Great Road Trips: Southern Spain & Portugal

This trip can start any day of the week, from February into early July, and September through November. There’s also a good window of opportunity at the end of December, coinciding with New Year and Reyes Magos celebrations on 5th and 6th January.

Peak season is from mid July to end of August but we do not generally offer this trip during that period as the area is busier with summer holiday makers from Spain and Portugal, and it is too hot for most. Easter is usually very busy.

If you have a limited travel window and specific dates we suggest you book around nine months ahead. If you are flexible with dates, then three – four months ahead should be fine.

Total carbon generated on this trip: 676kg per person
Carbon mitigated by us: 1,081kg per person

As Yvon Chouinard, of Patagonia, Inc. rightly declared: “To do good, you actually have to do something.”

Therefore, for every kilometre travelled by road, air and sea on your Pura Aventura holiday, we carbon balance it by a mile - i.e. by 160% of your trip's carbon, from your front door and back again, irrespective of whether we book your international travel or not.

This is one of the travel industry's most ambitious and innovative schemes and has recently been praised by Wanderlust, Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent.

Most of the costs of this holiday are fixed so going solo will usually mean you pay nearly the same for one person as you would for two. If you enjoy time to yourself then the experience itself will be absolutely lovely, and safe.

A major advantage of having your own car is overall you have complete control over how much or how little you do on any given day. We, or our local hosts, provide you with maps and walking routes for a variety of walks in each place but you don't have to do them.

Other activities available include horse riding or mountain biking. If you want to be less active we can include more cultural options. Generally, it can be as active as you want it to be.

Although this is an independent self-drive holiday, we are always on hand to help and advise should you need us. You will be given a local support number before you travel - we are always on hand 24/7.

You can expect to be very comfortable. You stay in a variety of our favourite small hotels, lodges and inns. Comfort, character, service and location are the critical elements in our choices.

The human landscapes of this trip are incredibly varied. From the fishing villages of Barbate and the Costa Vicentina to the olive groves of Sierras Subbéticas, you will see traditional lifestyles all around. In the cave dwellings of Granada's Sacromonte area you learn that roma culture means far more than just flamenco.

The vehicle will be suitable for the destination, the distances you are expected to cover, roads, and number of people travelling. For two people you can expect a medium-sized vehicle such as a VW Golf. We can’t guarantee specific make or model. Speak to us if you prefer a larger vehicle.

If you need an automatic car, that's no problem, though we do need to know in advance as most are manual transmission. Cost of automatic cars tends to be higher.

Generally the hire cars include one named driver. You can add drivers locally and pay locally. The charges do vary depending on the location but it is usually no more than Euro 10 per day.

Yes, that isn’t usually a problem. Let us know and we will price your holiday without a hire car.

This holiday can absolutely be tailored to you, that's what we are here for.

It’s easy to extend and take in more of Spain. You can add in a full inn to inn walking holiday either side of the border or, train connections from Seville can take you to Catalonia or the north coast in a few hours. In short, we have lots of options and ideas, just call to start the conversation!

We take a 15% deposit to secure your holiday, with the remainder due eight weeks before your departure.

Your money is 100% protected through our ATOL licence if your trip includes a flight booked through us, or through our ABTOT bond if it does not. Either way, this protection provides a cast-iron financial guarantee and helps you book with complete peace of mind. Because the contract between us exists here in the UK, you get this protection regardless of where you live.

As always, our covid-19 policies ensure you have complete flexibility, just in case. Throughout the pandemic we have frequently been praised by Which? as a tour operator to trust, so you're in good hands. Your safety is always our top priority and we want you to be able to fully look forward to and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.