Nordic W Spain October/24

Day 1 kicked off with the thrill of an early morning adventure as we embarked on our exciting journey from Bournemouth to the stunning shores of Faro, Portugal! This trip was significant because it marked a joyous reunion with my fellow Nordic Walking Fit Dorset team members, whom I hadn’t seen since 2019 due to the pandemic. The atmosphere was electric as we hugged and laughed, and our incredible leader, Lynne Martin, welcomed us back with her signature warmth and enthusiasm. After having already conquered a walk with another group, her tireless energy invigorated us all!

Throughout the week, the charming family-owned mini-bus company, ALCAIDE & SONS, treated us to fantastic transfers. Our drivers were not just friendly; they were wonderful storytellers, regaling us with captivating tales about the history of the places we explored. It felt like we had a personal tour guide with every ride! I could see the amusement in their eyes at our quirky antics, but they embraced our unique spirit wholeheartedly. It warmed my heart to watch them smile when I spoke Spanish; our conversations flowed easily as I often snagged a front seat. Listening to their stories about family and life made each journey feel like a genuine connection far beyond mere transportation.

As the day came to a close, we arrived at the magical Finca Valbono, a hidden jewel tucked away in the breathtaking Sierras de Aracena. It felt like coming home to a place we couldn't wait to revisit! Our first evening was capped off with an enchanting stroll through the town, leading us to an incredible meal at Montecruz. What a perfect start to our adventure!

Day 2 kicked off with an exciting adventure to a spot we hadn't yet explored: Cañaveral de León. I had not visited this enchanting place before, never had I witnessed the pool in its full splendor—what a breathtaking sight to see the laguna and its fountains alive and vibrant!

We set off on a circular route along the charming paths that crisscross the countryside. Though we encountered some hills, the stunning views made every step worth it. After our trek, it was time to indulge in a delightful picnic lunch, savoring the fresh air and the beauty around us.

Our cultural exploration continued as we wandered into an Olive Oil Museum and marveled at the exquisite church nearby. To top it all off, we popped into a quaint local bar for a refreshing drink. Although these gems were technically closed, we were given special access—what a privilege to be able to enjoy them in such an intimate setting!

Returning to the hotel, we were treated to a delicious dinner, followed by a celebratory birthday cake for Neil. I have no doubt he had an unforgettable birthday in the stunning Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche!

Day 3 and it’s not exactly the Spanish weather we had hoped for. Still, we choose to embrace the elements and make the most of it. The walk from Aracena to Linares de Sierra was quite manageable, with paths that offered some shelter from the trees, and we were fortunate that the skies lightened a bit for us. It turned into a wonderful Nordic walk towards our destination. 

Speaking of which, arriving at #Arrieros for that delightful Michelin-style lunch felt like a well-deserved reward. It was so worth the journey, and truly a gastronomic treat that lifted our spirits!

While our Spanish holidays are often filled with invigorating Nordic Walking adventures, one of the standout experiences was an engaging workshop led by Natalie from Alchemy Skin and Soul. Natalie shared her deep passion for natural skincare, guiding us through the fascinating process of creating our own personalized skin creams. 

As we mixed and blended various organic ingredients, it was not only a learning experience but also a joyous and creative endeavor. We left with our very own jars of luxurious, hand-crafted cream, infused with the essence of the beautiful Sierra surroundings. 

It was a delightful blend of fun, education, and self-care, and we can't thank Natalie enough for this wonderful opportunity! ❤️

Day 4 arrives, and how wonderful it is to bask in the Spanish sunshine. Today, we found ourselves at Finca Robledo, a charming goat farm where we had the delightful opportunity to make our own cheese. We started the day with a warm tour, watching the goats being milked and exploring a small museum that shared the rich history of this place, which has been thriving for over 100 years. It was fascinating to learn about the cheese-making process firsthand.

The highlight was undoubtedly the cheese and wine tasting—what a treat for our elevensies! It was not only delicious but also incredibly informative, and now we each get to take home a piece of our experience with the cheese we made ourselves.

Afterward, we set out with our walking poles to stroll back to our hotel. The stunning views, bathed in the golden light of the Sierra autumn sun, took our breath away. 

It truly has been an amazing day on our NordicWalkingFit Spanish Holiday, filled with joy and connection with nature.  

Just wrapped up our farewell dinner at Finca Valbono, and it was such a wonderful evening! We savored some amazing tapas while enjoying the beautiful sounds of Flamenco music. A couple of us even joined in on the dancing—it was such a delight!

I can’t believe we’re leaving Finca Valbono; it truly is a magical place to stay. Huge thanks to Blas and Monica for everything! Until next time!

Now, we’re off to our next destination in Galaroza. 

Day 5 We woke up to sunshine in the Sierras and enjoyed a fantastic walk from Peña de Arias Montano to Castaño del Robledo for a delicious lunch and a refreshing drink. After that, we headed down to Galaroza, where we received a warm welcome at our next hotel, Doce Canas, for the second half of our holiday.

The best surprise was running into Jara on the path—it was so lovely to see him! I met him when he was a teenager and our church group had just purchased the Los Veneros land - which was later sold to the municipality of Santa Ana la Real and now is a 5-star resort. Life does mysterious things….We ended the day with a great dinner at the local spot, Bar Martin, where the food was delicious as was the good camaraderie.

Loving every moment of our Spanish Nordic Walking Adventure!  

#nordicwalkingfit #spanishnordicwalkingholidays #caminos #galaroza #docecanas

Day 6 Oh, the Spanish weather can be quite a surprise! We started our day at Cortegana Castle, where the views are usually breathtaking, but today it felt more like stepping into a mysterious painting. Despite the heavy mist, we embraced the atmosphere and wrapped ourselves up warmly to explore. Thankfully, as we ventured on, the fog began to lift a bit, revealing overcast skies with some lovely sunny breaks, making our walk quite pleasant.

Shout out to my fellow walker Rachel who stuck with me, since the paths we followed had their challenges—navigating under fallen trees, rocky terrain, and streams turned our journey into a thrilling adventure as we made our way to Almonaster. When we finally arrived, we climbed up to the ancient mosque, where the serene views of the Sierra mountains offered a moment of peaceful reflection—definitely one of my favorite spots.

With this being our last walk, we felt celebrating with refreshments in the village was absolutely essential. It was a wonderful way to wrap up a fantastic week filled with Nordic walking and create lasting memories of our holiday in Spain.