Cooking & Walking in the Pyrenees

What You'll Do

Combine hands-on cookery lessons with walks in spectacular scenery to discover the gastronomy & natural beauty of the Spanish Pyrenees; spend days preparing delicious traditional dishes then walk in the National Parks, while staying 7 nights in a 17th century farmhouse.

*Please note - this is a strictly non-smoking holiday.

2022 Dates

18th - 26th October

The unspoilt region of Aragon in the Spanish Pyrenees, known for its gorgeous landscapes and rich history, will be the setting of this 7 night / 8 day Spanish cooking and walking holiday. Nestled in the valley of the river Ara, you will find the carefully restored 17th-century farmhouse which will act as your starting point for all walking and cooking excursions.

This tranquil location sets the scene for several incredible walks through the region to the historic and famous village and scenic sites. Then, you’ll be able to take a break from walking in the on-site, modern kitchen for three courses in traditional Spanish cooking, including how to make tapas.

This gorgeous region of Spain allows you to experience and immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounding you. Walk to the Basa de la Mora, or lake of the Moorish Woman, and picnic near what is known as one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the central Pyrenees. Several excursions to the National Park of Ordesa – both on foot and by 4×4 – take you through enchanting glacial valleys and past geological rock masses that have stood guard for centuries.

Get closer to the local culture with several visits to various sites including a private home still containing the traditional kitchen and a small rural chapel with an interesting history.

On top of all of that, you will get the chance to tour a local bodega, taste the various cheeses at a small dairy farm, sample honey from a beekeeper, cook with the regional liquor from a nearby liquor distillery, and learn to sample and appreciate olive oil like a fine glass of wine at the family-owned olive oil mill. Close encounters with the local artisans allow you to understand what life in this quiet region is truly like.

During your holiday, stay in a gorgeously renovated 17th-century farmhouse in any of its 7 guest rooms, complete with a wonderful view of the surrounding grounds or mountains. Each room has a private en-suite bathroom, WiFi, and various other modern amenities. The grounds include a vegetable patch used to cook your meals, beautiful gardens, and a courtyard with a library and small gym, the ideal place to unwind and immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine.

Experience
Highlights

Several walks and 4x4 excursion through the stunning Spanish Pyrenees.

Learn to cook authentic Spanish dishes along side your local hosts.

Stay in a 17th century farmhouse complete with library and gym.

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

– Arrive in Albella
– Check into your room anytime after 5pm and settle in
– Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink along with the chance to meet Simon and Lucy, your hosts for the week
– Have your first evening meal at the farmhouse

Accommodation

Stay in a beautifully restored 17th century farmhouse in the heart of the Spanish countryside. Surrounded by mountains and gorgeous valleys, the serenity and isolation allow you to unwind and unplug from the everyday bustle.

– Your accommodation in the heart of the rural hamlet of Albella surrounded by the magnificence of the Spanish Pyrenees in the unspoilt valley of the Ara river
– You’ll stay in a renovated 17th-century farmhouse lovingly restored by your hosts, Simon and Lucy
– There are a total of 7 twin/double guest rooms, decorated with antiques and traditional decor
– If you are travelling solo, stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy with no single supplement
– Most rooms have private bathrooms with rain showers and heated towel rails
– Extensive grounds with open views
– Free WiFi in the common areas
– Free car parking if you choose to drive
– Small, on-site gym
– Courtyard
– Library and sitting room for guest use
– An on-site restaurant caters all of your meals throughout your stay
– Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
– Check in anytime after 5pm on day 1 and check out by 11am on day 8
– Please note this accommodation does not have disabled access and is not suitable for those with restricted mobility

house in the spanish pyrenees

Local dairy farm visit, first walk, & first cookery course

– Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the farmhouse
– Depart for the mountain village of Saravillo, where you will visit a small dairy farm that produces various goat’s cheeses, yogurt, and milk
– Watch the production process and taste some of the delicious cheeses
– Head to the Basa de la Mora, or lake of the Moorish Woman for your first walk to the lake, which is heralded as one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the central Pyrenees
– Eat a hearty picnic lunch here, surrounded by the amazing pre-summits of Cotiella before returning to the farmhouse
– Using produce from the dairy visit, begin your first cookery workshop in our modern, catering-capable kitchen
– Dine in the spacious dining room this evening on some of your creations

