Property Details

Perched on a hill overlooking the Guadalhorce valley in the Andalucian mountains, Cuarenta is a superb base for exploring Inland Spain, for enjoying a lively Spanish style of life or just chilling out, lounging on the terraces looking at the wonderful views to the mountains of the El Chorro and El Torcal National Parks.

The house has been completely refurbished over the last two years to give a light and spacious feel with a large (27 ft x 14 ft) open plan living area, 3 generous bedrooms, new bathroom and separate shower room and revamped kitchen. We have redecorated and retiled throughout and all furnishing and equipment is to a high standard. What really makes the place is the space outside the house. In this part of Spain for much of the year life is best conducted outdoors and the quality of the space outside of the house is just as important as the accommodation inside. In Cuarenta you first step into a delightful, plant filled courtyard, used as the dining area for most of the year. From here steps lead up to a series of terraces. The first has a large, brick built BBQ and an unusually designed pool (hope you like the lion’s head fountains) - wonderful for sitting on the back wall, sipping a drink, dangling your feet in the water and looking across at the mountains. Next is a covered terrace with swing seat, vines and olives. Finally, there are steps up to the highest terrace, the one with the best views of the mountains and our favourite place to sit in the evening. We have really had good fun working on the courtyard and terraces and we guess that, like us, you will spend most of your waking hours enjoying the space outside rather than in!

Local Area Details

Alora is a fascinating small town set astride three steep hills, the most prominent dominated by an old Moorish Castle. For the most part it is still a peueblo blanco (white-walled village) with narrow whitewashed streets, steep slopes, churches, lemon trees and squares where people gather. However, it also has a more modern quarter with reasonable and interesting shops and many bars and restaurants.

The town is small enough to walk everywhere and, despite the slopes, it's fun to do so. Cuarenta is only a five minute walk through the winding streets to the main square - always full of life, particularly in the mornings when the men come to smoke, drink coffee (maybe brandy) and talk and the evenings as people come out to be social.

From here you stroll down the hill to the square of La Encarnacion, the impressive and imposing seventeenth century Catholic church (especially busy during the Monday morning market). A short climb up the next hill brings you to the dominant building in the town, the dramatic Old Castle - first built by the Phoenicians, expanded by the Romans, destroyed by the Visigoths and finally re-built by the Moors.

Within the vicinity are the lakes and gorges of El Chorro, the weird features of El Torcal, the rich history of Antequarre, the ancient baths in Carratrace, the Picasso (and many other) museums and much more. Ronda and El Hambra de Granada are close enough for day trips. Finally, the wonderful mountains make this the perfect base for walking and cycling holidays.

So, explore historic Old Spain, walk in wonderful hills or enjoy restaurants, shops and life in a lively and very Spanish town - delightful. You really want to know what you are getting before you book so for more details and many, many more photos see: www.valleyofsun.co.uk. Please quote “Holiday Rentals” if you book directly through the website

Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Close to a golf course
* Pets are allowed
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Kevin Mawdesley
Telephone:	++44 -1248-450013
Alt Telephone:	--
Fax:	--
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