Andalucia Walking, Painting, Horse Riding and Bird Watching Holidays

Experience the best of Andalucia hosted by the hospitable Arbuthnott family at their country villa, La Almuna. Based in Andalucia for many years this charming family has captured the best of their surroundings and offer an amazing variety of weekly stays and house parties. Whether your interest be walking, painting, history, bird watching or simply a week of relaxing while savouring the best of Spanish cuisine, this small group atmosphere is ideal for those who want a relaxing holiday while exploring the beautiful local surrounds. EARLY REGISTRATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL AS TOUR WEEKS ARE LIMITED TO 14 PARTICIPANTS

Villa Almuna is an Andalucian farm house set in over 500 acres of olive groves and meadows.  It has 7 generous double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and 3 extra bedrooms for larger groups in the annexe. Home cooked meals are prepared from home grown and locally sourced ingredients. The Villa Almuna has an outside swimming pool and tennis court.

 

The Botanical Ramble
2012 dates 23 - 30 April	We ramble through wild flowers brilliant in profusion, variety and colour with the delightful and highly knowledgeable naturalist Crinan Alexander, from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.  With Crinan the walking is very gentle with time to identify and photograph flowers, butterflies and insects. Each day we set out to visit different habitats from limestone sierras to farm land and the botanically interesting Rock of Gibraltar.  From time to time Hugh will also lead longer walks for the more robust walker.  We shall also be visiting some formal gardens. One night in a 18th Century fortified family-ran farmhouse near Arcos de la Frontera, 6 nights at Almuna. Duration 7 nights
A holiday at Almuna
2012 dates 23 - 30 April	This is a holiday with lots of walking, picnics, swimming, golf, bird watching, historical talks and cooking demos, but always with the option on any day to say "No, I just want to relax by the pool, have lunch at Almuna and an afternoon siesta", and who would blame you! If you prefer more independence then we can help you hire a car. This type of holiday is also suitable for a private party at any time of the year. 7 nights accommodation at Almuna. Duration 7 nights
Painting in Andalucia
Overview and 2012 Dates	Andalucia is made for the artists paintbrush.  Landscapes in perfect soft light, dazzling white villages with terracotta roofs, tumbled down farmhouses caught in dappled shade, gnarled ancient cork oaks and precarious castles perched on craggy hill tops. Our Painting Holidays are all based at Almuna, but some include nights away to the Atlantic fishing port of Sanlucar or the picturesque town of Chefchaouen in Morocco. We have some very talented and experienced art teachers.  They encourage and teach in all mediums to the complete beginner and the experienced painter alike.  They give a lot of individual and sympathetic attention to each "student". There will also be an alternative programme for the non-painter who is equally welcome.
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1 - 8 May	Teacher Eleanor White who has taught at the Edinburgh Academy and the Leith School of Art.  Duration 7 nights.  All nights at Almuna.
19 - 26 May	Teacher Belinda King who has trained at St Martins School of Art in London.  2 nights in Sanlucar and 5 nights at Almuna
09 - 16 Sep	Teacher Felicity House who has studied fine art at the Art Institute at Bournemouth.  Duration 7 nights.  All nights at Almuna.
25 Sep-02 Oct	Teacher Anna Longridge who is an experienced teacher who has led many groups abroad.  2 nights in Chefchaouen and 5 nights at Almuna
The Rif Mountain Walk
2012 dates 14 - 21 April	Walking Grade 2 - 3 : Total distance about 65 miles Over the week we cover a large area of Northern Morocco by vehicle and by foot.  The journey starts on the Atlantic Coast in Asilah, then on to the imperial city of Fez before heading north to the spectacular mountains of the Riff.  The walking is along ancient tracks with Hughie, his Berber guides and mules. 1 night in Asilah, 1 night in Volubilis, 2 nights in a luxurious riad in Fez, 1 night in a Berber village gite, 2 nights at a comfortable riad in Chefchaouen. Duration 7 nights
The Ronda Camino Walk
2012 dates 15-22 April	Walking Grade 1 - 2 : Total distance about 50 miles This walking journey is from Almuna to Ronda through ever changing scenery along narrow paths dating back to olden times, through cork forest, olive groves and remote limestone mountains where Ibex thrive. 4 nights are at Almuna, 1 night at a simple hotel in a mountain village, 1 night at an old mill now converted into a comfortable hotel and finally 1 night at the luxurious Parador overlooking the gorge at Ronda. Duration 7 nights.
The Berber Camino Walk
2012 dates 11 - 18 May 20 - 27 Oct	Walking Grade 1 - 2 : Total Distance about 65 files This walking journey starts at Tarifa, the most southerly point of mainland Spain, along the rugged coast eyeing the great Riff Mountains across the Straits before turning north into the hills of the early Moorish frontier following its fortified citadels to Almuna. 2 nights in a beach hotel overlooking the Atlantic, 1 night in an Edwardian town hotel, 2 nights at an 18th century convent turned ducal hunting lodge, and 2 nights at Almuna. Durationn 7 nights.
Photography Course and Holiday at Almuna
2012 dates 4 - 11 Oct	Most of us can only dream of taking photographs like professionals but with Richard Greenly, one of Britain's best known portrait photographers, we have devised a special photographic course at almuna to make that dream come true. Richard will give lectures and demonstrations over 5 days designed for the total beginner and the more experienced photographer.  He will take you slowly through how your camera works, every knob and button, be it a digital or SLR. This will lead on to the art of portraiture, landscapes, still life and night time photography.  There will be excursions to scenic photographic locations including historic cities.  Thee will also be an alternative programme for the non-photographer who is equally welcome.
The Cross Continent Walk
2012 dates 25 Apr -02 May 16-23 Sep	Walking Grade 2 - 3  Total distance about 65 miles We shall be following the bird migratory path through the Ronda mountain range of cork and oak and forgotten valleys to Tarifa, the most southerly town in mainland Europe.  Then across the Straits of Gibraltar into North Africa and deep into the Riff Mountains. 1 night overlooking the george in a boutique hotel in Ronda, 1 night at an old mill now converted into a comfortable hotel, 3 nights at Almuna, 2 nights in a riad in the heart of the old town of Chefchaouen. Duration: 7 nights
Sporting Long Weekends at Almuna
2012 dates upon enquiry throughout the year	From the comfort of Almuna there are a selection of sporting activities that will suit all ages, abilities and passions.  45 minutes away there are numerous fine golf courses. There is tennis on the farm, wonderful riding throughout the sierras, polo in and around Sotogrande to watch and play. For the more adventurous Hughie and Clare can arrange robust hiking expeditions, kite surfing or mountain biking for the beginner and the expert. These long weekends are for private groups and everyone in the party can choose the activities to participate in.
Moorish Historical Tour of Andalucia
2012 dates 28 Oct - 4 Nov	Andalucia's history covers centuries of Carthaginian, Roman and Visigothic governance only to be totally overwhelmed by the Moors in the year 711.  800 years of Islamic rule has left an indelible mark on the people, language, food and architecture of this area.. Hugh and Jane will take you on a historical tour of Moorish Spain, to Cordoba where the era began and to Granada where it ended at the hands of the "Catholic Monarchs".  There will be trips to frontier fortifications and villages around Almuna. Throughout the weeks Hugh will give pictorial presentations and will have some excellent guides and guest speakers.  Hugh is an enthusiast, but is not an historian, and suggests that this tour is for those who prefer the lighter side of history! 1 night in Cordoba, 2 nights in Granada, and 4 nights in Almuna. Duration 7 nights
Andalucian Bird Watching
2012 dates 25 Mar - 1 Apr	Andalucia is home to some of the richest bird life in the northern hemisphere and a staging post for thousands of migratory birds. Robin Nelson has a passion for bird watching and the art of bird recognition as much by sight as by sound, something which had great appeal to a trained musician.  He was a Choral Scholar at christ's College Cambridge. The theme of the week is about learning to listen to both birdsong and music.  We shall be travelling to different locations including the Coto Donana and salt marshes on the Guadalquivir estuary. Most evenings we shall listen to selected pieces of music with explanations by Robin. 2 nights in Sanlucar and 5 nights at Almuna. Duration 7 nights
Bridge School at La Almuna
2012 dates 28 Aug - 4 Sep	This is a holiday in which you enjoy all the pleasures and comforts of Almuna at the same time as learning and improving your bridge under the expert tuition of a teacher from the Andrew Roson Bridge Club. There are tables for intermediate players and beginners who are patiently and gently nurtured. Each morning there will be lessons for the different levels of ability in the party.  In the afternoon there will be activities including golf for those so inclined. In the evening bridge continues under the stars and the benign eye of our tutor.  Non-bridge players are equally welcome. Duration 7 nights
Riding and Horse Feria in Jerez
2012 dates 8 - 15 May	Our riding holiday combines beautiful trail rides with one of Spain's most classic Ferias in Jerez de la Frontera, dedicated to the Spanish Horse. The expeditions take in the vegas, riding on surefooted Andalucian horses amongst grazing bulls on one of Spain's most prestigious bull farms.  Around Almuna they follow the old caminos over limestone sierras, through cork forests and undiscovered valleys. We ride in groups of no more than seven with an alternative programme for non-riders who are equally welcome. 5 nights at Almuna and 2 nights at the Feria in Jerez Duration 7 nights
Food & Feria Long Weekend
2012 dates 5 - 9 Sep	For those who have a passion for good food and wines and a desire to 'get under the Andalucian skin", this is a perfect weekend. There will be riding and walking expeditions, Spanish cooking displays, sherry and wine tastings, evenings at Almuna. The highlight of the weekend is the Goyesca Feria in Ronda, a colourful extravaganza of flamenco, music, horses and bulls. 3 nights at Almuna and 1 night in Ronda. Duration 5 days

