Holidays@CasaAna
Walking Holidays in the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada National Park with writer Chris Stewart
Explore this walkers’ paradise with Casa Ana as your base. The Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada National Park (covering over 3,500 sq km) are criss-crossed with goat paths, mule tracks and old silk roads, taking you through breathtaking mountain scenery and historic white villages. Your guides will be writer Chris Stewart (Walking over Lemons and Winter Walking weeks) and experts from the Spanish Highs guiding company.
SPECIAL OFFER: €100 off the advertised prices for the 11 - 18 May week (details below).
The Alpujarra and Chris Stewart were featured in Richard E Grant’s BBC TV series Write Around the World, August 2021
“La Alpujarra is one of the best walking areas in Spain with miles and miles of footpaths through unforgettable mountain scenery.”
To book one of these holidays download and send us a Booking Request Form. We will reply to you within 48 hours.
Programme 1 2024
13 - 20 April 2024
28 September - 5 October 2024
EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED
Programme One features an optional, self-guided day exploring the Moorish city of Granada, or a walk in the Alpujarras with Chris Stewart.
Both Programmes include walks above the Poqueira and Trevelez gorges and in the high mountains, with stunning views as far as the Mediterranean and beyond to Morocco.
Cuisine is a big feature of both holidays: visit Chris’ farm for lunch (as featured in Rick Stein’s BBC series) and sample the hams and cheeses in the mountain villages. And at Casa Ana, our chef creates exquisite dinners using fresh, local ingredients served with wines from independent vineyards across Spain.
Programme 1 summary:
Day 1 Arrival day, welcome drinks and dinner
Day 2 Exploring the villages of La Taha
Day 3 High above the Trevelez Gorge
Day 4 A day in the Moorish city of Granada or a walk in the Alpujarras
Day 5 Following the Medieval Way to Castaras
Day 6 A walk to Chris Stewart’s farm for lunch
Day 7 Sierra Nevada National Park walk
Day 8 Departure day
(Please note that we may have to modify the programme through changes in weather and other circumstances beyond our control.)
Walking: level of challenge
Expect altitude gains of up to 600 metres and 5 - 6 hours of walking per day. You need to be reasonably fit and used to country walking. Bring sensible clothing and good hiking boots. Hiking poles are useful. Sun hats, sun glasses, sun block and a water bottle are essential.
Prices
2024 holidays: €1395 - €1545 per person
The price includes bed and breakfast accommodation, 5 picnics or lunches, 6 dinners with a glass of wine, excursions, local transport and guides. It does not include: flights, airport transfers, tickets to monuments (eg. in Granada), drinks at lunchtime, some refreshments eg. coffee stops on walks.
The walking groups are small so early booking is strongly recommended.
For further information and bookings please email Tinca at Casa Ana or call her on: 0034 616 151 041.
Programme 2 2024
SPECIAL OFFER: we have just 4 places available at a discount of €100 per person off advertised prices.
11 - 18 May 2024
EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED
Programme Two includes a day visiting a beautiful local garden, with an al fresco lunch, followed by a visit to one of the historic villages, with opportunities for shopping and a sampling of wine and cheese at the local bodega.
Both Programmes include walks above the Poqueira and Trevelez gorges and in the high mountains, with stunning views as far as the Mediterranean and beyond to Morocco.
Cuisine is a big feature of both holidays: visit Chris’ farm for lunch (as featured in Rick Stein’s BBC series) and sample the hams and cheeses in the mountain villages. And at Casa Ana, our chef creates exquisite dinners using fresh, local ingredients served with wines from independent vineyards across Spain.
Programme 2 summary:
Day 1 Arrival day, welcome drinks and dinner
Day 2 Exploring the Trevelez gorge
Day 3 Waterways, oak woods and the Osel Ling Buddhist retreat
Day 4 An Alpujarran garden and visit to historic village
Day 5 From the Trevelez Valley to the Poqueira Gorge
Day 6 A walk to Chris Stewart’s farm for lunch
Day 7 Sierra Nevada National Park walk
Day 8 Departure day
(Please note that we may have to modify the programme through changes in weather and other circumstances beyond our control.)
Walking: level of challenge
Expect altitude gains of up to 600 metres and 5 - 6 hours of walking per day. You need to be reasonably fit and used to country walking. Bring sensible clothing and good hiking boots. Hiking poles are useful. Sun hats, sun glasses, sun block and a water bottle are essential.
