Wildside Holidays Iberia

"Andalucia in the South of Spain is one of the best walking areas in Europe – it simply cannot be rivalled for variety of scenery, climate, spectacular mountains, history, culture and some of the most interesting flora and fauna to be found anywhere in the world." And the Axarquia region is ideal base for a walking holiday with Walk Andalucia (www.walk-andalucia.com)

After a short drive east of Malaga you will be in the Axarquia region, one of Spain’s wild places preserved from the clutches of property developers, and in the shadow of the impressive peaks of the Sierras of Tejeda and Almijara. The Axarquia has a natural environment of great richness and variety – splendid diversity of wetland zones, mountain ranges and bird migration routes. It is a region of historic white villages with a distinctive Arabic influence scattered amongst dramatic hills and mountains, and where grape vines, mango trees and kiwi fruits thrive alongside ancient olive and almond groves. Many of these white villages have been preserved so that today they can still be appreciated in their typical and original condition.

Casa Alferera, a barn for 2-4 people, in 3 hectares of olive grove under the peaks of the beautiful Sierra de Montanchez. Superb bird watching and walking, 3 towns of great historical interest within 30 minutes drive, the nature reserve at Monfrague an hour away. Solar electricity, spring water, a natural swimming pond....Jane Wheeler who owns the lovely converted barn in Extremadura explains a little about her project to create a peaceful and natural place for relaxing and enjoying the natural world. You can find out more about renting the property by contacting Pippa Sharman at Finca Al-Manzil

"I fell in love with this part of Extremadura five years ago, while staying at Finca Al-Manzil. The steep boulder-strewn slopes and peaks, the trees growing out of the rocks everywhere - mainly cork and holme oak, the horses and cattle, the vultures and eagles, all the wild-life –  the peace and quiet, the old-fashioned courtesy of the locals, the last vestiges of an old order – all called out to my sensibilities.

Read more to find out about our selected Parador list for exploring the nature and Wildlife of Spain with a bit of luxury added in...

Autumn is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the stunning countryside scenery in Catalonia, and what better way to discover the area than on foot based at Els Canterers guest house in the small riverside village of Miravet in the Ebro Region. You can follow the GR99 trail along the winding river down to the village of Benifallet. Miravet is in a privilegded location, situated between 2 beautiful Natural Parks; Els Ports and Montsant. Els Ports lies between Catalonia, Valencia and Aragón and is a natural forest area, full of wildlife,  such as the Spanish Ibex, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Click the read more below for more information and pictures about this beautiful area.

Spanish Footsteps is a family run business based in the province of Soria in Northern Spain.  Their walking holidays and cultural guided tours take travellers on a journey of discovery through one of Spain’s best kept secrets.......

Els Canterers rural guesthouse is located in the village of Miravet, nestled beside the River Ebro in the province of Tarragona. The landscape surrounding the village is beautiful and flourishes with fruit trees during the spring and summer season; cherries, apricots, plums and peaches give this county it’s well-deserved name of "The land of the sweet fruits". The house has undergone a complete renovation in 2008 and offers comfortable surroundings and a personal service for its guests.

One of the main annual fruit crops here is the cherry, with trees blossoming during the early months of the year and the fruit harvest season starting at the beginning of May through to June. On the 14th of June 2009 the village will be celebrating it’s XIV Cherry Festival, with an exhibition of the different varieties of cherries, stalls set up in the village square, and the most awaitied part of the day is the giant paella lunch for up to 1,000 people, which attracts the locals from Miravet and surrounding villages.