Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
No extra cost for single occupancy. - Bilbao airport or ferry port pick up available (€92).
Get in touch for other arrival points. - Special rates for 2 or 3-week-long stays.
Description of Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
*A distinctive ecotourism experience: Limited to a maximum of four participants per class.
*Immersive learning: Engage in 8 hours of daily Spanish exposure, totaling 40 hours throughout your stay.
*Exceptional setting: Located within the breathtaking Picos de Europa National Park and its neighboring regions, situated at the heart of Spain's Ecotourism Corridor.
*Expert guidance: Accomplished and knowledgeable teachers and guides within a small yet dedicated organization, ensuring a fulfilling and enjoyable experience while facilitating comprehensive learning.
Join us for an immersive Spanish learning experience at Peak Me Languages, nestled in the heart of an ecotourism destination endorsed by AEE (Association of Ecotourism in Spain). Our program features four 50-minute Spanish lessons each morning, tailored to accommodate all proficiency levels and customizable to your preferred language subjects.
Following the morning sessions, the afternoons offer the chance to explore the stunning natural landscapes of the Picos de Europa National Park and the captivating Costa Verde. Here, you'll engage in practical language use while marveling at diverse wildlife and breathtaking vistas. The guided walks vary weekly, providing opportunities to encounter vultures, kites, eagles, and other rare birds and flora. Our knowledgeable guides ensure an off-the-beaten-track experience, albeit some routes may involve steep terrain - a testament to the Picos de Europa's rugged beauty. If you're comfortable with a 10km hillside walk, you're in for an enriching adventure. Please note, the itinerary can be flexibly adjusted to accommodate morning walks and afternoon classes.
Our course operates every Monday through Friday, granting weekends for independent exploration or assistance in arranging additional activities. The all-inclusive package encompasses:
- Intensive Spanish classes with a maximum of four participants, covering enrollment, materials, potential level tests, and essential stationery.
- Refreshments (coffee, tea, biscuits) during lesson breaks.
- Transportation from Panes accommodations to our school in Abándames and back (alternatively, a walkable distance with steep sections).
- Guided ecotourism walks from Monday to Thursday.
- Light Monday lunch (at local orchard).
- Ecotourism day trip with a picnic on Friday.
- Transport within the area to and from walk sites to Panes or Abándames.
- Area map and guidance on additional activities and travel options during the weekend.
- Accommodation for seven nights in a single-use rural apartment equipped with modern amenities (daily cleaning available at an extra fee) or in a family homestay.
- Return transfers from/to Santander ferry port, train station, or airport, with options for pickup/drop-off at Bilbao ferry port, airport, or other locations (additional charges may apply). We're happy to assist in finding the best public transport options based on your departure point.
Itinerary
Sat/Sunday | Pick-up, arrival and settling in at your accommodation in either a single-use rural apartment with modern amenities or a welcoming family homestay. Explore the serene surroundings and get acquainted with the beautiful landscapes of the area. |
Monday | Enjoy a comprehensive day with four 50-minute lessons to enhance your skills, followed by an immersive visit to a nearby cider-producing farm. Indulge in a delightful light lunch and cap off the day with a refreshing local walk, embracing the picturesque surroundings. |
Tuesday | Engage in four enriching lessons, each designed to enhance your language proficiency. Following the lessons, immerse yourself in a captivating walk through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Picos de Europa National Park and its surrounding areas. |
Wednesday | Same as Tuesday |
Thursday | Same as Tuesday |
Friday | Explore an all-day, exceptional ecotourism adventure with our "Walk & Spot" experience. Enhance your nature vocabulary as our expert guides accompany you on a walk where you'll spot bear footprints, wild orchids, bearded vultures, and butterflies. Delight in a picnic lunch featuring locally sourced produce, including honey, cheese, and an intriguing local specialty, tortos – an experience that will immerse you in the unique flavors of the region! Enjoy a complimentary farewell drink in the evening. |
Saturday | Drop-off to departure point (Saturday arrivals) or enjoy a free day for those arriving on Sunday. We are happy to recommend activities in the area and help you get everything arranged. |
Sunday | drop off (for Sunday arrivals) |
NOTE: | In the event of individual participation for any given week, the schedule will include two individual lessons daily. The Friday itinerary will involve a visit to the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCQ), a relaxed birdwatching stroll, an excursion to Vega de Ario Cheesemakers (inclusive of cheese and cider tastings), a delightful picnic lunch, and an exploration of the vibrant village of Cangas de Onís. Our courses cater for all levels of Spanish (from absolute beginners to advanced students). This course can be done for two consecutive weeks or more (course contents and walks will be different each week). |
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Reviews
103 Reviews of Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
Reviewed on 04 Aug 2024 by Marjorie Scherkenbach
For sure a 10. The teachers and the students and the guides were all amazing. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jun 2024 by Linda Ewers
The lessons were brilliant and judged just right for my ability; the walks in Los Picos were beautiful; everyone was very friendly and welcoming; the ecological walk was fantastic… Excellent! Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Apr 2024 by Frances Dunkin
Very enjoyable. Excellent for learning Spanish and walking in the Picos area. I think it benefited local people and businesses and supported care for the environment. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Apr 2024 by Lorraine Dillon
Very happy to have had this experience. I certainly got over my shyness about using Spanish and gained confidence that I could engage in a conversation. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Nov 2023 by Josh Taylor
Fantastic. I am so glad I did this trip and would highly recommend it to anyone hoping to learn Spanish in a beautiful, authentic setting with lots of hiking opportunities. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Oct 2023 by Victoria Bush
I really enjoyed the holiday. It helped me to improve my Spanish and the walks were amazing. All the people I came in contact with were lovely. It was hard work but very rewarding. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Sep 2023 by Stephen Ledbury
Excellently organised, and very enjoyable. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Jul 2023 by liza pezzano
The combination of Spanish classes and hiking was perfect. The language teacher and the guide were both great - extremely professional and generous with their knowledge. The best part was learning about the local history, culture and landscapes through excursions and hikes. I loved it! Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Jun 2023 by Paula Fairweather
Couldn’t be better. Very grateful to the tour operator for their generosity, quality of guides and teachers. And brilliant guides for the walks. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 May 2023 by Steve Sharkey
Just got back from the Walk and Talk holiday in Panes, Asturias, which was simply brilliant! The course was so well organised as was the content and the quality of the teaching. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 May 2023 by Caroline Davies
The whole trip was outstanding... I can’ wait to return. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Mar 2023 by Elizabeth Quarterman
The staff were so patient and friendly. An outstanding experience and I can’t wait to go again. The hotel and school staff were very helpful in arranging transportation on my extra days. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Sep 2023 by Katie Wood
Great. Double check that you can join a group of people at the same stage of learning as yourself.They are only a small outfit and not set up to manage multiple groups at different levels. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Oct 2022 by Rachel Lambert
Lovely people and actually really enjoyed the lessons (classroom learning isn't my thing, but they taught so well!)… Brilliant! Loved it, very happy. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Oct 2022 by Gail Owen
Very enjoyable. And something a bit different to our usual holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Sep 2022 by Nancy Mills
Not only did my Spanish improve considerably, my knowledge and appreciation of a heretofore unknown part of Spain was icing on the cake! Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Jun 2022 by Margaret Barilone
A most enjoyable experience - the language course and the walks were well planned and executed. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Jun 2022 by Jeff Harris
Excellent....We really enjoyed our 2 weeks and recommend it highly. There were two of us, and we are at different levels, so we were in different classes. The Spanish training was great, all in Spanish. The hikes were also great, with the guides speaking in slow, intelligible Spanish. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 May 2022 by Laura Kochanski
Excellent - a fabulous experience - great opportunity to practise your Spanish and be taken on interesting walks by a local guide. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Apr 2022 by Anna Smith
I enjoyed the combination of learning Spanish in the morning and then practising the Spanish in the afternoon whilst walking in the area close to and in the Picos de Europa Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Mar 2022 by Emma Padfield
Fantastic. One of the best trips I've ever done - I wish I could have stayed longer and I definitely want to go back. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Mar 2022 by Ben Gilbey
I had a brilliant time and as a almost complete beginner when I arrived, I feel like I have much better Spanish vocabulary, understanding of verb conjugation and confidence to speak basic sentences in Spanish. The walking was wonderful, although in the late Spring and Summer I'm sure it's even nicer, as I attended in mid-March. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Sep 2022 by Tracy Freeman
Beautiful location, meeting like-minded people and enjoying practice the language in the local bars, shops and restaurants Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Nov 2021 by Vicky Cooper
Great fun. Very rewarding to challenge ourselves to learn Spanish whilst being really active in a stunning location. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Aug 2021 by Alexandra MacMahon
Being part of a small local community and having lots of different opportunities to practice my Spanish on them as part of the lessons! Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Jul 2020 by Andrew Hawkins
This was an enjoyable week, with just the right balance between planned activities and time to unwind or explore the village on my own. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Oct 2019 by Paulina Strzyz
It was great. I came back relaxed and fully recharged. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Oct 2019 by Ann Hackett
