The beaches and Malaga International airport are only 20 minutes drive away. Wonderful views to mountains and sea. Gardens, jacuzzi, patios and terraces, heated pool. Approved by the Turismo de Andalaucia - viviendas rurales.

Finca Fernandez was originally a mandarin growing farm and has been sympathetically restored to provide holiday accommodation of two typically Andalucian houses which can be leased separately out of high season, or together at any time. Casa Palma SLEEPS 6 PERSONS, if using pull out sofa bed in lounge

Casa Palma has two bedrooms, a bathroom with full bath, bidet, hair drier, etc., kitchen, dining room and lounge and its own private patio with sun shade, table and chairs. The lounge has a wood burning stove and a good selection of books, satellite Sky TV, internet broadband access and DVD player. This house has been furnished in a simple, but attractive Andalucian style. This house can also be leased with its sister property next door.

The property is on one level with a gated, stepped entrance. It is suitable for disabled persons if they can manage the two small steps at the second entrance. It is safe for children, because they will be unable to leave the confines of the house and patio and stray to the poolside unnoticed. The pool is heated and child friendly. The main bedroom has a double bed the second bedroom has twin beds and there are fitted wardrobes in both bedrooms.

There is a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator/ freezer, electric oven, gas hob and extractor fan, microwave oven, toaster, kettle, coffee maker, wine rack, etc., There are ceiling fans in every room and mosquito screens on the windows. We provide additional portable fans if wanted, in summer. During cooler, winter months, we supply duvets and room heaters. There is plenty of space to dry clothes and each house has its own iron and ironing board.

"We had a wonderful visit, the facilities were excellent and the view was spectacular. We couldn’t have asked for better amenities. As golfers, we were blown away by the ideal location of the villas just 2 mins drive from the fantastic Lauro Golf course

Chris Nolan and golfers, Dublin, Ireland

Finca Fernandez is located on the edge of a small rural Andalucian village, La Alqueria, which is halfway between the towns of Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande, approximately 20 mins from Malaga International Airport.

It is an extremely pretty area with fruit orchards, olive plantations and is known as the gardens of the Costa del Sol. In fact, hundreds of years ago, the Moors even named Alhaurin ‘the Garden of Allah’. In Springtime, wild flowers fill the meadows, filling every space with blood red poppies, wild sweet peas, rare orchids and the smell of wild mountain herbs. The white villages give way to the sailing marinas, long sandy beaches and shops of the coast with long lazy promenades, wonderful fresh fish restaurants and many activities to enjoy.

Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin de la Torre:
We are 5 mins by car from either town where you will find plenty of bars, nightlife, discos, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, sports complex, indoor swimming pool and so on. The latter is an up market residential town for those commuting to work on the coast whilst El Grande is a market town—market day is Thursday. Roman ruins have been found in both. The nearest hospital is at Alhaurin de la Torre and there is a 24 hr medical centre there.

Our Village:

La Alqueria, which is about 8 mins walk away, boasts no less than three bar/restaurants and even hosts its own little feria in late summer. One of the restaurants, very popular with the locals, serves a speciality from the area, stewed snails which are always in demand and the owner prepares delicious tapas served with chips fried in olive oil and salted . Another serves a tasty tapas of pork lomo or fillet, cooked in red butter whilst the third cafe/bar hosts open air BBQs every weekend during summer. There is a small shop and church in the village.

Outdoor Pursuits:

Our son-in-law has an Adventure Consultancy business and can tailor make trips for you ranging from snow skiing, gorge walking, downhill cycling, even kite surfing. Just ask...

Cycling:

is very popular in this area and we are well placed for major cycle routes.

Bird watching:

A twitcher guest counted no less than thirty species in a day in our garden. This is the first stop for the birds migrating from Africa. Spring brings the flamingos
( visit Laguna de la Fuente de Piedre, breeding ground of the wild flamingo—50 mins drive ), irridescent honeybee eaters, swallows and in summer, the eagles continuously circle overhead in the village on the hot thermals over the village in summer.

Clay pigeon shooting:
Gun club is 5 mins drive and there is a paint ball shooting area nearby.

Tennis:
Lew Hoad’s famous tennis club is about 25 mins drive away plus there are public courts in both Alhaurin towns.

Sports and Water Sports:
Jet skiing, boat trips, scuba diving, dolphin watching, water skiing, deep sea fishing on the coast plus Alhaurin el Grande has a new indoor sports and swimming pool complex. There are two Aqua Parks in Torremolinos and Fuengirola, Seaworld and several interesting marinas on the coast, including Benalmadena.

Hiking:
There are some lovely parks and trails in this area but October to spring are best times for walking.

Horse riding:
I ride in Alhaurin el Grande in the evenings in summer. Many people have their own horses, of course, and the Andalucians are renowned for their horsemanship and beautiful horses.

Places to visit:

These are my personal favourites, if we have visiting family members staying with us for a week or two. I have given the approximate travel times in our location section—these are all day or half day trips.

ALHAMBRA PALACE:

at Granada—make sure you book in advance

MALAGA:

People are surprised when I suggest the city but you will find it fascinating if you go off down the side streets and look at the beautiful architecture, the port, the castle and don’t forget the feria in the second week of August , the largest in our province. Try chilled Malaga sweet wine in one of the old bodegas with a plate of cold prawns or go to the lovely old indoor market and shopping is wonderful, ladies ! Picasso museum, birthplace of the artist.

SIERRA NEVADAS:

Visit the little Moorish villages high up in the Alpujarras. Chris Stewart from ‘Driving Over Lemons’ fame, lives near Orgiva, which is a charming little mountain village, nestling in the valley, with its own well established hippy colony close by. It’s worth going if only for the free tapas in the bars, one of the few places left in Spain that actually does serve them free unless you go to the far North. Good for ceramics.

GIBRALTAR:

It is a fascinating place and steeped in history. Visit the apes and the caves. The botanical gardens are pleasant and a poignant moment for me was to see the little graveyard where a very young drummer boy was buried—the battle of Trafalgar was fought just off this coast.

"The place is a fantastic retreat and we enjoyed every part of it. We want to thank you for letting us stay in this beautiful and tranquil piece of heaven ! Had such a great time that words are difficult to find to express this place. We will return!"

Jo and Robert, Epsom, UK

MORROCCO:

It is possible to go there and back to another continent in one day - don't forget your passport. You can see the coast of Africa. Take the ferry from Gibraltar and go to Tangiers.

CHORRO LAKES:

No need for beaches when there are the beautiful lakes at Chorro. Stop at the dam and see the railway where Von Ryan’s Express was filmed.

JEREZ Go sherry tasting and savour the architecture of this fine city.

SEVILLE Another beautiful city, known for culture, flamenco and architecture.

CAVES AT NERJA - spectacular illuminated cave system.

MIJAS Ride a donkey through the cobbled streets of the charming nearby village.

GOLF - We are next door to the 27 hole Lauro golf course and there are plenty more to choose from within a very easy drive.

PUERTO BANUS and MARBELLA:

Mix with the rich and go star spotting—watch out for Antonio Banderas or you may see him in his home town Malaga !

SELWO SAFARI PARK:

Near Estepona or the Botanical Parks at Malaga and Churriana near Alhaurin de la Torre.