SIERRA NEVADA & GRANADA

8 days from GBP899 to GBP949 including flights
Tripcode: TSN

Countries Visited: Spain

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 9 reviews.

John Tovey

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written September 2011
I had never been to Spain before and my first impression was that I wouldn't enjoy my week as the area was hot, barren and dry. By the end of the week I couldn't wait to go back and I am now contemplating living in the area for a year to get to know it better.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably the last day when we walked in the home valley of our guide George. This was a valley full of varied flora and views. We had an excellent lunch in a village hotel and as we walked through the picturesque villages and countryside, we enjoyed eating figs, almonds and walnuts washed down with mineral water from the local springs, including a naturally sparkling spring.
Or maybe it was sharing a beer in a village cafe and discussing the day with the group as we waited for the hotel minibus to pick us up and return for a shower, more beer, a swim and supper.
Or perhaps just walking with a great group of people.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our original group leader Jeremy had a medical emergency, so having met us at the airport he was only able to walk with us on day 1. He was friendly and sensitive to different walking speeds of the group. He was replaced by another local british guide, George.
George had a great knowledge of the area, an interest in the history of the Sierra Nevada, a good command of Spanish and knew many of the locals. He was an athletic walker and inspired confidence and curiosity.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I found the area to be hotter than I expected, and only wore half the clothes I took. I washed my walking kit every night and it was ready to wear in the morning. I didn't spend much money as there were few shopping opportunities. Food and drink was limited in the villages as this is quite an impoverished region. Having said this it was wonderful to meet shepherds in the hills with their flocks of sheep and goats, and to see the "cowboys" who still roam the hills on hores-back checking their stock.
My wife and I spent a day in Granada visiting the Alhambra. The visit was very worthwhile but Granada was hot. Great ice-creams and tapas. 6 of us went together in a taxi to make it cost effective. The hotel organised the taxi for us.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We opted out of walking on one day, to explore the village of Berchules and to enjoy the hotel pool. We had personal service - the pool and garden to ourselves - bliss.
This was our 4th Exodus holiday and our guides and hotel exceeded expectations. The hotel was very comfortable, twin-bedded rooms with ensuite bathrooms, plenty of hot water, balcony with view over the surrounding countryside. The hotel staff were friendly, food plentiful with a large packed lunch provided every day. Even the dog was friendly, excitedly accompanying us all day when we walked from the hotel.
If you've ever considered this holiday - take it!
Ian Lochhead

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written September 2010
This was my third Exodus trip within the past 3 years and probably the best yet. The organisation, as I've come to expect from the company, was first class in every way.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were probably too many to list on this page!
The initial drive up the spectacular road to the beautiful little village of Berchules where we were based for the week, the view from the hotel room balcony across the sweeping valley to the mountains beyond, the variety of brilliant walks, visiting the highest village in Spain, the trip to the Alhambra Palace in Granada - I could go on!
What did you think of your group leader?
Jeremy was an absolutely brilliant leader in every way. His leadership style was exactly what you would wish for - excellent knowledge of the entire region, highly experienced and, above all, everything was done in a very friendly & relaxed manner.
Basically, nothing was too much trouble for him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The main advice would have to be - go for it!!!
This is a brilliant way to discover the spectacular scenery of the Sierra Nevada!
With regard to the weather - be prepared for all conditions.
The temperature on one day was around 35 degrees, even in September, whilst we also experienced a spectacular lightning storm on another day!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Special mention must go to all the staff at the Hotel Los Berchules where we were based for the week.
Our driver/barman/waiter Andrew was a very friendly chap and really made us feel welcome.
Wendy was also a superb host with a great sense of humour!
I would definitely repeat this trip some time in the future.
Ronald Powell

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written June 2010
We booked in the knowledge that second holidays with the same firm do not always work - we'd thoroughly enjoyed Classic Dolomites last year. But we needn't have fretted, our week in Spain was just as enjoyable. Another excellent guide, a really good hotel and stunning walks. We're hooked.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were several: the views, both on the walks and from our hotel room; walking through fragrant meadows of wild flowers; and the whole atmosphere of the experience in general.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jeremy was excellent. A thoughtful and knowledgable guide, and great company. He was also of great help to us when one of our bags failed to turn up at Malaga. (The handling agent's office was shut - an hour earlier than published - and we would have been totally lost without his patient persistence in chasing down someone and getting the paperwork sorted. The bag arrived at the hotel 2 days later.)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If two of you are travelling, split your gear between your bags - luckily, we had. The paths are quite rough and stony, so we'd recommend stout walking boots. Although the walking is quite hard, do not expect to lose weight - the food in the hotel is hearty fare, and very good.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A thouroughly enjoyable experience.
Harriet Smith

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written July 2009
The holiday was everything you could wish for - an experienced, friendly and very knowledgeable guide, a fantastic service provided at a lovely hotel, beautiful sights, amazing views on the walks and a great bunch of people to experience the holiday with. The holiday also represented good value for money. I had a brilliant time!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This was my first walking holiday and whilst I found some of it challenging, I am definitely inspired to go on another walking holiday with bigger challenges in store.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jeremy was a great leader. He varied the pace of the walks to suit all and adapted the walks so we could cope with the hot weather. He provided really useful and interesting information about the local area; his insight into life in the area was fascinating.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some poles for the climbs up and down the mountains - it can get slippery on the slate paths. One of the days also involves walking through streams so pack enough pairs of socks!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A great taster if you want to get into walking holidays. The food in the hotel was delicious too so don't expext to lose any weight!
Brian Abraham

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written March 2009
Weather was poor for the first 4 days, mixture of snow hail rain and wind but at that altitude in March I suppose it is a risk. However the hotel was welcoming and attentive, and the guide/routes adaptable to the weather so it did not stop us walking even though full wet weather gear was needed. There were only 4 in the group but the company was excellent and the conversation on the trail or in the hotel was amusing and interesting.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Going back to the hotel early, cold and wet, to find the fire blazing and hot soup and bread ready to be served.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very pleasant, well acquainted with local walking routes and very hospitable - we all had a picnic lunch in his house one day when it was snowing and none of us felt like eating outdoors.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take warm/wet weather gear in March. You may need it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for another good break.
Mary Dentschuk

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written October 2008
Everything that was promised in the brochure, nice hotel with friendly staff, excellent walking in good company.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Arriving in a small village, they opened the bar specially for us and provided excellent tapas with our drinks
What did you think of your group leader?
Very nice person, professional, and good company. He was always on the look-out for those (like me) who fell behind the group, and encouraged me up some of the very long hard climbs.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Quite tough walking - you need to be fit. Also don't expect a "Spanish" experience. The Group Leader was English and the hotel run by an English/Spanish family.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoyed the Alhambra on the "day off". Really good that it was possible to do this as well as walk.
JANET INGREY

WHITE VILLAGES OF SIERRA NEVADA

Written July 2008
Not quite White Villages but fantastic hard walks but all the views made it worthwhile felt like being on top of the world
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
When we were walking we often met the extreme bikers so I know it was hard walking! and always reaching the top with great views always made it a fantastic achievement
What did you think of your group leader?
Jeremy was a lovely patient man I was the only woman & at times found it a bit hard going up steep hills/mountains which go on for a long time! but he always made sure I was not too far behind
I hasten to add the men complained about their knees on the way down! which was not a problem to me!
He is also very very fit for an older man
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I am one of those people who hates wearing boots and always feel safer with walking sandals however for this holiday you definitely need sturdy boots/trainers the paths that you walk on are mainly slate which has a tendency to slip & when we were not on these paths we did walk through a lot of fairly high grass.
There is a lot of rivers & water generally in this part of spain & one of the walks (which I did not go on no boots!) requires walking in a lot of water & mud (not in the trip notes)
The journey from Malaga airport is quite long & be aware the road winds round and round for quite sometime did make me feel like I had been on a fairground ride by the time we got to the hotel
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel was great with lovely people and really lovely food exceeded expectations.
Make sure you speak to Wendy very nice lady