Andalucia
Unspoilt villages, beautiful valleys, spectacular mountains, delicious food & wine & much more.
For further details on each region click on the area in the side panel.
Lecrin Valley: Getting There
How to get there
There are direct flights from the UK to either Malaga or Granada. However, Malaga is one of the busiest airports in Spain, so is more convenient.
Car hire is essential for our properties in Andalucia and we recommend that clients pick up a hire car at the airport and then follow the directions and maps that are sent prior to departure. The car journey to our properties in this region is about two hours.
Lecrin Valley: History
The History of the Region
The Alpujarras rose to prominence in the 10th and 11th Centuries by supplying the silk workshops of Almeria with silk thread spun from the silk moth. This production arose hand in hand with a wave of Berber immigrants to the area. When the Granada emirs surrendered to the Christians in about 1500, the local Muslim population where given the choice of conversion or exile. Most converted, becoming known as Moriscos. However, this population was severely repressed eventually leading to revolt and guerrilla warfare. Once these factions had been brutally suppressed, most of the population were deported as land labour to the west of Andalucia and to other parts of Castile. The area then settled into peaceful obscurity.
The city of Granada has a dramatic history. The area was initially inhabited by an Iberian tribe, the Turdolos, in the 5th Century BC. The Romans arrived here in the 3rd Century BC and called their town Illberis and the Visigoths built the city walls, and laid the foundations of Alcazaba. Muslim forces, with the help of the Jews took the city in 711. The Islamic city came to be called Karnattah, from which Granada is derived.
Mohammed al-Ahmar, the founder of Nasrid dynasty, established an independent emirate stretching from the Strait of Gibraltar to east of Almeria. This emirate was ruled from the lavish Alhambra palace for 250 years. Granada had become one of the richest and most populous cities in medieval Europe, flourishing on the talents of its big population of artisans and traders. However, by the 15th Century, the economy has stagnated and the rulers led a life of hedonism in the palaces. When civil war erupted over succession, the Christians took full advantage of this situation and pushed across the emirate, eventually laying siege to Granada in 1491.
Under Isabel and Fernando, Granada became a dynamic Castilian city but was soured by religious persecution. By the 17th Century the city had fallen into decline and was not back in favour until the 1830s and the arrival of tourism and the Romantic period. During the Civil War, in 1936, an estimated 4,000 liberals were killed and Granada still has a reputation for conservatism.
Lecrin Valley
A beautiful and picturesque valley situated between Granada and Motril and near to the Alpujarras. Peaceful and virtually unspoilt, yet only thirty minutes from the coastal resorts.
Andalucia’s Lecrin Valley is planted with lemon, orange and almond trees and is situated between Granada and Motril, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is a beautiful and unspoilt valley, and has been little affected by tourism, so a phrase book is essential.
The Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty where birds of prey can frequently be seen soaring above precipitous cliffs and deep ravines. The seasons are clearly defined here: in January, the first wispy clouds of pink and white almond blossom appear and in early spring the air is heavy with the scent of oranges and lemons. Hillsides soon become a rich tapestry of poppy red set against lush green, and wild flowers dominate the pastures. All this painted on the backdrop provided by the Sierra Nevada.
Lecrin Valley: The Beaches
The Beaches
The 80km coastline of the Granada Province is rugged and cliff lined with spectacular views from the coastal N-340 highways. It is known as the Costa Tropical because of its hot climate crops such as sugar cane and mangoes. Salobrena is a low key beachside town with an impressive Muslim castle and a long and sandy beach.
There are other small beaches along the coast, and La Herradura is a pretty horse-shoe shaped bay and is popular for watersports. It has a windsurfing school and a dive centre, as well as being a centre for para-gliding.
There are many seafront restaurants and the beach is very popular in July and August. Further east there are many child friendly facilities such as waterparks.
Lecrin Valley: What to do
What to do in the Region
One of the beauties of Andalucia is that in the winter/spring months, you can ski in the morning and swim in the sea in the afternoon! The Sierra Nevada ski resort – site of the 1996 World Championships – is less than an hour’s drive away. Many of our properties are equipped for winter lets with heating and open fires. Las Alpujarras is famed for its delightful walks, from the gentlest of strolls to some challenging hikes. You will be spoilt for choice.
There is an enormous fresh water lake (Lake Beznar) that offers many pretty picnic spots and the chance for a cooling swim. There are many villages to visit in the area, each with its own local fiesta throughout the year. We recommend a car for getting around to all these lovely areas.
