#MAGICALVILLAGES-Tropical Coast of Almería: From Vélez de Benaudalla to Portu

Arrival at the rural accommodation that we choose for you to enjoy a GENUINE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE ON THE COAST OF ALMERIA, TROPICAL AND ITS ALPUJARRAS. Welcome to the Route of the Coast of Almeria, Tropical and its Alpujarras, a trip that combines the essence of the Mediterranean, the tropical exuberance and the beauty of the Alpujarras! From golden beaches to serene mountains, each village on this route contributes to a unique and diverse experience. We begin our journey in Vélez de Benaudalla, a town that fuses Moorish architecture with tropical influence, marking the beginning of our journey. You will arrive at the accommodation we chose, with time to rest from the trip and choose the best outfit for tonight. We will invite you to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. Return to the accommodation to rest.

After a wonderful night you will go down to breakfast because you have to regain strength for the day ahead. Today we set off to discover the treasures of Vélez de Benaudalla. We start by walking through the Arab Quarter of Vélez. A good place to walk towards the Castle is a labyrinthine layout, with stairs and some passageways, it is very refreshing because part of the route is full of plants. We will continue along the Paseo del Nacimiento, a historic irrigation channel that is born from a small waterfall that is born from the underground springs of the Sierra de Lujar, it is thermal, as it does not usually drop below 19º all year round. We continue through the Nasrid Garden. These beautiful gardens are an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Velez de Benaudalla. With a variety of plants and fountains, they are perfect for a relaxing stroll. Known as the Generalife chico, it is the most important place in Vélez de Benaudalla. We will finish the visit at the Mirador del Rabiblanco, a magical corner that offers panoramic views of this charming Andalusian village. From the top of the hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking landscape, with the mountains of the Sierra de Lújar in the background and the white rooftops of the village at your feet. It is an ideal place to contemplate the beauty of the Costa Tropical of Granada. After this fantastic historical tour we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Vélez de Benaudalla and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Gualchos. A typical coastal Alpujarra village, which preserves all the features of this popular architecture. A white and beautiful town, with narrow alleys that surprise us with a tinao, an alley, a square and adorned with lime and flowers. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner in a Typical Restaurant. After a full day, return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Gualchos. We start by visiting the Bank of Sensations, the Ethnological Interpretation Centre of Gualchos, where part of the rich traditional heritage of this town and its region is collected. Basins, baskets, baskets and baskets, kitchen utensils, farming implements, are exposed to the visitor with successful taste, turning our visit into a real "journey through time", to a not so past past that many will relive on their visit and that others, mainly schoolchildren, can know and recreate, thanks to the didactic notebook published by the city council that contains information and also directs us to digital supports with sounds and old songs. Next, we will visit Jolúcar, a trip to the past. A small village, a few kilometres from Gualchos that keeps the ancient devotion to San Cayetano in the whole region and a beautiful place in the FuenteLavadero de Jolúcar – close to the hermitage that for its simplicity and beauty will always remain in your memory. After this walk through the history we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Gualchos and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Castell de Ferro. It takes its name from the "Iron Castle", which belongs to the Nasrid period; The population was generated little by little at the foot of the mound. Among its beaches is the cove of La Rijana, ideal for scuba diving. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region in a local restaurant. After a full day, return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Castell de Ferro. It takes its name from the castle: "Castillo de Hierro", which belongs to the Nasrid period; the population was gradually generated at the foot of the mound in recent Christian times. Its climate is subtropical and its cozy beaches without overcrowding make this place a small paradise with wonderful sunsets and crystal clear waters. Among its beaches is the cove of La Rijana, ideal for scuba diving, and with an archaeological past that takes us back from prehistoric times to medieval times. Castell de Ferro is the story of a struggle through the centuries. First, defending the coast from the Berber incursions, a struggle that left the Nasrid heritage of the Castle of Castell de Ferro and the Tower of La Rijana or the Christian watchtowers of Cambriles, La Estancia and Zambullón. The four watchtowers, together with the Castle of Castell de Ferro, in just 8 km. constitute the most important network of coastal defense watchtowers on the coast of Granada. Castell de Ferro is a