Retirement Retreat – a reviving retreat in Andalucia, Southern Spain

SUMMARY

Retirement Retreat Dates: Friday May 2nd to Friday May 9th 2025 – 7 nights/8 days

Your Team: This is a very special retreat with a team of women around you to create the perfect reviving retreat at a time in your life where you have a big change to adjust to.

We have our usual local walking guide offering wonderful walks plus for this trip we have Jessica McGregor Johnson joining us. Jessica is an international transformational guide, coach and author. She has run retreats for over 15 years and one of the areas she focuses on is retirement and she is the perfect person to help you get the most out of yours.

And we have …

• Nina and James, vegan caters, providing delicious plant based food throughout your stay ( Food is 100% Vegan) Previous guests have raved about the quality of the lovingly prepared food and have felt so nourished and replenished after the week. You will leave with new recipes to try at home!
• Beca offering vinyasa flow yoga. This is an active practice with options for people of all levels – a great way to relieve the muscles after being out hiking.
• Catia and Emeline, local masseuses who can be booked at an additional cost of approx 60 euros for those wanting to try a different kind of massage. They specialise in ostentatious practices and use gentle stretching techniques to relieve tension and stress.

Walking Grade: 2 Goats – we offer a range of walks and you will be briefed each day. If you decide you would prefer a rest day on any day that is absolutely fine. Some walks are rated 2 Goats for the incline/terrain rather than the distances we walk. This holiday is for you to relax and choose the activities to suit what you need.

Maximum Ascent: 450m

Maximum Distance: 10km as this is a trip with shorter walks to have time for the other activities to0.

Terrain: Varied – smooth paths, some rocky and some river bed with a water walk for those who would like it.

Base: This is a place to unwind and relax in pristine peaceful countryside.The Hacienda Molino Nuevo is located in the beautiful area of Algodonales in Andalusia. This area, the Sierra de Cadiz, has been called ‘ paradise on earth’ because it reminds us of what truly matters in life. Nature, crystal clear skies to gaze at the stars and stunning sunsets to watch. All while enjoying lovely company or pondering your own thoughts. It is a place for a range of wellness activities –  wonderful walks , wholesome plant based food and yoga. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating and there is Wifi in every room. There is a swimming pool to cool off and a fire place for those cozy nights which we will certainly not need in May. Temperatures are expected to be around 30 degrees with milder summer evenings.

WalkingWomen will be the only guests in the Hacienda. There are 10 rooms and the maximum group size for this specific trip will be 8. 

The Hacienda is located in an olive grove and completely secluded. The nearest town is a 4km walk away and we want you to focus on switching off,resting and enjoying the peacefulness of nature. There is a kitchen where you can prepare tea and coffee and also store food in the fridge.

The nearest airport is Seville only an hour away. We will provide a group pick up and a return to Seville airport or train stations.

Malaga is 2 hours away and has more flights. There is also an airport in Jerez which is 77km away – we can arrange a transfer from either airport at your own cost. Between 100 and 200 euros depending which location you arrive at. We will aim to connect you with other travellers arriving at the same place.

You could arrive by train to either Malaga or Seville and join the transfer. We can advise on train routes (others women have done it) – a lovely journey.

For stopovers in Seville we can recommend hotels  The CornerHouse Seville

or Casual de las Letras

There is free parking at the Hacienda for anyone coming by car.

Arrival: Arrive by 15.30 to Seville Airport for a group transfer to the Hacienda at approx 16.00.

Departure: Book flights from Seville for a group transfer arriving at the airport 12 noon ish.

If you want different flight times we can arrange pick ups at an additional cost to you.

If you would like to extend your trip we can help you to arrange it. You may like to explore Seville or Malaga whilst you are in Andalusia – both beautiful Southern Spanish cities. or you could explore the stunning Costa de la Luz,the coast of lights, with its white sandy beaches, picturesque sunsets and the historical city of Cadiz.

Price: £2500 per person for a  fully inclusive holiday in a solo occupancy room. This includes the support and expertise of Jessica throughout the week.

If you bring a partner/friend and share a room the cost is £2300 per person.

• Solo occupancy ensuite rooms
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day
• Snacks, fruit, tea, coffee, water throughout the day
• Wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner ( 1 alcoholic drink per person is included with dinner)
• Sessions with Jessica – 3 group sessions on Saturday, Sunday and on Thursday, your final day. Individual sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Local English speaking guided walks on 5 days
• 4 x Yoga sessions – optional and you can join as many as you wish.
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Local transport needed for walks and excursions.

Not included:

• Additional Alcoholic beverages or activities not on the itinerary.

You really don’t need to spend anything during this week.

DETAILS

This video gives you an idea where you will be going on  Our Hacienda Holiday

It is the perfect location for a retreat and we are running several holidays here. All to give women the chance to get away from it all to walk, connect and revive.

This idyllic Hacienda is located in the hills near the traditional white village of Algodonales. The white villages are a feature of this area and you will have the chance to walk and experience the simple, slow life of southern Spain.

The Hacienda Molino Nuevo is set in stunning landscape with wonderful walks all around. The last WalkingWomen group said they loved the walking in the National Park and would have liked more as it was so off the beaten track. There will be walks of 3-4 hours each day.

