2 bed Andalucia cottage with small private pool on organic farm

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Rustical´s review                                                  See prices

This little stone-built cottage in the heartlands of western Andalusia has the simple, rustic charm one associates with genuine country living.

It's located within a large organic farm, where it occupies its own undisturbed, forested corner with woods and a private swimming pool. It's a very tranquil spot. The owner, who lives at a five-minute walk from the house, lives off organic farming, selling small quantities of lamb, seasonable vegetables and chestnuts.

This place is suitable for nature lovers, for families with energetic children who like to play in the countryside, and couples looking for an unpretentious, homey hide-away. The swimming pool has been integrated within the terrain, 50 metres from the house. Here you can swim and splash about feeling very much part of the surrounding nature.

The house has its own intimate character with wood ceilings and floors as well as terracotta tiling. It is furnished simply, some original touches in the decoration making the house feel welcoming. Windows fill the upstairs area with light and offer views to the lovely countryside.

The house is generally open-plan, and this applies not just downstairs but also to the the twin-bedded area, which is open to a small sitting area at the top of the stairs. The double bedroom next to it is, however, a separate, private room.

The bathroom is downstairs, along with the main room which comprises living and dining areas and kitchen. There's a woodburning stove here, which heats the house well, but please note that there is no central heating.

By the house entrance is a fenced-off garden area with a shaded, furnished terrace, providing an inviting spot for breakfasts and other outdoor meals with the company of birdsong or the deep silence of the forest. The only movement is in the trees unless a sheep wanders by.

It always nice to get to know a local village aside from the need for shopping or desire to eat out, and guests will find little Galaroza at walking distance, just over a kilometer away. If you need to connect to internet at some point during your stay, the muncipal casa de cultura in Galaroza has WiFi; and the local market town of Aracena,15 mins away, is another option.

Two things mark the Aracena region out from the rest of Andalusia: the good temperatures all year round, and a vibrant nature that one would not normally expect in such sunny climes. It is thickly forested and, while mountainous, it is not rugged. Gentle rambling options abound around its little villages and woodlands. Horse riding is another excellent way of getting to know this area of outstanding beauty.

Spring and autumn are ideal seasons to visit. In spring the whole scene is so overrun with wild flowers in a veritable explosion of colour over the hillsides. And autumn brings a very different crop: this area well-known as the richest in Spain for wild, edible mushrooms.

Gourmets shouldn´t miss the local, free-range, acorn-fed, Iberian cured ham, one of the world’s top delicacies. This beautiful, unspoilt area is home to the semi-wild, roaming pigs and neighbouring Jabugo is famed all over Spain for the quality of its hams.

Popular excursions from the holiday cottage feature Aracena (children will love the grotto), Almonaster la Real for a 10th century mosque that survived the Christian reconquest, and the vivacious, attractive city of Seville, which also has the closest airport. And there's a train you can take through the old mines at Rio Tinto. The border with Portugal is just 40 mins away.

There are some very good places to eat out in Aracena, or just have tapas, and plenty to explore in the area. Our Local information guide (we'll send you the latest up-to-date version before you travel) contains our tips for the best of these.

Facilities
3-ring gas hob & oven; toaster; fridge-freezer; CD / radio player; washing machine; private pool (4 m x 2.5 m; 1.20 m deep); TV / DVD; woodburning stove; barbecue (subject to forestry fire-risk restrictions); fan (on request); terrace furniture; board games; pets allowed on request: all linen provided.

Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: open plan living / dining room / kitchen; bathroom (shower over full bathtub); outside covered porch with fenced off garden.
First floor: two bedrooms (one private double-bedded room, and one twin-bedded room which has no door and is open plan with a small living area; standard double bed and large single beds).

Notes:
-The swimming pool is open from 01 June - 30 September, weather permitting.
-This property does not have central heating

Locations & Distances
Located in open countryside, very close to the village of Galaroza. Access along an uneven country lane, but suitable for an ordinary car with care.

Galaroza (simple shopping, bars, restaurants)	10 mins walk
Jabugo (famous cured ham)	5 mins drive
Aracena (market town, grotto, most facilities)	15 mins
Almonaster la Real (10th century mosque)	20 mins
Seville city and Airport	1 hr 15 mins
Portugal	40 mins
Rio Tinto Mines	45 mins
Jerez de la Frontera Airport	2 hrs 20 mins
Faro Airport (Portugal)	2 hrs 40 mins
Malaga Airport	3 hrs 40 mins

Booking information for this property
Changeover day: normally Saturday in High Season.

Prices and dates