We had a fantastic time. The combination of lessons and walking was a great balance. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Oct 2019 by Anna Bond
I really enjoyed the first day meeting classmates, and the teachers, and then exploring the local countryside. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Oct 2019 by Paul Kyne
The most memorable part of the holiday was the walks and the quality of teaching. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2019 by Julie Thurston
It was all good. Great group of people, interactive Spanish lessons and beautiful walking in the region. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Sep 2019 by Michelle Harrison
Excellent! Highly recommend this holiday. Traditional, cultural Spain at its best. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Sep 2019 by Ursula Wall
The walks in the Picos de Europa and along the Atlantic Coast were wonderful. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Sep 2019 by Janet Galloway
We learned a lot of Spanish in just one week - five mornings of lessons was just the right amount to stretch our brains and give us basic vocabulary for the rest of our trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Sep 2019 by Wendy Stewart
The trip offered the unique experience of combining learning a language and hiking in a lovely area. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Sep 2019 by Lisa Farag
I loved my holiday with. I had the right amount of hiking, and other activities, and I felt I got a lot from the Spanish lessons. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Aug 2019 by Anne Young
The most memorable parts of the trip were learning Spanish with a great group of profesoras and estudiantes. The friendliness of the local people in Panes., and the lovely walking in the Picos led by an excellent guide. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Jul 2019 by Mary Kitson
It's a very enjoyable way to spend a week getting to know the area, lovely guided walks with a wonderful and interesting guide. The school is extremely well organised with fun and interesting teachers. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jun 2019 by Mark Kitchenham
I now feel more confident using the language. Alongside the extremely enjoyable classes I had GREAT fun doing the outdoor activities (canyoning, caving, kayaking etc.). The area is stunning. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Jun 2019 by Johanna Klunder
The walks in the Picos de Europa were great. There were lots of variation in the scenery and the guide was very good. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Jun 2019 by Jean-Pierre Darque
Meeting with like-minded people, all very friendly and all willing to learn from each others was memorable. I also certainly loved exploring the region of the Picos de Europa, with green and quite dramatic scenery. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 May 2019 by Sheila Nolan
There were many memorable aspects to this holiday. Waking to the sounds of cowbells, the challenge of learning a new language. Walking in the Picos de Europa was amazing, snow capped mountains down to sandy beach coast. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2019 by Hannah Bashir
The week was fantastic and well balanced. Both our teachers were fantastic, the classes in the morning were very interactive and I felt I learnt a lot. Then the walks in the afternoon were varied offering beautiful views. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 May 2019 by Jane Smillie
This holiday was amazing! Learning Spanish was fun and informative and the walks were stunning and varied. We have already resolved to do it again. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Apr 2019 by Shaun O
The location, local food, Spanish lessons, walks, accommodation... All fabulous ! It is the best holiday I have had! Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Apr 2019 by Kat Hudspeth
It was amazing to walk in the stunning and contrasting Asturias countryside and to see sunny beaches, cliffs, pot holes, farmland and animals, snowy mountains .. all in a week!. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Aug 2019 by Alice Parker
The combination of language lessons and walking worked very well. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Jul 2019 by Jean McMullin
I loved the combination of walking and learning Spanish. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Jun 2019 by Richard Baxell
The walks and the friendly hotel were memorable Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Mar 2019 by Vicki Jones
I think it was excellent and exhausting mentally and physically. I definitely think by Spanish improved. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Nov 2018 by Barbara Harland
Wonderful scenery in the Picos de Europa & good local food & cider! ...An excellent combination of mental (Spanish lessons) & physical activity (afternoon walks) in a magnificent area of Spain. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Oct 2018 by Henry Marks
Excellent and the operator and the accommodation they put me in was first class. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Oct 2018 by Melanie Schuster
The walking was marvellous...stunning scenery and the guide was young but knowledgeable....and caring to me when I encountered precipice angst. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2018 by Tessa Brown
An enjoyable, interesting and sociable week. The Spanish classes were stimulating and mentally challenging and Ana and Celina were excellent and highly professional teachers. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Sep 2018 by Diana Porter
The lessons and the walks were both very enjoyable and professional. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Aug 2018 by Karen Key