The terrace in the courtyard, Spanish patio has outstanding views and will give you a real taste of this lesser known, tranquil part of Spain. If you are in need of a true break this is the perfect place to relax in peace. The pool is lovely for an early morning or afternoon dip between walks, coaching sessions and yoga. And there is always time to read or simply sit and stare.

This is the ideal starting point to visit the nearby city of Seville or a little further off Malaga, or perhaps spend time on the beaches of the Costa del Sol or Costa Tropical. We can help if you would like to extend your holiday.

ITINERARY

This itinerary gives you great walks but also coaching in both groups and individually. It is to give you the time to focus on you whilst you walk, talk and have options for other nourishing activities.

Each day starts with breakfast together between 8 and 9.30am.

Each evening you will eat your evening meal together around 19.30.

You may want to start the day with a solitary walk around the Hacienda or take a dip in the pool surrounded by mountains, watching the vultures soaring above you. Or watch the sunrise over the hills.

There is the option to do yoga on 4 days and the time will be fixed with Beca, our yoga teacher on the first day. We expect early evening sessions before dinner.

Walks will be varied to show you the area and give you the best of this part of Andalusia. These walks are a menu of walks and not necessarily in the exact order that we will do during the week. It will depend on weather and according to your guide and she will brief you each day.

Day 1 Friday – Arrival and settle in to the Hacienda.

Time to meet the team, go for a swim or a little wander around and have dinner together.

Day 2 Saturday:  Llanos del Rabel 10km with an option to extend the loop by 4km to 14km. Depending on weather. Minimal ascent.

A group coaching session in the morning before you leave.

This hike is completely flat, but it will take us to the heart of the Natural Park. Our goal on this day will be to reach El Pinsapar, a forest that has existed here since the last ice age. This is one of the most unique forests in the world, and our guide will explain the characteristics of this place. This is one of the most protected areas in Spain; thus, we will have the chance (if we are lucky) to observe different animals, such as deer, mountain goats and a variety of different birds.. It will definitely be one of the highlights of the trip. You will have a packed lunch together.

The rest of the day is free to relax after travelling and enjoy the Hacienda with its pool and chilling areas.

Day 3 Sunday:  Arroyo de Bocaleones. Max 8km and approx 500m ascent. Optional water walks swimming section.

A group coaching session before you leave.

This route follows the river to the heart of our most magnificent canyon within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, La Garganta Verde. You will enjoy a marvellous path through a riparian forest, that is home to one of our most vital biodiversity hotspots. Our guides will interpret its ecological and historical value, which will allow us to understand the importance of it. We will get into the river and follow its current into a canyon within a Biosphere Reserve. Here, we will find “fairy pools” with clear blue waters, which are placed at the heart of the Sierra, protected by tall canyon walls. You will swim or wade through this amazing place (option to take a detour and meet the group in Zahara if swimming is not for you) This is a very special experience that cannot be found in many places.

Afterwards you will ascend to see the beautiful white town of Zahara with the option to continue up to the castle for views out over the sierra if you are feeling energetic!

Day 4 Monday: A rest day.

You may want to visit the local town or stay and rest at the hacienda. Your host and guide will suggest options for you the evening before.

Yoga to suit the group.

Day 5 Tuesday:  Ronda visit 5km walking in Ronda ( an optional excursion) 

Individual coaching sessions offered around your trip

This trip will consist of walking and discovering more about Ronda, the city where Spanish poets and bullfighters have lived since the romantic times of the 19th century. We will be able to understand the importance of the city for this region. We will see the Roman, Moorish and Christian heritage of the city, as well as the oldest bullfighting square in the world. After that, you will have the time to walk around the city under your own steam and to see the local shops and other scenic areas of the city. You will be able to take a packed lunch or try out a local restaurant.

Day 6 Wednesday:  Ermita Garganta Verde. 8km with up to 400m ascent.

Individual coaching sessions offered around your walk.

This is one of the most beautiful hikes around our mountain range. We will be descending to the Garganta Verde Canyon. Our guide will introduce you to the history and landscape of the Natural Park. Once we reach the canyon, we will be delighted to watch its 300m tall walls and to observe how the forest has changed from a Mediterranean forest to a Riparian Forest in fact the most biodiverse of the Mediterranean region. Keep your eyes peeled for the amazing vultures. Then, we will walk back along the same path back to where we started. The way back is steep and might be hard. However, we will take our time and enjoy the views.

Day 7 Thursday:  Cruz de Algodonales. 8km with an option to extend to 16km depending on the group. 

A final group coaching session in the morning

We walk from the Hacienda  to the town of Algodonales, to finish and say cheers to end our trip at its beautiful cross. This cross is at the very top of the “Sierra” and it has been part of many legends and spiritual encounters. It ́is a more challenging walk due to its elevation, but we will walk steadily. The top will be worth it. We will have beautiful views from the local landscape, and we will be able to see from the distance all the different routes that we have accomplished during the week. This is one of the most authentic hikes of the week. If some of you do not want to do such elevation, you will have the chance of staying and walking around Algodonales, which is a nice way to experience the Spanish small town vibes.

Friday: departure to Seville after breakfast around 11am. Book flights after 14.00.