Welcome to Arbuthnott Holidays

Experience the true beauty and character of a country whilst staying in great comfort, with good company and being looked after with humour and care.

These special holidays were started in 1989 by Hugh and Jane Arbuthnott and are now run with their son Hughie and his wife Clare and a team of local staff from Almuña, their home in southern Andalucía. From here they organise holidays that they have created in Spain, Italy Morocco, Chile and Argentina.

The holidays are for groups of up to 16 guests who either join in with others on a Set Departure Holiday or with their own party on a personally planned Private Holiday either at Almuña or on one of any of the other holidays.

Every holiday has a daily programme with a theme such as painting, walking, botany, bird watching, riding or history. Many of these are based at Almuña, the Arbuthnotts’ delightful and exceedingly comfortable home in Andalucía, and are noted for their excellent cuisine inspired by the Arbuthnott wives.

They are wholly inclusive and in every case, once you reach the designated airport of arrival, you will be met and from that moment completely looked after. Money is only required for gratuities and presents to bring home.

Over the pandemic we put on an online series that we have called our Fireside chats:

Murillo & The people of Seville with Dr Xavier Bray (un-recorded)

The Oman War 1965 – 75 with Brigadier Ian Gardiner

Picasso, The Boy from Malaga with Dr. Jacqueline Cockburn

Rewilding, why it matters with Duncan Grossart

A Change of Direction with the Hugh and Jane Arbuthnott

We have been featured on the Canal Sur television programme Repobladores about people who move to the villages of Andalucía

Our talks of free of charge but if you would like to donate to the Almuña Association for the Children of Gaucin you can do so HERE

Almuña

Spain

Morocco

South America

“One of the many pleasures of this experience, and one for which we came back, was the delicious Spanish food, much of it cooked by Jane herself, and in particular her delicious picnics. I have wonderful memories of grilled quail and white almond soup, fresh anchovy fillets marinated in oil and garlic, Manchego cheese and quince jelly served with walnuts and sultanas swollen with powerful Spanish brandy.”
Minette MarrinThe Spectator

“Food is a big part of the Almuña experience. There is delicious soup made from almonds, light and tasty tortillas, Paco's fine paella, succulent partridge in a nutty cream sauce, tender roasted quail and Jane's fruity summer puddings with homemade ice cream. The morning brings freshly squeezed orange juice, melon, cherries, Almuña honey and eggs collected from the Arbuthnotts' hens. There is local toasted bread with the best marmalade I have ever eaten, Jane's of course.”
Robert AlsteadThe Scotsman

“Children's tea time was a particular treat for the mums. It was a joy to have the kids fed without having to firstly prepare the meal, secondly having to nag them about table manners and eating up, and thirdly, having to clear up afterwards. How you managed to do that and then produce such a delicious meal for us, was a miracle!”
JayneA Family Holiday at Almuña

“The walking is led, with unfailing good humour and informality, by Hugh or one of the family, at the head of a line of straw hatted hikers. Whenever his fund of local anecdotes threatens to dry up, his wife appears in support, waiting at a crossroads with a vehicle full of cool drinks, chilled Fino and fruit cake or picnic of jamon iberico and cold roast partridge.”
William GreenMail on Sunday

“You really do have something very special. The view from the house was mesmerising from the first glance and I will visualise myself back there on many occasions in the future. The food and wine was absolutely delicious, but the best part of the whole experience, is you two!”
Summer Thank You Letter

“Their enthusiasm for this lovely part of the country is reflected in the meticulous care they take with every detail of the trip, from Hugh’s personally selected wine list to Jane’s fabulous Spanish cooking.”
Rachel HawthornHouse & Garden

“The Arbuthnotts have a good host’s gift of making total strangers feel like fairly old friends. Their farmhouse, four miles from the nearest village, is an outpost of old-moneyed Englishness-in-exile.”
Stephen McClarenceYorkshire Post