LA RIJANA: OVERLOOKING THE SEA ON THE COSTA TROPICAL AT ALMUÑECAR, ANDALUCIA:
Private house - sleeps 6 from £285/wk

The house has outstanding sea views and is in an all year round location where you can combine the tranquillity of gazing across the blue of the Mediterranean Ocean, with the convenience of being only minutes from the centre of a vibrant Spanish town.

You can explore scores of beaches on the dramatic Costa Tropical, head inland to the mountains or visit the wonderful city of Granada all in under an hour.  And remember, from November to March, you can combine skiing in the Sierra Nevada with sunbathing on the coast!

The house is situated just below an ancient Moorish coastal tower with  views from the bay of Motril, to the rocks of San Cristóbal in Almunecar. From the windows and terrace, you can watch sunrise and sunset over the sea, follow the fishing boats and at certain times of year, spot dolphins just off the coast.

Almuñecar is the principal town on the Costa Tropical, in the Andalucian province of Granada. The coast is characterised by rugged cliffs falling to the sea and has a sub-tropical climate that encourages the growth of chirimoyas, avocados, mangoes and bananas.

La Rijana, a development of 14 houses entered through a remote controlled gate, has a communal pool overlooking the sea, with an adjacent built-in barbeque. Our 2-storey house, at the end of a row looks out over the sea and pool. It has 3 sea-view bedrooms, 1 double and 2 twin. The well furnished lounge-diner has remote controlled TV, video, DVD and Hi-Fi. There are also books, games, videos, CD's, tapes and an information file for your use.

The kitchen, designed in steel and granite is equipped with touch-control ceramic hob, combination-microwave oven, washer and large fridge-freezer. There are 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) with shower, basin and bidet. The house has rustic floor tiles, is double-glazed and has AC and heating on the lower floor.

Patio doors open onto a terrace which stretches over 2 sides, giving superb sea and pool views. There is a canopy and teak patio furniture. Lightweight sun-loungers and fold-up chairs can be used either on the terrace or by the pool (but please, not on beach trips). Parking space is available outside the house.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Almuñecar has the heart of an old Andalucian pueblo. You will be surprised when you come across the hilly narrow streets of the old town. Explore this area and seek out some good tapas bars. bodegas and restaurants - you'll have a huge choice, naturally with lots of sea food available.

Visit the town market to buy fresh fish, meat and vegetables. See the remains of the Roman fish-salting factory and wander through the botanical gardens (jazz festival in July). Don't forget the bird park, castle, museum, Friday outdoor market and water park. Horse riding is available beside the Hotel Taramay and the Hotel Salobrena.

Salobreña a few miles to the east, is built on an outcrop of rock and topped by Moorish fortifications. Beyond this is the interesting Spanish town of Motril, with Los Moriscos golf course next to the sea.
To the west of Almunecar is Marina del Este, an exclusive marina with smart restaurants and diving and then Herradura, a small, pleasant coastal resort famous for its windsurfing. Beyond Herradura is Nerja, a popular resort for British holiday-makers, with a good beach (Burriana) and fantastic caves (International festival, featuring ballet, opera, flamenco in July).

The region offers a huge variety of beaches and coves where opportunities exist for diving, windsurfing, para-surfing, jet-ski, scuba, snorkelling, fishing, pedalo, nudism or simply sunbathing and swimming. There are 7 beaches at Almunecar. Further west, numerous others can be reached down steep cliffs.

FAIRS, FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS
These occur throughout the year and you can find out about them from the local tourist office or by visiting www.almunecar.com.  In summer, the Jazz Festival in July, followed in subsequent weeks by free music and dancing in the botanical gardens, are well worth enjoying.

In the area of Almunecar, you will always find something to do. You can enjoy the town the beaches, the provincial city, or the countryside. The location of La Rijana, offers easy access to Granada, the Alpujarras, inland mountains and National Parks and all of the Costa Tropical area of the Costa del Sol... and all this, in the most romantic area of southern Spain known as Andalucia.