Villa Description
This cheerful, rustic-style country house is perched on a hillside high above the Rio Genal which meanders gently and gracefully through the valley below on its final stretch to the sea.
It's a fabulous vantage point, the panoramic views far, wide and handsome.
With the dramatic terrain of the Crestillina mountains rising up on the other side of the valley they extend all the way down to the Mediterranean coast, the Rock of Gibraltar and across the sea to the Rif Mountains of Morocco beyond.
It's a glorious pastoral scene and oh, so serene, so peaceful. All around, the majestic scenery of the Serranía de Ronda provides brilliant brush strokes of colour and contrast. Set in its own 50 acre estate of avocado plantations and pine forests it's as private as can be.
Accessed by a three kilometre track (always maintained in excellent condition) which winds down through the beautiful countryside below Gaucín village, it's a great location for getting around and about too.
Gaucín (10 minutes drive from here) and Casares (a little bit further in the opposite direction) are two of the prettiest and most delightful of Spain's pueblos blancos. The scenery all around is magnificent yet from here it's just 25 minutes drive to the beaches of the Costa del Sol.
There's an extensive, gravelled parking area at the back of the property, with covered space for two cars (much appreciated in high summer).
Large wooden doors open into a hallway, from where three steps lead down to a big, comfortable living room.
With its beamed ceilings, old, weathered terracotta floor tiles and traditional Spanish furnishings, the ambience is all about old-style Andalusian country living. One feels that the house has been here for centuries, although it is, in fact, of more recent vintage.
There is a huge open fireplace, a large flat-screen satellite TV (Freeview) with DVD player, and a CD music system. The crisp white walls are hung with paintings of the surrounding countryside.
French windows open to a covered terrace which runs along the full length of the property and makes the best of the magnificent views. Comfortably furnished with wicker and wooden armchairs and a coffee table, it's a very pleasant place to relax and enjoy the gentle summer breezes in the shade.
From the living room a wide arch opens through to the dining area with the kitchen beyond, at the end of the room.
It's not what one would call an extensive kitchen, work space is rather limited and it's all a bit rustic, but it's adequately equipped with an electric oven and ceramic hob, microwave, dishwaster and American-style fridge / freezer. The wooden dining table comfortably seats eight.
The washing machine and tumble dryer are outside, to the side of the house. As is a second, partly covered dining terrace, with a fixed table and bench seating. Alongside the kitchen it's perfect for dining al fresco.
Three of the bedrooms are on the ground floor, at the back of the house, behind the living and dining areas.
There's a large and attractive master double room at one end, it's walls painted in pastel-blue hues under a dark beamed ceiling. Double doors open to a third terrace on the far side of the house. Its en-suite bathroom has both a walk-in shower and a bath tub.
A second double (the beds are pushed together) and a pretty twin bedroom are at the other end. They share a spacious walk-in shower room between them. Adjacent there is also a separate guest cloakroom.
Stairs lead up to an upstairs sitting room, ideal, perhaps, as a children's den equipped with a sofa, coffee table and a small TV. This leads through to a twin bedroom, with, of course, fantastic views over the countryside. A bathroom (shower over bath tub) leads off.
Outside, a stepped pathway leads down through the lavender bushes to a lovely swimming pool on the terrace below.
It's a very good size, 13.5 m x 3.5 m with a wide sun terrace wrapping around two sides. A heavenly spot, it's peaceful, secluded and the views are superb. In the corner, a simple cane and beamed structure provides some shade.
It's an easy ten minute drive up to lovely Gaucín village, one of the prettiest in all Spain. It still retains its old-world Spanish charm, a delightful tangle of narrow, twisting streets filled with flowers.
Add a sophisticated touch here and there (including some excellent little restaurants) and its enduringly spectacular views and you have one of the great Spanish rural holiday destinations. Standing high above the village are the remains of its old Moorish castle, Castillo del Aguila (the Eagle's Castle).
To the north, a beautiful 45 minute drive will take you across the mountains from Gaucín to Ronda. A lovely old town, brimming with history and interest, it was Hemingway's favourite in all Spain. A visit to its famous bridge and bullring, reputedly the oldest in the country, is a must.
In the opposite direction, heading down towards the coast, Casares is another spectacular hilltop village, steeped in history with its Roman baths and aqueduct still in place.
Climb to the castle at its very top, where the Moors held out against the Catholic troops surrounding the town, and enjoy the breathtaking view clear across the sea to Africa.
Tarifa on the southernmost point of Spain is 1½ hours from here. Looking directly across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, Africa is so close you feel that you can almost touch it!
Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
A taste of Morocco perhaps? The fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes 35 minutes, so you can be exploring the local souks in just a few hours. Fascinating and colourful, it really is a different world.
La Costa del Sol with its wealth of sandy beaches, sun, fun and nightlife is just 30 minutes away. Resort towns include Estepona (45 minutes) and glitzy, glamorous Marbella (under an hour).
For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Finca Cortesin, Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 50 minutes drive.
Throw in the possibility of wonderful hiking and horse riding in the magnificent countryside all around and you really are spoiled for choice here. It's enough to make one retire to the pool with a beer, a book and a bottle of sun screen!
Villa Details
The swimming pool is open throughout the rental period.
Rental start and finish days for this property are Saturday to Saturday but are flexible outside of high season
A welcome pack can be arranged on request, payable locally on arrival
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week
Extra maid service and cooking can be arranged on request, payable locally
Villa Prices
2020 Season Dates | Sleeping 4 per week |
Sleeping 5/8 per week |
---|---|---|
1st January to 4th April | N/A | N/A |
5th April to 18th April | 2,750 € | 3,130 € |
19th April to 26th June | 1,880 € | 2,750 € |
27th June to 5th September | 2,750 € | 3,130 € |
6th September to 17th October | 1,880 € | 2,750 € |
18th October to 31st December | N/A | N/A |
2020 Season Dates | Sleeping 4 per fortnight |
Sleeping 5/8 per fortnight |
---|---|---|
1st January to 4th April | N/A | N/A |
5th April to 18th April | 5,000 € | 5,630 € |
19th April to 26th June | 3,500 € | 5,000 € |
27th June to 5th September | 5,000 € | 5,630 € |
6th September to 17th October | 3,500 € | 5,000 € |
18th October to 31st December | N/A | N/A |
2021 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
*** SUMMER DISCOUNT ***
Offering a 10% reduction.
Weeks on Offer: From 1st July to 2nd October 2020.
Offer Ends: 2nd October 2020
The property is available for rental from July until the middle of October.
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
In open countryside, 8 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
12 km from Casares (most facilities); Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) 35 mins.
Ronda 55 mins; Estepona 35 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1½ hrs; Tarifa 1½ hrs.
Jerez 2 hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.