Aqua Ventura - Walking - village to village

DATES for Walking trips 2008:
Jan 13-20, Feb 17-24, March 9-16, April 13-20, May 4-11, June 15-22, Sep 14-21, Oct 26- Nov 2, Nov 23-30, Dec 14-21

Price 2008: €480 per person sharing

Price includes:
• Transfer from and to Alicante airport
• 7 Breakfasts
• 5 packed lunches
• 6 Dinners
• Expert local guide throughout
• Luggage transfer

Food
Breakfasts - at all accommodation, cereal, yoghurt, toast, sweat buns, fruit, coffee tea fruit juice.

Lunch - Spanish baguette with various toppings, fruit and a sweet. Snacks of almonds, dates etc. are also given.

Dinner - Three-course meal, mainly traditional Spanish cooking, e.g. soup, tapas, fidewa (local seafood dish), fruit salad and ice cream/ crema catalana. Wine and water are also served.

Experience Spanish rural life on this ‘village to village’ trek. Walk along ancient shepherds tracks through a marvellous unspoilt landscape of rugged mountains and deep gorges. Stay in a series of remote and charming villages, and participate in their relaxed and traditional way of life. This is a cultural experience as much as a walking holiday. This trip and the people involved are committed to the respect for nature and the development of its villages, people and customs.

We follow old trade routes that connected the villages as far back as Romans times. These tiny villages and trails form an important part in Spanish history.
Trails are graded moderate, but some of the walks will require a degree of fitness. Tough walking days are normally followed by easier ones. The walks vary from 3.5 to 8 hours. The longest walk takes in three peaks including the highest in the province (1557m). The emphasis is on discovering the natural environment and enjoying the traditional way of life in this part of Spain.

You can walk in this region all months except July and August.


