. range from easy strolls of a couple of hours to SIGHTSEEING & DAY TRIPS energetic all day adventures. Detailed route MEALS notes and maps are provided and most of the A rental car is included in the cost of your holiday so that you have the freedom to explore routes are well way marked. As keen walkers Next to Casa Las Chimeneas stands the newly the area. David and Emma are always on hand to offer restored Restaurant Las Chimeneas, where advice and suggestions. breakfast and evening meals are served. The Granada & The Alhambra - The Moorish dining room is a truly wonderful place to enjoy an For the more adventurous guided walks in the Palace, Fortress and Gardens of The Alhambra high Sierra Nevada can also be arranged. in Granada shouldn’t be missed. intimate meal in the winter months or a cool beer after a long day's walking . Olive logs burn in the cast-iron stove through the winter, and the ACTIVITIES Cabo de Gata - Nijar National Park - Perfect half moon bays, captivating landscapes, ruined terrace provides uninterrupted views over the castles and prolific fauna and flora make this one surrounding mountain ranges and on to the Although the walking is great there is so much of the last unspoilt stretches of Spain’s Mediterranean in the distance. more on offer at Las Chimeneas. Something Mediterranean Coast. families and non walkers will particularly Breakfast is a combination of orange juice, yoghurts, fresh fruit , freshly baked local and / or appreciate. Las Alpujarras Villages - After the fall of Granada in 1492 the Moors fled to this remote home made bread and jam with produce from Local Cooking Classes - Learn to make local and inaccessible area. For 150 years they our own organic farm. Depending on the season Spanish dishes such as tortilla, patatas a la maintained their Muslim culture and the villages you can expect to enjoy fresh oranges, cherries, pobre or paella. of Las Alpujarras has retained their Berber plums, apples, figs and grapes all picked off our architecture . Spending a day exploring these own trees. Breakfast is also a time for planning Cheese & Soap Making - learn to make cheese quiet hamlets is a delight. LAS ALPUJARRAS ESCAPE WALKING & MORE IN “OLD SPAIN” as David or Emma discuss possible routes or the good walking boots or shoes, warm and Included day's activities with guests. Linger over a pot of waterproof clothes and a day pack. This will be coffee as you savour the possibilities for the day. emailed to you after you book the walk. 7 nights accommodation at Casa Rural Las Chimeneas. The evening meal is served in the small dining Climate & Weather 7 breakfasts, dinners and picnic lunches. room where the very best of Alpujarran food is cooked by the ever-smiling Soledad, with whom Because Mairena is high in the mountains it is A detailed info pack. we have worked with for many years. It has been suitable for walking from April to late November. Walking route notes and maps for suggested a pleasure to exchange recipes handed down The best times for walking are April to May and walks. September to November when days are cooler. over the generations by Alpujarran families as Group A Car Hire. well as introduce her to the flavours of North Getting to Mairena Local activities Africa in a delightful fusion of Andalucian and Moroccan food.