Spanish language holidays Autumn views The farmhouse The countryside
PYRENEAN EXPERIENCE HOME
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SPANISH LANGUAGE
AND WALKING


AUTUMN WALKING HOLIDAY
(optional Spanish)


SPANISH & THE SEA HOLIDAY

BASQUE COUNTRY (INSIDE STORY)

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DATES & PRICES 2009

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walking in the pyrenees

AUTUMN WALKS IN THE PYRENEES

"The Basque Country is the No. 2 MUST SEE place in the world 2009"
Lonely Planet

The Baztan is an exceptionally beautiful and little-known valley of the Spanish Pyrenees.  Our relaxed walking holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees is run house-party style and based at an 18th century farmhouse in Azpilikueta, a tiny Pyrenean mountain hamlet.  It is the perfect tonic before winter sets in.

Many walks follow ancient Basque shepherding routes, smugglers paths and stretches of the famous Camino de Santiago and step out into a mediaeval landscape where traditional Basque farming methods are practised to this day.

If weather permits we can also lead a spectacular ridge top walk to the little known Penas de Itxusi; the most northern 'natural' breeding grounds of the Griffon Vulture in Europe.

Rambling gently from one hamlet to the next, past crumbling watermills, over ancient stone bridges and mountain streams, we take time to explore the history and culture of the Baztan people - hidden from time by the obscure mountain passes of the Spanish Pyrenees.   These walking holidays are a foray into all this wonderful country has to offer: a fiesta in the village, a dolmen in the hills, Sagrario's home-made sheeps' cheese or a slab of dark almond chocolate from Malkorena.  Our lunch is either a picnic in the hills or a 'menu del dia' at a traditional restaurant - after which we head slowly back to the house for a home-cooked meal, our pockets bulging with figs, blackberries and sweet chestnuts.

Delfina - our Spanish teacher - is also on hand for those wanting to improve their Spanish.

spanish walking holidays

The walks in the Pyrenees are taken at a relaxed pace, lasting between 4 to 6 hours.  They are aimed at healthy, outdoor people who are experienced in hill-walking but have no desire to be route-marched en masse along mountain ledges and scree slopes!

All our walking holidays in Spain are run in open-house, house-party style and welcome people of all ages and walks of life.  We have space for no more than ten guests - many of whom choose to come on their own.2007SW1

Spanish Option
The Autumn Walking Holiday offers Spanish speakers lots of informal conversation practice with our Spanish teacher and Spanish speaking guides.  However, it is perfect for non-Spanish learners too and is an ideal opportunity for Spanish learners to share the Baztan valley with partners or friends who may be more interested in exploring the area than studying the language.


Autumn views

Mist over a Baztan valley


Available dates 2009

13th - 20th September

Price

Our
all-inclusive House-party Walking Holidays are:

£850 or €980.

Prices include absolutely everything while you are here: All professionally-guided walks and cultural programme (and informal Spanish teaching programme for those interested), full board accommodation, unlimited food and wine, restaurant meals and single rooms WITHOUT supplement. Also a free shuttle to and from Biarritz airport.

We also run bespoke walking holidays throughout the year for individuals, couples and groups.  Please enquire.

For telephone enquiries call +44 (0)121 711 3428.

Autumn House-party Walking Holiday

Provisional Itinerary

Day 1 Arrivals, Cava reception and dinner at Casa Latxaberria.

Day 2 Today we walk from the house towards the medieval town of Amaiur, famous for its role in the final defence of the kingdom of Navarra.  We make our way up over the flanks of Gorremendi, along shaded shepherding paths and babbling brooks before descending on the village water mill for a traditional lunch of corn talos, chorizo, queso and cider.  We then make our way back to the house along part of the famous Camino de Santiago. Dinner at the house.

Day 3 Today we walk from the house in Zuaztoi past the crumbling water mill and over the hills towards Elizondo.  En route we pass through the beautiful hamlets of Apaioa and Azpilkueta (birth place of the mother of San Francisco Javier, patron saint of Navarra) before we start our descent towards Elizondo, the capital of the Baztan Valley.  Time to visit Elizondo.  Picnic lunch.  Dinner at the house.

Day 4 Today, we make our way up the ridge behind the house.  We then take a walk along the mountain tops with stunning views out towards the French coastline, St Juan de Luz and the Atlantic sea.  After flanking the mountain of Alkurruntz we slowly wend our way back towards the hamlet of Zuaztoi.  Picnic lunch on route.  Dinner at the house.

Day 5 Today people are left to explore the area at their whim.   There are buses from the valley to San Sebastian and Pamplona but guests are also welcome to stay at the house and explore the area on their own.  We have maps you can borrow and food in store.  We also have contacts with a specialist guide on birds had anyone been interested.

Day 6 We head up to the mountain pass of Izpegi and take a higher level walk through the beech forest along the French and Spanish border with stunning views of France and Spain.  We follow ancient smugglers tracks to the shepherd's croft in Elorta before we take a high ridge walk with panoramic views of the Alduides valley in France.

Day 7 If weather conditions allow we drive to the French border and take a stunning walk along the cliff tops of the Penas de Itxusi to visit the most northern natural breeding sanctuary of the Griffon vulture.  As vultures soar above, the wild landscapes and croft farms below us bring home the harsh reality of life in these high mountain pastures.

Farewell evening meal at a local restaurant.

Day 8 Departures.

A rainbow Tomatoes Mist over Baztan Valley Spanish language holidays