Andalucia: Andalucia offers a wide variety of holiday possibilities, from skiing in the Sierras to basking on the beaches. Vast areas are still unspoilt and many inland areas have been preserved as Parques Naturales or as Parques Nacionales such as Doña Ana. The cities of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada are rich in history, as are the numerous Moorish mountain villages, 'pueblos blancos' of which Alcaucin (10 minutes away) is a fine example.
Granada is only an hour’s drive away, while Sevilla and Cordoba are about two hours away.
Malaga Province: Malaga capital (60 min) is a thriving commercial centre. Most renowned are its port (visited by cruise ships); its cathedral (nicknamed La Manquita because of its missing tower); Moorish castles (El Gibralfaro y La Alcazaba), Roman theatre and botanical garden. Nearby are attractions such as Seaworld, a safari park, a crocodile park, a zoo, water parks, etc.
Ronda, surrounded by spectacular scenery, is one of the most popular inland locations for visitors, with its impressive deep gorge, historic buildings and the oldest bullring in Spain (1785).
Antequera (only an hour from La Penquita) is also becoming a popular destination for day-trippers. It offers numerous churches, museums, a castle and prehistoric burial chambers.
Nearby (8 miles) is El Torcal: 2,965 acres of impressive limestone formations shaped by the elements, with marked walks and a visitors' centre.
Also nearby (14 miles) is La Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, a salt lake, home to up to 15,000 breeding flamingos.
La Axarquia: Velez Malaga (20 min.) is a Moorish town complete with castle and steep, narrow streets. It also boasts a new shopping and leisure centre, multi screen cinemas, etc., and a water park. Yes, this is a region of contrasts!
Torre del Mar (25 min.) is the nearest beach and very popular with the Spanish, while Nerja, (famous for its caves and fine sandy beaches) is the favourite of many English.
In the immediate vicinity of the house is a ruined Moorish castle, (15 minutes' walk), the 'Parque Natural de la Sierra de Tejeda y Almijara' (15 minutes' drive) and endless tracks and footpaths with open access to the hills and mountains right on the doorstep. Lake La Vinuela is fast becoming a focal point for those interested in fishing, water sports, bird watching or simply walking. The municipal swimming pools at La Vinuela and Alcaucin are both of a high standard and inexpensive.
