Orgiva holiday villa: Tijola

This was our third visit to the Casa de la Era and we plan to return next Spring because we all love it so much.

The building itself is simple but very well finished. The rooms and facilities are all built to a high standard, kept clean and very well maintained. The pictures really don't do it justice, but to be honest, we don't spend much time inside. It is the outside that is so magnificent.

We eat all our meals outside on a small veranda with a large, rustic table which is perfect for breakfast, lunch and supper. Covered in vines which provide dappled light and shade, the temperature seems perfect all the time. The views from the table are stunning, with snow-capped mountains behind us and semi-desert hills to the front. It is quite possible to just sit and gaze from here all day.

The garden is terraced and superbly landscaped. Not a single texture repeats itself despite being filled with flowers, fruit trees, shade trees and shrubs. Moving from one terrace to the next you get a change of atmosphere in each which gives its own pleasure. The lower garden is calm and pleasant, while the pool (as I have two young boys) seems more boisterous. However, if alone up there it is a haven of peace.

The highlight of the week for us is Wednesday afternoon when the garden is flooded by water from the snow run-off that has been channelled down from the mountain tops for the locals to irrigate. Make sure you are there for that.

The owners are there, but not. If you need anything they are pleased to oblige, yet they take great care to ensure your privacy.

The place is fairly isolated and you don't hear much other than the odd dog barking in the distance and the constant rustle of grasshoppers. The dusty town of Orgiva is a couple of miles away and the shops, bars and restaurants there are adequate for most things, though very much geared for the locals and not the tourist. The people in town are friendly and relaxed and you can get by without speaking the language.

From the casitas, you can drive to various villages in the mountains. I would recommend Trevelez, which I believe boasts being the highest village in Europe. It is certainly a good place to escape the heat and the drive is stunning.

I have no hesitation recommending this property if you are looking for a quiet holiday surrounded by beauty. We go every year now in the Spring. The flowers are out, the temperature is right, and the place is quite simply, Eden.

Stunning, beautifully designed, roomy interior. All mod cons including satellite, DVD player etc. Great cookinh facilities.

But the gardens are breathtaking. Complete paradise. ould not be more helpful but never intrusive.Lemon and oranges intermingle with other scents of pure, unadulterated Spain. There are nooks and crannies everywhere to sit, and the Gazebo by the pool is pure 5* luxury.

The pool is large with a shallow end and a nice temperature. If you wake early watch the Sun come up. It's stunning!

Overall - perfection.

The cassita is very well equiped, in a beautiful location and a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area. Alternatively it's just as lovely to spend the day at the cottage and make the most of the scented gardens and swimming pool.

Janet and Dick were very helpful both before and during the holiday, and ensured we could venture with confidence to the south of Spain with 10 month old and 2 1/2 year old children. The gated swimming pool ensured we could relax knowing the little ones wouldn't stray.

Both the coast and Granada are also within easy reach so there is plenty to do. We'd recommend the bird park and the aquarium at Almunecar as well as the Alhambra palace of course, although we only made it round the gardens! Not buggy friendly but worth all the steps none the less.

A lovely relaxing holiday, just what we needed!