Eating out can be an adventure in these villages, some restaurants will not have a menu and you may have to go into the kitchen to select your meal! Do not expect many people to speak English in these quieter villages and you may need your phrase book. In each house you will find a house bible with the owners’ recommendations of where to eat, which should make selection a little easier.
In Chite, we recommend Los Naranjos, which is a good bar/restaurant with a lovely shaded terrace. There is a local shop, Anna’s, and this is open 7 days a week (Spanish hours!). The bread van comes through the village tooting his horn announcing his arrival with fresh bread. Lecrin is the largest village and has everything you might need, two supermarkets, banks, post office, pharmacy, garage and several bars and restaurants. There is also a bus stop for Granada and the coast.
A visit to the world famous city of Granada is a must. The Alhambra dominates the skyline from its hilltop perch. The fascinating Albayzin, the old Islamic quarter, also rises above the city. The dramatic backdrop to the city is the magnificent snow-clad Sierrra Nevada and the climate is very pleasant, especially in the spring and autumn. Granada is a wealthy city with a vibrant, lively atmosphere and fun nightlife.
Gaucin: History
The History of the Region
Many of the old frontier villages have their own castles. Gaucin’s castle dates back to Roman times, although most of it is Moorish. It was named after Guzman el Bueno who died during battle in 1309. It is well worth a visit and the views are extraordinary.
Ronda was capital of a small Berber kingdom set up after the collapse of the Cordoba caliphate, and came under Sevillan rule in the mid 11th Century. It became semi independent after Seville’s fall in 1248. Due to its near impregnable site, the only reason that it fell to the Christians in 1485 was because its army had left to defend Malaga, thinking that the city was about to be attacked.
The old Muslim part of the city, known as La Cuidad, stands on the south side of the gorge, with the newer part of the town, called El Mercadillo, on the north.
There are many interesting museums in Ronda, the most significant being the bullring, which dates back to 1785. Ronda’s claim to be the home of bullfighting is justified as in the 18th and 19th century, the Romero family established most of the basics of modern bullfighting on foot.
Gaucin
Gaucin is a spectacular, unspoilt white village, situated in one of the prettiest areas of Andalucia overlooking the mountains and valleys of the Serrania de Ronda.
Gaucin is a spectacular, unspoilt white village, surrounded by extremely picturesque scenery. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the area southeast of Ronda and the mountains and valleys are green and pretty.
Gaucin is an ideal area from which to take day trips to the beautiful cities of Ronda, Jerez, Cadiz, Seville and the Atlantic Coast. All of these cities have much historical and architectural interest as well as having fabulous shopping and fine restaurants. Ronda has a famous gorge and also has the oldest Bullring in Spain.
Overlooking the village are the ruins of a Moorish castle that provide incomparable views to the Mediterranean Coast, North Africa and Gibralter.
Gaucin: The Beaches
The Beaches
The Mediterranean beaches are about 30 minutes drive away. The nearest beach to Gaucin is at Puerto de la Duquesa. The beach is located on the western side of the port of this seaside resort and there is a lovely bay, ideal for small children. This beach has a great beach bar serving grilled fish as well as many other local specialities. Both Duquesa and Sotogrande are great locations for sailing, as well as being ideal for beginners windsurfing. Deep sea fishing trips are also available at these two locations.
Further north one comes to the resort of Estepona, which has a gentle and well-maintained beach. There are many beaches along this coastline offering watersports such as water-skiing and parasailing and many facilities for children and families.
Tarifa is the most southerly point in Europe and is known as the windsurfing capital of Europe. This Atlantic coast is about a 1.5 hour drive but is a worthwhile trip as the wide beaches have clean white sand and dramatic seas with large waves. Ideal conditions for windsurfers and there are strong winds blowing most of the year in this area. The town itself is has a distinctly Arabic flavour, which contrasts with the international surf scene.
Gaucin: What to do
What to do in the Region
This area is a paradise for walking, exploring, horse-riding and bird watching. A few kilometres down the valley is the river Genal, which is a good spot for coarse fishing, swimming, diving and exploring. A good fly fishing location is Guardiaro River. There are wonderful walks through the Serrania de Ronda, and the area is noted for its rare Spanish fir and fauna including some 1,000 ibex and various species of eagle. Snow falls on the mountains between the months of January and March.
