Most Inspirational Moment
This is a beautiful part of Spain
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis is a wonderful group leader
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy!
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Walking in southern Spain
A really enjoyable holiday
A very enjoyable holiday
The accommodation is set in spectacular scenery, you eat outside with that view every day (weather permitting).
Walks are enjoyable and varied, and often end with a nice cool drink in a local bar.
Pool at the accommodation is very nice and refreshing at the end of the day (pool towels are provided).
Food served is also excellent.
Drinks are very reasonably priced in the Cortijo.
Most Inspirational Moment
I cant really pick out one thing, the whole holiday was excellent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was a first class group leader - the right attitude, good planning, easy to get on with, always looking out for everyone in the group, making changes as required (it was very hot when were were there).
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do this trip (well, if you like walking anyway ...).
Walking in Andalusia
One of the best holidays ever. It was a wonderful mixture of walking – where the scenery was different on every hike and incredibly unspoilt, eating beautiful authentic Spanish food , experiencing Andalusian culture and still having time to relax by the pool surrounded by magnificent views. The Cortijo Rosaria was a wonderful place to stay – the staff did everything to make our holiday special, with a surprise Flamenco event at the end of the week.
Most Inspirational Moment
This is difficult as so many of the walks were memorable - but maybe the last two walks were the most outstanding - to Sierra de Grazalema National Park and the El Chorro gorge. The views were stunning. Seville was also a beautiful city to visit especially with all the Jacaranda trees in blossom , and although we only had a day, there was time to see the palace , cathedral and to have a ride in a horse drawn carriage.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was a brilliant group leader. He was extremely knowledgeable and made all the walks interesting and fun. He was caring and courteous and always checked how the itinerary could be improved to ensure everyone had the best time. Nothing was ever too much trouble - he is a great asset to Exodus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Although it's very touristy do take the horse drawn carriage - it's good fun and if time is short it provides an opportunity to see other attractions. The weather was a surprise - unseasonally hot so if going do pack a range of clothes , may have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Walk awhile in Andalucia
A very good opportunity to walk in an unspoilt part of Andalucia from a converted farmhouse base where the staff will look after you very well.
Most Inspirational Moment
Unexpectedly walking the first section of the Caminito del Rey while in El Chorro Gorge and then having lunch over looking the Gorge while watching the vultures.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was an excellent group leader, he gave the appropriate amount of information about each day's walk at the evening briefings. He was always discreetly attentive to the whole group and provided lots of interesting information about the area as we walked.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Cortijo Rosario has wifi in the bar area. Some of the trails are rough so walking boots are advised or well soled walking shoes. The evening meal on the first night is a cold buffet at 8 pm so have some snacks with you or eat a good lunch if possible.
From the olives to the mountains
A fairly gentle week’s walking though I’d imagine it would be a lot harder in the heat of summer. We had torrential rain on the first day’s walk (unusual) but the weather after that was a very pleasant at 25 to 30 degrees C. The atmosphere at the farmhouse was very relaxed, and it was lovely not to have to worry about room keys (you’re in the countryside, a long way from crime and annoyances). It’s worth noting that the days are relatively short, so there is fair amount of time spent back at the farmhouse in the afternoon waiting for dinner at 8pm – fine if you like relaxing, not so good if you like to be active.
Most Inspirational Moment
The morning walk towards Caños Santos monastery took us through farmland with beautiful spring flowers - lush green scenery that you wouldn't normally associate with this part of Spain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was a very relaxed but professional leader, and speaks at least four languages including Spanish. He did an excellent job at charming the officials at El Chorro Gorge to let us walk down part of the gorge, despite the fact we hadn't booked and that tour groups are not usually allowed through.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's worth noting that the wine included in dinner is only red wine - if you prefer white you'll need to buy it. Be aware that if you walk uphill from the farmhouse the dogs will follow you for a walk - there's no avoiding it! If going in spring make sure to take an umbrella and have a rucksack cover (unlike me). Also watch out for cowpats!
Walking in Andalucia
A great walking trip with leisurely walks through the beautiful Andalucian countryside. Each walk had different elements with ample time to stop and admire the views. The guide, Alexis, was pleasant, well informed and knowledgeable about the area. He spoke excellent Spanish and liaised with the local people throughout our trip, ensuring that the needs of the group were wholly met. The staff at the cortijo were welcoming and the atmosphere was informal and relaxed – perfect at the end of a days walking. The food was excellent throughout the stay. The swimming pool is quite small but adequate for a refreshing dip at the end of the afternoon. I had a super time with my fellow walkers and have returned with many happy memories.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking along the newly refurbished wooden paths through the Caminito Del Ray was an awesome experience. The geographical scenery was spectacular and crossing the small metal bridge across the gorge felt like a real achievement. The trip to Seville was a fantastic experience - I would definitely like to visit the city again. Learning how to cook a traditional paella was very interesting and the Flamenco dancers were a lovely surprise and fitting end to our week.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was the perfect guide throughout our trip. He was very friendly and accommodating and took time to chat to everyone in the group. His local knowledge was advantageous and he rearranged our timetable to take account of the (slight) rainy weather and slippery ascents/descents, ensuring the safety of walkers. Alexis shared facts about the walks and locations at every opportunity - keeping us well informed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack your waterproofs in Spring as there are occasional showers.