Day 1 - Airport shuttle from Alicante to ‘Hort de Gloria’ guesthouse arriving at 12:30. Time to unpack and settle in after a light lunch of tapas and local wine. Walk to the village (2kms), and visit the village plaza and the Ermita. After the walk we return to the guesthouse to swim walk or just relax. A sunset drive up to the climbing area for a drink and spectacular views. Dinner at 20.00 in the guesthouse. Day 2 - Walk starts from the guest house Acclimatise to local conditions on a circular walk to the village of Relleu. An easy\moderate walk on mainly contour paths. We stop for lunch and a drink in one of the village bars and then return to Sella using shepherd trails that are hidden in amongst the many stone terraces. We stop for another drink in Sella and then return to the guest house via the water mill, a 1000 year old mill that is still in working order. Time: 4-5 hours. Day 3 - Sella to Guadalest The walk starts from the guesthouse after a good breakfast. Today we leave the valley of Sella ending up in the village of Guadalest. It is moderate walking of 5-6 hours on easy forest track. Along the way we take in various spectacular views and sites, including a Buddist monastery. The area is full of big lime stonewalls and caves, often forming the basis of a new fountain. Enjoy a packed lunch and snacks en-route. On arrival at the guesthouse we freshen up, have some snacks, drinks and then walk down to the famous village of Guadalest. The village is perched on the edge of a large reservoir and is still protected by the huge cliff on which it was constructed. See the museums and lookout and then return to the guesthouse for dinner and an early night. (Big day tomorrow!) Day 4 - Sierra Aitana and Las Simas Geological Faults Breakfast 8:00-8:30. The walk starts at the guest house, which is perched at the base of the mountain, the Sierra Aitana. Our aim today is to climb, summit and cross this big mountain. The morning is spent slowly meandering up to the summit. This takes about 4 hours and has more then1000m ascent. Our long climb is rewarded with spectacular views and a series of geological faults ‘Las Simas’, (the side of the mountain is falling away exposing massive cracks into which we may venture. The microclimate within these very deep cracks is completely unique to themselves. After reaching the top of the mountain (the highest in the province 1557m) we make our way down to Sella via the long ridge. Walk duration 7-8 hours. On arrival at the guesthouse relax, freshen up and have a swim in the large spring fed pool. Walk down to the watermill below the house for a guided tour with Amable. Dinner is served at 8.00. Vincent can often be persuaded to play some music after diner with a good glass of port. Day 5 - Coastal Walk (or Val De Laguar Gorges) The coastal walks of the mediterean are wonderful. The walk we do is a an easy 2-3 hour walk but we take most of the day. The paths are very good, walking is either on top of the sea cliffs or along the beach. Spectacular views are had up and down the coastline. We stop along the way in hidden coves to swim, suntan and just have a pleasant time. Picnic lunch in one of the coves. The walk starts and finishes in the town “La Villa Jojosa”, a quaint fishing town. Once back in la Villa we stop for drinks in the harbour and then head to the beach or take in a bit of site seeing. Day 6 - Free day Today is a day for a well-deserved rest. Either go to the coast to explore the markets and fishing towns. Or spend the day discovering a new activity. Sea-kayaking in the reserve off the village of La Villajoiosa is very popular. This is a great activity for anyone and no prior experience is needed. Lunch in one of the local beachfront restaurants (tapas and fresh seafood with a cold glass of beer). Other free-day ideas: Rest with a book by the pool in Sella. Come and do some rock climbing with one of our guides. Depending on the time of the year there are various festivals in the near buy villages. For the hardened walkers there are various day trips that can be under-taken. Rent a bike and discover the many miles of dirt tracks in the area. Take the train that runs along the cost stopping at a few of the towns. Day 7 - Puig Campana Coastal Walk The Puig Campana is a massive tower of rock that rises from close to the coast. Its height is 1407m but we start walking from quite low. This is the one mountain that has to be climbed. Breakfast at 8:30, followed by a 15 minute transfer. The first part of the route is on forest track up to” La Carrasca” (a goatherds house). The route then follows one of the shepherd trails to the Col de Llamp, where we stop and admire the coastal views and have a snack. After the break the path goes down a rocky gully to the Collado del Povet, the base of the Puig Campana. There is a fairly steep one and a half-hour walk to the summit rewarded with 360-degree views. Lunch and and a group photo on the summit,( depending on the weather) followed by a walk back to the col. Follow a different route to the Sacarest farmhouse and down to the finishing point. Walk time 7 hours. We return to Hort De Gloria for an end of trip celebration, or fiesta (A fiesta in Spain is something of great importance. As a nation the Spanish are very close. One way of making you feel welcome and at home is to have a fiesta in your honour.) Day 8 - Departure Breakfast served at 8:30. Transfer to the airport at 9:20. (we have the option to slot this walk in depending on group and weather, it would replace the coastal walk but is much harder) Note: Itinerary subject to change according to weather Note: Itinerary subject to change according to weather conditions.*
Day 1 - Guests are accommodated at Hort de Gloria, a guest farm situated near the traditional village of Sella This is a beautiful old masia (farmhouse) surrounded by mountains on all sides.) Food is all wholesome and home-cooked with a lot of the produce coming straight from the farm. Dinners are served in a communal dining room. For those hot days there is a 25m pool fed by a natural spring. Rooms are all double sharing with communal lounge, dinning. Day 2 - El Trestellador is a small hostel close to the village of Guadalest. All rooms are double en suites. The hostel has a small restaurant and communal area. There is a swimming pool for hot days. People come from far to sample Charo’s excellent food. Day 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 -back at Hort de Gloria guest farmhouse.

Walking in this region is three seasons, autumn, winter and spring. This trip can run throughout the year excluding July & August. These dates coincide present trip dates.

Meals: breakfast (x7); lunch (x6); Dinner (x7)

Breakfasts - at all accommodation, cereal, yoghurt, toast, sweat buns, fruit, coffee and tea.
Lunch - Spanish baguette with various toppings, fruit and a sweet. Snacks of almonds, dates etc. are also given.
Dinner - Three-course meal, mainly traditional Spanish cooking, e.g. soup, paella, fruit salad and ice cream. Wine and water are also served.

The coastal climate of Valencia is very mild with average max. temperatures in winter of 13 C, and a.m.t in summer of 29C. The generally sunny conditions give moderate temperatures during the day, even in winter, although as soon as the sun disappears temperatures can drop quickly. Walking in summer is not recommended as temperatures can soar to 35C.
Annual rainfall is between 400-500mm.
Daylight hours - Winter solstice (dec.22) 10 hours.
- Summer solstice (june22) 16 hours.
Dry days - 300+
Snowfall - Very occasionally on the highest peaks.