For golfers, the Costa del Sol is an ideal location with about 40 golf courses. Throughout the year Gaucin has many fascinating fiestas, traditional Saint days and the ‘Semana-Santa’ (holy week) processions. In August Gaucin celebrates it ‘Feria’ with a fairground and dancing. The village has amenities such as banks, tennis courts, a post office, shops and supermarkets and some excellent restaurants. The town church is worth a visit, as is the Hermanita on the way up to the castle where the village’s patron saint is kept.
There are several riding schools in the area, for both experienced riders and beginners. There are many other beautiful and historic white villages to explore in the area. A trip to the historic town of Ronda is highly recommended, with its spectacular cliff-top setting astride the 100m deep El Tajo gorge. Its famous bullring was built in 1785, making it one of Spain’s oldest and most famous. There are superb shops and restaurants and an elegant and ancient atmosphere pervades.
Another easy trip from Gaucin is to the British colony of Gibraltar, where the extraordinary mix of the exotic and spectacular alongside the commonplace makes it an interesting island to visit.
Mallorca: Activities
Activities on the Island
There is so much to enjoy on this island – delicious food and drink, fantastic landscapes, endless glorious beaches, mountains, hidden valleys and unspoilt villages, fiestas and traditional celebrations, the nightlife of the city of Palma, Mallorquin culture, art and crafts, or just relaxing in the warm sunshine and restoring the soul. With such diversity of landscape and the opportunities created, there are numerous activities available to be enjoyed – golf, swimming, sailing, watersports of all kinds, excellent scuba diving off the islands of Cabrera and Foradada, walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and many others.
For golfers there are courses to suit all tastes and skills, with fifteen golf courses on the island, all carefully designed to test the players’ skills, even those of the most experienced of players. The clubs are of a high standard with all the necessary facilities.
Golf in Mallorca…
For sailors , Mallorca is one of the best ports of call in the Mediterranean, with its beautiful bays, long sandy beaches, small deserted coves and over 500 kilometres of coastline to navigate, and numerous delightful harbours in which to moor and go ashore. The excellent facilities provided for sailors and their craft mean that the ports in Mallorca enjoy a certain prestige and are visited and used all year round. Hiring a boat, with or without a skipper is easily organised.
Watersports in Mallorca…
For cyclists, Mallorca is ideal. The climate, landscapes, and the island’s geography offer a wide range of opportunites to get to know places that are inaccessible by other modes of transport. There are routes for all levels of experience and everyone can enjoy spectacularly beautiful and unique surroundings.
Mallorca: Landscape
Mallorca – The Landscape
Tramuntana is a mountain range that spreads diagonally from the town of Andratx to Formentor. The highest peak in this range is the Puig Major which is 1,445 metres high. In this region are the beautiful mountain villages of Valldemossa, Deja, Banyalbufar and Soller and acres of citrus orchards and orange and lemon groves. The mountainsides are covered with ancient, gnarled olive trees and almond and fig trees. In spring the air is thick with the scent of citrus and almond blossom from orchards full of blossoming trees, heavy with flowers.
In the foothills of this mountain range is an area known as Es Raiguer , which is made up of 11 townships that still maintain the character and atmosphere of years gone by. These are Alaro, Binissalem, Buger, Campanet, Consell, Inca, Lloseta, Manacor de la Vall, Marratxi, Santa Maria del Cami and Selva. Culturally and historically of great interest, these towns are working to preserve their traditions and their cultural and historical heritage. Here can be found villages with a history of traditional crafts – wine and food production, glass blowing, basket weaving, clay ceramics, leatherworking, weaving and many others.
Then there is a large plain known as El Pla and this is the land of farmers, herdsmen and the landowners or proprietors of wonderful ‘fincas’, many of which are still working estates. Here we see countless impressive country manor houses and estates where the old traditions of the Mallorquin people are able to continue and live on.
El Migjorn , the south of the island, has a wonderful ochre coloured soil and some of the most spectacular beaches and beautiful seas on the whole island. There are pretty towns and on the coast, fishing villages and harbours and luxury resorts.
Mallorca
Mallorca is an exceptionally beautiful island, full of surprises and with something for everyone.
The most diverse landscapes are to be found across the whole island, from the rugged and wild mountains of the North of the island and the Tramuntana mountain range to the flat, sandy Southern part of the island where pine trees and long stretches of glorious white sandy beaches fall away into clear, sparkling, crystal blue waters.
