Torn between a city break and a walking holiday?...
Torn between a city break and a walking holiday? Problem solved! I've been working on a new tour - the perfect combination of a relaxing walking holiday in the Sierra de Aracena National Park, with a cultural city break in Seville.
Think walking holidays are only for the very fit and active or well experienced walkers? Walking in The Sierra De Aracena allows you to take nice easy walks each day which is great for those who are unaccustomed to long, challenging walking trips, (such as myself)! Also, being a sun worshipper, Seville and The Sierra De Aracena couldn’t be more perfect for combining everything into one- since it does get over 300 days of sunshine a year!
Seville is one of those Cities that you will never be bored in – you are constantly surrounded by the amazing architecture, pretty little white-washed villages with brightly coloured flowers hanging outside and cobblestone streets (the kind of street you normally only see on the front of a postcard or wall canvas) tapas and wine bars on every corner (well who can resist a refreshing glass of wine or cool beer in the sun after a long days exploring in a new city?)
The streets are constantly full of hustle and bustle so you can wander about until well after dark which is something I just love about being abroad, as you feel safe and also like one of the locals.
There are so many attractions to visit too - The Gothic Cathedral (arguably the largest in the world) which is an absolutely stunning build and is also the resting place of Christopher Columbus. There is also Giralda Tower, The real Alcazar of Seville, I could go on! The list of things to do is huge and it is definitely a city to consider visiting.
The Sierra de Aracena National Park is quite the contrast from Seville – away from the hustle and bustle of city life, it truly is a paradise for nature lovers and the walks here are nice and gentle – perfect for those who want a laid-back walking holiday.
What I really like about the walking days here, apart from the fact that they are relatively easy, is that you are walking amongst charming little villages and your accommodation is just a short distance away from Alajar if you fancy going for a well-earned drink and bite to eat.
Molinio Rio Alajar is a collection of 6 gorgeous stone cottages situated in a little valley near Alajar and if you want total relaxation then you are guaranteed to find it here. There is a swimming pool with sun loungers (for those who want to spend some time worshipping that sunshine while they can-Bliss!), table tennis, bike hire, donkey riding and so much more available here so if you thought walking holidays were all about spending hours fighting with maps, traipsing through fields covered in mud and feeling completely exhausted at the end of the day-think again!
An ideal trip for those who want a relaxed walking holiday combined with a city break, and also a great choice for those who are new to the walking scene. Definitely one for the travel “musts” list!
Written by
Laura Sim