LA AXARQUIA, the local area.:
The Axarquia is a glorious region of Southern Spain, a place rich in history and architecture, from the humblest whitewashed stone cottages to the glorious palaces, mosques and churches, which all reflect the diverse people whose descendants still uphold many of the traditions of bygone days.
Visitors to the local villages, especially around the times of harvesting grapes or grain, may find they have walked into a fantastic street party, where the young girls and boys are dressed in traditional flamenco costume, and wine and food may be offered to all comers!
Alcaucin is almost at the centre of The Axarquia, set in green hills and valleys which produce the main crop of the region, the olive. We are only 20 minutes drive from VELEZ-MALAGA, the market town of the region, which also has ancient routes, including a recently restored Moorish Fortress. In the narrow streets of the old town, you can find tapas bars offering local dishes, cured hams and wines, including the sweet Moscatel.
VELEZ-MALAGA & TORRE-DEL-MAR:
On the main road from the town to Torre-del-Mar, (the nearest beach resort, 25 minutes away), there is an extensive new shopping centre, El Ingenio, with supermarket, clothes and fancy goods shops, plus a multi-cine complex which shows films in English and Spanish. On the opposite side of the main road, AQUA-VELEZ is a water park with slides pools and attractions for all ages.
Malaga, Nerja, Antequera, Ronda, Cordoba and Seville are all within a reasonable distance for a day's outing.
MALAGA: Calle Larios and El Cortes Ingles are a must for shopping.The Picasso Museum & the Museum of Malaga (both closed Mondays), and the Cathedral are all close together.
NERJA: A seaside town, with sandy beaches, shops and restaurants. Close to Nerja, the tiny village of MARO is the site of the spectacular subterranean CAVES, where annual concerts are held amongst the stalactites and stalagmites.
FURTHER AFIELD:
ANTEQUERA: said to have the most churches of any town in the region. East of Antequera is a group of dolmens, ancient burial sites from circia 2,500BC.
EL TORCAL. The park is noted for it's unusual weathered rock sculptures, also for eagles and kites.
GRANADA: The Alhambra Palace and Gardens, a must see site. Soly Nieve ski slopes are close by in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
RONDA:A mountain town built on the cliff above a 600ft. gorge. Reputed to have the oldest bull ring in Spain.
CORDOBA:The famous Cathedral in the Mosque is not to be missed. Beautiful Moorish Architecture.
MEDINA AZAHARA, 8kms from Cordoba, the ruined City of the Flower, said to be the Versailles of Moorish Art.
SEVILLE: A vibrant and flamboyant city, both in it's architecture and it's people. The Bull Ring and the Tobacco Factory of Bizet's Carmen still exist.
.........and after sixteen years living here, we haven't seen half of it!
