Learn Spanish and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
Highlights
Albella | Daily Spanish tuition | Guided walks in Ordesa National Park | Ainsa | Tapas and wine tasting | San Juan de Plan and local villages | Ordesa Canyon 4x4 excursion | Torla | Optional: Castillo de Loarre visit
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates, prices & availability
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
We are passionate about the environment and the wildlife where we live. The Ordesa National Park is a World Biosphere Reserve and a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’ with over 171 species, including the rare Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus). We support the Lammergeier Conservation Foundation by using guides from the Foundation, visiting the raptor feeding stations with guests and selling the Foundation T-shirts. This helps fund a breeding program in our area which has had great success. Our walks are led by experts in the area (or accompanied by information packs when self-guided) and ensure that fragile environments are not degraded in any way when walking. There are also well over 100 species of butterflies and moths in our area, including the rare and beautiful Isabelina Moth (Actias Isabellae) and the Giant Peacock Moth (Saturnia Pyri). We have been successful in hatching the eggs and releasing the caterpillars for these moths.
At the farmhouse we have geothermal heating and hot water with minimal environmental impact. We also harvest rainwater for both the irrigation of our vegetable patch and garden, and for the washing machine.
We recycle all we can, including building materials and furniture. For example all the vanity units in the luxury bathrooms are unique secondhand pieces of furniture, adapted with a granite top and basin. All the furniture in the house is antique or secondhand and has been or is in the process of being restored by Simon, your host. Many of the external doors are secondhand and have been adapted.
The beams and stone from the four year renovation of the property have been reused throughout the building process. We continue to reuse this material now as we landscape the garden.
The Impacts of this Trip
We support the local economy wherever possible by employing guides, experts and teachers from our area. We offer English lessons to our guides, providing them with a greater opportunity for work.
We involve our neighbours with our holidays, offering the possibility to visit their houses which have changed little through the centuries. This gives a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the high Pyrenees. In return we make donations to the village fund, for amongst other things the maintenance of our historic chapel of San Urbez (hermitage).
We also offer a guided visit to the chapel of San Urbez, explaining the stories about our saint, his miracles and the architectural features. For this, we ask our guests for a donation in the chapel collection box.
We are involved in trying to preserve and restore the local pathways, acting as volunteers as the need arises. We will be running a path clearing holiday in the future.
We are passionate about the environment and the wildlife where we live. The Ordesa National Park is a World Biosphere Reserve and a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’ with over 171 species, including the rare Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus). We support the Lammergeier Conservation Foundation by using guides from the Foundation, visiting the raptor feeding stations with guests and selling the Foundation T-shirts. This helps fund a breeding program in our area which has had great success. Our walks are led by experts in the area (or accompanied by information packs when self-guided) and ensure that fragile environments are not degraded in any way when walking. There are also well over 100 species of butterflies and moths in our area, including the rare and beautiful Isabelina Moth (Actias Isabellae) and the Giant Peacock Moth (Saturnia Pyri). We have been successful in hatching the eggs and releasing the caterpillars for these moths.
At the farmhouse we have geothermal heating and hot water with minimal environmental impact. We also harvest rainwater for both the irrigation of our vegetable patch and garden, and for the washing machine.
We recycle all we can, including building materials and furniture. For example all the vanity units in the luxury bathrooms are unique secondhand pieces of furniture, adapted with a granite top and basin. All the furniture in the house is antique or secondhand and has been or is in the process of being restored by Simon, your host. Many of the external doors are secondhand and have been adapted.
The beams and stone from the four year renovation of the property have been reused throughout the building process. We continue to reuse this material now as we landscape the garden.
The Impacts of this Trip
We support the local economy wherever possible by employing guides, experts and teachers from our area. We offer English lessons to our guides, providing them with a greater opportunity for work.
We involve our neighbours with our holidays, offering the possibility to visit their houses which have changed little through the centuries. This gives a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the high Pyrenees. In return we make donations to the village fund, for amongst other things the maintenance of our historic chapel of San Urbez (hermitage).
We also offer a guided visit to the chapel of San Urbez, explaining the stories about our saint, his miracles and the architectural features. For this, we ask our guests for a donation in the chapel collection box.
We are involved in trying to preserve and restore the local pathways, acting as volunteers as the need arises. We will be running a path clearing holiday in the future.
4 Reviews of Learn Spanish and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
Reviewed on 13 Oct 2017 by Patricia Thompson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Every day was different. The one that stands out was the trip to St Juan de Plan, a small village up in the mountains with fascinating local museums, idyllic scenery and an excellent restaurant.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
A reasonable fluency in Spanish is essential.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All guides and teachers were local Spaniards. Accommodation had been designed to minimise environmental impact and as much food as possible was organic and home-grown.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Activities were varied, well planned and very well organised. The accommodation was excellent and the food interesting and varied. Our hosts looked after us extremely well in every way.
Reviewed on 19 Jul 2017 by Jenny Abbott
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Pulling over to let a tourist single decker bus pass us on a track high up a mountain in the Ordessa National Park! Oh and visiting a neighbours house with many of the original features intact.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Lots of activity for the brain and the body 12 hours a day! Go prepared for a variety of weather conditions. The excursions are excellent guided treks high in the Pyrenees.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All the guides, food and tutors were local so definitely benefitted the local economy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A great way to improve your Spanish and learn about the Pyrenees at the same time. The accommodation, food and hospitality provided were wonderful.
Reviewed on 08 Jul 2016 by Jennifer Taylor
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
An extraordinary holiday in a spectacular region of the Pyrenees. Lucy and Simon were perfect hosts - they have thought of everything for the comfort and well-being of their guests. As a single traveller I greatly appreciated their warm welcome. Their local knowledge of this special place gave me a real insight into the the local culture, history, geology, flora and fauna.. Delicious food and wine
freshly prepared from local suppliers was also most welcome. Their exceptional organisation and well thought out itinerary made the week memorable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just book it and go! Now!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. Lucy and Simon take great care in using products locally sourced. The guides were of exceptional ability, and also local. The farmhouse itself is beautifully converted to maintain the charm of this ancient building, but with every modern convenience.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent in every respect. I cannot recommend it highly enough
Reviewed on 17 Jul 2016 by Julie Plaistowe
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lovely accommodating hosts, stunning surroundings, meeting interesting new people.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for travelling to different destinations/places of interest on most days. Be prepared for long days.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A most fantastic experience. Busy, packed with much information, new experiences and activities.
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