A very pretty 20 minute drive up into the hills from the Costa Tropical resort of Torre del Mar will bring you to Canillas de Aceituno, a classic Andaluz white village in a spectacular location overlooking a wide vista of mountain scenery. Lake Viñuela is just visible in the valley far below, the views extending far and wide over the coastal hills to the Mediterranean Sea.
From here a 3 km track (which has a few drops here and there but is mostly tarmac and in good condition, easily negotiated in an ordinary car) will take you to the little cluster of properties on a hillside which includes this one, a contemporary and very pleasing villa which has been designed, constructed and furnished throughout to a high standard.
There are neighbouring properties dotted about on the hillsides, one of them on the bank above the rental home. No one lives there but the owner does come from time to time to tend his vegetables. So, not totally isolated, but it's still easy to feel completely at peace with the world here.
From the wide pool terrace which extends along the length of the villa, the views are fantastic, over a broad sweep of some of Andalucia's best countryside, from the mountains which rise up behind and all the way down to the sea.
This outdoor space is really attractive. The quality wooden dining table (which comfortably seats eight) is under shade, with the gas barbecue close at hand on its marble surround. Pretty night lighting (and more often than not, the twinkling stars as well) creates a lovely ambience.
No doubt you will wile away many an idle hour here, looking over the blue waters of the swimming pool to the flowering shrubs and palm trees which have been planted in a series of circular and semi-circular flower beds which extends around the whole terrace. It's a design clearly inspired by the great Gaudi himself!
Australian sails have been cleverly used to create more shaded areas at the other end of the terrace and there's still plenty of space left to lounge in full sunshine around the pool. Thoughtful touches include a little herb garden and, of course, a lemon tree to add a little sparkle to your gin and tonics!
Inside, this light and sunny theme is continued, with both the design and the furnishings always bright and cheerful. White predominates with colourful fabrics offering attractive contrast. It's thoroughly modern and very pleasing on the eye. Glass doors open from the dining terrace to the living room, where comfortable sofas and an armchair are neatly gathered in front of a log fire. Just open those glass doors and indoor and outdoor living will be seamlessly blended!
The inside dining table also comfortably seats eight. Alongside, the very well equipped kitchen has marble work surfaces, a breakfast bar (with stools) and a huge American style fridge/freezer - so there's no shortage of ice to top up those gin and tonics!
A short corridor leads through to a bathroom and to three of the bedrooms, two doubles and one twin bedded room. Both the master bedroom and the second double bedroom have en-suite bathrooms and both have double glass doors opening to the pool and terrace. The master bedroom also has its own furnished patio space.
Upstairs is a mezzanine floor (it looks onto the living room below) which has been neatly and cleverly divided into a twin bedroom on one side and an attractive games room on the other. The latter houses a championship standard pool table, a darts board and some casual seating. Apart from the quality of the pool table, you will also appreciate the space its been given, so you can shoot your best pool without being cramped up in a corner.
Everything has been designed to provide a proper family holiday environment. Central heating and air conditioning throughout ensure year round comfort, there's TV and a DVD player. The house manager lives nearby and is on hand for meeting and greeting, local information etc.
There's lots to do nearby: pretty villages to explore with their authentic Andalusian character, the timeless countryside of La Axarquía with it's beautiful lake, La Viñuela as it's centrepiece, and the dramatic mountain terrain of the Montes de Málaga. Scuba diving and horse riding are both available locally. The historic city of Granada is an easy day trip. If you like walking, there's no need to take your car to get your groceries and fresh bread each day, just set off up the hill and in fifteen minutes or thereabouts you will be in the village!
And from here its so easy to get down to the coast. Mediterranean
resorts such as Nerja and Torre del Mar are little more than half an hour away, small towns with lovely beaches and far more charm and style than anything you could find on the Costa del Sol.
