Environmentally friendly cycling & walking holidays in Spain
Jaime Bartolomé
I am an Ecology graduate from Edinburgh University. After studying and working in the UK for nineteen years (the last 10 in the Highlands of Scotland), I returned to Spain with my English wife and two Scottish kids in 2006 and set up Away from the Crowds soon after.
The idea was to combine in our work: our love of outdoor pursuits, the natural world and discovering my wonderful country.
We wanted to take travellers to the parts of Spain we loved that are usually out of reach to tourists. Our self-guided routes reflect that, combining our passion for Spain's rich culture, traditional way of life and delicious food and wine.
Every trip is a hand-crafted artisan labour of love, tailored for the self-guided traveller looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. We look for itineraries that bring a smile to your face as you are wheeling or walking along with the sun on your back.
We believe in our products and are very passionate about them. After all, these are the holidays we take ourselves!
Our vision
We aim to stay true to our founding principles:
- Avoid mass tourism. No fake experiences. Genuine Spain.
- Meet the ordinary people of Spain, soaking up their way of life.
- Experience nature, wildlife and beautiful landscapes as you exercise.
- Make use of local knowledge to take you to those beauty spots that would otherwise pass you by.
- Sustainable tourism: your holiday having a positive economic impact on the people on the ground and a minimal impact on the environment.
Our hope is to gradually create a repertoire of high-quality walking and cycling holidays covering the entire Spanish geography. Our aim is to make a profit while making the world a better place.
The team
When you book a holiday with Away from the Crowds, we aim to make it a personal experience from beginning to end:
- Irene and Elia have a wealth of local knowledge to answer your initial questions and help you decide which holiday is best suited to you.
- Vanesa will take care of all the bills and behind the scenes administration.
- Jaime scouts new products and checks regularly that the roadbooks, GPS app, tracks and maps are up to date.
Customer satisfaction is at the very top of our list of priorities. As a team, we strive to ensure a real quality experience for each and every one of our travellers.
Vanesa Pastor
I am a Tourism graduate and I have been working in the tourism industry for over 10 years.
I love sharing time with my family and friends, hiking in the mountains, valleys and the amazing landscapes of Spain and of course, travelling. I have travelled to more than 20 countries.
I am delighted to work with the great team at Away from the Crowds. It's a pleasure to see so many people return home happily after exploring the countryside and villages of our beautiful country.
Irene Álvarez
I am someone who loves to travel and discover new places, always with a cheerful and curious attitude. I enjoy movement, especially cycling, which is part of my way of understanding life: active, open, and eager to learn constantly.
Elia Saez
I have studies in Marketing and Advertising and am passionate about travel and nature. Whenever I have some free time, I take the opportunity to escape and lose myself in the great outdoors, enjoying trails, pools and beautiful landscapes, although my curiosity goes far beyond our borders.
I love travelling and discovering charming places, especially through slow travel, with a touch of adventure, away from the crowds and where I can enjoy the essence of the place and nature.
Being part of the Senderos y Pueblos team allows me to combine everything that moves me: nature, authentic travel, and the excitement of seeing our travellers return home with great experiences and lasting memories.