It's three kilometres from the road, a long track, but when you arrive here it's more than worth that minor inconvenience. The view from here, across
the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa is one of the most sensational in the whole
of Spain.
Africa is so close you feel
that if you reached out you could touch it! Ships pass through the Straits
of Gibraltar, moving silently across your line of vision - which takes in a huge panoramic
sweep of the Moroccan coast, the street lights of Ceuta and Tangiers twinkling
clearly beneath the huge rocky crags of the Rif mountains.
It's a magical little corner of our world, quiet and attractive countryside all around, long-horned red Retinto cattle
ambling contentedly between the trees, flocks of migrating birds circling overhead. The Rif Mountains on one side of the Straits, the Rock of Gibraltar equally prominent on the other. You are still in Europe yet just about as close as it's possible to be to Africa.
The property comprises the owner's house, a small rental cottage alongside and, just below, two more, adjoining rental cottages. All three have just one bedroom and children are not accepted here, so it really is a perfect retreat for couples.
Beyond the cottages, the pretty country gardens and extensive lawn sweep down to an infinity swimming pool and that indescribable view across the sea.
ZC11(1) Casa Luna and ZC11(2) Casa Sol
These two adjoining cottages look out over the lawn and flower gardens to
the swimming pool and beyond, of course, to that magnificent vista. Each has it's own shaded
terrace area, richly planted with mature shrubs and with mature wisteria clambering attractively over the terrace pegoda.
Inside, decoration is tasteful and cheerful. All on one floor and quite compact, each has a living
room / kitchen, a twin bedroom and bathroom. They are well equipped with satellite
TV, radio-cassette players and central heating.
At some time during your stay you will surely be tempted to walk past the pool and carry on down the slopes below the Cortijo (it's a two
kilometre path, a bit tricky in places) to the small, rocky but picturesque bay
where you can swim or fish, or just carry on marvelling at the view of Africa.
ZC11(3) Trasmontana
ZC11(3) Trasmontana is the most recent of the three, built just above "Luna" and "Sol". It is the most spacious, very attractively fitted
out and finished and it enjoys the view from its furnished roof terrace.
Light pours into the stone-floored living room, which is partly wood-panelled.
Wood has also been effectively used in furnishing the kitchen. A glass chandelier
and dried flowers decorate the sitting area which is divided off from the en-suite
bedroom by a glass-paned wall of chequered opaque and transparent design.
The cottage has a fan for the summer
and is centrally heated in winter. There is no virw from inside the cottage but exterior steps go up to the terrace, a
marvellous place to sit and survey Africa, the sea and the passing ships heading
both to Morocco and out into the vast ocean.
Guests staying here also
share the gardens and pool with guests at "Casa Luna" and "Casa
Sol".
There's not much reason to leave this rural hideaway. But there's lots to do
and see close at hand: Tarifa is the surfing capital of the South Atlantic and it's lots of fun. The long stretches of white sandy Atlantic beaches
on the Costa de la Luz are just a few kilometres away, there's Gibraltar 'around the corner', the white
villages of inland Cádiz to explore, windsurfing, golf, riding et al.
And there's always the option of a day trip to Morocco … ships leave regularly from both Algeceiras and Tarifa, it's a wonderful trip (especially the longer, 3 hour trip from Algeceiras to Tangier), the ship often accompanied through the Straits by dolphins and even whales.
And when you step ashore, you will certainly know that you are in a different world!
