Bed and Breakfast Accommodation @ Lake Vinuela, Andalucia, Spain

PLACES TO VISIT WHILST STAYING AT CASA IANDA

Casa Ianda is the ideal base for touring fascinating Andalucia. We can provide maps and guide books in several languages to help you plan your itinerary.

The following day trips are all available from Casa Ianda:-

VELEZ MALAGA - Our County Town and capital of the Axarquia region of Andalucia. Although the outskirts of town are ugly due to many apartment blocks under construction, there is an interesting old town centre that is well worth visiting plus excellent traditional market every Thursday. 15 minutes drive.

TORRE DEL MAR - Our nearest coastal town. Very much a Spanish working town with good value restaurants and Tapas bars plus a long/safe beach. Popular Water Park open from the end of May to middle of September. Good market every Thursday. A new tramline links Velez Malaga to Torre del Mar - fare Euro 1.30. 20 minutes drive.

NERJA - A popular tourist resort with attractive old town centre, famous viewing point of the Balcon de Europa, good beaches and excellent Caves at nearby Maro. Good market every Tuesday and flea market every Sunday. 35 minutes drive.

FRIGILIANA - Typical Andaluz Pueblo Blanco/White Village with a strong Moorish history just 4km inland from Nerja. Frigiliana was the last foothold of the Moorish kingdom of Al Andalus and around the village is a series of interesting wall tiles that explain the history of the Moorish occupation; the tiles are obviously in Spanish but a translation can be obtained from the local Tourist Information Office. To learn more about the Moorish occupation, and history of the village in general, take one of the very interesting organised walking tours with commentary in English. The village is also famous for its local Wine and its numerous Craft Shops. Small market on a Thursday. 35 minutes drive.

ALHAMA DE GRANADA - At the end of the Washington Irving trail, but not on the main tourist routes, this is a town sadly missed by most visitors. A very scenic, although a bit tortuous, ride from here, this ancient Spa town has a fascinating old Moorish centre and is situated on a spectacular gorge - that rivals the one at Ronda but with far fewer tourists. 3km away there are open air thermal hot baths where you can ease away your aches and pains. On a Winters day you get a fabulous view of the snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains - including Mount Mulhacen that is the highest mountain on mainland Spain - as you approach Alhama de Granada. 1 hours drive.

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA - A coastal town mid-way between Torre del Mar and Malaga and very popular with Spanish visitors. Long sandy beaches with superb Seafood restaurants. At the far end of town is the TREASURE CAVE - the only visitable Marine Cave in Europe. Home of caverns with Stalactites, Stalagmites and Columns, there is a Music Festival here every August. 25 minutes drive.

MALAGA CITY - One of the most underrated cities in Spain with fascinating old town. Spectacular Cathedral (affectionally known as La Manquita/The One Armed Lady), the world famous Picasso Museum, an awe inspiring Castle with spectacular views as far as North Africa on a clear day and the Alcazaba that is, in our opinion, in many ways as impressive as the Alhambra in Granada but without the queues! Great shopping and eating! Also excellent beaches. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare so we recommend that you drive to Torre del Mar then take the bus into Malaga getting off at the port that is only 5 minutes walk from the old town; buses run approx. every 15 minutes. Take the Open Top Bus tour to see all the cities highlights and don´t miss having a drink in Bar El Pimpi - situated near the Picasso Museum this is one of the oldest bars in Malaga with a wonderful inner courtyard. Return Bus fare from Torre del Mar (buses every 15 minutes and the easiest way to visit Malaga as no worries about parking) Euro 3.80. 40 minutes drive.

ANTEQUERA - A fascinating town dating from Roman times with wonderful Baroque architecture. Often missed by people visiting this area, the climb up to the old town/Church offers spectacular views over the plain of Andalucia. Great restaurants + Tapas Bars with very reasonable prices. 45 minutes drive.

EL TORCAL NATURAL/NATIONAL PARK - Home of strange rock formations that resemble the landscape of Arizona. Have lunch at the Posada Hotel. Great walking country. 45 minutes drive.

GRANADA - One of the most famous cities in Spain and home of the fabulous Alhambra Palace. Great shopping and eating. We highly recommend that you pre-book tickets to the Alhambra several weeks in advance (several months in advance in high season) at www.alhambra-tickets.es 90 minutes drive via A45 Motorway or 2 hours via scenic route.

SKI SLOPES OF SOLYNIEVE - Have a days skiing on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada; a very popular day trip for our Winter visitors. You won´t believe you are in Spain! 2 hours drive.

THE ALPUJARRAS - High mountain region of Granada Province whose villages of Bubion, Pampiera, Capiliera and Trevelez are famous for craft work and the best (and most expensive) Serrano Hams in Spain. This area, on the slopes of Mount Mulhacen the highest mountain in mainland Spain, is spectacular all year round - especially so in Winter when it is often snow covered.

TORREMOLINOS/BENALMADENA/FUENGIROLA - Three resorts west of Malaga especially popular with British visitors. Go with an open mind - you will be pleasantly surprised. Sea Life at Benalmadena is well worth a visit as is the zoo at Fuengirola; the fish restaurants at the Carihuela area of Torremolinos are some of the best in Andalucia. Children will love the 'Tivoli World' Theme Park/Cable Car at Benalmadena. 1 to 1.5 hours drive

RONDA - Home of the oldest Bull Ring in Spain and positioned by a spectacular gorge. Have a drink at the Parador by the gorge that has stunning views. 2 hours drive.

