Cooking and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
“A small group tour, for a week, with gentle walking and superb cooking on the outskirts of Ordesa NP and Monte Perdido. Staying in 17th century guesthouse. ”
Highlights
Albella | Walking in Ordesa National Park | Monte Perdito | Walking in Spanish Pyrenees | Torla | Somontano wine region, Aragon | Views of Monte Perdido and Brecha de RolandDescription of Cooking and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
This cooking and walking holiday, in the Spanish Pyrenees, is a week long small group holiday, based in a 17th century guesthouse, located in a tranquil, untouristy area of the mountains. The week’s itinerary is recipe for a fun, active and also cultural holiday, combining walking in spectacular mountain scenery with expert cooking classes, and plenty of wine too of course. Your hosts are Simon and Lucy, who have a great combination of skills as chef and food scientist. As well as having an innate passion for the region, of course.During the week, you will be guided through traditional villages and remote landscapes in both the uplands and foothills of the Pyrenees, such as in Ordesa National Park. With laid back, easy walking throughout. The Aragon region is also home to the most delicious local produce which is why cooking here is such a pleasure, with lessons that are not only in the large kitchen at the guesthouse, but also in a local state of the art restaurant.
With a maximum number of eight guests during the week, you will be accommodated in spacious rooms, all ensuite. The hub of the week, apart for the kitchen of course, is the large communal living space, with a wood burning stove and stunning mountain views.
The price of this holiday includes accommodation, meals, cookery lessons, excursions and transport (but not transfers from airport or train station). We do not charge a solo supplement on this trip.
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Check dates, prices & availability
Date
Price per adult
Basis
Status
08 Sep 2019
€1295
excluding flights
5 spaces left
06 Oct 2019
€1295
excluding flights
2 spaces left
03 May 2020
€1295
excluding flights
3 spaces left
28 Jun 2020
€1295
excluding flights
Available
20 Sep 2020
€1295
excluding flights
Available
04 Oct 2020
€1295
excluding flights
Available
Vouchers
Accepted
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Cooking and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
Environment
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.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.
Community
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.
14 Reviews of Cooking and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 20 Jun 2019 by Jane Hofto
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our holiday immersed us in beautiful scenery and fascinating culture: tiny villages, beautiful historic towns, castles and monasteries, amazing rock formations, and enthusiastic producers of wine and olive oil. A highlight for me was a wonderful walk encompassing 4 local villages, all at various stages of revitalisation, and experiencing the yearly fiesta in Albella, when religious statues are paraded to the chapel and families return to their ancestral homes in a celebration of community. Albella itself is a tiny but beautiful hamlet high in the Pyrenees and the Casa Allue, Simon and Lucy’s guesthouse, is a beautifully renovated and decorated former farmhouse and barn. It has a superb outlook and we were serenaded by a musical chorus of cow and sheep bells! Simon and Lucy are wonderful cooks who use beautiful produce grown in their own garden or locally sourced - we dined on wild boar and mushrooms collected in the hills above the town! - and the delicious meals are complemented with local wines. Our cookery sessions were lots of fun (wine in hand!).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Simon and Lucy organised a transfer for us from Zaragoza which worked beautifully.
I think you really get the most from this holiday if you have a good level of fitness and can walk uphill and over uneven terrain.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Conservation and sustainability underpin every aspect of the operation of the tour operator. Simon and Lucy are wonderful hosts and guides, knowledgeable and respectful of the local communities and their history and culture, as well as the wildlife, botany and geology of the Pyrenees. They have sensitively restored a derelict farmhouse and barn into a beautiful guesthouse, sponsor local restoration projects, work with local farmers, promote local produce and are an integral and respected part of the local community. The guesthouse restoration included installation of thermal underfloor heating and water tanks to harvest rain from the roof.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A superb holiday in a beautiful location with wonderful hosts.
Reviewed on 27 May 2019 by Cristina Stoica
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hiking was stunningly beautiful. The home cooked food afterwards was one of the best I ever had.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Wear sturdy, good hiking boots.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exceptional. I cannot say enough good things. We will be coming back.
Reviewed on 13 May 2019 by victoria taylor
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The warm generous hospitality of the family who run the trip and the peace and beauty of the place that they have so tastefully renovated. The laughs we all had cooking some of our meals.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just choose which activity suits you and BOOK. I am definetly going back.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definetly. It gives locals work using them as walking guides, teachers and specialists such as ornithologists. Also you visit local small businesses such as goats cheese making and olive oil bottling.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely 100% brilliant and would give 10 stars if I could.
Reviewed on 22 Oct 2018 by Paul Brown
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had 2 guided walks and the one in the Ordessa Valley up in the heights was amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's quite a remote area so a fair bit of driving to get to things if you want to see the national parks etc
Ask a question and Lucy and Simon will know the answers, or find it out for you, very knowledgeable and experienced.
The hosts like to pay attention to every detail to give you the best holiday so when they ask for height and width it's not to set the calorific value of the food it's so they match you to the best bedroom configuration. They really listen to what you want and try to give the best experience.
Note no TV. They have lots of books!
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?
Very good. We were on a cooking and walking trip and it exceeded our expectations to include wine tasting, beer making, local history, supermarket visit, castles, apple pressings, bird watching, animal spotting, amazing waterfalls, honeyman, coffees, local restaurants, bird watching, gardening, fine food and and and.
Reviewed on 28 Sep 2018 by Vivienne Blandford
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stunning scenery and the geological explanations and guidance provided by Lucy
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to be bowled over by hospitality, ambience and experience
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes with introduction to local, small scale producers of honey, olive oil, cheese and world class wines. Coupled with using local guides with a passion
for the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, travelled solo but hope to come back with family and friends.
