10 independent reviews for Andalusia centre based walking holiday, Spain

Reviews for Andalusia centre based walking holiday, Spain

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review 28 May 2026

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

Lucy and Angel are the most amazing hosts, with Lucy’s dinners being an absolute delight especially when she catered for my Vegan wife

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

Book early so you don’t miss out

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, we dined at 3 different restaurants and had drinks at various bars

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Superb

review 7 May 2026

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

The hosts are embedded in their local environment - built, natural and cultural. The owners shared their enthusiasm and knowledge of the area generously with us, enhancing our experience immeasurably.

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

Visiting in April/May allows you to walk amongst wildflowers, butterflies and songbirds, at an ideal temperature.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Definitely - the delicious food was locally sourced from personally known neighbours and friends and the owners have gone to great lengths to make their buildings and garden as sustainable as possible. When we weren't eating delicious home cooked meals, we were recommended local restaurants with a similar outlook.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent

review 25 Apr 2026

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

Beautiful area. Seeing golden eagles and Griffin vultures. Authentic Spanish villages and amazing food.

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

Perfect if you like walking in a beautiful environment on safe, well marked trails. Enjoy good food. Can go at your own pace.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, definitely.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent

review 6 Apr 2026

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

We were introduced to a lovely part of Spain by our enthusiastic and knowledgeable hosts.

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

Be prepared for cool evenings and mornings with very warm sun in the afternoon.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

This is a great example of environmental friendly tourism. We were able to do a week's worth of walks all from the same location.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent - a perfect combination of an interesting area to learn about and explore as well as relax. The team helped us with all of the above.

review 11 Apr 2025

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

The introductory tour by Angel was very interesting and informative providing a useful background to the area, it’s geology, flora and fauna. This included information on the growing and harvesting of cork and the free ranging Iberian pig. The countryside was extremely varied, lush and unspoilt. There was an excellent network of walking routes of differing lengths and terrain, and each walk showed us a different aspect of the area. We loved the sheer wealth of birdlife, from the swifts, swallows and martins nesting in villages to the griffin vultures, storks and herons in the countryside. There were so many spring flowers to observe on every walk including cistus, bluebells, orchids and wild lupins.

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

We particularly enjoyed staying a week here as it gave us a chance to relax and unwind, sample local dishes cooked by Lucy from Monday to Thursday and visit village hostelries on other days. We don’t eat meat, so Lucy arranged for us to sample local sheep and goats’ cheeses in Aracena (instead of ham tasting), which we’d highly recommend. On two occasions, Lucy and Angel transferred us to another village so that we could do a linear rather than circular walk. We travelled from Madrid to Alajar (and back) by public transport, taking first the train to Seville and then the evening bus to Aracena (16.00) and a second connecting bus to Alajar. The buses although infrequent were reliable, economical and efficient.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Angel and Lucy have renovated their guest house from a ruin using eco friendly materials, heating systems, insulation etc. The house is beautifully decorated with traditional furniture and implements from the area. As well as our stay benefitting Posada San Marcos - which sources local produce - we also used local transport, restaurants and bars and bought locally produced goat’s cheeses, olive oil and perfume to bring home.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Although for only a week, this was one of the most memorable holidays we have had. We visited in early April when the temperate climate was ideal for walking.

review 18 Oct 2024

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

We did some fantastic walking around Alajar. Lucy and Angel provided excellent GPS routes, which were simple to use and kept us on track. Lucy's evening meals were delicious using locally sourced ingredients. The hotel has a lovely lounge area - with a reasonably priced honesty bar - where we were able to chat with other guests well into the evenings!

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

Make sure you stay at the Posada San Marcos!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Lucy and Angel had good contacts with local restaurants - one of whom opened up, especially for a small group of us. Angel was fanatical about local products (especially the Jamon Iberico) and reducing environmental impacts, through solar electricity, using rainwater etc.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Outstanding - we had a great time staying at the Posada San Marcos and were really well looked after by Lucy and Angel. We will do our best to go again.

review 18 Sep 2024

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

The accommodation is a magical place to stay and the walking and towns and villages in the area are enchanting.

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

Don't hesitate - just book! Lucy and Angel will make sure you have a wonderful holiday.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

The operator is rooted in the local community and run with environmental considerations at its heart.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A joyous and peaceful holiday in a beautiful location. Lived up to all our expectations.

review 3 Jun 2024

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

From the moment we stepped into the trip we felt it oozed quality, green living, good food topped off with wonderful hospitality from Angel and Lucy.

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

You need good walking boots. Some of the routes have bad erosion.

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?

It was like a dream holiday.

review 23 Oct 2024

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

The region - Sierra Aracena - and the wealth of local flora. Also the iberico pig!

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

If you are interested in wines, you need to supply your own, because the accommodation for all its positive aspects (Lucy and Angel were great hosts and guides) only supplies two very basic wines, a white and a red, though strangely they have six good local beers!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

We hope so.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent experience to region and its food.

review 10 Sep 2023

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

Engaging with our hosts and the locals about life in the Andalusian hills.

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

Walk in the mornings and interact with the village in the afternoons.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

The village is small and we used the restaurants, bars and local sights and hamlets to try to understand a little about life there and do our bit for the local economy.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We had been travelling for 7 weeks prior to Posada San Marcos, so it was so pleasant to slow down for a week in Alajar.

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