Although only 25 minutes beautiful drive from the Costa del Sol into the foothills of the Sierra Tejeda National Park, Canillas de Aceituno is a world apart from the coastal 'buzz'.  It retains all the authentic sights, sounds, scents and spirit of traditional Andalucian life:  Potted flowers decorate the narrow side-streets, mules and goats pass by studiously ignoring humanity, the fish-delivery van-man calls out his wares, the village ladies practice their flamenco moves in the evening cool.  From here you can walk, paint, photograph, bird-watch, picnic, listen to the cicadas, drink the local wine, fiesta in April and August....  Here you will also be able to walk the new 'El Saltillo' which is described as the second 'Caminito del Rey', taking you on a panoramic hillside trek, crossing the Puente Colgante, Europe's 3rd longest footbridge. Or simply enjoy the tranquility and comfort of Casa Convento;  choose your preferred venue - full-on rooftop sun and a plunge in the very private, heated pool; lunch-with-a-view in the shade of the third-floor terrace, or salute the wonderful sunset over Lake Vinuela with a cold glass of 'fino'  as the Moroccan Rif mountains magically appear out of the seascape horizon and the shrilling swallows put on a spectacular flying display right in front of you.
 
There is a festival of the local sausage, 'morcilla' , in April and the main 4-day village fiesta is in August, when the whole population turns out in style:  In fact, there are many other village fiestas during the summer months and local town/village markets every day of the week year round. Velez-Malaga is well worth exploring, especially its older, higher streets.  Nearer the coast there is a Water Park, Go-karting, 2 golf courses, a sports club for tennis and gym, lots of chirinquitos (beach restaurants with sun loungers) in Torre del Mar and a large shopping centre, El Ingenio, which houses the mega-supermarket 'Eroski' and top retailers such as Mango and Zara.  However, do please try out your Spanish in the village's fascinating little shops which can supply all your groceries and daily needs;  you will find that on the streets  everyone greets each other, friend or stranger! The simple bars serve great 'tapas' and there are several excellent restaurants serving proper regional dishes.
 
There are many beautiful 'pueblos blancos' to explore in the Axarquia region - you can even see quite a few from the terrace and rooftop of Casa Convento perched on the hilltops like tumbling mounds of sugar cubes.  Historic Granada, Antequera and Cordoba are within visiting distance for an overnight or weekend stay and Malaga has an interesting and artistic old centre with great shopping....and from here you can wizz down the coast to sample the 'jet-set' life of Puerto Banus and Marbella.

Casa Convento is available to rent throughout the year from £630-£910 per week, or for shorter periods during low-mid seasons.
Please view the photos below and contact me, Suzanne Davy, at
casaconventorental@gmail.com or phone me on  +44 7903213262