Prices
2024 holidays: €1395 - €1545 per person
The price includes bed and breakfast accommodation, 5 picnics or lunches, 6 dinners with a glass of wine, excursions, local transport and guides. It does not include: flights, airport transfers, tickets to monuments (eg. in Granada), drinks at lunchtime, some refreshments eg. coffee stops on walks.
The walking groups are small so early booking is strongly recommended.
For further information and bookings please email Tinca at Casa Ana or call her on: 0034 616 151 041.
Chris describes the walking holidays
“Ferreirola is about the prettiest village in the western Alpujarra, and that’s where the enchanting Casa Ana is to be found. It’s just up the hill from our farm, and right in the middle of the best and most varied walking in the Alpujarra.
“There are spectacular high mountain walks amongst the dazzling botany of the Sierra Nevada with dazzling views of the highest peaks in the Peninsula. Lower down you can graze your way from village to village along ancient paths overhung by mulberries, walnuts and figs. Each season has something wonderful to offer: from sublime almond blossom in early spring, through the early summer flowers, the magical heat and light of high summer, and later the new snow on the mountains, the smell of woodsmoke in the villages, pomegranates and that ineffable melancholy light of autumn, and finally the onset of the cool sunny Alpujarran winter.
“There really is no better place to be. And all year round at Casa Ana the food and wine are of the best, with local seasonal based ingredients transformed by the alchemy of a gifted local chef into exquisite dishes to seduce the most jaded palate. As for the ambiance and conversation.. well, that's up to you and me. As for the walking, there's nothing too tough... although it is steep country and you should be in tolerable good shape. We look forward to sharing this magnificent place with you.”
Chris Stewart, author, Driving over Lemons
“My wife and I enjoyed a superb week of hiking with Chris Stewart with Casa Ana as our home base. Chris Stewart is an animated, knowledgeable and personable host. We walked through some of the most stunning and historically significant trails in Europe and enjoyed ever minute. Casa Ana was the hub of our activities – the accommodation was very comfortable, the meals were first class and Anna and her staff made us feel welcome at all times. ”
Accommodation and Food
Casa Ana is known for its stylish and comfortable accommodation, fabulous cooking and stunning views of the Trevelez river gorge and the mountains beyond.
“Casa Ana is the perfect base, set in a remote village. The staff were great, food outstanding made with lots of fresh local produce and the surrounding area very picturesque. ”
The House
Staying at Casa Ana is like staying at a private house, simple, comfortable and welcoming. A place where you can feel at home.
The old Alpujarra-style buildings are arranged around a Moorish courtyard garden, planted with wisteria and roses. A few steps through the garden take you to the terraces with breathtaking views along the valley and into the mountains.
In the bedrooms we’ve kept the original chestnut beams with white walls and terracotta floors, comfortable beds, quality linens and a scattering of rugs.
The bathrooms are modern with rain showers, huge mirrors and hand-made tiles inspired by the Moorish designs of the Alhambra. A large sitting room gives onto a shady terrace with superb mountain views.
The Architect-designed dining room and kitchen are open plan and welcoming, giving onto a secluded south-facing terrace. For winter warmth there is underfloor central heating throughout (even in the bathrooms) and a fireplace in the sitting room.
“Casa Ana is a perfect place to bring a small group, especially for walking, writing, or personal development – you can have the place to yourselves. The mix of indoor and outdoor spaces provides a conducive and pleasing environment for this kind of activity. If you bring a group of 6 or more, you can opt to have lunches and dinners included, as we did, and I highly recommend this.”
The Garden
Casa Ana was made for outdoor living. Everywhere rooms open onto the Moorish garden, the courtyard or the terraces.
There are big shady pergolas where you can relax with a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee and a good book and secluded sunny corners where you can soak up the Andalucian sun and do nothing at all. At night you can sit out, gaze at the stars and watch the moonrise over the mountains.
Everywhere there are panoramic views, the scent of jasmine and orange blossom, and maybe the sound of goatbells or a nightingale or the river far below.
It’s what makes Casa Ana special.
“The Casa itself is beautiful, and has been lovingly and sympathetically restored... Anne and the staff couldn’t possibly be any friendlier. The surroundings are also stunning.”