Tastes and Trails of Andalucia

Our tour starts today in Aracena, a hill town at the heart of the Sierra de Aracena. Its whitewashed streets climb beneath a castle and Templar church, while the surrounding hills are speckled with chestnut trees, cork oaks and small farms. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there'll be the option to go out for dinner at a local restaurant. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Seville at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Sevilla San Pablo Airport (SVQ), which is around a one-hour and 10 minute drive away. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

We begin in Jabugo, a town whose name has become closely linked with acorn-fed Iberian ham. At Sanchez Romero Carvajal, we enter the curing sheds to learn how time, cool mountain air and careful salting shape the finished ham. The visit includes a tasting, accompanied by wine. After the visit, we set out on foot through the sierra. Our route passes the picturesque whitewashed villages of Galaroza where we take time for lunch. The final part of our walk takes in Valdelarco and the valley of Talenque before finishing in Navahermosa. These villages sit among chestnut woods and orchards in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park, where stone walls and shaded lanes break up our trail. We return to Aracena in the late afternoon. Today's walk covers 14 kilometres/8 miles and is expected to take around four and a half hours. It has a total ascent of 394 metres/ 1,289 ft and a total descent of 364 metres /1,194 ft

A short transfer takes us to Finca Monte Robledo, a small goat farm outside Aracena. We learn how the herd is cared for and how the milk is turned into cheese. There may be a chance to try hand-milking before a practical workshop in which we make our own cheese. There's also a small rustic museum, which gives more context to farming life in the sierra. From the farm, we walk via Carboneras to Corteconcepcion, where we'll have time for a tapas lunch. We then continue on foot to Aracena, passing through a cultivated landscape shaped by livestock, orchards and woodland. Today's walk covers 13 kilometres/8 miles and is expected to take around four hours. It has a total ascent of 489 metres/ 1,604ft and descent of 278 metres/ 912 ft.

Today we visit Apimundi, a local conservation project where the story of the region is told through its bees. The project was set up by local beekeepers who work to maintain healthy ecosystems, as well as producing their own honey. As we explore the centre, including a visit to the hives (in protective gear), we hear about the crucial role bees play in pollinating plants, supporting biodiversity and sustaining food production. From here, we continue on foot to Almonaster la Real. One of the most picturesque villages in the sierra, Almonaster sits beneath a ridge-top fortress and is home to one of Spain's best-preserved rural mosques. Built in the 9th century during the period of Al-Andalus, the mosque is one of the few surviving rural mosques in Spain and occupies a commanding position on the hilltop with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. Today's walk covers 16 kilometres/10 miles and is expected to take around 4 and a half hours. It has a total ascent of 323 metres/1,060 ft, and descent of 479 metres/572 ft

This morning, we'll have a short transfer to the village of Castano del Robledo, known for its peaceful streets, traditional mountain architecture and unusual unfinished church, as well as being home to our tour leader, Craig, for over 25 years. After our village walk with Craig, we walk to nearby El Calabacino for a unique experience. This small hamlet, located in a pristine valley overlooked by the Peña de Arias Montana, was abandoned and reoccupied in the 1970s. There are no roads, mains water, or electricity. We're here to visit the home of 'From Seed 2 Skin', tucked away in this secluded valley. We'll be joined for the last section of this walk by our host Becca, who moved to the Spanish mountains from California 30 years ago in search of a simpler life and now runs workshops showcasing the natural pharmacy of the Sierra de Aracena. Picking wild plants and herbs as we go, we'll learn how medicinal plants have been harvested and used for generations before creating our own natural skincare balm in the workshop to take home as a unique memento of Andalucia. Our day continues with a walk to Linares, from where we transfer back to Aracena. Total walking today is approximately 11 kilometres/6.9 miles, with 265 metres/ 869ft of ascent and 498 metres/1,634ft descent

Today, the morning and early afternoon are free in Aracena. You might choose to visit the Cave of Wonders - a beautiful underground cave full of stalactites and stalagmites discovered beneath the town - the hilltop castle or the Museo del Jamon. Aracena is also a good starting point for a number for local walks; routes farther afield may require locally paid transfers. We leave Aracena by 4pm at the latest and drive to Seville, a journey of approximately 90 kilometres and one hour. After checking in, we'll have an orientation walk through the historic centre.

Today is free to explore Seville at your own pace. Most visitors to Seville choose to visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral and climb the Giralda Tower for panoramic views. Alternatively, you could explore the lavish palaces, courtyards and gardens of the Royal Alcazar – we recommend booking tickets well in advance of your trip, as the Alcazar sells out quickly.

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If you'd like a departure transfer, you'll need to depart from Sevilla San Pablo Airport (SVQ).