Secret Spain/ Costa Almeria Tours

I'm looking at a tour out of Almeria for wine and olive oil tasting, run by a tour company called Costa Almeria Tours/Secret Spain. Has anyone used this company before? They're asking for a pretty hefty deposit and that always makes me leery. Thanks for your input!!

Where exactly does the tour go? Almeria isn't a wine growing or olive oil producing area. In fact, they grow much of Europe's fruit and veg like melons, peppers, cucumbers etc in plastic greenhouses.

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Where exactly does the tour go? Almeria isn't a wine growing or olive oil producing area. In fact, they grow much of Europe's fruit and veg like melons, peppers, cucumbers etc in plastic greenhouses.

 

 

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I wondered the same LondonTowner so had a look and the trip goes to the Alpujarras with stops at Canyajar and Tabernas http://www.costaalmeriatours.com/wine-tasting/

Campolady

I think you'd be buying the vineyard at prices from €128 pp. That price is outrageous.

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Campolady

 

I think you'd be buying the vineyard at prices from €128 pp. That price is outrageous.

 

 

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Exactly!!!

Campolady

A few years ago I went to a small vineyard in the mountains taking the road up from the coast from the Malaga/Almeria road, but can't remember the name. It had the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. They also had a restaurant which was closed the day we went.

I can't remember the name of the place, but was a bit of a hairy drive to get there. It's quite a distance from Almeria port, but could be included on a day trip. It would be much cheaper to hire a car for the day and DIY.

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Campolady

 

A few years ago I went to a small vineyard in the mountains taking the road up from the coast from the Malaga/Almeria road, but can't remember the name. It had the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. They also had a restaurant which was closed the day we went.

 

I can't remember the name of the place, but was a bit of a hairy drive to get there. It's quite a distance from Almeria port, but could be included on a day trip. It would be much cheaper to hire a car for the day and DIY.

 

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Hiring a car is the way I would go too - an olive farm http://cortijoelcura.com/tienda/en/28-olive-oil and a couple of Vineyards come up with a quick Google search http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/blog/las-alpujarras-local-food-drink-veleta-wines http://www.nestaresrincon.com/en/wine-cellar/vineyards/

However, I do fully understand that many people prefer the comfort and security of an organised trip. If the OP is docking at other Spanish ports they may get a better excursion in an area more known for its Wine making and Olive Oil production - Almeria would not be my first choice for this type of excursion. If Almeria is their only Spanish port the trip may be their best option despite the cost

Campolady

Agreed. However, if they are not stopping in Malaga, and haven't been to Spain before, for me it would be Granada. An absolute no brainier.

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Campolady

 

Agreed. However, if they are not stopping in Malaga, and haven't been to Spain before, for me it would be Granada. An absolute no brainier.

 

 

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It would be Granada for me too if docking at Almeria - I was just trying to think around their wish of wine and olive oil.

I hope laurieb has a wonderful day whatever they decide on.

Campolady & LondonTowner - Slightly off topic, but isn't Granada a bit far driving time from Almeria, whether one goes through the desert and around the SN that way or taking the coast road past the polyethelene forest, then up from Motril - two plus hours? thanks

If I remember correctly it takes about the same time whether you go from Almeria or Malaga. Last time I was in Granada was about two years ago, but we flew into Granada.

From Almeria you could also visit Guadix with its cave dwellings.

Campolady can probably give you better information as she lives in the area.

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If I remember correctly it takes about the same time whether you go from Almeria or Malaga. Last time I was in Granada was about two years ago, but we flew into Granada.

 

From Almeria you could also visit Guadix with its cave dwellings.

 

Campolady can probably give you better information as she lives in the area.

 

 

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Its a 2 hours drive from Almeria to Granada but, if you are in port long enough, well worth doing IMO.

thanks both Campolady and Londontowner

Hiring a car is the way I would go too - an olive farm http://cortijoelcura.com/tienda/en/28-olive-oil and a couple of Vineyards come up with a quick Google search http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/blog/las-alpujarras-local-food-drink-veleta-wines http://www.nestaresrincon.com/en/wine-cellar/vineyards/

 

However, I do fully understand that many people prefer the comfort and security of an organised trip. If the OP is docking at other Spanish ports they may get a better excursion in an area more known for its Wine making and Olive Oil production - Almeria would not be my first choice for this type of excursion. If Almeria is their only Spanish port the trip may be their best option despite the cost

We’ll have many Spain ports. Do you have suggestions for almeria?

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Do you have suggestions for almeria?

 

Many people like to visit Mojacar - I personally find it a bit 'Disneyesque Spain' but it is very popular and the views from up there are spectacular. If you are sporty, or a beach lover, a trip to La Manga may interest you.

 

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If you don't want to travel far I would just explore Almeria which is a fascinating old city. Many people like to visit Mojacar - I personally find it a bit 'Disneyesque Spain' but it is very popular and the views from up there are good. If you are sporty, or a beach lover, a trip to La Manga may interest you. One of our favourite areas, the Cabo de Gata natural park that contains the charming little coastal resort of San Jose, is only a short journey by car from Almeria (I'm afraid that buses are very infrequent); you can see some photos of the Cabo de Gata here https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrP4o_UXOFaa2AAvAlLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBybDA1bGNhBGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=cabo+de+gata&fr=yfp-t and photos of San Jose here https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrJS9cZXeFaqzAAoxpLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBybDA1bGNhBGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=san+jose+almeria&fr=yfp-t

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There are not many excursions offered from Almeria by our cruise line but you may get some ideas from their Almeria site by clicking here

https://cruiseexcursions.tui.co.uk/ExcursionResults.aspx?mode=1&portCode=001723&cruiseAreaId=3&cuirseAreaName=Western%20Mediterranean

We'll be stopping in Almeria and I'd like to rent a car to go to Cabo de Gato. Does anyone have any recent experience renting a car? are there any companies that are near the port?

Thanks in advance