Muy Buen!! Fantastic! Would definitely recommend! Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jun 2018 by Peter Roberts
It is a great combination which worked really well. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Jun 2018 by Judy Davies
Excellent...The friendliness of teachers and superb area of Spain Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Apr 2018 by Amelia Spinney
It was a great holiday all round. Ana was very friendly, professional and nothing was too much trouble; Celina taught Spanish with lots of enthusiasm and endless knowledge; Carlos led the hikes with huge expertise, and a winning smile. It was memorable all round. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Apr 2018 by Alice Buxton
The incredible scenery. The great people that you meet. The walk around the town/village on the first day, it was a great introduction to the week. The chance to practice my Spanish in the afternoons as well as in the lessons but there was no pressure. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Mar 2018 by John Cox
For me the exciting part for me was visiting a region of Spain I have never been to and seeing how the local population went about their normal life. Very good value. Excellent and welcoming teachers and a guide who was extremely knowledgeable and took a pride in his location and work. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Oct 2018 by Ruth Ladovsky
I really enjoyed the week in Picos de Europa, because it probably would not have been an area that I would have thought to go to, without the opportunity that the tour operator provided...I loved the experience Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Jun 2018 by Louise Bridle
Excellent..The opportunity to learn Spanish in a rural area, combined with walking in the Picos Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Aug 2018 by Christine Acton
The most memorable part was the wonderful scenery. I was very disappointed with the level of Spanish offered. Local family stay accommodation was very enjoyable. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Oct 2017 by Selina Monn
It was great to combine language learning and outdoor adventures. The language school and the tour operator for the outdoor activities were very professional and dedicated to provide the best experience for their guests. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Oct 2017 by Laurence Impey
Lots of laughs learning a new language in the morning, stunning scenery for walking, and the challenge of staying upright while canoeing in the afternoon. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Sep 2017 by Jane Bailey
Wonderful hikes through stunning scenery in the afternoons - guides were great. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Sep 2017 by Stephanie Hall
Travelling alone and being welcomed into a group of like-minded travellers was the highlight. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Sep 2017 by Moira Flynn
The language course was really excellent, with great teachers who were very well organised and responsive to our different levels. They really made use of the town as a resource and the townspeople really helped us practice as they all knew of our tour operator and why we were there. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Jul 2017 by Vicki Groves
All of it was memorable and exciting - we enjoyed learning the languages and the different hikes were spectacular...Had the most incredible time! Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Jul 2017 by Emma Sparkes
Fabulous walks in the mountains and the ability by the end of the week to order lunch in Spanish!...Absolutely excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Jul 2017 by Emily Goldberg
Living in a small village on the edge of the Picos gave me the opportunity to slow down and enjoy learning the language while hiking in a truly magnificent natural environment. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Apr 2017 by Fiona Wilcock
The best part was the combination of being active with amazing walks plus the chance to learn a language. A brilliant combination of learning, walking and having fun with others. Having never done an 'organised' holiday before I was a bit worried it may not work, but it couldn't have been better. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 May 2017 by Niki Maclennan
An excellent experience, 2 of the teachers prepared lessons well. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to hangout in the hills and have a stimulating time interacting with local people and getting the feel of the area. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 May 2017 by Susan Jones
Thoroughly enjoyable experience all round. Well taught lessons and lovely walks in stunning scenery. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Apr 2017 by Pip Hayes
I had a lovely week at the Peak Me Hola school in Panes. Really professional teaching in the morning, a lovely mountain guide each afternoon and I stayed with a very kind family in the village. I would not hesitate to recommend it. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Dec 2016 by Fran Stirk
Superb. We have been back for two weeks and are still talking to others about how wonderful it was. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Oct 2016 by Carole Rakodi
The combination of the opportunity to practise Spanish, lovely scenery, a typical (not very touristy) Spanish village and a group that got on well made the week both enjoyable and worthwhile. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Aug 2016 by Alice Busse
We enjoyed the teachers at the Spanish school. They made the lessons fun with a lot of basic, practical and helpful information. They were also very open to assistance to problems or questions regarding outside of class situations. The hiking trips amongst beautiful and breathtaking scenery were also very exciting and enjoyable. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Jul 2016 by Julie Plaistowe
