Hi again from Craig and Sasha

It's been a while since our last newsletter but we're still here in our charming village guesthouse in Castaño del Robledo.  In this issue you'll find all our latest news plus a few offers to entice you out your winter hibernation. With the first wild-flowers now appearing in the Sierra it's no bad time to get out here for a few lung-fulls of fresh mountain air. 

Special discounts for groups of friends

Got a group of mates?  Special Occasion?

With money getting tighter these days maybe it’s time to get costs down by making trips together with your friends.  Here at the Posada del Castaño we’re helping out by offering discounts for groups of 6 or more people.  Our charming Andalucian guesthouse situated in the tiny village of Castaño del Robledo makes a perfect base to spend a few days exploring the little known mountains of the Sierra Aracena – whether on foot, on horseback or by car. On a twin-share basis we’ll charge just 20 Euros per head per night for bed and breakfast if you are 6 or more people – and never mind if you’re an odd number, the person in the single room pays just 20 Euros per night too.

You can come as a group and do your own thing or, for group occasions, Sasha and I can make special arrangements for that anniversary party or that active away week for the boys, or the girls!

We’ve had some great gatherings and special occasions here at the Posada including;

·       get-togethers of informal walking groups

·       birthday dinner parties on the terrace

·       international reunions of faraway friends

·       bird-watchers’ away-weeks

·       family gatherings

Just let us know your requirements and we’ll get down to making it work.  Don't forget we have all the maps and route notes for local walks. We can cook special meals to order and of course we have a well stocked bar. Go on, get in touch! Enquiries to info@posadadelcastano.com

New direct flights from Bristol

Ryan Air commence Bristol to Seville route on 3rd July 2009

Low cost carrier Ryan Air are introducing yet another route to Seville airport starting this summer.  In addition to direct flights from Stansted and Liverpool, it's now possible to book from Bristol for any Monday or Friday from 3rd July.  See the Ryan air site for prices and availability. Add to this Click air's daily direct flights from Gatwick and you can see just how many ways there are to get down here - whether it be for a week, or even just a weekend.  Don't forget we can do airport pick-ups and have a range of ready made walking and horse-riding packages available to help you get the best out of your time here in the Sierra Aracena.

Seville/Sierra mini-breaks

Here's a reminder of our short breaks in the Sierra Aracena.

If you like the idea of 3 nights at the Posada with 2 full day walks to local villages? We can pick you up in Seville, supply the maps, route notes, diagrams, some meals and make all your arrangements for transport and accommodation.  Alternatively you may prefer horse-riding around the trails of the Sierra, or maybe even a day each of walking and riding.

Add to that the possibility of an additional night in Seville to savour a flamenco show or just to relax in the tapas bars of the famous Santa Cruz district, and you have the makings of a superb long weekend away. Click on these icons for details...

The trail to Almonaster with it's 9th century hilltop mosque

Avoid the high cost of Euros

Posada del Castaño now takes payment in pounds Sterling

If the cost of a trip to the continent seems too high these days then why not pay in pounds sterling before you go? Sasha and I are quite happy to accept payment in GBP at preferential rates for our clients. By cutting out costly currency exchanges and making payments directly to our UK account you will be able to offset much of the recent rise in the price of Euros. What exchange rate do we use?  Simply subtract 2 cents of a euro from the sterling exchange rate given on the BBC webpage here.  We’re confident you’ll find this far better than any rate offered by your bank and you’ll also have the advantage of being able to pay your balance at whatever point prior to your arrival that you deem most advantageous for you!

New airport opens up

neighbouring region of Portugal

Ryan Air and Jet 2 could be flying to Beja as early as spring 2009

Across the border in Portugal work on the new international airport at Beja is almost complete. The airport expects to meet  requirements for low cost carriers Jet 2 and Ryan Air and has tentative agreements that could, in just a couple of months, open up this erstwhile remote and under-visited part of Portugal to intrepid travellers from the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Full story.

These are exciting developments for us. The Posada del Castaño is exactly half way between Beja and another great budget airline destination – the vibrant and historic Andalucian capital of Seville. At just 1hr 20mins to each we’re ideally placed to offer a welcome respite at our rural idyll here among the cork-clad hillsides of the Sierra Aracena Natural Park. We’ll gladly make pick ups at either airport and, if you're up for making your way between the two, then we'll help organize your trip to take in the best of the region’s walking, bird-watching, cycling, river-kayaking and of course the wonderful array of culinary treats on offer. It's time to check it out!

Airport Trivia: As a military base, Beja has a huge runway and is on NASA’s list of emergency landing sites for the Space Shuttle!

Food fit for Kings

The Sierra's gastronomic reputation is confirmed as King Juan Carlos visits Aracena for the 5th World Congress on Cured Ham

The Sierra Aracena is perhaps not that well known outside Spain, so it may be a surprise for some that, within both Spain and the “foody” world in general, the region is very highly regarded. Due to the combination of its native Iberian black pigs, its abundant acorns and cool mountain air, the Sierra is universally acknowledged to produce the best cured ham in the world. It’s not for nothing that Aracena is hosting this major international event in May, or that King Juan Carlos himself will be attending. Full story.

Cured hams aside, these lovingly reared free-range pigs also yield fresh cuts that, once cooked, are simply unrecognisable to those of us accustomed to the intensively reared white pork found in British supermarkets. But it’s not just all about pigs. Hidden throughout the Sierra there's an abundance of tasty wild mushrooms. There are walnuts, chestnuts and almonds from the many groves found around the Sierra's tiny white villages. Goats foraging the woods and hillsides are milked to produce a multitude of delicious cheeses, and many varieties of local honey are found in the shops and restaurants. In summer the tomatoes from our village shop are...oh, don't get me started on the tomatoes!  It’s no surprise then, that the majority of Spanish visitors to the Sierra come for its famed gastronomy – it now appears the King is no exception!

New village swimming pool 50m from the Posada

A handy addition to the numerous beautiful bathing spots

found throughout the Sierra

The new village swimming pool is now finished and open during  summer months. It's literally right up our street - just 50m from the front door. But don't forget there are still many other great places to bathe in the Sierra - like the oak-fringed shores of the huge Aracena lake, or the shady picnic spot by the river near the pretty village of Cortelazor.  In Cañaveral they've now converted the old village cistern into a beautiful, blue horizon-pool that looks out from the village streets to the surrounding countryside.  Definitely one to check out when the temperature's heading into the high 30s!

Reclaiming the past

Newly opened trails incorporated into our 6 day walking itinerary

A few of the old trails in the Natural Park have recently been rehabilitated and now afford excellent new walking routes between villages. In their day these cobbled, drovers trails provided the only means for moving people and goods around the countryside.

My favourite of those recently cleared is the one ascending the peak of San Cristobal. It affords fantastic views back over 5 villages including Castaño, and provides a far more scenic and direct route between our village and Almonaster. The latter is visible as you descend San Cristobal, and both the ancient cobbled trail and the marvellous views make for a superb introduction to this historic village with it's 9^th century mosque.

This new route is now incorporated into our 6 night village to village self-guided walking tour.  Our tour is the best, most comprehensive introduction to walking in the Sierra Aracena.  We organise all  your transport and accommodation and transfer your bags between the hotels on the route.  That leaves you free to find your way to the next village with the route notes, maps and diagrams we provide.

A flower filled meadow in the Sierra Aracena

Posada del Castaño, Calle José Sánchez Calvo 33,

Castaño del Robledo, Huelva, 21292, Spain

Tel: +34 959 465502

e-mail: info@posadadelcastano.com

website: http://www.posadadelcastano.com