Pottery retreat Spain
£250.00
£250 deposit per person secures your spot.
19.05.2025 – 25.05.2025
Capileira. Pottery.
Walking. Relaxing. Foraging.
Movement for wellbeing.
Good Food. Alhambra Trip.
Islamic tile panel making. Swimming.
Incredible Views.
Early bird prices on reservations made before 1st January 2025 – £100 off full price!
Double room with balcony £1650 single occupancy.
Double or twin room with balcony £1400 per person x two people sharing the room
When you choose a holiday in Capileira, you’re not just getting a holiday…
The mountain setting is absolutely stunning, with the clearest, unpolluted air and light quality, spectacular views of the Poquiera Gorge and surrounding high Sierra Nevada including the highest mountain in Spain the Mulhacen.
The Hotel Finca Los Llanos is often described as a haven, with the traditionally whitewashed, Alpujarran buildings, the iconic chimneys set amongst numerous trees and flowering shrubs in lovely gardens including an organic vegetable garden and chicken coop providing fresh produce to the wonderful Gloria restaurant .
The large pool, a major component of holidays during the summer months (open May until end October weather dependent), is irresistibly inviting and has comfortable loungers, its not far from the shady garden bar serving all manner of yummy drinks and tapas.
Every day, before breakfast, you are welcome to enjoy the fantastic movement for wellbeing session in the garden or by the pool to set you up for your day – even the most sceptical folk joined in and felt fabulous during the last retreat!
Inspiring Location
Our spectacular region is called La Alpujarra, an unspoiled Natural Park in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Granada province, deep in the south of Spain. Part of the area has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, with many unique or rare species. Its skies are officially rated as the cleanest in Europe.
Here in the real Andalucía, the “duende” (spirit) of passionate living is revered. It was once ruled by the Moors, who thought it was the paradise promised to them by Allah. Part of their legacy is the “acequia”, an ancient system of irrigation which still brings water from the mountains to our gardens and fields.
Capileira is the highest and most northerly of the three villages in the gorge of the Poqueira river. Its altitude is officially recorded as 1436 metres, though there is a considerable altitude difference between the oldest part of the village, which is at the lower and very peaceful, southern end – the barrio bajo, and the highest part – the barrio alto, where the shops, restaurants and bars are situated.
Climate
With 325 days of sun, low humidity and little rain, this is the mildest climate in Europe, where much of life is lived in the open air. All the winter months are warmer than early May in London, and flowers bloom throughout. Lunch al fresco can happen even in January, and some gentle sunbathing is nearly always possible. In the strong and brilliant sunshine, it often feels warmer outdoors than in.
By March, spring is well under way and temperatures are often up to midsummer ones in England. After that, nature simply runs riot, with a huge variety of flora and fauna. The long summers here are hot, although tempered by breezes from the sea and the mountains.
Autumn is warm and mellow: like spring, it’s a perfect time for walking in the mountains.
10 in stock
- Included
- Pottery
- Trip to the Alhambra
- Flamenco show
- Accomodation
- Meals And refreshments
- Movement for wellbeing
- Guided walk
- Terms and conditions
- Itinerary
When you book your holiday the price includes:
The Retreat
All the activities in the itinerary including:
Hotel transfer from Malaga airport to Capileira and back again
Guided walking with a local guide.
Pottery workshops
Flamenco show
Movement for well-being every day
Breakfast every day
Lunch every day including one packed picnic lunch. Two evening meals in the village.
All your accommodation.
Two pottery sessions with Jane and Emily Pranger making tapas dishes with traditional folk art onglaze oxide decoration. All materials and firings included. We will get your work fired and returned to you before you leave.
Islamic tile panel making with local artist and tile manufacturer Alizares
Trip to the local town of Pitres to Alizares https://alizares.es/ where Fatima will talk you through her traditional tile manufacturing process and show you around her workshop/studio where she hand produces incredible Islamic style tiles very similar to the ones you will have seen on your trip to the Alhambra palace. You will make a small tile panel with Fatima using her beautiful handmade tiles and take this home with you. We are very lucky indeed to have Fatima on board for this workshop, this is a special event just for our group.
Transport to Granada and back, entrance to the Alhambra, a chance to walk into town and explore the The Albaicín (or Albayzín), the oldest neighbourhood of Granada, situated in front and below the Alhambra.
Stunning evening flamenco show with live guitar, singing and dancing and a bit of talk about the history of Flamenco.
Paula from Flamenco la Fuente in Bubion is an incredible dancer, a local woman who learned flamenco from her mother who she sometimes dances with – she runs a flamenco school and performs in shows all around the region. This really is a very special treat!
Your place in a double room, if you are traveling with a partner or friend you can share a double or a twin room. All rooms have en-suite facilities and balconies with spectacular views. The hotel has a lovely outdoor bar overlooking the pool and Mountain View’s, a wonderful restaurant and large pool. Its lovely there.
You will be provided with a self serve breakfast and lunch every day at the hotel except when visiting Granada, with one packed lunch to take with you on the guided picnic walk. You will also be provided with two group evening meals.
The hotel prides itself on its organic garden where they grow vegetables and fruit that are used in the food they serve. There will also be complimentary refreshments – tea, coffee, fresh juice and homemade cake during the pottery workshops. All alcoholic and other drinks will be charged separately, you will need to pay for these yourself.
We find that if you have had a nice breakfast and lunch then if you wander into the village in the evening and enjoy a couple of drinks with the free tapas that come with wine, beer or grape juice (but often with whatever drink you order depending on time of day and bar) then you wont even need to buy a proper meal out. The tapas are only free in the Granada province so we are very lucky indeed to be able to enjoy this culture – the tapas generally get better the more you drink! They can vary from homemade meatballs, bread and cheese, fried quails eggs, jamon, potato dishes, etc. All delicious and completely free.
Morning sessions for the over 50’s in mind but suitable for everyone – nothing too strenuous – just some wonderful mindful stretching and moving to set you up for the day all optional but completely wonderful even if you have never done anything like it before.
Terms & Conditions
Capileira Holiday BOOKING CONDITIONS AND PAYMENT DETAILS
HOLIDAY INSURANCE
Capileira is a mountain village, its steep streets are stony and you do need reasonable mobility to get around.
If you have been under medical or psychiatric supervision in the twelve months before your holiday, you must provide a doctor’s certificate confirming your fitness to travel and take part. Our courses are not suitable for those who are currently too emotionally disturbed or too physically disabled to take responsibility for themselves. In any case, all health problems should be disclosed when booking.
The law requires us to draw your attention to the importance of holiday insurance, which is also a condition of booking. A good policy should cover you against having to cancel for any good reason, as well as for flight delays, sickness, losses and all the usual risks. Some may cover you for flight changes or cancellations, even if due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although airlines may also have specific responsibilities.
(N.B. The European Health Insurance card (EHIC) can still be used if its expiry date is valid; after that, it must be replaced by the Global health Insurance card (GHIC) obtainable from www.nhs.uk/ghic. Both cards cover medical treatment but not ambulances or residential charges for hospital stays).
Deposit to confirm booking:
£250 deposit to be paid to confirm booking. Non-refundable unless WE cancel the holiday
Balance to be paid on or before 24th March 2025
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations must be confirmed in writing
- Received up to 31 days before departure: deposit lost.
- With less notice: the entire fee is lost.
- No refunds once at Finca Los Llanos.HEALTHIf you have been under medical or psychiatric supervision in the twelve months before your holiday, you must provide a doctor’s certificate confirming your fitness to travel and participate. Our courses are not suitable for those who are currently too emotionally disturbed or too physically disabled to take responsibility for themselves. In any case, all health problems should be disclosed when booking.
EXCLUSIONS
All information about this holiday is correct at the time of going to press. However, due to mechanical faults, weather conditions, or what insurers call “Force Majeure” or “Acts of God”, some amenities may be temporarily unavailable. it could happen that decisions by governments or airlines would make it impossible for the holiday to take place. Very occasionally, we may have to vary the advertised programme due to staff sickness or other problems, in which case we will always try to provide an equivalent replacement.
We do not accept liability for:
- – any of the above events, or others beyond our control.
- – loss of or damage to your personal property.
Day 1 – Monday 19th May:
Airport transfer from Malaga Airport to Capileira 15.30 –
16.00 arriving Capileira approximately 18.00
Settle into your comfortable hotel room, listen to the goat bells, wander into the village for a drink and a meal (not included in the price) and look at the stars from your balcony…
Day 2 – Tuesday 20th May:
8.30 am Movement for wellbeing by the pool. Self-serve breakfast.
10
Jane Scott Ceramics 13th November 2024
Free time to walk around the village, settle in, and explore Capileira.
2 pm lunch at Finca Los Llanos
3 pm – 6 pm Pottery making with Jane. Tapas dishes.
7.30 pm group evening meal at La Pizzeria in Capileira (included in price)
Day 3 – Wednesday 21st May:
Movement for wellbeing by the pool. Self-serve breakfast.
11 am – 2 pm Pottery decorating with Emily and finishing your dishes.
2 pm Lunch at Finca Los Llanos
5 pm – 6.30 pm Visit to Janes’s house for local wine tasting and tapas.
Eat out in Capileira – you choose where (not included in the price)
Day 4 – Thursday 22nd May:
Movement for wellbeing by the pool. Self-serve breakfast.
Trip to the utterly fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada. Revel in the intricate and colourful Islamic tiles and carvings. You will be amazed.
Mooch around the Albaicin – the oldest part of Granada with its narrow streets, beautiful architecture and cafe culture. Transport provided.
Eat out in Capileira (not included in the price)
Day 5 – Friday 23rd May:
Movement for wellbeing by the pool. Self-serve breakfast.
Trip to Pitres for a tile panel making session with Fatima from Alizares tile manufacturing (all by hand) – this is a very special workshop with one of La Alpujarras star professionals making traditional Islamic style tiles by hand for over 24 years even King Charles has bought her products!
After workshop bar visit where you can grab lunch or some tapas.
Transport is provided or you can walk if you fancy a beautiful 1.5-hour hike over the mountain.
Eat out in Capileira. (Not included in the price)
Day 6 – Saturday 24th May:
Movement for wellbeing. Self-serve breakfast.
Packed lunch provided.
10.30 am Guided walk around some villages in La Taha.
You will start in Fondales and meet a couple of
local potters – Emily Pranger who makes all the
traditional street signs and tile panels in the
area, her work is second to none. She is an
expert on glaze cobalt painter with a folky style
that is charming and her passion for the local
flora, fauna and villages shines through in her work. Her studio is utterly charming in an
ancient Moorish village house. You will be enchanted…Sheilagh Mulry is the next pottery visit, she lives around the corner from Emily in a similarly charming house with a fascinating little studio where she has taught pottery to the locals for 30 years plus and has produced a wide range of beautiful ceramics using many techniques. You have a chance to buy some lovely ceramics direct from the maker. Lucky you!
After the pottery visits, you will have a slow meander through the Rio Trevelez valley with a professional walking guide, with moments to take photographs and gaze at the view and catch your breath, it’s a couple of hours very pleasant walk in the most lovely valley, with the chance to visit the incredible Mirador Era del Trance – an ancient and intriguing threshing circle with lovely views. This will be the picnic spot.
Stroll back to Mecina Fondales for a beer and tapas in the local bar La Cueva de la Mora Luna.
Transport provided.
7 pm – 8 pm Private Flamenco show including live guitar, dancing, singing and a talk on the history of Flamenco.
8 pm last group meal in Capileira (included in price)
Day 7 – Sunday 25th May:
Self-serve breakfast.
Free time, get ready to leave. Airport Transfer at 12.00 from Los Llanos to Malaga airport arriving at approximately 14.00
The exact scheduling may vary slightly.
Travel options to Capileira
There are several ways to get to Finca Los Llanos in Capileira, but most people fly to Malaga and then use our transfer service – please note this IS included in the price but will be time specific – we choose a time that will suit Ryanair or easyJet flights from Bristol UK
The flights that match the dates/times are:
Bristol – Malaga Monday 19th May 2025 Ryanair flight FR4121
Bristol departure 11.35
Malaga arrival 15.15
£87.99 (prices fluctuate depending on when you buy the flight)
Malaga – Bristol Sunday 25th May 2025 EasyJet flight EJU7003
Malaga departure 13.35
Bristol Arrival 15.20
£87.45 (prices fluctuate depending on when you buy the flight)
