RURAL RETREAT: MAIRENA

Casa las Chimeneas
Casa las Chimeneas is a beautifully restored spacious Andalucian house in the Eastern Alpujarran mountain range. It is an ideal choice for people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day living, and to spend time walking, reading, painting, bird watching or just relaxing in the lovely warm Mediterranean sunshine.

All the rooms are fully en suite, with original antique furnishings throughout, and each has either a private balcony or terrace – splendid views over the typical white villages and out towards the coast. There’s a large living/ dining room – meals are served overlooking the sun terrace in summer, by the wood-burning fire during the cooler months. There’s also a welcome pool if you fancy a dip.

With a car, you are ideally situated for day trips to the beautiful Moorish city of Granada: the world-famous Alhambra Palace, Renaissance cathedral and monuments, hidden squares and narrow streets crammed with tapas bars and fine restaurants. The troglodyte town of Guadix is also just a short drive – on the way you can stop off at the stunning castle of La Calahorra set on its own hill with the vast expanse of the Sierra Nevada behind. Alternatively, you may wish to head for the unprotected area of the Cabo de Gata with its wild beaches, cliffs and bird sanctuary.