Most Inspirational Moment
Camanito del Rey
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michael was first class but needs to be reminded the group proceeds at the speed of the slowest. Otherwise there will be a fatality sooner or later.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cortinho Rosario
Not a grade 2 walking holiday, more like 3/4. Cortinho Rosario is for sale at EUR 850,000. Day visits to Seville and Camanito del Rey were fine otherwise just walking in olive groves.
Christmas 2023 Walking in Andalucia
Another fantastic holiday with Exodus with so much variety during the week walking and exploring in the Andalusian region of Spain with a superb leader Michael and a good day off spent in Seville. Stayed in a wonderful farmhouse with great hosts and food. A gem of a holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Christmas Day walking in the Grazalema mountains with spectacular views and a truly outstanding area with so much ecology to take in. A truly breathtaking Experience shared with the group and leader. Secondly despite the crowds El Chorro gorge was a wonderful experience. Finally, really enjoyed walking from the Cortijo Rosario across all the olive farmland with amazing views and a lovely tapas lunch on one of the days.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michael, a truly lovely person with so much local knowledge and passion for the surrounding environment. So helpful throughout the entire week and often went above and beyond to ensure we had a good trip and even planned our day off in Saville ensuring we made the most of the time experiencing the best spots to visit in the city with everything from start to finish running like clock work.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do visit Ronda on the optional afternoon activity to carry out as a very interesting place to visit.
A super week in Andalusia
This was a great centre based walking holiday in the heart of rural Andalusia which also included a day trip to Seville. The guide was excellent and the accommodation was very relaxing with excellent hosts providing some fantastic meals.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many highlights but for me it was the variety of the walks as well as the chance to visit Seville.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michael (Miguel) was excellent. He has a passion for the natural environment and was able to provide lots of knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Although not on the itinerary, the walk on the Thursday of the week finished at lunchtime so for those interested, our guide organised for some of the group to visit Ronda.
Outstanding
This was our second time on this trip and won’t be the last. The second time we returned with 3 friends.
My husband is registered blind but has some residual vision which, with guidance, can allow him to take part.
Michael is an outstanding leader who plans meticulously and anticipates any problems. We were part of a full group of 15 and had the benefit of Pat as an additional, exceptional leader. We cannot thank them enough for their support, kindness and empathy. They make this the best experience anyone could wish for .
The walks are varied and interesting. Michael and Pat have brilliant local knowledge and insight.
Cortijo Rosario is a comfortable farmhouse with outdoor pool, exceptional food and stunning views.
Most Inspirational Moment
The National park is so quiet and beautiful and unspoilt. Caminito del Rey is fabulous but much more touristy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I mentioned Michael and Pat in the summary. Michael has extensive knowledge of flora and fauna, local and Algamitas where he has lived for many years. He inspires interest in the environment. He plans carefully and adapts routines around changes in weather etc. Pat is tireless and supported us all at various times throughout the week. He clearly enjoys the work and the company of other people. His empathy and understanding ensured my husband got the very best from this trip. These leaders are a real asset to Exodus
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes carefully. It was unseasonably hot when we were there so make sure you have hats( especially that can be filled with water to douse your head) Room 3 is lovely as there is a balcony. The other rooms have fans but are very hot in hot weather.
Excellent trip (TDS 230617)
An excellent reminder of the beauty and contrasts of Andalucia. Each day is different. Based at the lovely Cortijo made everything so easy. Simple but comfortable rooms, a lovely small pool at the end of each day and the friendliest service from Joke and Cartouche. They create a relaxed but efficient mood – and top quality food at the end of each day. But the biggest credit goes to Michael – undoubtedly the best guide I have experienced. The schedule means there is always time to relax in the pool followed by a drink before dinner.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many great moments. Walking the Caminito way, spotting birds of prey and ibex high in the Grazalema national park, the Alcazar in Seville followed by rooftop cocktails, relaxed evenings over dinner on the terrace....
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michael Newcomb is exceptional. HIs knowledge of the region is exemplary - he gave us just the right amount of information on the culture, farming, birdlife, geography, food, and so much more. He is absolutely professional and his long experience of guiding mixed groups meant he was able to keep us interested and on track, giving us flexibility whilst ensuring we stuck to the schedule. He's also good fun. For our free time, he prepared notes and sent links to places to visit as well as pre-booking things for us so everything felt very easy. It's possible to drift through the week without having to make a decision about anything except what to get from the (well stocked) honesty bar in the Cortijo.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go. Worth every moment. Listen to Michael (especially around how much water to carry!) and you'll have a fantastic time. This was a level 2 holiday and the grade is about right for the trip. You can get away with good walking trainers on most days but light weight walking boots are best on a couple of trickier bits of terrain.
TDS 2300520
Lovely walks in the olive groves of the Andalusian foothills with a spectacular walk down the gorge at the Walk of the Kings at Caminito del Ray. Fantastic guide whose knowledge of all things fauna, ornithogical, geological and historic was as impressive as it was compelling. Great organiser. The 14 person team of ramblers gelled immediately and made the week very special. A wonderful adventure.