An interesting experience in a beautiful part of Spain Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Jun 2016 by Mary Buxton
It provided just what it said on the tin---great language teaching, and good exercise with the guided walks. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Jun 2016 by Gabriel Fuller
This holiday had two parts to it: learning Spanish in the mornings and walking in the afternoons. Both of these were equally excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Aug 2015 by Stephen Orwin
A first class combination of fun and informative Spanish lessons, with exploring a beautiful part of Spain. Well organised by the operator. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Aug 2015 by Sabrina Sweeney
Very relaxing for solo travellers - once you are there all you have to do is study, eat and walk! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Jul 2015 by Graham Care
We had a really great holiday meeting new people and setting off on our journey to learn a new language. In addition the walks we went on were also really enjoyable. A good holiday for people who like to be active on their holidays Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Jul 2015 by Jim Rees
The most memorable part of the holiday? The beautiful challenging walks. The friendliness of everyone. The holiday provider staff, their local associates and the small holiday group I was in. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jun 2015 by Martin Graham
Our mornings at the school with Ana and Inigo seemed to fly by. It is very well organised and the facilities are first class. My Spanish has improved noticeably. The choice of afternoon walks was interesting and varied and our professional guide tailored them to suit our ability. We had relaxed and enjoyable conversation along the way. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jun 2015 by Sue Tilney
Excellent holiday! Picos scenery is really stunning. Panes village is very traditional. The tutors and walking guide all friendly, very competent and helpful. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Apr 2015 by Rebecca T
The walks were good and varied. Some amazing scenery...This is a good choice if you want to combine some learning and some activity in a lovely part of Spain. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Apr 2015 by John Cass
Four hours of Spanish tuition followed by 4-5 hours of walking in the mountains is not exactly restful but it is hugely enjoyable and one of the best holidays I have ever had. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Jul 2014 by Hazel Tyror
Fantastic - just what I needed! If you want to learn Spanish, go on some great hikes and be truly immersed in Spanish all week (both in school and in the local community) - then book it without hesitation! Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Oct 2014 by Linda Mead
Everything was local. Used small family run hotel, a local taxi service and a local (and very knowledgeable) mountain guide. Recycling and environmental awareness was encouraged. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
We are serious about maintaining the natural beauty of the region and take steps to ensure that the environmental impacts of our activities are kept to a minimum.In order to reduce vehicular traffic in the area, we recommend to use public transport to get here where possible. If not, we prefer to pick up all visitors from the airports, ferries and train stations that service the area.
As a way on encouraging flight-free travel, we offer a 5% discount on the price of our course to those who use a ferry or train to get here.
We promote local environmental projects and initiatives, and use these as a point of interest in our walks. This improves knowledge, awareness and allows a positive transfer of ideas.
We take litter home with us (whether it’s ours or not).
We walk responsibly, minimising soil erosion and disruption to animals. We use lesser known routes to halt over exploitation and damage.
We are knowledgeable about the environment we live in and its rich history. One of our passions is supporting people who respect their environment by taking an active interest and helping out with work when things are busy, for example at our friends traditional farm.
People
We want our business to have a socially positive impact locally and beyond. We visit local businesses and promote traditional practices that do not abuse the environment.We take an active interest in other local businesses, for example helping out when things are busy at one of our neighbour’s traditional farms. We organize cinema nights at the school for the locals, as well as conversation exchange opportunities (such our "Menage a three" nights where Spanish, English and French are spoken over a glass of wine). We also work with local projects to promote sustainable development.
One of the great things about the area is that everybody helps each other when needed and money is never mentioned. We really like this and support these values. We treat the traditional ways of life and the local people with respect. We make a point of showing these to our groups as a way of promoting the area and creating interesting points of discussion.
We use a local taxi minibus service for our trips to the National Park, allowing us to be dropped off and picked up in different locations. This also minimises pollution and creates employment locally.
The Picos have some very old and traditional villages high in the mountains, these often have combined bar/shops which we use whenever we visit, helping keep them alive for the local people. This is really important as many of these villages are remote and inaccessible during winter.
We use local produce and workforce whenever possible.
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