The island has a mild climate, normally with sunshine for more than 300 days every year – about 5 hours of sunshine daily in winter and more than 10 hours daily in summer. There are five main geographical regions, each with its own individual personality and landscape.
Mallorca: Properties
Our Properties in Mallorca
We have a portfolio of delightful properties on Mallorca, ranging from a modern seaside apartment on the water at Colonia St Jordi, apartments in charmingly restored farmhouses and manor houses on old Fincas or Estates, to individual houses and properties across the different regions of the island.
Some are modern holiday homes or villas and others may be very large and impressive 17th Century Manor Houses. All have easy access to some, if not all the activities available on the island. Whatever the property, it will be of the highest quality and have something very special to offer.
Mallorca: When to Visit
When to visit Mallorca
Mallorca is enjoyable all year round and for those looking for peace and quiet, the out of season months in Autumn and Winter are delightful. The weather is generally mild and often warm and sunny and the landscape sometimes even more spectacular in the Autumn and Winter light. There is an excellent winter programme of classical concerts held in different villages across the island and some of the recitals are held in very special venues – the Casal Balaguer or the Dioonis Bennassar Museum. In winter there is also a programme of excursions and cultural visits to the most beautiful monuments and landmarks on the island. Accompanied by guides, visitors discover the real Mallorca in the most delightful way and experience the nature of the island at the same time.
For nature lovers, early Spring is the best time to visit the island and there are a number of protected Natural Parks as well as the National Maritime Park which is made up of a group of islands that form the archipelago of Cabrera – Conejera, Plana, Foradada, Na Pobra and the islets of Pla and Foradat.
All in all, a jewel of an island – and so easily accessible. The Mallorquins are friendly and welcoming, full of fun and laughter, and considerable pride, which is well justified in the light of all they have on this beautiful island.
Marbella
Marbella is a city in Andalusia, Spain, by the Mediterranean, situated in the province of Málaga, beneath La Concha. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234. Marbella is an important beach resort of the Costa del Sol. The town is famous for once being a playground for the rich and famous. Marbella is seen as a favourite destination for wealthy tourists from Northern Europe, as well as the well-heeled from the UK, Ireland and Germany. The area around Marbella is particularly popular with those who like golf.
Casares
Casares is the most famous of the Andalucian white mountain villages – spectacular and unspoilt and situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Andalucia overlooking the mountains and valleys of the Serrania de Ronda.
Casares is between the Ronda highlands, the Costa del Sol, and the Campo de Gibraltar. A landscape of red rocks split by deep gorges in the Sierra Bermeja; of forests and circles of pines which have survived the fires, and in the shadows climb to the peak to join in Los Reales (1.440 m.) to the advance of the firs of the higland. Further west, the sierra is converted into an observation point of limestone in Crestellina to watch the entrance to the Ronda valley of Genal from its peak. There, amid gorges and ridges, lives a colony of tawny vultures of the peninsular. These birds with almost two metre wingspans, cross the Casares’ skies daily, from Crestellina to Utrera, adding another attractiveness to the area with their majestic flight.
And in the middle of this countryside is Casares, half hidden between the foothills of the sierra, stretched across the mountain sides of the great cliff, crowned by history with the remains of a castle which forms one of the most beautiful villages in the province.
The present town is of Arabic origin. There are the ruins of the fort of that era on the top of the cliff on which the town stands. It is possible that the farmhouses emerged around this castle which would give way to the forming of Casares. In the second half of the 16th century, the town was the scene of capitulations which ended one of the Moor revolts.
In the highest part of the town there are three outstanding architectural elements: the ruins of its Arabic fort, the cemetery, and the parish church of La Encarnación, from the 16th century and built with three naves and corresponding vaults which sank. It is in the process of being restored and is therefore closed to worship. In its place is the convent of Capuchinos, from the 16th century, with a latin cross base and one nave covered with a vault and dome over the transept. The other church in Casares is the 16th century San Sebastian. There is also the convent of Santa Catalina from the 16th century, and as a civil construction is the 18th century fountain in the square.
The handicraft of Casares is based on esparto grass objects, weaving, lacework, jewellry, ceramics, glass and woodwork for making beautiful doors.
In the first half of August, the fair takes place. The patron saint’s day to the Virgen del Rosario is celebrated in the first week of September and in the middle of this same month is the so called Cristo fair. A pilgrimage in honour of the patron saint, spreads across the municipal district in the month of May. In this town they sing and dance a particular form of fandango called casareño.
