2 Bedroom Townhouse in Gaucin

La Estrellita is a bright, airy and peaceful village house, equipped to a high specification in the local Andalusian style, and located in the centre of Gaucin down a quiet alley just off the town's widest street where there is easy free parking. 
 
Gaucin is perhaps the most beautiful of Andalusia's Pueblos Blancos, or White Villages, surrounded by picturesque and varied scenery studded with olive, oak, carob and chestnut trees. Perched 630 metres (2,000 feet) up on a mountain balcony against the backdrop of the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, and window to the famous Gaucin view down the Genal River Valley to the Mediterranean coast, Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of Morocco. Here, in this unspoilt country village of only 2,000 inhabitants, there is a small but well established international community ensuring that all year round there is a lively and varied range of tapas bars, cafes (including an internet cafe), restaurants (mainly April to October) and other essential services (ATM, pharmacy, post office, market, shops, supermarkets, taxis, public swimming pool in summer etc). There is also a railway station, on the scenic line from Algeciras to Ronda and beyond, just a 10 minute drive from Gaucin. For those of you who need to stay in touch, mobile phone reception is also excellent, and there is a nearby telephone booth. 
 
Gaucin lies on the edge of two of Andalusia's impressive National Parks, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema, which offer stunning walking and mountain-biking opportunities. For bird watchers, it is also on the flight path of migratory birds between N Africa and Europe.  
Magnificent Ronda lies 45 minutes drive to the east along the famous White Villages route passing a string of other picturesque pueblos blancos. To the south, the Costa del Sol's beaches, golf courses and other attractions are only 30 minutes away. A little further a-field the exotic Rock of Gibraltar, newly-discovered Tarifa, the wide open Atlantic beaches of the magnificent Costa de la Luz and the Donana Wetlands bird sanctuary are to be found to the west. If youre looking for more sophistication and culture the fascinating historical cities of Sevilla, Cadiz, Jerez, Cordoba and Granada are all readily reachable. 
 
 
The House 
 
The Ground Floor:  
Entrance hall 
Bedroom 1 - the master bedroom with 5ft king-size double bed opening through double-glazed French doors onto a small, enclosed, sun-filled patio with outdoor furniture 
 
Bedroom 2 - single-bedded room with views to the coast 
Bathroom - spacious bathroom with bath and shower (over bath), toilet and bidet. There are electric panel heaters in the bathroom and main bedroom and a butane convector heater in the entrance hall for the chilly winter evenings. From the entrance hall, stairs lead to the ....  
 
The First Floor:  
Large, bright open-plan living room, dining and kitchen area all equipped to a high standard. From the room there are window views south down the Genal valley to the coast, and to the west, double-glazed French doors open onto a balcony with views past cypress trees over Italianate gardens and terracotta-tiled village houses to the imposing Sierra del Hacho mountain, which at the end of the day is silhouetted against the crimson Mediterranean sunset. Winter heating is provided by a feature log-burning stove. From this level, stairs lead to the sunny.... 
 
Roof Terrace:  
Panoramic views taking in Gaucin's ruined 13th Century Moorish Castillo del Aguila(Eagle's Castle), the surrounding village and gardens, the imposing El Hacho mountain, and of course that magnificent Gaucin view to Gibraltar. The Roof Terrace is equipped with outdoor table, Weber kettle barbecue, umbrella and chairs seating four (two sun-recliners), and a shaded enclosure with bench seating from which to enjoy the scenery and sunset. 

Washing machine, fridge-freezer, microwave oven, gas hob and electric oven, electric kettle, toaster, iron and ironing board, ceiling fan, satellite TV, CD/Radio mini hi-fi system, dining table and four chairs, comfortable living room furniture comprising a three-seater sofa, rocking chair and footrest. Rates include towels (except beach towels), bed linen and maid service at end of rental. The sofa in the living area is convertible to a small double futon bed, but no bed linen is normally provided for this, and the house is otherwise generally equipped for 3 people.

Local: 
Hiking, mountain-biking, horse-back riding, bird-watching, tennis and swimming (local public pool open in summer only), the white villages of Benarraba & Algatocin 
 
Approx 45 mins by car: 
Ronda along the White Villages Route; Costa del Sol's beaches, golf courses etc. Nearest towns Casares (another spectacular, but rather touristy White Village), Manilva (for Malaga Wine) and Sabinillas (all approx 30 mins); Estepona (approx 45mins) 
 
Approx 60 mins by car: 
Marbella & Puerto Banus; Gibraltar (Airport, the Rock, the apes & duty-free shopping); Algeciras for the ferry to Tangier (approx 60 mins); Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema National Parks hiking, flora and fauna, magnificent scenery 
 
Approx 90 mins by car: 
Malaga (airport and newly-opened Picasso Museum); Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic coast, Tarifa mecca for wind-surfing and para-surfing 
 
Two or more hours: 
Cadiz, Jerez, Arcos del la Frontera, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada