This 200 year old farmhouse has been completely restored to create an imaginative, yet still authentically rustic, holiday villa. Not only is it a charming place to stay but its situation, overlooking the Natural Park of Alcornocales and just five minutes drive from two of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa de la Luz makes this one of the best holiday destinations anywhere in Andalucia.
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To one side lies the beach of Bologna, with its fascinating Roman ruins and on the other side of the rocky outcrop which rises up behind the property is the beach of Tarifa’s Punta Paloma with it’s enormous sand dunes. Both are renown for their clear blue waters and wide, golden beaches. And these are just two of the fabulous beaches on this wonderfully wild coastline on the southern-most tip of Europe, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean. As famous for bird watching as surfing, there are endless opportunities to explore the rolling countryside and unforgettable seascapes: mountain-biking, scuba-diving, climbing, surfing, tennis, horse-riding, fishing, hang-gliding and, newest of all, kite surfing … to name but a few.
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Located in a small hamlet on the hillside, the villa has a privileged position in the heart of the Natural Park "El Estrecho". From the house and its spacious gardens the views of the surrounding countryside, the Atlantic Ocean and beyond to the African coast, are splendid.
Just a few minutes drive from the main coastal highway, an unpaved road of 300 metres leads up to the property. By car it's just seven minutes from here to Tarifa, capital city of sun, fun and surf.
The spacious, lawned gardens of the property comprise more than 5,000 square metres on three different levels with the attractive private swimming pool (10 m x 5 m) and its impressive pool house (with its terracotta floors, beamed ceiling and lovely old, weathered roof tiles, this a perfect place to hide away from the midday sun) on the lower level. Sun loungers are provided. Absolute privacy is guaranteed by the 2 metre high natural stone wall that completely surrounds the garden.
Along the front and side of the house you’ll find a relaxing 100 m2 verandah with excellent views. With its old terracotta floor tiles and wood-beamed ceiling this is another lovely shady spot to enjoy a barbecue, perhaps, or to dine al fresco.
Inside, the villa is very tastefully furnished throughout, offering the same high level of comfort. The central part of the house has been opened up to provide lots of natural light and, on the ground floor, two spacious living rooms on different levels. The lower living space has a fireplace, satellite TV, DVD and music equipment. It opens to the garden via a cobbled courtyard, its stones gathered by hand from the beach at Bolonia. To the side of the patio doors, a kitchen corner is well equipped with a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and the necessary kitchenware.
The other living area is up a couple of steps and includes the dining area as well as a cozy corner of sofas and armchairs around another fireplace. Everywhere there are attractive paintings, ceramics and plants to help make you feel completely at home.
The four bedrooms and four bathrooms are designed in a similar rustic style, with either terracotta or wooden floors, beamed ceilings and outside views through wood-framed, double glazed windows. One is upstairs and has a half open-plan design, creating a lovely feeling of space as it half opens to the lounge room below. Perhaps even more of an architectural curiosity is the equally half-open bathroom alongside! An imaginative piece of creative design …
Another feature is the bathroom created from the original shepherd's kitchen with its stone bread oven taking centre stage. It's lovely. Antique beds (one specially imported from Indonesia) and lots of other interesting curios and furnishings all add to the quality of the house. There are two double bedrooms and two twin bedded rooms. They all have either en-suite bathrooms or private access to one alongside.
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This is a house of great character which has been subject to a quality make-over which is entirely in keeping with its old and rustic style. Add the splendid pool and attractive gardens and one could be tempted to stay put right here. But there's so much to do elsewhere, too. There's mile upon mile of unspoilt beaches on the Costa de la Luz. Duty free shopping, the caves and
history of Gibraltar are 45 minutes away, as is Morocco! Fast ferries cross regularly from Tarifa, and a day trip to Tangiers will take you to a different world. There are wonderfully scenic drives to the historic
towns of Ronda, Jerez, Cádiz and Sevilla. Golf, riding, walking, good restaurants … et al.
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And, of course, there's Tarifa, a fun little town, now a mecca for windsurfers but still retaining its small town character and rich history. It's position at the southern tip of Europe, the point that not only separates Europe from Africa but also the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean gives it a unique micro climate (it is always mild here but can get a bit windy). Along with windsurfing and diving, kite surfing is now extremely popular here and it isn't unusual to see 250 kites in the sea and on the beach in summer . . . an amazing sight. There are many nature related activities to enjoy too, such as horse riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, bird watching, trekking and whale watching. There's something very special about Tarifa!
