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Frequently Asked Questions
General information
Our holidays do not include flights, allowing guests to travel from their most convenient local airport or join in Spain. For information on flights you may find this link to Skyscanner helpful. The starting point for most holidays is Malaga. Airport transfers are provided for most of our guided walking holidays at specified times (see detailed holiday provisions). Transfers from Malaga normally leave the airport at 2.0 pm. and arrive back at the airport at 11.00 am. Please check with us if you have any problems with these timings.
Andalucia has the sunniest climate in Europe. In all but the hot mid-summer months conditions and temperatures are generally good for walking. Historical weather statistics are available for Malaga on most weather websites but inland mountain areas can be a few degrees cooler and sometimes wetter.
To get the best out of the holiday you need to be healthy and are likely to be regular walkers, or be fit from other activities. Our guided walks are mostly rated as Level 2 with daily walking times of 5 to 6* hours including breaks with a maximum ascent on some days of 600 metres. The paths are sometimes rocky underfoot and are often in remote areas but are not dangerous or precipitous. We avoid ‘route marches’ and there is always time to enjoy the scenery, flora and fauna.
*NB Daily walking distances can vary between 8 and 16 kms depending on terrain and temperatures. On some of the walks we are able to offer longer or shorter options to satisfy differing walking preferences.
Our Level 3 walks are more strenuous with up to 6 hours walking time excluding breaks with maximum ascents of up to 1,000 metres on some days.
Our Level 1 walks are normally 3 to 4 hours. They can be in hilly terrain and usually involve time for other activities in the day such as cultural visits or travel. Walk descriptions for our self guided holidays are individually prepared to suit guest preferences
After paying the balance for your holiday you will be sent practical information aboutthe holiday including arrival instructions, what to pack etc. About week before you leave to start of your holiday you we will be sent confirmation of arrival details and the expected transfer time from the airport. For details of the itinerary and provisions please see individual holiday pages. The walking itineraries are a guide and may be changed to suit weather conditions, temperatures and preferences of our groups. If you plan to extend your holiday we are very happy to pass on our local knowledge if helpful.
After paying the balance for your holiday you will be sent practical information about the holiday including arrival instructions, what to pack etc. We then prepare a program of walks to match your preferences – relaxed, moderate or stenuous. A week before the start of your holiday you will be sent confirmation of arrival and meeting instructions. We try to meet all our self guided guests on arrival as we think this personal contact is important, It also give us the opportunity to hand over the full information pack and go through the holiday with you. If we are unable to meet you, the holiday pack will be waiting for you at your first accommodation and you will be told of this before you arrive. If you plan to stay extend your holiday in Spain we will be very happy to pass on our local knowledge if required.
Booking Procedure
If we have suitable availability on the holiday you require, we will register your booking and post or email a Booking Form to you along with a copy of our Booking Conditions. These should be read before confirming your booking request with us. The booking will be secured when we confirm receipt of your deposit of £50 per person and booking form. A balance invoice will be sent out to you no later than 8 weeks before your arrival date.
How To Pay in Sterling
Payment in Sterling (GB Pounds) are best made by internet
transfer. We can also accept personal or bank cheques posted to our UK office.
How to pay in Euros
Our holidays are priced in Sterling but we are happy to invoice
and receive payment in Euros at the rate of the day. Direct payments in Euros can be made by bank or internet transfer within Europe.
How to pay in other currencies
Payment can be made from non Euro countries by Sterling bank transfer or by credit card via the PayPal secure server. For larger, balance payments, transaction charges are likely to be reduced by using foreign exchange specialists in your homecountry such as Xe.com
Since the decision to leave the EU the value of the UK Pound has dropped by over 10% against the Euro and uncertainties continue. Our holidays are priced in Pounds Sterling and remain largely unchanged. If you are considering one of our walking adventures, we would recommend early booking to take advantage of our Price Guarantee against any price increase once deposits have been accepted
If you wish to enquire about availability or you need any other information, we are best contacted by email. We can also be contacted by phone if you would like to speak to us in person. Please see contact details below.
About Spanish Steps
Our Mission
Quite simply to offer holidays and adventures that we ourselves would enjoy. After many years of working abroad and overseas travel we are now fortunate to spend most of our time living in a mountain village in the south of Spain. The people, the climate, the scenery and the opportunities for walking and hiking at all levels are all quite exceptional.
Living in Spain has also enabled us to explore and travel extensively throughout Andalucia and the north of Morocco. We are delighted to be be able to share our favourite places, walks and experiences with friends and like minded guests.
From the Spanish Steps Team
Our Company
Spanish Steps Ltd was set up in 1994 to promote walking holidays in the Sierras Almijara and Tejeda, a most beautiful and little known walking area in southern Spain. Since then we have introduced more than three thousand walkers to the area. Many come back to Cómpeta on a regular basis or walk with us on the additional exciting holidays we now offer in other Parques Natural of Andalucia and northern Morocco.
The Company was set up by Peter and Sue Strange and is registered with Companies House in the United Kingdom. It has offices in the UK and in Spain. The Company has been trading since 1994 and is insured in accordance with the UK Package, Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 2018.
Andy Strange, son of Peter and Sue, joined the company in 2012. He is now an important member of the Spanish Steps team and has built up a sound knowledge of all our walking areas in Spain & Morocco. Andy, originally a keen mountain cyclist, now divides his time between leading our walking groups in Andalucia and running his own reknowned music recording studio in London.
VISITORS BOOK & REVIEWS
We have added a few comments from guests about our walking adventures to individual holiday pages. If you would like to read more guest experiences and testimonials please click on the Visitor Book links below.
By request, Spanish Steps joined Trip Advisor in December 2019 just before Covid lockdown.
December 2024
Thank you for your interest in our walking adventures. After 30 non-stop years, Peter & Sue have finally retired from Spanish Steps. It has been a fabulous journey and we would like to thank everyone who has helped to make it such fun.
Spanish Steps is now taking some time out. Andy will start afresh when he is able to do so. Our self-guided holidays will no longer be available but dates for our guided holiday programs will be published when settled. Meanwhile, our website will stay live, Peter will continue to research new walks and adventures, Sue will oversee some updating of the Spanish Steps Cómpeta house, and Andy finalise his plans for relocationg to Spain.
UK Regd. Office
Spanish Steps Ltd
3 Bank Cottages
Teeton
Northampton NN6 8LL
SPANISH OFFICE
Spanish Steps
Carreteria 6
Cómpeta
29754 (Malaga)
Telephone 0034 95 255 3270
WhatApp +34 621 069 846