Cadiz is an absolute treat. It is possibly the oldest, continuously inhabited city in Western Europe and it compares particularly well with San Sebastian: similarly picturesque and labyrinthine lanes, similarly dotted with bars and restaurants, and set on a similarly dramatic bay – in Cadiz’ case, dominated by a show-stopper of a cathedral that would not look out of place in renaissance Italy.
Humans lived here from 30,000 years ago until 3,000 years ago.
We moved to Gaucin for the walking; we think Gaucin and the surrounding hills and mountains offer some of the best walking in the world. People living in the Swiss Alps, the Drakensbergs, and Yellowstone Park might quibble, but the landscapes, the flora, the colours and the light around here are very hard to beat. … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Specially mapped walks for our guests
Our guests often ask us to recommend things to do while they are staying in the house. We're always happy to give advice based on specific interests, in the meantime here are a few ideas that should keep you busy for at least a fortnight - enjoy! SWIMMING POOLS Gaucin village pool is usually open … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Things To Do!
Renting a car in Andalusia: an extreme sport +++ In case you read no further: Our strong advice is to remove the car hire firm’s sticker from your car as soon as you leave the rental office. +++ What kind of rental client are you? There are two business models for car rental in Andalusia, … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Car Hire
The thing about the “white villages” of the Andalusian mountains is that they are white. All their walls are painted white, or “whitewashed”, with slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, or CaOH2, since you ask) and chalk, and their roofs are terracotta tiles. All except one. There is a corner of Andalusia which is forever blue. It’s called … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Júzcar
In the middle-ground of the view from our sitting room window, just to the right of the Sierra Casares (the southern end of the double-headed mountain), lies a hill called Cerro Pelliscoso. Apart from a smattering of goats, the hill is abandoned, but its long, narrow, plateaued top is strewn with large boulders, and … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Lacipo
Flamingos are fabulous birds. Fabulous in the sense that you don’t really expect to see them outside the pages of Alice in Wonderland, or an exotic holiday in Kenya. Surprise: Andalusia has not one but two flamingo populations; one in Cádiz province near Jerez in the Doñana National Park, and the other in Málaga province … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Fuente De Piedra
The village excels when putting on public events and entertainment - almost all entertainment is free, and many events such as flamenco and live music are superb quality. During Cultural Week the schedule of events is non-stop, Feria is similar. The village parties all night and if you are an early-bird, you might need to … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Festivals!
Our nearest beaches are on the Mediterranean – it’s only a 30-minute drive to the Costa del Sol from Gaucín. But with time in hand we often drive a little bit further south to the Atlantic coast and the aptly named Costa de la Luz. The light here really does have a magical quality, rendering … Continue reading Vida Andaluza – Bolonia
Vista de Carmen, Gaucín 