Historic Andalucia tour, Spain

Historic Andalucia tour, Spain

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How this holiday makes a difference

UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

Leaders & local suppliers
Although just an hour or two from the "Costas", the tiny village of Algamitas is virtually untouched by tourism and the "Cortijo Rosario" is the only tourism venture in the village. This family-run farmhouse employs several people from the village and all food provided is homemade using locally produced and sourced goods. The surrounding village cafes and bars all benefit from our visits. Set amongst the olive groves and hills of central Andalucia, Spain's poorest region, we get a real taste of the local lifestyle, as different from the "popular image" of the South of Spain as could be.

On this tour we stay in a family-owned farmhouse, which contributes directly to the local community because local staff are employed. All food provided is homemade and uses locally produced and sourced goods.

Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that would not have benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.

Historic Andalucia tour, Spain

Reviewed 03 Jan 2007 by Ruth Tillyard

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Some of the views of lovely Spanish countryside. Swimming in 4 degrees swimming pool on Xmas Day.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take warm clothes as both weather and accommodation were cold.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

No: most of the food was from international supermarkets (e.g. Lidl) and vegs were frozen. There was no general ethos to recycle apart from token notices from the tour company. I don't think this holiday deserves to be publicized by Responsible Travel.

Read the operator's response here:

Cortijo Rosario use as much local produce as possible in their meals, which I saw on my last visit in March this year. Most is bought from local markets rather than any large supermarkets but there are always going to be certain items that cannot be found in the markets. Also we must appreciate that most produce is seasonal so certain seasons, (especially winter time), will not have as large a selection.

They have employed local staff for many years and they are installing solar panels to save on energy. I sincerely believe our local operator is doing all he can to ensure our tours are run responsibly. Thank you for your comments and we will continue to monitor how things are run locally.

Reviewed 17 Jun 2006 by Linda Stringer

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The food, the accommodation and the wonderful company. Those beautifully warm evenings sitting together eating al fresco will stay with us forever.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

You need to be physically fit and used to walking in high temperatures. It was very hot during our week and we struggled on some of the walks but due mostly to the heat. However, we are not young so younger travellers may find this not a problem!!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Without a doubt. The location of the Cortijo is quite rural with only a few villages nearby. Therefore we needed to use the facilities in the village, the shops, café’s bars and banks. However, there was also a need to respect the local culture that is very different to ours (England) The locals live very traditional Spanish lifestyles and whilst they welcomed us into their village, there was a need for us to blend into their environment rather than intrude.

Reviewed 26 Nov 2005 by Lynn Whitelaw

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The whole experience was excellent, but the friendly welcome at the Cortijo along with the chance to eat typical Spanish food and experience the true culture of Andalucia. Our guide spoke fluent Spanish and really understood the local area and the culture which made the holiday that extra bit special

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

You don't need very dressy clothes and perhaps to read upon the Moors and their time in Andalusia would help to understand the complex history of Cordoba, Sevilla and Ronda. Even though this isn't the full walking tour you need to be reasonably fit as there is still a fair amount of walking up and down hills and steps!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

The Cortijo employs all its staff from the local village and wherever possible purchases everything from the local village and surrounding area. The mid day meals on the first three days are take in local restaurants. Care is taken to recycle where ever possible.

4. Any other comments?

We would both star it at 4* and we are getting fit to enable us to do the full walking tour of Andalucia.

Reviewed 22 Oct 2005 by Delicia Poi

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Visiting the Mezquita in Cordoba is something I've been dreaming of for 12 years, so was a very special moment for me. Was a lot of fun walking through Ronda in the pouring rain! Actually, most memorable part would have to be the warmth of the hospitality at the Cortijo Rosario - such a beautiful place in the peace of the countryside.

What better way to start the day than to wake up and look out my window of the villa to the surrounding hills and olive groves. Wonderful people, wonderful meals and hospitality. Tour Leader, Andy, was fantastic and as a first time traveller, and my first tour it has given me the confidence to continue travelling and am very happy to book again through this tour company in the future. This tour was exactly what I hoped it would be, if not more...the Cortijo was so lovely I didn't want to leave! Lovely memories, had a wonderful time! (I think thats enough gushing for now...)

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take a rain jacket, you just never know what the weather might do... You definitely won't go hungry at the Cortijo.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Definitely, and I benefited from being around the local people who worked at the Cortijo and being able to enjoy traditional, home style spanish cooking, all made from scratch.