Reviews

A selection of excellent walks in diverse countryside

A lovely relaxing week in a charming farmhouse with a pool. The five walks were all very different, and the day ‘off’ that was spent in Seville was different again. Each walk took you through different aspects of Andalusia, olive groves, holm oak woods, the spectacular caminito del rey. It was difficult to pick a favourite, they all had things to commend them, and the fact that each one featured a bar for a refreshment stop was very welcome.
I thought the day in Seville might be long and tiring, but though it was very hot there was enough to do that the time didn’t lag, and the lovely gardens of the Alcazar were a good place to relax before the evening’s flamenco show.
The farmhouse was very comfortable, and the food was good. As a vegetarian I didn’t feel I was missing out.
All in all one of the best Exodus holidays I’ve been on.

Fantastic Holiday!

The week was wonderful: we had great weather; the comfortable, laid back cortijo is set in an unspoiled Andalucian landscape; our 13 fellow guests were great and amusing company; our guide, Michael, as other reviewers have pointed out was a one of the best we have had on our Exodus trips (highly knowledgeable, caring, supportive and and happy to have a laugh); and the walks were pitched just right. –

Great Trip

Therle was no downside to anything about this trip (apart from 38degree heat in Sevilla!) Our guide, Miguel, was so knowledgeable about every aspect of the area, history, flora and fauna, and the itinerary of walks was varied to suit all tastes. He dealt with minor crises extremely calmly and efficiently, and put up with our teasing etc with patience and as if he hadn’t heard it all before! thank you Miguel.
The Cortijo on a stunning hilltop with beautiful views across the valley and to the village, was comfortable, the food plentiful and tasty, and all staff friendly and helpful. Our driver was very safe and the vehicle clean and well maintained,
The group enjoyed each other’s company and all had a great time.

Lovely experience of rural Spain

We had a thoroughly enjoyable week on this holiday. The walking is not too strenuous but is varied and picturesque. Our guide, Michael, made this holiday for us. He was so knowledgable and interesting but friendly and cheerful also. He knew so much about the local area & its plants and wildlife. The accommodation is comfortable with plentiful tasty food (although coffee in a local bar in Algámitas was better than at the cortijo! ) We were able to see all the sights of the beautiful city of Seville which was an added bonus. Felt quite privileged to spend some time in an unspoilt area of Spain with a friendly bunch of people.

Excellent Walking

A very pleasant week’s walking.

Wonderful Andalusia

A peaceful, relaxed walk amongst olive groves, outstanding scenery and quiet, white villages. Based in a cortijo which served superb food.

Walk and learn

An excellent walking holiday in Andalucia with a first class guide who was vey competent.
Vast knowledge about the geography and the history of the area and a superb knowledge of the plant / wild life of the area all with a very engaging manner.

andalucian odessey

As a single traveller I was a bit apprehensive about joining a group for a week’s walking. I needn’t have worried. My fellow travellers were charming, good company and great walking companions. The accommodation was comfortable and clean. The double rooms with balconies had views – but not mine sadly. The food at the cortijo was plentiful and tasty, the breakfast coffee could be improved though. The walks were the highlight: disturbing dozens of griffin vultures feeding on carrion and watching them take flight; being in the natural landscape beyond the ubiquitous olive groves and not least Miguel, our guide who was just superb the whole time.

Walking in Andalucia

This was a lovely (grade 4 ) holiday in a rural, unspoilt part of Andalucia. The cortijo is very comfortable with fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. The laid back approach made it feel like a house party and Cartouche & Joke must be congratulated on this. Tea & coffee available all day and a bar with amazing measures. There were 12 of us in the group and we all got on well with lots of laughs. We were fortunate to have perfect weather all week with blue skies, no clouds and temps in the mid 20’s. The walks were varied and the day off in Seville was well worth doing. We all went to the Flamenco dancing in the evening and one of the group was so inspired by this that the next morning she gave us her personal interpretation by the pool before we set off on the walk.

A Great Time

I really enjoyed everything about this group hike. This was the challenging version in March 2019…which was a great time to visit with temperatures in the Low 70’s F.

Everything went off without any problems but that was most likely due to the guide, Michael Newcomb. He is probably the best guide I have ever encountered. Not only is he very personable, he has taken the time to learn a LOT about the area and wildlife. He took the time to interact with all of the members of the group and he paid close attention to the pace to make sure those at the back didn’t fall behind too far. He was simply outstanding.

The Cortijo (farmhouse) was a really great place to stay. I had the single room and it was clean and comfortable. Note that there were dogs barking during the night but they are on nearby farms so the owners cannot help this.

The owners, Joke and Cartouche, were very friendly and helpful as were their staff. I was able to pack lighter because they offered a laundry service that I took advantage of halfway through the trip.

The food for the evening meals was fine (not bad) but I had hoped for a bit more Spanish cuisine. Breakfast was fairly light but sufficient.

As a side note, Cartouche is also a talented tattooist and he has a small shop on the premises.