Villa Description
This old country house is set in 2,000 m2 of lush, semi-tropical gardens in a superb location near the river at the foot of Jimena de la Frontera, one of Andalucía's prettiest little towns.
On the edge of town (and just a 10 minute walk to the centre) there are other properties around and about, tucked away on the hillside behind.
But there's a real sense of being away from it all too, as it borders the river walk and looks out onto a nature reserve, one of the best bird watching paradises anywhere in Europe. Views encompass the reserve's rich natural heritage, eucalyptus lining the river bank and the surrounding hills.
A short stroll takes one to picnic and swimming spots. And for anyone who loves walking this could be an ideal rental; the owner has compiled a booklet of her eight favourite walks (some long, some not so long) through the surrounding countryside.
It's a big house (400 m2), spacious, elegant and peaceful. Everything here has a serene calmness.
Inside, the main living room, all 80 square metres of it, comprises a rouge-toned lounge with high, Catalan vaulted ceiling and large open fireplace with a choice of dining areas. Bouquets of dried flowers, bowls of aromatic herbs and pot-pori, authentic paintings, antique furnishings and artefacts create a lovely atmosphere.
Rugs are spread out on the old stone-flagged floor and cushions abound in this impressive living space, softly lit by attractive lamps and lanterns.
It's a beautiful room, with plump, comfy sofas and armchairs, a settee under one of the large windows.
Open-plan, with the attractive kitchen at one end, this opens through to a spacious pantry / second kitchen beyond. Outside, the barbecue patio with its ancient spring and fish pond is shaded by a huge banana tree.
The front terrace can be accessed directly from both the sitting room and the entrance hall. From the entrance hall there is also access to the downstairs bathroom, through a beautifully carved old wooden door.
The staircase takes one up to a book-lined landing and to the four first floor bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms. The master bedroom, with its own private lounge and views on the garden.
A double bedroom, with its king sized antique bed and silk bedcover, and walk-in dressing, the later alcove is curtained off and has a spare bed for a child.
A pretty twin bedroom and another attractive double bedroom, both enjoying good views of the upper gardens. A utility / laundry room completes the upstairs distribution.
A shaded, furnished terrace runs the full length of this first floor with great views, over the river to the Alcornocales (cork oak) Natural Park beyond. The rocky mountain terrain on the other side of the river is home to colonies of vultures and eagles as well as being on the major migratory route for birds passing across the Straits between Africa and Europe.
Places don't come much better than this for keen bird watchers.
Other attractions are manifold: some will be intrigued with the original artwork that fills the walls wherever one wanders; others will want to delve into the extensive reading matter that guests are welcome to enjoy or take advantage of the wireless internet access.
All will be be enchanted with the exotic gardens that have matured within the walls of the property's 2,000 m² estate.
Completely private and secluded, it is lush with flowers, shrubs, banana and orange trees, providing a magical setting for the turquoise blue waters of the delightful kidney-shaped swimming pool which is at the side of the house, completely enclosed within its own lush, mature gardens.
The pool and garden is lit at night which creates yet another setting for dining al fresco.
All around the swimming pool, up garden steps and along paths (which lead to a very private suntrap) and around the ivy covered rear of the property are well-established date palms, avocado, fijoa, tall cacti, orange, lemon, caqui, nispero and banana.
Apart from being beautiful they also create valuable shade. There are canna lilies and pink datura and a whole host of colourful, scented and rare plants and shrubs.
The coolest, shadiest spots are by the springs, especially by the ancient Artesian well on the barbecue patio. A fish pond is home to healthy coy, barbel and goldfish.
Jimena de la Frontera is one of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns, its Moorish castle presiding over a village well known for its traditional houses, narrow winding streets, bars and restaurants.
With a population of just over 10,000, it is located 35 kilometres inland from Gibraltar on the road which heads north to Ronda. High on a steep hillside, it lies between two rivers, Hozgarganta and Guadiaro.
Surrounded by the majestic beauty of Los Alcornocales Natural Park, it is a real, white-washed pueblo, colourful flower pots and planters decorating many of the houses, the town dominated by the impressive ruins of its Moorish castle.
The surrounding countryside is a joy for nature lovers and those looking for calm and relaxation. Just outside Los Alcornocales Natural Park (named after its handsome and beautifully kept cork forests, the largest in Europe), there are stunning mountain and hilly landscapes in every direction.
So there is plenty of scope for great walking and horse riding, while Sevilla, Ronda and the beaches and water sports at Sotogrande and Tarifa are popular choices for day trips.
One great day out not to be missed is on the narrow gauge railway which runs from the coast to Ronda. The little train stops at the little white villages along the way (including Jimena) and passes through fabulous landscapes; it's air-conditioned and you can buy drinks on board!
The nearest golf courses are in Sotogrande, on the Mediterranean coast, the most famous of which is Valderama which has held many of the famous Ryder Cup events. Sotogrande is approximately 25 minutes drive from the villa and has four other golf courses.
If your idea of heaven is to sit in a beautiful garden amid glorious nature, enjoying the sun on your face and just relaxing completely, this villa could be the perfect place.
Villa Details
The property is available from Easter through to the end of October. The swimming pool will be open throughout this period (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from late April to September, inclusive).
Maid service is once a week. Pool & terrace areas are cleaned three times a week. Caretaker service is available at all times.
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday, but can be flexible outside of high season.
A booklet of the owners' favourite walks in the surrounding countryside is available at the villa.
Garden and pool maintenence (each morning) is included.
Villa Prices
2019 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
1st January to 12th April | 980 € | 1,760 € |
13th April to 26th April | 1,440 € | 2,590 € |
27th April to 31st May | 1,230 € | 2,210 € |
1st June to 28th June | 1,440 € | 2,590 € |
29th June to 30st August | 2,440 € | 4,390 € |
31st August to 13th September | 1,440 € | 2,590 € |
14th September to 29th November | 1,230 € | 2,210 € |
30th November to 31st December | Pending | Pending |
2020 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
A 250 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
Villa Availability
Villa Location
On the outskirts of the small town of Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) in the Western Costa del Sol region (Province of Málaga).
Gaucín (most facilities) 20 mins; Sotogrande 30 mins; Gibraltar 45 mins; Estepona 50 mins.
Ronda 1 hr; Tarifa 1 hr; Marbella 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs.
Jerez 1½ hrs; Cádiz 1¾ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Gibraltar 45 mins; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
The western Costa del Sol and its beautiful rural hinterland extends south from Marbella to the rocky British outpost of Gibraltar …
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Surrounded by the majestic Alcornocales Natural Park and dominated by its Moorish castle, Jimena is a real Spanish gem …
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