brave effort of its people to live in their land, winning from the sea its treasures, winning the best fruits of the countryside and always open to the visitor. Castell de Ferro has had to be created several times with commitment and work, which made it one of the most important fisheries on the Costa de Granada and was a pioneer in the tourist development of the Costa Tropical, with hotel establishments and campsites of reference. It is currently a leader in intensive agriculture of quality vegetables. We will then invite you to eat in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Castell de Ferro and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Sorvilán. A town whose roots are intertwined with the mountains of the sierra, keeping in its bowels an indomitable spirit. Here, in the midst of lush nature, the essence of a resilient and courageous community pulsates. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on some of the region's specialties, in a typical restaurant. After a full day return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Sorvilán. We begin by appreciating the Parish Church of San Cayetano. Built in the 17th century right on the same site as an old mosque, it was formerly known as St. Mark's Church. It is possible to find it crossing narrow streets in the lower part of the village. The interior is cozy and invites seclusion. Next, we will visit the Melicena Tower. Coastal watchtower from the Arab period, cylindrical in shape and circular in shape, 4.90 metres in diameter. Built with medium-sized slab masonry, forming rows, there is a double layer of lime mortar exterior plaster. It is located about 100 metres above sea level, between the ravines of Los Cocones and Saltadero, to the east of the current town of Melicena. From there it dominates this stretch of coastline and a large part of the maritime line. We will then visit the Ethnographic Museum Center for the interpretation of wine, traditional culture, customs and traditions, which occupies the old town hall building, with special focus on publicizing the role of women in the region of Contraviesa and the municipality of Sorvilán. We will end our visit to the Wine Museum with a visit to a local winery and a spectacular tasting of the best wines of the region. We will then invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Sorvilán and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Torvizcón. Nestled between the sea and the Sierra Nevada in the heart of the Contraviesa, in a land of steep valleys and ravines, dotted with hills and mountains, crowned with forests and pastures of holm oaks and cork oaks. At the end of the afternoon you will arrive at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region, in a Typical Restaurant. After a full day return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Torvizcón. We begin by visiting the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Built in the sixteenth century on the site of the old mosque of the town. In Mudejar style, it has a beautiful choir at the foot and a simple tower of three bodies on its eastern flank. On the western flank, it has a fortress tower that served as a military outbuilding and stately residence. Inside you can see the carved and polychrome image of the Virgin from the eighteenth century, or the canvas of the Coronation of the Virgin, by José Risueño, from the same century. Next, we will visit the Paseo-Mirador de Juan y Medio. One of the most emblematic places in the municipality and from which you can see beautiful views of the town centre, Sierra Nevada and the middle of the Alpujarra. We will continue along the Juanjo Artero Walk-Viewpoint. Surrounded by the typical houses of the alpujarra, with their traditional designs, in miniature. We will finish our tour with a visit to the Agustín Neguilla Museum of Esparto Grass Crafts and Agricultural Customs. Esparto grass is the main thematic axis, a raw material that made it possible to create the objects necessary for agricultural tasks, daily life or to make decorative objects. A collection of farming implements as well as other objects related to the daily life of the village complete the museum. Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Torvizcón and continue to the next Magical Town on our Route, Pórtugos. It is part of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, on its southern slope. It has the characteristic of the Alpujarran villages: a unique architecture in its houses, adapted to the unevenness of the terrain and the climate of the area. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Pórtugos. We begin with a visit to the Hermitage of the Virgen de las Angustias. In the same surroundings of Fuente Agria sits the Hermitage of the Virgen de las Angustias of special veneration in the region, it goes out in procession with the patron saint of Pórtugos, the Virgen del Rosario on October 7. We will continue with our tour and visit the Church of the Incarnation. Another important monument, the current temple, was built around the 50s, on the foundations of another older church dating from the sixteenth century. We will end our tour with a Circular Hiking Route of Pórtugos of approximately 4.5 km in length and lasting an hour and a half. We will then invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant before saying goodbye to this magnificent Route.