If you intend to visit the Alhambra Palace in Granada on your free day, please be aware that tickets are limited to 2000 tickets a day. For further details please refer to our excursion prices featured in the 'budgeting for your tour' section of these tour notes.
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Spain |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
€1.25 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
€1.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
€1.25 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
€2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
€12.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
€20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
€10.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
€7.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Visas are not required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, or CAN citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visitors to Spain from non-Schengen Treaty countries (including UK) are required, as stipulated by the Spanish Authorities to submit Advance Passenger Information (API) to their Tour Operator or Airline in order to be allowed boarding at their airport of origin. All passengers who have booked flights through Explore will now need to provide us with their Date of Birth, Nationality and Passport Number at the time of booking. Passengers booking Land Only should ensure they submit this information to their travel agent or airline at the time of booking.
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Additional Information for your Cycling Tour
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Climate
Andalucia benefits from three distinct regional zones: coastal, inland lowlands and inland highlands. The coastal regions around Malaga enjoy beautiful summers, with highs in the mid 30s from June to September, whilst the mountains can be slightly cooler, with evening temperatures dropping to around 8°C. The best times to visit are from March to May and September to November, when temperatures are more moderate for walking and the spring and autumn colours can make the landscape come alive in bursts of colour. Even during the spring and autumn months temperatures can reach the mid 20s. During the San Anton festival in January the weather is cooler, with daytime temperatures between 15-20°C.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece and a daypack. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself.
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Clothing
Lightweight cotton clothing is best in June and September, full rainwear may be needed at any time of year, but especially after the start of September, and a warm fleece/light jacket is recommended for cooler evenings and nights at the beginning and end of the season. Don’t forget a swimming costume.
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General Information
Country info
Area: 504,782 sq km.
Population: 40.4 million.
Language: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%.
Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, Other 6%. Local Time: GMT +1.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v. European two round pin plugs.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Michelin: Andalucia (1:400,000), IGN: Mapa Provincial de Malaga (1:200,000).
Recommended Books: Rough Guide to Andalucia, Michael Jacobs: Andalucia, Ernest Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls, Michael Jacobs: Andalucia, Alistair Boyd: The Sierras of the South, Laurie Lee: A Moment of War & A Rose for Winter.
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
