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Rural Riverside Apartment To Let

Self contained, tranquil, rural one bedroom apartment to let, either as a holiday (short let) or longer term. The apartment has its own roof terrace which over looks the river. The apartment is situated on the top floor of my finca. It is accessed by its own entrance. The Finca is called Huerta Grande (meaning large market garden or orchard) and is set in 10,000 m2 of land with a large number of fruit trees and bordered on three sides by the river from which the village gets its name. The river is the life blood of the campo and is home to many creatures including fish, frogs and turtles. The water also attracts many birds including a pair of herons. The finca is situated at the bottom of the valley on a good tarmac lane just 2.5 kilometres from the center of the village of Riogordo. The apartment is let on a self-catering basis.

Guests are welcome to pick the fruit from the trees when it is in season. The fruit includes, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, loquat and quince. There is nothing quiet like freshly squeezed orange juice made from fruit you have picked from the tree moments before!

The well equipped apartment is let on a self-catering basis. It comprises a bedroom with a traditional Spanish double bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. It has a newly fitted shower room and a galley kitchen. The kitchen has a range of units, a fridge freezer, and electric hob, microwave grill, mini oven and all the utensils needed for cooking. The living room has a TV with English satellite programs, a sofa bed and a dining area. Out side on its private roof terrace is a table, chairs, parasol, barbeque and 2 sun loungers. All the electric and water is included in the price. Washing can be done for an extra charge of 6 euros a week.

Riogordo and the surrounding area

Riogordo
The village is a traditional 'pueblo blanco' and nestles into the side of the stunning mountains of Andalucia, in the area known as the Axarquia. It is situated just a thirty five minute drive from Malaga airport and the beach resort of Torre del mar. With a population of three thousand the village is well served by numerous restaurants, bars and supermarkets. It also has a public swimming pool. The main town is set around a picturesque square with the town hall taking centre stage. It is a very traditional Spanish village.

In the morning all the men gather round in the square to chat while there wives can be found furiously washing down the front door steps and pavements out side their part tiled houses. It often feels as though you have travelled back in time to a place where the pace is much slower and farmers still work the land with mules. The only traffic jams you are likely to encounter here are those caused by the local goat herder on his way home! Modern technology has landed here though in the form of an Internet cafe in the village so you can stay in touch with friends back home.

Fiestas are a big part of life in Spain, There are over 3,000 a year held in the region of Andalucia alone. Below is a list of dates for the fiestas held in Riogordo during 2008.

Local Fiestas

February - Carnival

Easter - Paso de Riogordo (2 day play about the passion of Christ with a huge cast of local villagers)

27 - 29 May - Feria del Ganado ( feria of the farmers. Sunday is the parade of the loacl horses.

May - Dia del Caracol (snail day, a chance to consume the local speciality!)

14 - 18 August Fiesta Partronales (The main fiesta for the village including 'Christmas lights' and all night partying!)

Other Places To Visit

TORRE DEL MAR and the other coastal resorts are a 35 minute drive away.

ANTEQUERA ia a dutling agricultural town and is a 40 minute drive away. It has many historical sites to visit. You can also visit the LOBO PARK home to several packs of wolves and hear them howl!

EL TORCAL national park is just south of Antequera and contains the most amazing natural lime stone rock formations. Watch out for the Eagles as well!

FUENTE DE PIEDRA a natural salt-water lake 20 kilometres north of Antequera and a breeding ground for the greater flamingo.

MALAGA. Visit the city to shop or take in the museums. Picasso was born here and there is a museum containing his work. If you want a break from driving why not catch a bus from the village for a few euros and save yourself the hassles of driving in heavy traffic.

GRANADA an hours drive and another major city to explore. Don't miss the Alambra palace. During the winter months you can even go skiing here!

CAVES. There are 2 sets of caves on the coast. One is near Rincon Victoria and the other at Nerja. The latter contains the world's biggest stalactite at 32 meters long. They both also have prehistoric cave paintings but these may not be on view,

Also available locally is horse riding, quad biking tours and paint balling.
The breath taking scenery and varied terrain of the local area make this an ideal place for people who want to explore by bicycle or walk, with many opportunities to take stunning photos on the way.

The house is situated 2.5 kilometres down the walking/ cycle route known as Ruta del Rio. From the village the lane runs for 7.1 kilometres to the dam at Las cueves following the twists and turns of the river as it goes. This makes for a fairly easy route at the start of your holiday. The surrounding mountains have many tracks and paths that you can explore. I have the military maps for the area (the Spanish equivalent of ordnance survey maps). I also know the area very well as I ride the tracks regularly and can help with route planning.

Further afield the national park of Montes de Malaga has its entrance in the neighbouring village of Colmenar and a forty minute drive will take you to El Torcal a national park near to Antiquera with amazing rock formations.

The area is awash with a stunning and ever changing display of natural colour all year round from the wild plants that habitat here. In February the valley comes alive with the Almond blossom and is followed by wild sweet peas and poppies. Orange blossom gives the area and wonderful scent and the fruit gives the trees colour all through the winter months.

The pink flowers of the Oleander during the summer months also provide a stunning display. This plant seems to self root along the river banks and makes a spectacular back drop as you drive down my lane and other river side routes in Andalucia.

The weekly rates are as follows,
150 euros a week (short term)
75 euros a week (long term - more than 2 months)