El Colmenar village is a  classic Spanish "white village" situated in the beautiful Guadiaro river valley in southern Andalucia, only one hour inland from the Mediterranean coast (Costa del Sol) or similar distance from the Atlantic.(Costa da Luz) It is one of the gateway villages to Los Alcornocales, the huge National Park of cork-oak woodlands in the Serrania de Ronda mountains. The village is on the scenic rail route of the Andalucia Express train and has easy access – via comfortable-length drives or train trips – to many of the major attractions of Andalucia including Malaga, Seville, Ronda, Cadiz, Tarifa (the windsurfer’s paradise beach) and Granada with the stunning Alhambra Palace. It is also a short drive to some of the world-renowned Spanish golf courses on the coast and to Gibraltar.

The village is secluded and delightful with a healthy climate as it is at 600m/1800ft altitude. At the same time, unusually for a small village, there is plenty of enjoyable Spanish nightlife provided by four excellent restaurant-bars and the recently opened Hotel. There are lovely hill-walks in the area, good, safe swimming in the freshwater river nearby or at the Hotel swimming pool. Horse riding can also be arranged.

The cottage itself is part of a cluster of houses on the north side of the village on the steep rise behind the railway station. Sit under the lemon tree, almond tree and grape vine on the charming patio that has gorgeous views up the valley to the hill-pass in one direction or down the river valley in the other and which also overlooks the rail line to the main square of the village in the distance.

The cottage has recently been renovated but maintains the true rustic style of the area. It has two small bedrooms (each with a double bed); bathroom; beamed 7m/21ft long main living-room with kitchen area plus the  delightful patio and garden.