Finca Lentisco (casa)
Alozaina
Sometimes you one of these houses everybody is looking for, but very difficult to discover. Finca Lentisco is one of them, fantastic!
Just outside the picturesque villaga Alozaina you will find this house which will appeal your imagination. The first eye catchers are the cosy character and the well maintained surroundings as well the house itself. When you pass the electric gate and you enter the terrain, you will notice that this holiday can´t go wrong!
Very well maintained and it´s clear the owner got eye for the details. A swing hanging on an olive tree of at least 200 years old (kids are enthusiastic immedialtely!), fine entrance with the right colour gravel, a very spacious garden which surrounds the house with loads of old olive trees and many flowers in all different colours, the terrace for the long summer evenings and of course the lovely swimming pool area with the excellent quality sofa´s are not missing.
And beside all this, a splendid barbecue area, it´s clear the young owner invested a lot in this property!
On the ground floor are the open kitchen, two double bedrooms, the living room with tv and fireplace as well as the bathroom with shower. Via a stairway which the kids will adore, you enter the balustrade, here you will find two open bedrooms with both a (small) double bed. For two people a bit tight but large enough for one adult or child.
The terrain is fenced which gives you the comfortable feeling the little one´s can´t escape. Plenty of space to play their games and they can run in every direction.
And then….the views! Around the house you can look miles away in every direction and it´s special, you are surrounded by spectacular nature. From the terrace you are outlooking the pretty village of Alozaina and its romantic church which towers above it.
Picture this; kids are asleep and you are stretched out on a sofa with a cool drink in your hand, the fairylike lit village in the background and you ask yourself why this moment can´t last forever….!
Cons:
• No dishwasher
Pros:
• Quiet location
• Very well maintained
• Romantic atmosphere
• Ideal for 2 couples or larger family
• Manager is an enthusiastic Dutchman with an excellent feeling for service
Finca Lentisco (casa)
surrounding area
Alozaina
Alozaina is a small white village near the nature reserve Sierra de las Nieves, and acts as a base for trips into this park and other nature reserves in the area. The beach is also only an hour away.
Active
From Alozaina you can hike into the Sierra de las Nieves. Or go mountain biking or on a jeep safari in a 4x4.
Family
Close to Estepona you will find the safari park Selwo Aventura, with about 200 different animal species. Some animals can be seen from a 4x4 safari bus, or you can go on an adventurous walk over the park’s wire bridges.
The nearby beach town of Torremolinos has a water park and a zoo.
And in Antequera you can visit the wolf park (parque del lobo).
Nature
Trips by car through the hinterland of the Costa del Sol, to the Pueblos Blancos (white villages). And apart from that, you can go for walks in the adjacent Sierras.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Marbella (42km; 50min):
Marbella’s old town is definitely worth a visit. One of the highlights of your visit will be having a nice outdoor dinner on the Plaza de los Naranjos, the main square, lined with orange trees. After dinner you can stroll through Marbella’s narrow streets and past its many squares.
The finest beaches on the Costa del Sol are those at Marbella, including Babaloo Beach (Puerto Banus) and Victor’s Beach (Marbella).
Embalses de Guadalteba-Guadalhorce (45km; 45min):
This area is known as Andalucía’s lake district. The embalses are 2 reservoirs, which are surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains and forests. This is a popular recreation area, with picnic areas and plenty of places where you can go for a swim. And moreover, a great place for walks.
The hotel is next to one of these reservoirs, with places where you can go for a swim within walking distance.
Nearby (in the direction of Alóra) you will also find the Garganta del Chorro, a breathtaking, narrow gorge carved out by the Río Guadalhorce. This gorge is famous for the spectacular path of concrete wire bridges stuck against the rock face, but unfortunately the path has been closed because it is no longer entirely safe.
Ronda (47km; 1h5min):
Ronda has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Southern Spain. Due to this town’s unassailable location, it was one of the last standing Moorish bastions, which only fell in 1485, when it was conquered by the Christians. The town is split in two by a spectacular gorge, with the southern part being the classic Moorish pueblo blanco with cobblestone streets, small fences in front of the windows and whitewashed walls all around. The new town on the other side of the gorge contains the Plaza de Toros (bull ring), the cradle of bullfighting; it was built in 1785 and is one of Spain’s oldest. The bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, spans the 100-metre-deep gorge and has become Ronda’s most famous feature, drawing in millions of visitors every year.
Apart from the Plaza de Toros, the Palacio Mondragón is another important sight; this is a palace decorated with original Moorish mosaics and plastering.
Málaga (52km; 50min):
The bustling port city of Málaga is Andalucía’s biggest city after Seville. It used to be an important trading port, because in the 19th century Málaga wine was exported all over Europe, until Phylloxera, the pest that had already destroyed grapevines all over Europe, reached Málaga and put an end to its wealth.
Málaga old town is the area around the cathedral. The Museo Picasso is also near the cathedral, and exhibits many of the works of this famous artist, who was born in Málaga. Further sights include the Alcazaba, one of the prime Moorish fortresses in Andalucía, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 14th-century Moorish castle, which you can access through its beautiful gardens.
Also make sure you taste some of Málaga’s fine wines in a bodega, some of which also serve delicious tapas.
Antequera / Parque Natural El Torcal (70km; 1h10min):
Torcal means karst formation. These are limestone mountains of 1000 to 1200 m high, bizarrely sculpted by wind and rain, looking like stacked rocks, pancakes, columns, huge stone mushrooms, plateaus and crevices.
Footpaths start at the visitor centre, and you go on long or short walks.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (183km; 2h15min):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
Córdoba (207km; 2h30min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Seville (187km; 2h45min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.