Clients should provide suitable walking gear that includes a good pair of hiking boots. Although the climate is moderate, it is essential to have a waterproof jacket and pants in the unlikely case of rain or snow. Adequate sun protection is essential (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Travel insurance is required by all people partaking on this trip.

Group size: Min 6, max 14 people .

Village Fiesta experience (dependent on time of year)
Sella: September
Villajoyosa: July
Alcoy: April

Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos in Honor of San Jorge (Alcoy)
The origins of this festivity date back to the XVI century and, nowadays, in three days of festivities, about 5.000 people "align" either in the Moor or the Christian decree. The colour, the music, gunpowder, the processions and “arcabucería” battles well deserve a visit.

Guadalest is located on a high peak, built-into a rocky outcrop the village is entered buy way of a man made tunnel, excavated into the rock. The peculiar nature of the municipality is apparent from afar, whilst its heart holds even more surprises, ranging from a neighbourhood that shows vestiges and remains from a good part of the of the local history, to a complete and varied selection of museums. The village, is both surprising and spectacular, the “Sierra de Aitana”, the “Sierra de Serrella” and the “Sierra de Xortà” surround it.

Sella is a small village situated at the base of the Sierra Aitana and the Puig Campana. With little over 300 inhabitants, 2 bars ,1 restaurant, a bakery and a large church it is still truly rural Spain.
The guesthouse is a 1km walk from the village of Sella and 3km by car.
Hort De Gloria is a beautifully renovated farm house with over 300 years of Spanish history.
All accommodation. is twin sharing. The 25m pool is spring fed and all the rooms have mountain views, as we are completely surrounded by them. There is a large terrace for drinks with brilliant views overlooking the olive groves The garden around the house has a grass area and also barbecue and seating area. There is a large fire place in the lounge for those cold nights. All meals are served in a communal dining hall

Penaguila is situated in one of the regions beautiful cherry growing valleys. Nestled amongst mountains and cherry trees it is a truly beautiful rural village rich in history. Dating back to Roman occupation it is one of the oldest villages in the province of Alicante. Many of the sites still stand. The fort dates back to the 6th century. The Roman aqueducts can be seen in various places. The gardens of Santos built in the mid 1800’s are beautifully maintained and have on their premises a museum dedicated to local history. The area also has a number of prehistoric painting sites.

Villajoyosa has something special that makes all those who visit want to return. The light of a Mediterranean locality, the configuration of the old town, with its small streets that reminisce of the past, its houses close to the port painted in the purest of Mediterranean styles, in bright luminous colours, are the biggest attractions for tourists. Besides which the town enjoys an excellent climate that makes it a recommended destination any time of the year. The town has a street market that sells many locally made items.
A characteristic of the locality, its fishing tradition, held above all else, is intimately related to the sea through hundreds of years of customs. The production and mending of fishing nets maintains traditional methods and processes that have been maintained, and effectively used over many years. The village is also the regions original chocolate producer of past and present the two small factories still follow traditional methods in production and is well illustrated in the towns chocolate museum.

The Valor Museum of Chocolate
The museum can be enjoyed both inside and outside. Before entering, there are large machines and a cart to be seen, from which chocolate was once commercialised. Once inside there are two programmed tours, the thematic tour and the chronological tour. The first tour shows the commerce, consumption, packaging, the raw materials, chocolates and their moulds. The chronological tour shows the three factories of the XIX and the XX centuries. The visit finalises with the modern installations and a tasting session.

Historical Old Quarters of the city
The Old Quarter of the town preserves an enviable degree of conservation. Its traditionally seafaring and commercial character has determined its particular architecture, with a distribution and layout typical to the era of the conquest and the re-conquest. In excavations in the area there have been found remains from the Iberian era, of Phoenician or Egyptian origin. The Fortress-Church of the “Asunción”, in the Historical-Artistic quarter is worth a visit, belonging to the Catalan Gothic style. The streets of “Colón” and “Canalejas” conserve buildings of different architectural styles, which range from the XIX and the XX century. Another of the essential attractions is the hanging polychromatic houses above the river Amadorio, which also serve as icon to the town.

Traditional olive-pressing / milling techniques
Almond picking, the almonds trees are on flower on the months of Jan- Feb.
Also other fruit picking depending on season.
In the first weekend of October there is a very famous “Medieval Fair” in Cocentaina, and Finestrat has one in March.

Local Markets every day of the week and in La Cala de Finestrat on Fridays.