History is his fascination, not especially high brow history, although he is interested in that too. It is more how the people of Spain engaged in the history of their nation. On most days you will find him out for a walk or hike; or he will ride a trail motorcycle – the outdoors is his calling. Please feel free to ask him “Why are the houses white?” “Why does cheese look like it has a tire pattern on the side?” as he so enjoys answering them. They keep him interested and researching.

Andalucia’s Ronda Mountains and the Sierra De Las Nieves Natural Park.

The Pinsapo forest and Yunquera village:

Whether we drive, walk or ride trail motorcycles we will be enjoying a world class day. The Pinsapo forest above the village is the only one in the world and the existence of this very rare tree, which was only catalogued in 1837, prompted UNESCO to create a Biosphere Reserve here for its protection. After taking café with Pepe and a look at the Artisan goods made from Esparto grass by Juan, we can drive to a natural platform at 1100m (3600ft) from where there are magnificent views all the way to the Mediterranean some 45km (30miles) away. After a short walk into the forest, we will experience the living proof of the pre-glacial Pinsapo Fir tree, up close and in its various forms. We will also view the way in which snow ice was stored and transported in this area right up to 1931. We will see the “Snow Wells” dug into the ground and the tracks built to allow mules to carry the 50kg (110lb) blocks of ice during the summer nights. After returning to the village, we will enjoy a typical lunch with Inmaculada in her restaurant “Enari” and afterwards a visit to Antonio’s underground wine bodega. Later we will descend into the valley below the village to explore the Nacimiento, or birthplace, of the River Rio Grande. Here the water reappears from caves and springs in the ground after many kilometres, and potentially many years, underground. The evening will be spent on a historical tour of the village combining refreshment in Juan’s Bar or Kilometre 20, it is only big enough for about 8 people and even Juan isn’t sure how it got its name.

Itinerary 2:

The mountain town of Ronda:

Today we move to the capital of our mountain region through some of the most spectacular road passes in the world. Spain’s last bandit “Pasos Largos” or “Long Steps” operated in these areas in the 1930’s. We will visit his monument and learn his story after we view a village built in the shell of an Arab fort. We will take café with Augustin in his café perched on a rock outcrop overlooking a crag entirely covered with prickly pear cactus. Ronda itself seems to float on two huge 90m (300ft) high, Limestone Karst, islands above the valley floor. This easily defended site has appealed to man since history began but was first settled, in an identifiable way, by the Celtic peoples around 1500BC. It has since been home to Romans, Goths, and Arabs and, of course, the reconquesting Spaniards, as well the French invaders and 2 random US citizens called Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. Our day will begin with an orientation tour of the 3 principle parts of the town and the world famous “Tajo” or “Gorge” with its ancient bridge before a typical lunch of local specialties in Jaime’s hotel, which has the only private terrace actually “In” the gorge. Ronda is home to modern bullfighting, with Spain’s principle museum on the subject, which, whether you love the sport, or hate it, should be included in the afternoon itinerary. The preserved costumes of the Romero family show how very small these original bullfighters were. You may also see the White Andalucian horses being put through their dressage paces in the bull-ring which, because of its museum status, is now only used for bull fighting once a year. Never turning down the chance for tapas lets have battered prawn tails dipped in sharp garlic mayonnaise with local wine. An afternoon walk to view Ronda from a perspective very few visitors experience concludes the day.

Itinerary 3:

The Dolmens of Antequera and the Flamingos of Fuente De Piedra:

Few people know that possibly some of the principle Celtic monuments in the world are in Andalucia. We will go and see them on a day visit. If Jose is out with his goats, we will take our weather forecast from him before we go. The Dolmens, massive underground burial chambers, are as important as Stonehenge, probably larger, and of a broadly similar antiquity. We will visit 3 principle tombs one of which is somewhat similar to Newgrange in Ireland. Traditional Irish mythology states that we were shown how to build it by “Missionaries from the South” possibly known as the “Milesians”. Could they be the Spanish race known as the “Los Millares” people? Come, look, listen, touch and decide for yourself. Mythological legends are hard to prove but these 3000+ years BC monuments speak for themselves. They also pose similar questions to Stonehenge such as “How did ancient man manoeuvre 180 metric tonne (198 US ton) blocks of shaped stone into place in the burial chambers ceiling?” After lunch in the Parador, a nationally owned hotel serving local specialities, a natural wonder will be our destination. Fuente De Piedra or “Stone Spring” a shallow brackish lake becomes the principle breeding site of the common flamingo in spring and summer. There are reports of up to 15’000 breeding birds on small mounds, just above water level. I have never counted them but I can assure you that there are parts of the lake that are more pale pink than blue! Viewing from platforms and a purpose built trail allow us to experience fully this wonderful location. Unlike the Romans, we will not be harvesting the flamingos for their tongues.

Use of trail motorcycles for any or all of the tours will require guests to be properly qualified to rent them and insured appropriately.