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 JAEN – Nature lovers will find everything they are looking for in the National Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas: tranquility, landscapes full of life and also of history.  This enormous area was one of the first in Andalucia to be declared a National Park and it is the most extensive protected area in Spain and the second largest in Europe, covering 210,000 hectares.  It is as large as the province of Vizcaya and its landscapes are perfectly conserved: the waters are clean, the woodland is dense, the summits cloudless and several of them are more than 2,000 meters above sea level.

Amid these mountains there are numerous attractions for travellers who are interested in the sort of countryside, which combines nature in its purest state with traditional and historical villages and towns.  Mountain bike enthusiasts will appreciate the bridle paths, which were traditionally used for communications between the villages.  Lovers of history and architecture will find scatterings of castles and towers as well as the native architecture of each village and art lovers will be especially delighted with the Zabaleta Museum in Quesada, which is dedicated to Rafael Zabaleta, an artist who was born in the town.

This park is famous for being one of Spain’s birdwatching paradises.  Fans of adventure sports such as climbing, potholing, rafting, canoeing and hang-gliding will find this one of the best places to practice their favourite sports, and every July the town of Segura de la Sierra plays host to the International Art Festival.

These mountain roads are ideal for drivers and motorcyclists who enjoy a quiet drive through stunning countryside.

THE RIVERS OF THE AXARQUIA – The river Chillar and its tributary the Higueron offer one of the most entertaining ways to keep cool and do a little walking all through the summer.

One of the best ways to practice hiking in Malaga is to follow the courses of the most abundant rivers of the Sierra de Almijara, the Chillar and the Higueron.  The first, the Chillar, is without doubt one of the most well known rivers in Malaga, and outside the province.  It’s not surprising as the river runs through some of the most unusual countryside in Andalucia.

To follow the course you will have to take an amphibious route, in other words expect to alternate between walking along the bank and in the river itself.  Just walking in the river with the gentle touch of the cool water is well worth the effort.  The sights make it all worthwhile – beautiful countryside, sheer walls of limestone with tumbling waterfalls and deep pools of crystal clear water will make you think you are in another world.  There are other unusual sights such as the peculiar ”cahorros”, that gorges that have been carved out by the river Chillar through the passage of time.

WHY NOT COME TO OUR SHORES, RENT A PROPERTY FROM US, AND EXPLORE THE SUPERB ANDALUSIAN COUNTRYSIDE?

Everyone knows Marbella and Puerto Banus for its’ glitz and sparkle, but Andalucia is overflowing with amazing alternatives. In this blog, I am concentrating on trying to entice adventurous, and active visitors, who are looking for something different, to come to our shores and experience the inland, often neglected, diverse Andalusian countryside.

The Andalusian countryside combines nature in its purest state with its’ famous traditional white pueblos, steeped in history and culture. Surrounding these mountain villages, are amazing opportunities to explore inland Andalucia, offering fascinating walks, bicycle and horse rides, through the National Parks, which are heritage sites created by the European community. Here you can walk through the hills and along the riverbanks, seeing the incredible migrating birds that visit our shores in the summer months, and return to Africa in the winter. An absolute haven for bird-watchers and hiker and for mountain bikers and horse trekking, there is no challenge that is too much and all immersed in idyllic peace and tranquility – I don’t think anyone could ask for more.

Below you will find information on some places well worth visiting whilst in this area, just to give you a taste of the diversity to be found here in Southern Spain.

A NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE – DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK

Considered to be one of the most emblematic national parks in Europe – incorporating a landscape of contrasts: beaches, dunes, pinewood, wet lands – a harmonious combination of eco systems for the admiration of all visitors.

The finest bird watching combined with a new awareness of the conservation problems in the Spanish wildlife and threatened territory, giving shelter to animals such as the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial eagle. One can also spot such animals as the fallow deer, Spanish red deer, wild boar, European badger, and Egyptian mongoose. The wetlands are also home to many aquatic birds, and more famously, the flamingoes that visit once a year.

Nearby is the famous town of EL ROCIO, renowned for the most famous pilgrimage of the region, with millions of people coming for all over Andalucia, and beyond. El Rocio has cult status, and apart from being the most important, it is the most colourful.

The park is also accessed by ferry from Sanlucar de Barremeda, which is a beautiful seaside port, with beaches stretching for miles along the Cadiz coastline – a paradise for horse riders, and located on the left bank of the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. The pueblo is famous for its cuisine, especially the Manzanilla (a variety of Fino sherry) and prawns. It is internationally renowned for beach horse-racing and flamenco music.

Medina Sidonia – Cadiz

Less well known but equally important is the historical archives of MEDINA-SIDONIA located in the palace of the same name.

One of the most lovely traditional white pueblos (villages) in Andalucia, it occupies a hilltop location overlooking the lush rolling hills that stretch southwards towards the beaches of the Costa de la Luz and the Atlantic Ocean. A lively and colourful small town steeped in history and Andalusian charm and flavour. Medina Sidonia is within half an hour from the sea; the port of Cádiz; the famous wind surfing paradise of Tarifa and it’s ancient walled in Moorish city, with the coast of Morocco on the horizon. The unique Roman Ruins of Bologna and other historical and cultural places of interest are nearby. The international airport at Jerez de la Frontera is also within easy reach, Medina has seen its fair share of the different civilisations. Prehistoric remains have been found in the caves nearby and since that time it has belonged to the Phoenicians, Romans and the Visigoths. The Moors and the Normans conquered the town in the 8th century and it was conquered again by the Christian northerners under Alfonso X in 1264.

Come and discover the true nature of inland Andalucia and it’s wealth of culture.

Please feel free to contact me on the following number (00 34) 952 787 317 or by e.mail on info@brecknellrentals.com.

I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you to Southern Spain in the near future.