Las Barreras is a tiny hamlet just a kilometre or so to the west of Órgiva in Southern Spain. It's totally peaceful, the countryside all around is gorgeous, and its a very handy location too as the little market town is just a few minutes away.
It is here that you will find this lovely and very neatly renovated, 200 year old farmhouse. Gleaming white in the Andalusian sunshine, its single-story buildings range around pretty gardens overlooking the crystal-blue waters of the swimming pool on the terrace below.
Set in beautiful hillside surroundings within its own hectare of mature orchards and olive groves, there are lots of outdoor spaces to enjoy, including a very attractive covered terrace (which opens onto the living room), where breakfasts and diners can be enjoyed, al fresco.
From the other terrace there are more delightful views, down over the swimming-pool and across the semi-tropical valley of the Rio Guadalfeo to Sierra Lujár which rises up spectacularly on the other side of the river. It's a delightful location, splendidly rural and so, so peaceful.
Inside, the living / dining room, under its high beamed ceiling, is a comfy, colourful room with casually distributed sofas, a wood burning stove and a large dining table. Facilities include central heating, TV and video, CD player and a fast internet connection. Alongside, the kitchen is fully equipped with an oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and a dishwasher. There is a washing machine on the patio.
There are six bedrooms, two doubles and two twin bedded, each with en-suite bathrooms, plus two adjoining twin bedded rooms which share a bathroom. All six are neatly furnished, clean and comfortable and all have central heating as well as air conditioning and fans for the warmer summer nights. There are two cots available.
The Belgian owners, who live in a separate house on the estate (with their own pool and gardens), are a
lovely, cheerful couple, always pleased to help with local information and advice. They have lived here for many years now, always improving and maintaining the property to a high standard.
Guests have some 800 m2 of gardens for their exclusive use plus the fabulous, totally irresistible 10 m x 5 m swimming pool, which has solar heating too (this can increase the water temperature by between 5 and 7º). An attractive, wooden built yoga cabin is another feature in the gardens which clients are free to enjoy.
Like everywhere else on the farm, the views extend across breathtaking countryside to the beautiful mountain ranges beyond. With so much living space, both inside and out, this is a great place both to enjoy being all together or to escape to a quiet corner if you prefer. It's an ideal property for families with children, or for anyone who just wants to combine complete rural peace and quiet with visits to Granada, the high mountains and the Mediterranean coast.
There's so much to do from here. For the energetic there's wonderful hiking in the mountains, year-round cycling, downhill skiing in winter (Órgiva is 1½ hour's drive from the ski slopes), horse riding and paragliding, as well as water-sports and golf on the coast. And, when you need to stock up with a few provisions - or just fancy a stroll down to town - don't take the car: there's a lovely country path through the olive groves which will take you into Órgiva.
Discover the eight centuries of Moorish heritage in the traditional, white-washed mountain villages and their flourishing local craftwork (hand woven carpets, textiles and wicker-work), not to mention the regions' cuisine and excellent food products such as the mountain-cured Trevelez ham. Not to be missed are visits to Granada and the Alhambra Palace, and you can also drive to Sevilla and Córdoba from here.
Maybe you prefer to stay right here, enjoying the timeless rhythm of Las Alpujarras, wandering the charming little goat's paths around the property, perhaps relaxing under an olive tree with a good book, watching the sunset tint the mountains mauve-pink, laying down under the moonlight to watch the stars shining bright from a pure sky. A little yoga, perhaps, or a game of ping pong … I could go on … You are more than welcome, if you wish, to give a hand gathering in the almonds (in September) or the olives (in January). And there's always that wonderful swimming pool!