MARBELLA - Playground of the rich and famous! Marbella centre maintains Andaluz charm in the old town area around Plaza de las Naranjas/Orange Square, whilst the new town is a Shoppaholics paradise. 10km further on is the world famous port of Puerto Banus - the ideal spot for people watching. 2.5 to 3 hours drive.

GIBRALTAR - A dated bit of Britain in Iberia! Not our favourite place but somewhere many Brits feel they want to visit. The rock can be climbed by bus or cable car and the St. Michaels Caves are worth a visit. The views from the top of the rock across the Straits into Tangier harbour are spectacular. Be warned though - you must strictly adhere to Customs allowances when returning into Spain and, apart from Alcohhol and Tobacco, prices are generally dearer than in Spain or even the UK! Passport required. 3 hours drive.

CORDOBA - One of the most fascinating old cities in Spain. Especially beautiful in Springtime when the Patios are full of flowers. 2.5-3 hours drive.

SEVILLE - Capital of Andalucia and home of Flamenco. One of the most beautiful cities in Spain. 3 hours drive.

CARMONA - Mid-way between Cordoba and Seville this is a lesser known Mediaeval city with wonderful architecture and excellent restaurants. 2.5 to 3 hours drive.

MOROCCO - A day trip to Africa can be booked via Travel Agents in Torre del Mar to the fascinating city of Tangiers in Morocco. This is a very tiring day trip though and the experience can be much more enjoyed by taking one of their 2 night trips; accommodation is fairly basic but the price is ridiculously low. Do expect to be constantly hassled by hawkers, but a firm/polite NO usually stops them following you.

OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO STAY LOCALLY - Go Carp Fishing in Lake Vinuela (licence required that can be obtained locally), take part in Non-Motorised Sports on the Lake, go Horse Riding or - being surrounded by 3 stunning Natural / National Parks - if you want to be more energetic this area provides ideal Walking Country.

ANYWHERE ELSE? If there is somewhere not mentioned that you are keen to visit just let us know in advance and we will do our best to have information available for you when you arrive at Casa Ianda.

USEFUL WEB SITES

LAKE VINUELA AREA - www.lake-vinuela.com

LAKE VINUELA FISHING - www.costacarping.com

BAVIERA GOLF COURSE (TORRE DEL MAR) - www.bavieragolf.com

PICASSO MUSEUM, MALAGA - www.museopicassomalaga.org

FRIGILIANA WALKING TOURS - www.susies-tours.com

NERJA CAVES - www.cuevadenerja.es

SEA LIFE MARINE CENTRE, BENALMADENA - www.sealife.es

'TIVOLI WORLD' THEME PARK, BENALMADENA - www.tivoli.es

FUENGIROLA ZOO - www.zoofuengirola.com

ALHAMBRA TICKETS - www.alhambra-tickets.es

SOLYNIEVE SKIING - www.sierranevadaski.com

MARBELLA - www.marbella.puertobanus.info

RONDA - www.turismoderonda.es

MALAGA CITY - www.malagainformation.com

GIBRALTAR - www.gibraltar.gi/tourism

GRANADA - www.granadainfo.com or www.granada.org/turismo

THERMAL BATHS ALHAMA DE GRANADA - www.balnearioalhamadegranada.com

NERJA - www.nerja.org/turismo or www.thisisnerja.com

SEVILLE - www.seville.world-guides.com

CORDOBA - www.infocordoba.com

CARMONA - www.turismo.carmona.org

CAR HIRE - There are many, many car hire companies who offer Airport collection/drop off. We have no personal experience of any but the two companies rated most highly by our previous guests are:- www.malagacar.com(direct rental not broker) and www.carjet.es (broker)

LOCAL MARKETS

SUNDAY - Nerja (Flea market)
MONDAY - Torrox Costa
TUESDAY - Nerja, Puente Don Manuel (Farmers + Craft market) + Trapiche (indoor Farmers + Craft market)
WEDNESDAY - Algarrobbo Costa (small)
THURSDAY - Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar + Colmenar
FRIDAY - Rincon de la Victoria + Almuñecar
SATURDAY - Caleta de Velez + Alcaucin (small)

HOW TO GET TO CASA IANDA FROM MALAGA AIRPORT

CASA IANDA GPS COORDINATES ARE 36.86139 NORTH 4.17203 WEST

On leaving the airport follow signs for Malaga Centre - left hand lane as you climb out of the Airport grounds. Continue towards Malaga for 5-7 minutes until you see signs for the E15/A7 Motorway - direction Granada/Motril/Almeria - on your right. Get on to the E15/A7 and travel east for 25-30 minutes until you reach Exit 272 (Salida 272 - Velez Malaga/Torre del Mar). Come off here and go right round the roundabout onto the A356 - direction Colmenar/Alhama de Granada. It is now a straight run of about 15 minutes until you see the lake on your right. Continue over the dam and take the first turning on your left to LOS ROMANES; this is a funny little turning where you have to go right to turn left. After just 400 METERS/2 MINUTES drive you will see the first development of houses up on the hillside on your left with a large sign for EL MIRADOR DEL EMBALSE; turn left up here and our house is the 4th villa - No. 5, Casa Ianda. Journey time approximately 50 minutes.

ACCOMMODATION WEBSITES

If you are touring and would like to find similar accommodation to ours in other areas have a look at

www.spain-holiday.com or www.ferienhausmiete.de

Bookmark with: