Andalucia painting vacation

Planet

Carbon Reduction

We own the guest house where this vacation is based, so have some control over how we reduce carbon emissions.

In 2023 we installed an Air Source Heat Pump system for all our hot water and heating. It replaced a diesel boiler system. Now, all our hot water and heating is run on electricity.

Mindful of the impact of animal farming on atmospheric CO2 levels, we offer vegetarian and vegan options at every meal. Let us know if you’d like to take up this option.

And being based in Andalucia, southern Spain, we can source much of the fruit and vegetables from regional suppliers.

Environment and Wildlife

We are making efforts to reduce our environmental impact not only by running our hot water and heating with an Air Source Heat Pump system, but also by recycling and reducing our plastic use, replacing plastic items with biodegradable materials wherever possible. We also ran a mini-campaign to encourage market traders in our local village not to automatically hand out plastic carrier bags, but to use bags which shoppers provide themselves when shopping in the market.

Enjoying the natural environment and wildlife in the Alpujarras, where we are based, is one of the main reasons why people come on our vacations. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment by hosting only small groups on our vacations, choosing hiking routes that do not require transport to reach the start of the walk, not straying off footpaths, not leaving rubbish, not picking wild flowers and avoiding nesting sites. We are also paid-up members of two NGO’s working to protect/re-introduce endangered bird species: the Andalucia Bird Society and the SEO (Sociedad Española de Ornitología).

People

Local Economy

Our business (providing walking vacations, yoga, pilates and tai chi, plus writing and painting retreats, based at our own guest house) is wholly owned by someone who loves nature and wildlife, and who has lived in the area for over 20 years.

Nearly all our team members are living locally. We’re the main employer in our village, providing people with work as cooks, kitchen helpers, cleaners, walking guides, maintenance work and gardeners.

In addition, nearly all our excursions are made within the local area, which supports local businesses, including bars, restaurants, craft shops and bodegas.


Employment, Inclusivity and Diversity

Our team employs 4 Spanish and 6 non-Spanish people, all of whom live locally. There are 7 women and 3 men in the team.
Our policy is to provide good working conditions and fair pay (above the minimum wage).

We welcome LGBTQ+ guests as well as guests of all nationalities and religions.