Bubión is one of the high villages of Las Alpujarras, situated on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, Spain's highest mountain range. Sitting proudly in the midst of the incredibly beautiful Poqueira Ravine, it is the middle one of the three traditional Moorish villages located here (Capileira and Pampaneira are the others).

At an altitude of 1,350 metres above sea level (approximately 4,430 feet), it's a wonderfully dramatic position and it's no coincidence that Rustic Blue chose it as their home.

The views in every direction are quite exceptional. To the north, the highest mountains on the Spanish mainland, Veleta and Mulhacén, rise up dramatically to the skyline (for much of the year covered by a thick blanket of snow).

To the south, the Mediterranean Sea glistens beyond the coastal mountain ranges of Lújar and the Contraviersa. The Rif Mountains of Morocco are sometimes clearly visible from here, particularly in the mellow evening light of autumn and winter. Places don't come much more beautiful than this.

The village dates back to Roman times but is perhaps more famous for its Moorish origins.

Hence the classic architecture of the village, identical to Berber originals in the Atlas mountains of Northern Africa. Characterised by flat roofs and prominent chimney pots, the houses spill down the steep mountainside, connected by little walkways and by just one, narrow, winding, cobbled street.

All around is glorious nature: chestnut, walnut, and oak trees, cherry and mulberry too. Here and there you will come across the locals tending their "huertos" (little vegetable gardens), perhaps leading a small flock of goats or sheep to new pastures or returning home from a day's toil in the fields along with their mules.

In recent years rural and eco-tourism have developed and is now the mainstay of the local economy. Several village houses have been converted into attractive self-catering holiday homes. There is one major hotel, the Villa Turistica de Bubión, and an excellent-value hostal, Las Terrazas as well as a charming little casa rural, La Sevillana.