country retreats When you consider that Andalucia is larger than the Netherlands it is not surprising that there are likely to be some off the beaten track gems waiting to be discovered. For instance, by nature of its location on the windy Atlantic, the Costa de la Luz alongwith its capital, Cadiz is much overlooked in favour of the establishedMediterranean Costas. I think the windsurfing community wants that to continue! so that you are ignorant of the almost Caribbean splendour of the beaches. However, to the north on the borders between Cadiz and Huelva provinces lies one of Spain’s most beautiful protected spaces, Donaña National Park, a vast wetland area at the estuary of the Guadalquivir River. Stretching inland it covers an area of 543 km2 and we have the perfect recommendation for your own sanctuary, Hacienda de San Rafael, whose owners will be delighted to assist with park visits. In a regionwith natural borders to the rest of Spain byway of mountain ranges and beautiful foothills there are also plenty of places to get out the hiking boots. One of the most cherished areas is the SierraNevada National Park, which lies in close proximity to the city of Granada.. Again, we have discovered a gem far away from the basking costarites! We also feature a fabulous estate that is ideally situated for both relaxation and city day trips. La Almunia del Valle is a small and charming eco-boutique sustainable hotel, located in a protected area of Sierra Nevada Natural Park and just 20 kms from Granada. A quiet area of great beauty, the Natural Park can be seen from every hotel room. The owners, José Manuel Plana and Patricia Merino, are actively involved in the running of the hotel, which has 15 large and airy rooms, a restaurant and an outdoor pool. La Almunia del Valle Monachil, Sierra Nevada National Park , Province of Granada The Hacienda de San Rafael is set among olive trees halfway between the historic towns of Seville and Jerez. It offers a combination of rustic charm, total quiet and modern luxury. The rooms are individually decorated with antique furniture and paintings from around the world. All rooms have contemporary bathrooms. The vast gardens include 3 swimming pools. The hotel offers activities including visits to bull-breeding ranches and bodegas, walks in the sierras, horse-riding and golfing. Hacienda de San Rafael Las Cabezas de San Juan, Province of Seville A rippling 350-hectare estate of olive, oak and almond trees provides the blissfully quiet countryside setting at La Bobadilla, designed like a traditional whitewashed Spanish village. Both Málaga and Granada are under an hour’s drive away; it’s two hours to Seville, and slightly less to Córdoba. Though the hotel is a perfect stopping point between Andalucía’s major cities, it’s also an escape-it-all destination in its own right, with walking, running, cycling and horse-riding trails weaving through the trees. Barceló La Bobadilla A Royal Hideaway Hotel Loja, Province of Granada 9
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