This is a divine little cottage near the foot of pretty Gaucín village. Although recently built it has the distinctive, traditional character of Southern Spain, with terracotta floors and hand glazed tiles, wood-beamed ceilings and soft, relaxing colours and furnishings. Pretty as a picture inside, it also has a beautiful walled patio garden at the rear and a roof terrace with fantastic views over the village, the castle and the valley.
An antique wooden door opens from the quiet little street (only the occasional car passes by) to a delightful country cottage kitchen. Fully fitted with with a gas hob, an electric oven, a fridge and a small dishwasher, it's an attractive and welcoming space, a pleasurable place to cook in.
Behind is the living / dining room, furnished with equally good taste to create a calm yet colourful, relaxing ambience. A comfy sofa and cushioned bench seating are arranged around the wood burning stove (several electric heating panels around the house also make this very suitable for winter holidays). There's a music system and a small TV which receives Freeview progammes (BBC 1 etc) via satelite, plus DVD and video players. Soft light filters in through the French doors which lead through to the patio garden.
And what a charming courtyard garden it is! With its high, white-washed, rustic walls and glorious greenery, it's as secluded and peaceful as can be. Flowering shrubs climb up the old, irregular walls, pretty plant pots provide more colour lower down. Sunshine filters through the foliage here and there. A magical little Mediterranean garden, relaxing and totally private.
Just outside the living room, under the shade of a plant-covered canopy, there's a Moroccan tiled table which seats six, a great spot where you can dine in the fresh air, looking out onto the patio, birds singing happily in the trees all around.
The pretty, twin bedroom is on the first floor with a railed balcony overlooking the garden below. This is furnished with bamboo chairs and a little table. Beds can be made up as a double, if preferred. On this floor there is also an attractive blue and white bathroom (with shower over a full bathtub) and a laundry area with a washing machine and tumble dryer.
The master, double bedroom is on the second floor with views to the street from the double doors which open to its two balconies. As everywhere else in this lovely home, attractive furnishings, many of them antiques or artistic Moroccan pieces, colourful rugs and the calm, pastel colour scheme make it all quite delightful.
There's a shower room on this floor, and the terrace too! Here you can watch the sun setting over the tiled roof tops of the village and, on clear days, you will be able to see across the Mediterranean to Morocco. There's a table and chairs here, a couple of loungers and … plenty of sun.
It's just a couple of minutes walk from here to the restaurants, tapas bars and shops of the village. Gaucín is one of Spain's most beautiful pueblos blancos, spectacularly situated on a mountain ridge, 629 meters above sea level. Views are breathtaking over the Genal valley to Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and Morocco. Gaucín is not only very pretty, it is also very well situated. Surrounded by nature reserves like the Sierra de Grazalema, Los Alconorcales and the Sierra de las Nieves, there's plenty of wonderful walking and wildlife.
A beautiful 45 minute drive will take you across the mountains to Ronda, brimming with history and interest. The Mediterranean, with its many beaches, golf courses and lively marinas is less than 30 minutes away. If you wish, visit a different world, just take a boat trip to Tangiers in North Africa!
Other scenic drives will take you to Sevilla, Jerez or Cadiz. And back, of course, to this lovely little cottage with its character and charm!
