14 May 2016
Walking in Andalucia with Collett’s
As well as getting to walk in some of the most stunning mountains in Europe, one of the most exciting aspects of working for Collett’s is getting to meet new and interesting people every week. One never knows what to expect. Every person has their own story and each group dynamic is unique. It was a fantastic start to the season in Andalusia. The week started with two short walks. Half the group opted for a cultural tour of Canillas de Albaida and Competa (its neighbouring village), gaining some interesting insights into the lives of the locals – their culture and history – whilst also benefitting from some fabulous mountain views from Competa high-road. The other group got straight out into the Parque Natural, where they took in the sights of the gorgeous green rolling hills, dotted with trees and lush vegetation, whilst also inhaling the smells of Andalusia; rosemary, lemon-time, fennel, orange-blossom.
Both groups met up at a local Bodega just outside Competa. Maria gave a tour of her Bodega and talked about the wine-making proccess before the guests sat down to sample a few of the delicious wines made from the locally produced Moscatel grape. We also enjoyed some tapas to complement the wine. This was a great sociable start to the week and we sensed we were going to have lots of fun. None of the guests had met one another before the week began and it was obvious that the group chemistry was strong. The friendly banter and easy conviviality apparent from Day 1 would go on to define the rest of the week. We left the Bodega feeling rather merry and feeling very good about the week ahead.
Throughout the rest of the week, guests enjoyed varied weather conditions, but we were blessed with glorious sunshine and clear skies on Tuesday. This enabled one walking group to enjoy breathtaking views from the top of El Lucero, whilst the other group saw some spectacular sights on the way to Salares, followed by an authentic Spanish experience in Theo’s bar, where we tried some traditional Spanish food and sangria.
On Wednesday, the guests were left to their own devices. Some visited the Alhambra in Granada, others tried the caves in Nerja and then embraced the good life at the coastal town of Torre del Mar.
The week ended much as it started, with fantastic walks, followed by sociable drinks and banter. We began the week not knowing what to expect and ended it with new friends and numerous fond memories. We hope our guests will cherish these valuable memories as much as we will. We hope to create new memories with them on other Collett’s holidays in the future.
Thanks to Max and Allison for the great blog and photos! Click here for more details about our holidays in Andalucia.
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