Most Inspirational Moment
Caminito del Rey
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great. Organised everything superbly and great source of information thoughout all the walks and trips to Seville/Ronda.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the rainy days and plenty of mud across the Olive groves. All part or the adventure.
Well organised as ever 13/05/2023
Thoroughly enjoyable and well organised as ever. Marvellous countryside with great walking, strenuous but not too hard. Lovely rural setting in the heart of olive growing country in Andalucia, 1 1/2 hr drive from Malaga. Micheal was an excellent guide, well informed and thoughtful about the needs of the group. It’s obviously a trip that’s been run many time as it works like clockwork. Accommodation good but the food not really what I’d have expected. I’d have liked a bit more variation at breakfast and something more locally flavoured in the evening; a choice of food and especially wine would have been appreciated. Transport worked very well.
Wonderful Walking in Andalucia
It was a very enjoyable week, almost too hot to walk with temperatures in the mid 30s most days, but the guide was very careful that we stayed safe in these temperatures. The walks were varied and interesting – our favourites were Day 3 (walk in the Sierra de Grazelma) and Day 6 (El Chorro gorge and walk El Caminito del Rey). The optional Sunday lunch tapas on Day 2 in Villanueva de San Juan was excellent and it was great to see the locals out for their lunch too. The hotel was excellent, beautiful location with stunning views. It was well-maintained, clean and we had a lovely room with a balcony. The dinners were delicious, especially the last night-paella; the lunchtime baguettes were also excellent. The hotel was very good catering for our dietary requirements. It was lovely to return to the peace of the hotel (and the pool) at the end of every walk. The day in Seville was brilliant, with several optional extras offered (Alcazar tickets, a flamenco show and a tapas lunch), but there was no pressure to join any of these activities and you could do your own thing if you wanted. I would recommened this holiday to other Leisurely/Moderate walkers
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking the El Caminito del Rey...... The views of the spectacular gorge, seeing parts of the old path made of railway sleepers and concrete, seeing a train on the viaduct on the opposite side, the glass-floored corner, the suspension bridge, etc, etc.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgeable and passionate about Andalucia, full of information ranging from local flora and fauna to castles and history. Passionate about walking, but ensured we were all safe in the extreme heat. Arranged meetings at sensible times, keeping us informed about the next day's activities and writing details on a white board at the hotel in case we forgot. Not mentioning going home until the end of Day 7! Exceptionally helpful e.g. booking meals, tickets, shows for us, collecting medication from the pharmacy and supporting other walkers in the pharmacy. And such a vibrant personality!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you need one, take a hair dryer - there is one in the hotel, shared between 8 rooms, though this was not a problem the week we were there.
First Exodus Travels adventure - not the last!
This trip was an excellent introduction to Exodus travel itineraries, and to southern Spain.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finally getting to the top of a long hill and being encouraged with a "well done"! The hikes were challenging but the pace made them very doable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
There are not enough superlatives to describe Michael, our guide for the week I was in Andalucia. His knowledge of the area, the flora and fauna, food, terrain, and his wonderful sense of humor made for a fantastic trip. Michael would stop often while on our hikes to share interesting tidbits about something growing on the side of the road, or a bird, or just to remind everyone to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. He really goes above and beyond to ensure everyone is safe and having a great time, and he is so patient!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take hiking poles if you are used to using them. I did not take any and did not miss them, nor need them. If traveling solo and the single room is available, book it. I was very fortunate and had a great roommate but wish i had a room to myself.
Walking in Andalucia
I very much enjoyed the holiday – the hotel was comfortable with good food, the walks were varied (in length, difficulty and scenery), and the day in Seville exceeded my expectations. It was a very well thought out itinerary, and all the staff we encountered were very helpful, especially our guide, Michael. We had a fairly large group of 14, but we all got on very well, helped by the friendliness of the local staff. We were lucky to get very good weather at the end of April (as hot as summer!), so we could make good use of the hotel pool, and eat our evening meals outside on the terrace.
Most Inspirational Moment
I enjoyed all the walks, but I think the most spectacular was the Camino del Rey along El Chorro gorge. The views were fantastic, and walking along the walkway strung up high on the side of the gorge was a real experience! The gardens of the Alcazar palace in Seville were very beautiful, and highly recommended.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michael was great, he was enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the history and geography. He knows the area very well, and is obviously well known and liked by the villagers, which made it much easier for the group to feel at home when visiting local bars and restaurants. Information about each day’s schedule was clear, we were always advised exactly what to take and what time to leave and a guide time for return.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Michael was able to organise several things which are listed as optional - the tapas lunch, a suggested itinerary in Seville and a trip to Ronda. I’d advise taking him up on these options, the tapas lunch was fabulous, and the visits and meal in Seville were made so much easier by the advance bookings. I’ve found previously that it can be very difficult to find a decent meal for yourself in a new city, and it can waste a lot of time deciding for yourself where to go and what to do.