Reviewed on 17 Sep 2018 by Kim Caldwell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The lovely restored 17th century home was in a beautiful location with great hikes in the surrounding hills and also in the spectacular Ordessa national park. Our hosts were great, catering to a group with different abilities and fitness levels, ensuring that we enjoyed all aspects of the holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Relax and enjoy the great scenery and freshest produce.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our hosts were very environmentally aware, reusing building materials in the renovated house, recycling and composting, growing much of the produce used in the cooking classes and for our meals. Other produce was sourced from small local growers and local markets. They have a policy of employing only local guides and drivers.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fabulous. The highlight of our trip to Spain.
Reviewed on 17 Sep 2018 by Peggy Poole
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Discovering the incredible beauty of the Pyrenees. Great walks planned by
Simon and Lucy with delicious picnic lunch to enjoy along the way.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Relax and leave all planning to Simon and Lucy. Wonderful walks and then
back to prepare dinners.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefited local people. Visited local cheese maker, beekeeper, vineyard and more.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Simon and Lucy incredibly thoughtful hosts in beautiful setting. Great food,
eating out on patio, meeting local people and wonderful walking. Holiday couldn’t have been better!
Reviewed on 18 May 2018 by Diane Hall
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
First class. Lucy and Simon could not have been more helpful and accommodating and so knowledgeable.
Reviewed on 14 May 2018 by Anna Avery
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching bearded & gryphon vultures flying in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Brilliant guide, fabulous scenery, not difficult walking.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Contact Lucy or Simon if you have any questions- always helpful. Be honest about your fitness level for the walking
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. The guides were local people & the products used in food preparation were local too. The owners were very aware of environmental issues & supported conservation projects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A good mix of walking/cooking/geology/local culture and all in a quiet place: lovely scenery & very friendly company
Reviewed on 30 Oct 2017 by Mike Smith
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meeting a great bunch of like minded people on our trip including our hosts. The mix of activities we did worked really well, not just the cooking and walking but also everything else we managed to do including wine tasting, visiting the olive oil co-operative, evening visits to local historical town, and more. The walking for me was a bit special as we had a very high return for our efforts with respect to views, and great info from our enthusiastic guides and great company in amazing weather!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you go at this time of year, be adaptable with respect to temperature as you will need sun cream and shorts in the sun, but layers in the evening and shade. In the bottom of steep valleys such as Odessa, you will be in the shade for some of the time and it will be chilly when you are. Speak to Simon and Lucy with any requests or concerns- they are very adaptable and accommodating to each persons needs as well as the groups.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. Several different guides were used, and local produce. Part of the cooking included selecting product from the garden. One of the walks we did was focused on seeing the Bearded and Griffin Vultures and how the community including our hosts are supporting the reintroduction of the bearded vultures (which we got great views of).
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Not just an excellent holiday but also a great experience.
Reviewed on 07 May 2017 by Una Carter
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beauty of the landscape, the freshness of the air, delicious food and invigorating walks. I could go on.....
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Very important to come prepared for changes in weather, although we had been told that anyway. But it may mean being flexible with regard to the itinerary. Warning - the food is so good you could put on weight!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Very much so. Lucy and Simon have employed local people to help renovate the house and as drivers, guides and teachers. This is ongoing. They are passionate about wildlife and the environment and get involved with local projects so are well known in the area as people who care. They are also very knowledgeable about the area, its history, geography, geology, etc, which made it all the more interesting.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was wonderful. I feel very much refreshed after it and it is heartening to know such places exist. Lucy and Simon have just the right balance of friendliness and professionalism and seem to have thought of everything in terms of what guests might need.
Can I just say, I would certainly give this a 5 but I think your choice of comment could be better. There are many different types of holiday so, for example, it would be hard to compare it with a trip to the Antarctic or the jungle. So 'best holiday ever' is not really appropriate in my view!
Reviewed on 07 Nov 2017 by Asma Abu-Taleb
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hikes were enjoyable with beautiful scenery all along
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Expect not to have free time
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This was an environment friendly holiday for sure, our hosts are in a small community which means relying on local people most of the time.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very well planned and organized holiday and a feeling of living with a family, truly a memorable holiday.
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2016 by Deb Mickle
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The location of this stunning and natural area in the Aragon Pyrenees with very contrasted hiking trails . The national parks had such a diverse range of
shorter trails with historic routes chapels, bridges and hermitages.
Superb hosts Simon & Lucy and accommodation and amenities that exceeded my expectations can not be faulted .
Food for all meals was outstanding.
The combination of walking and cooking was a perfect blend . I learnt so much about this area and gained an appreciation of geology .
I now have a great spanish cooking repertoire and learnt lots of handy hints
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Highly recommended. Great for solo travellers.
Be prepared to be active . This location is also great if you feel like a non active day-off .
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly as local guides used in addition to Lucy & Simon ,
We visited local businesses and cafes, artisan food product makers and places you would never discover if doing your own itinerary and travel plans.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
EXCEPTIONAL. Exceeded my expectations on so many levels. From the quality of accommodation and attention to detail with all aspects of the week . From
being picked up at train station and being greeted by Simon with cooler in van with water & refreshments on hand to every day being a great adventure and
exploration of the Aragon region.
Reviewed on 12 Oct 2016 by Clare Cotton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Breathtaking canyon walks far exceeding my imagination. Not forgetting having the experience of a lifetime as two Lamagayers (bearded cultures
with 3metre wingspan) glided past me just a couple of metres away. Amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just book it. Simon and Lucy are such great hosts that they will adapt the holiday so you make the most of it.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes all of the above.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant. I couldn't fault it. Cooking and walking both superb.
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