Accommodation

The Farmhouse

double bedroom accommodation

Ordesa National Park walk & second cookery course

– After breakfast, head to Ordesa National Park for a walk through the enchanting valley, Valle de Otal, complete with mountain streams, marshy meadows, and a wide variety of flowers followed by a picnic is this beautiful setting
– Look out for the Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture), as well as other beautiful wildlife
– On the way back, stop in Broto to visit a small local family business where they make the regional liquor, Pacharan
– Return to Albella and the farmhouse for refreshments and your second cookery workshop, using your recently acquired Pacharan
– Enjoy an evening meal in the farmhouse dining room

Accommodation

The Farmhouse

double bedroom accommodation

Bearded Vultures, stunning views & medieval town of Ainsa

– Breakfast at your leisure, then leave for an area that supports the highest population of Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) in Europe and walk to viewpoints to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat
– Lunch is enjoyed at a mountain restaurant where you will eat delicious home-grown produce and cooking; perched on the hillside, you may just catch a glimpse of more wildlife during your meal
– In the afternoon, there is a circular walk to see an 11th-century chapel in a dramatic setting before stopping at the medieval town of Ainsa as you head home
– Return to Albella for your evening meal and coffee

Accommodation

The Farmhouse

bathroom interior

Private house tour & tapas cookery course

– Today, stay local in the Albella hamlet with a short walk to the chapel of San Urbez
– Then, visit a private house in the village of Casa Cebollero, which takes you back in time with its traditional Aragonese kitchen complete with a central fire for cooking and intricate stone floors
– Eat lunch
– Return to the farmhouse kitchen for your third cookery workshop on the secrets of Spanish tapas
– Dine on your creations and relax with refreshments before a light dinner

Accommodation

The Farmhouse

house exterior in the spanish pyrenees

Wine region visit & olive oil mill tour

– After your buffet breakfast, leave for Somontano, the closest wine region in Aragon and just over an hour’s drive from the farmhouse
– Somontano, meaning ‘under the mountains’, aptly describes the gorgeous region which sits in the foothills of the central Pyrenees less than 35 miles from France
– Take this opportunity to walk to a breathtaking view point en route to one of the many bodegas
– After a picnic lunch, visit a family-run ecological olive oil business
– Stop at the medieval town of Ainsa, wander the narrow streets, and shop for souvenirs before sampling the local tapas for dinner

4x4 excursion to Ordesa National Park

– Enjoy a leisurely morning at the farmhouse after breakfast
– Eat a delicious homemade lunch before departing for Torla
– Today take a 4×4 excursion to Ordesa National Park for stunning overviews of this wondrous natural landscape
– Marvel at the panoramic views across to Monte Perdido, Brecha de Roland, and the Massif, plus learn a bit of the the valley’s history, the wildlife, and the flowers
– Return to Albella for a light dinner

Departure

– Eat a leisurely breakfast and enjoy a flexible departure time depending on your flight schedule and timing

Location Information

Stay in a beautifully restored 17th century farmhouse, and wake up to stunning views of the Spanish Pyrenees and surrounding valleys, just a few hours from Barcelona or Zaragoza airports.

Features
– Located in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees in the rural hamlet of Albella
– Traditional 17th century farmhouse has been restored to a high standard
– Surrounded by extensive gardens and stunning mountain views
– Sitting room and library across the spacious courtyard from the main house
– Airy dining room with views of the valley for all breakfast and evening meals
– English, Spanish, French and Portuguese speaking hosts with a wealth of knowledge about the area
– Delicious local food and wine

Nearest airports:
Zaragoza (2 hours, 15 minutes away) or Barcelona (3 hours, 3 minutes away)

FAQs

- Cooking and walking holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced walkers and cooks
- Minimum age is 18 for this holiday with no upper age limit
- Your hosts are English, and all cooking classes and guided walks are in English

- This holiday is available on specific limited start dates
- Cooking and walking holidays are for 7 nights / 8 days
- If dates appear ‘on request’, please email us at hello@nitgb.com and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible

- This Spanish cooking and culture holiday is packed with culinary delights and historic and food tours and plenty of breathtaking walks to immerse you in the culture of the local area
- In the evenings, you can choose to explore and of the nearby villages or wander the stunning countryside surrounding the farmhouse property
- Your hosts can give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area as well
- It is recommended to have a car to fully explore the area and you may find you wish to stay on for a few nights to get the most out of your trip!

from £1312 pp