It was the first one of its type in southern Spain. Having two knee replacements limits me to the type of bird holiday I can do. It was full of fantastic bird adventures at my pace. In the afternoons it was culture about the area which was optional so you could also do your own thing if you wanted. The hotel was very good, situated in the town so you were minutes away from restaurants, shops and places to visit. I really enjoyed the slow pace and would definitely look to do a similar holiday again... The local tour leader Luis was very knowledgeable of where to find the birds. He had also sourced different restaurants each night to give a taste of all Malaga's special dishes. Rob the English tour guide was very helpful with anything that was needed. Also full of bird knowledge and they were able to answer any questions that we asked. They took the worry out the trip so you didn't have think about anything, apart from having a fantastic holiday.
T.B. Guernsey, May 19



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Go Slow ... in Southern Spain
Tour Code: ESP52A gentle-paced week in the Mediterranean, combining some spring birdwatching with the region's cultural, historical and gastronomic highlights.
£1,895 (Inc flights)
£1,775
Highlights
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Summary
During this new ‘Go Slow’ tour, based at a highly-rated hotel in the heart of historic Malaga, we hope to both showcase the varied birdlife of the Costa del Sol and to immerse ourselves in some of the elegant historical, cultural and gastronomic highlights of the city.
Our birdwatching excursions will take us to karst plateau, mountains, lakes, gorges and marshes in search of El Torcal, a stunning karst plateau in the very heart of Malaga province on which several sought-after Mediterranean species breed. These include summer visitors such as Black-eared Wheatear, Orphean, Subalpine and Melodious Warblers, as well as resident mountain birds such as Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting.
The proximity of these productive birding sites to our base will leave us with time to enjoy the historic city of Malaga and its many places of interest, including the Roman Theatre, the Picasso Museum, La Concepcion Botanical Gardens, the magnificent cathedral and the bay which we will explore by means of a boat trip. This is a tour for those who like to combine birding on holiday with other interests, and it should certainly appeal to the ‘foodies’ among you. We hope you will join us!
- A wonderful hotel in the heart of historic Malaga
- Gentle Mediterranean birding each morning
- Wheatears, warblers, raptors, Bee-eaters
- Some relaxation time after lunch, followed by cultural interest
- .....and fine food!
This new ‘Go Slow’ holiday is based in Málaga, to which we will organise a flight for you from a regional airport as close to your home as possible. Once there, we will be based for the week in a very comfortable hotel in the heart of historic Málaga, from where we will enjoy both the varied birdlife of southern Andalucía and some of the historical, cultural and gastronomic highlights of the city. Our plan each day will be for a full morning’s birdwatching to a variety of habitats within easy driving range. We will then return to our hotel for lunch, have time for a little rest and relaxation, and enjoy a cultural excursion before dining relatively early in one of Málaga’s excellent restaurants selected by our local guide.
On our daily birdwatching outings we will explore the region's mountains, lakes, gorges and saltmarshes in search of a wide variety of sought-after Mediterranean species. Amongst a wealth of summer visitors, we will hope to see shrikes, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Golden Orioles, Black-eared Wheatears, and such warblers as Orphean, Subalpine and Melodious. We will also enjoy the resident birds such as Black Wheatear and Rock Bunting, while overhead we'll see Griffon Vultures, and perhaps a Short-toed or Booted Eagle. The second largest breeding colony of Greater Flamingoes in the Mediterranean will be a highlight, as will be our visit to the Guadalhorce Estuary which comprises the remains of what was once a vast marsh that spanned the entire river delta. Here we will look for the local White-headed Duck, as well as Kentish Plover, Little Bittern, Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gull and a variety of waders. The proximity of these productive birdwatching sites to our hotel will allow us time to enjoy the ancient city of Málaga and its many places of interest, including the Roman Theatre, the Picasso Museum and the famous ‘one-handed’ cathedral (one of its two towers having never been completed!), together with some outstanding food and wine in bustling restaurants filled with chattering locals. This new tour showcases the hidden gems of this well-known corner of Spain, well away from its crowded beaches and sun-loungers, and will appeal to those who like to combine relaxed birdwatching with top quality accommodation and access to local sites of historical and cultural interest. It should be a most enjoyable week away!
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Outline Itinerary

What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
This holiday is based in a wonderful 4-star hotel (the Molina Lario) in the centre of historic Malaga.
- Food:
All food is included in the price. Breakfast in the hotel. Lunches a mixture of picnics and hotel lunches. Dinners out in some wonderful eateries in Malaga!
Reviews
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The birds we saw and in a stunning landscape. All the birding places visited were good. The trip to the Alacazbar, Picasso museum and the Botanical gardens. Having a local guide as well as a UK one. High standard of hotel in-terms of rooms and food. Dining out in Malaga restaurants.
M.P. Berkshire, May 19
Dates & Prices
2020

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson
Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the turtle dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is Fair to Nature and benefits wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Andalusia, where she works full time as a wildlife guide, showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar as well as all the other stunning wildlife Spain and North Africa have to offer.
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