2012 dates
Andalucia Bird Watching	25 Mar - 01 Apr		Rif Mountain Walking Holiday	14 - 21 Apr
Ronda Camino Walking Holiday	15 - 22 Apr		Botanical Ramble	23 - 30 Apr
Cross Continent Walking Holiday	25 Apr - 02 May		Painting Holiday with Eleanor White	01 - 08 May
Riding Holiday & Feria in Jerez	08 - 15 May		Berber Camino Walking Holiday	11 - 18 May
Painting Holiday with Belinda King	19 - 26 May		A holiday in Almuna	11 - 18 Jun
Bridge Holiday with Jake Dunn	28 Aug - 04 Sep		Food & Feria Long Weekend	05 - 09 Sep
Painting Holiday with Felicity House	09 - 16 Sep		Cross Continent Walking Holiday	16 - 23 Sep
A holiday in Almuna	17 - 24 Sep		Painting Holiday with Anna Longridge	25 Sep - 02 Oct
Photography Holiday with Richard Greenly	04 - 11 Oct		Berber Camino Walking Holiday	20 - 27 Oct
Moorish Historical Tour	28 Oct - 04 Nov

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Return transfers from Malaga Airport to La Almuna Vila Accommodation at La Almuna Villa Other accommodation as specified Pre lunch, dinner and after dinner drinks at La Almuna Breakfasts, lunches and dinners Selection of local wine with meals at La Almuna Painting and Bridge instructions on relevant weeks Transportation on all excursions

NOT INCLUDED

Transport to and from the tour start point in Spain Golfing green fees Tipping