Sierra de la Nieves

• The natural park of Sierra de las Nieves was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1995. It covers an area of 93000 hectares and contains the peak of, el Torecilla at 1919m and also the world’s third deepest cave at 1100m. The region has a variety of flora from holm oak and aleppo pine to juniper and spanish-fir. Several endemic plant species can be observed and the fauna is represented by otters, mountain goats, roe deer as well as numerous birds of prey.
• Ronda – Spanning the 360ft river gorge chasm of el Tajo is the town of Ronda. Its spectacular 18th Century “New Bridge” connects the two sides of the town, while houses cling to the sides of the gorge precariously. The town also boasts one of Spain’s oldest bullrings. With Roman ruins, a Moorish palace and a parador with breathtaking views over the gorge valley below Ronda is worth seeing for the gorge alone.
• Antequerra – This lively town has over 40 churches and a hilltop Alcazaba; arab castle. The outrageous baroque altar of el Carmen church is a must see along with the prehistoric burial chambers just outside the town. Tapas bars, museums and medieval streets but without the tourists of Ronda make this town a recommended stop on your rural holiday.

• The regional park of El Torcal, 15km outside the town, has fascinating limestone rocks, squashed and flattened, balanced on top of each other presenting an unfamiliar and alien landscape. This area was all under sea water millions of years ago, hard to imagine when looking down into the valleys below.
• Malaga – Most people know the airport but never visit the city. The birthplace of Picasso. The 400 year old Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista houses 200 plus paintings and drawings of the artist. Calle Larios caters for all your shopping needs. Alternatively discover the mid 19th century Botanical Garden, with 500 tropical and sub-tropical plants. The central market with its array of fresh fruit and fish. The Arabic bath house. Great restaurants, bodegas and tapas bars, plus many more places of historic interest tucked away in this Spanish city.
• The above places can be reached easily and a visit is to be recommended to expand your enjoyment of the real Andalucian way of life.