If you're looking for a holiday away from the beaches where you can relax then this area is ideal and if you want to be more energetic then there are opportunities to horse ride, walk, trek, mountain bike, sightsee and even paraglide. The valley, which runs east to west, is green and fertile, being watered from an ancient irrigation system of acequias so there is an abundance of fruits - oranges, lemons, figs, loquats, almonds. To the north are the Sierra Nevada mountains with the highest peaks in Spain, now part of the Parque Nacional, and snowcapped for much of the year.

To the south the Contraviesa mountains form a dramatic backdrop, beyond which lies the Mediterranean. There are many fincas, small farms, scattered over the valley and mountains where the local Spaniards grow their vegetables, keep hens and work their land, gathering the olives in December and January, the oranges in spring and the almonds in late summer. In Spring there are wild flowers everywhere and the smell of orange blossom is in the air yet you can still pick oranges from the trees. Birds can be heard chattering in the trees and overhead soar birds of prey. Summer days reach into the 30 s, swallows fly and afternoon is the time for relaxing or a swim in the pool. Autumn and winter days are mild and mellow and the nights are cool, a good time for longer walks and picnics.

Information & availabilty contact Hermione Bromley, Tel/fax: 0034 958 78 56 57 (Spain) or use our contact form