Andalucia is the most southerly region of Spain and has been one of the most famous holiday destinatioins for over a hundred years. Few people realise its significance to Spain, to art and to the world in general it is so much more than just sandy beaches. Andalusia is the most populous autonomous state and the second largest, in terms of its land area, in the kingdom of Spain.

Andalucia has had something of a turbulent history, at various times under the rule of Carthage or Rome, invaded by Vandals, Goths, Moors and Arabs. It has been both Muslim and Catholic, Cordoba was even, if briefly, the richest and largest city in western Europe. Astronomy, medecine mathematics and philosophy were studied and cultivated here and spread to the rest of Europe until 1248 when the region fell under Castillan control. In 1492 it joined Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella and then fell under the auspices of various plagues, in fighting, suffered heavily due to the cessation of sea trade and the privations of the civil war from both republicans and nationalists. Granted its autonomy in 1981 it hasn’t looked back.

The negative publicity the region has faced through the past decades is largely unjustified as the unrestricted coastal building has all but stopped which has allowed much of the coastline the chance to return to its quiet and unhurried ways without fear of being swamped with high rise hotels.

Cities worth visiting include Jaen a birthplace of the Spanish Renaissance, Cadiz, Huelva with its latin American film festival, Malaga, Almeria, Granada and Cordoba. Its capital is Sevilla and is an absolute must; Capital of Andalusia, Roman, Arabic, Renaissance, Baroque, Latin American, Marian, flamenco, bull-fighting, modern, festive, bright, perfumed, sea-faring, traditional, hospitable, gracious, cosmopolitan, religious...All of these adjectives, and many more can be applied to this city, which not only typifies all that is “Spanish” and “Andalucian”, but also contains such numerous artistic, cultural, leisure, social and tourist attractions, that is has also become one of the most universal, best-known and most-visited cities in the world. We offer hotels and traditional cortijo-style villas for rent in and around Seville, a beautiful holiday apartment in Granada, perfect for visiting the Alhambra and villas and hotels near cities such as Jerez de la Frontera, Carmona, and Moron de la Frontera.

Famous sons of Andalucia include Trajan, the actors Antonio Banderas & Jean Reno, Diego Velasquez, Pablo Picasso and Sergio Ramos. This is a region with a great depth of passion, art, culture and is proud of its heritage. Villas and fincas in Andalucia have long been a popular choice for British travellers looking for a taste of the real Andalusia.

One cannot mention Andalusia without thinking of the Costa del Sol and Axarquia. Miles of magnificent golden sandy beaches with towns such as Nerja, Marbella, and Estepona; Torre del mar, Torremolinos and Rincon. In the very exclusive resort of Sotogrande we offer some harbourside villas and apartments. The excellent tourist facilities have made this a popular destination for sun seekers for some time now. But head inland and one finds evidence of Phonecians, caves, castles and stone age paintings. The vast range of cultures and traditions has led to a variety of holiday homes in Andalucia; alongside more modern luxury villas with pools we also feature the more traditional houses, in the ‘cortijo’ style. Andalucian country house hotels are also available, on the coast in El Puerto de Santa Maria, and inland in the beautiful towns of Carmona and Ronda. All of our villas and fincas in Andalucia have been hand-picked, and our first-hand knowledge ensures that we can always help you to find the ideal villa holiday or hotel to suit your holiday requirements.

This is a region where every saint has a festival day, patron saints inparticular benefit from lavish events with parades, floats and fancy dress.

The gastronomy of the region is largely based on sea food with sweets being of the Arabic variety with delights such as the famous Turron (Nougat). The history of a region is often reflected in its diet. In this case it can be traced back as far as the medieval period with little change and each city state within Andalucia has its own specialities. Find a bar serving Tapas and one can find all sorts of delights: Masa de morcilla y chorizo (made with black pudding and spicy sausage). Pipirrana (made with peppers, tomatoes, garlic, bread, oil and salt to which hard-boiled egg, tomato and chopped peppers are added). Raya en pimentón (ray in paprika). Mielga con tomate (edible shark with tomato). Atún con tomate (tuna with tomato), bread with oil and cod (served like a kebab and accompanied with radishes or young beans). Espinacas esparragadas. Bean and aubergine pottage. Gazpacho, Huevas Fritas (fried fish eggs). Almejas con fideos (clams with noodles). Almejas a la gaditana (Cadiz-style clams). Salmonetitos fritos (fried red mullet), Cortijo style peppers and the famous Jaen young beans ”habitas tiernas”, in short, one certainly won’t go hungry.

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