Andalucia moderate to challenging - the first at this level
An excellent week in a beautiful part of Spain. Good range of walks on 5 days, with great views from the peaks and interesting walk to a hidden valley. Most walks about 10 miles with 650 to 950 metres climb during the walk. Comfortable accommodation, a lounge with a log fire in the evening and good catering. Less strenuous day out in Seville, but time to visit places of interest and try out a local bar or two.
Most Inspirational Moment
I would say the walk to summit of el Penon and recognising that the more challenging holiday grade was a good decision. The picnic lunch in the peace and quiet at the convent was an excellent interlude in another walk.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chris was an excellent leader, with good local knowledge, who had planned interesting walks at the right level of difficulty for the grade of holiday. He walked at a good pace, timed the day well and considered the ability of all in the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
A reasonable level of fitness is required and the holiday is graded appropriately. Trust in the Trip Notes.
Andalucian adventure, mod/challenging (recce)
Good walking for 5 days, pastoral and olive groves, with two mountains, the ones seen from the excellent and friendly Cortija. Those were about 10 miles and nearly 3000 ft climbing. The other days were easier but with the interest of a curious village built into an around a gorge, Setinel; a monastery for a brought lunch; a hidden, sunken upland limestone plateau; and El Chorro Gorge, an impressive sight, although that walk has not been fully worked out yet as the gorge walkway is not quite finished. I have no doubt that our leader, Chris Burke, will work out an excellent route as he did for the others.
The grading is accurate. Seville sight seeing is as for the easier trip. The food by the hostesses was varied and superb. Some Flamenco dancing by two local lasses at the Cortija, and the interesting clapping rhythm, was a bonus.
Most Inspirational Moment
The summit of El Penon, the jagged mountain overlooking the Cortija.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good: easy going, sociable, walked at a good pace and had worked out the routes very well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The grading is accurate!
Walking in Andalucia
I really enjoyed this, my first walking holiday in quite a while. It was very well planned, starting with a short amble to the nearby village and building up to a longer, slightly more challenging route later in the week. None of the walking was particularly arduous, although there are some hills – including the short steep one up to the finca where we stayed – but our leader Alexis always made sure we were all happy with the pace, which was leisurely, and we took frequent rests to admire the countryside. The area is very peaceful and unspoilt, and the days when we were taken further afield and into the mountains in the minibus gave us a chance to see more of it. The day in Seville was a good contrast to the rural walks, and there is a lot to see there. The beautiful Alcazar is pretty unmissable if people haven’t seen it before. At the finca the accommodation was comfortable and nothing was too much trouble for the staff; the owners came to say hello and were also charming and helpful. The food was good and plentiful too. Having wondered beforehand how I would cope after a long break from walking, I had a really great week, and am now planning my next week away.
Most Inspirational Moment
I think the best moment was probably reaching the top of the crag above the Camino del Rey, where we stopped to have our lunch and saw a lot of vultures circling in the thermals and landing on the cliff face opposite where they had young ones waiting. But then there were the spectacular views of the Guadalhorce Dam and reservoirs. Oh and the beautiful white villages. And the peaceful lunch in the shade at the deserted monastery ...
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis is a complete gem! He was very good company, and he looked after us so well and with such good humour and professionalism - nothing was too much trouble. He also clearly had a great relationship with the local people who made us so welcome when we stopped for a meal or a beer.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like to sleep with the windows open, bring earplugs because once it's dark all the dogs in the scattered houses up and down the valley start chatting to each other by barking in relays! Not loud, as they are a long way off, but I'm a light sleeper and they woke me up the first night, especially when a donkey joined in. Hey, it's the country, what do we expect?
Excellent walking in rural Spain
This was an excellent week spent in the peace and quiet of rural Andalucia. We were very lucky with the weather with only one stormy night followed by a damp morning, but because the tour was run with some flexibility this day was taken to visit Seville rather than walking. It was a fun and interesting group, and there was plenty of laughter alongside the exercise. The walks were varied and enjoyable although not desperately strenuous.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me I think the highlight was watching vultures flying at and below eye level from the top of the El Chorro gorge.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group was led by Alexis and he was very very good; informative, fun and interesting, he was very well organised and helped make the week run smoothly. He always let us know what was in store, kept the group going a steady pace when out walking and always arranged for a drink in a local bar at the end of each walk - an excellent idea!.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for some wet weather if you go late in the year; we had one storm that would have been quite unpleasant if it had occurred during the day.