Friday November 8
Today is the day: our study trip to Andalusia, something we’ve been looking forward to for months! It’s always exciting to meet the owners and managers of our stunning properties and to see the houses and surroundings up close. Around 1:30 PM, we’ll land at Málaga Airport. From there, it’s about a 45-minute drive to our first destination: Finca Can Faye. Here, we’ll meet the managers and get a tour of this amazing house. Owned by Dutch proprietors, it boasts stylish interiors and a beautiful garden with a private pool. The property is quietly located, offering plenty of privacy. You’ll only hear the birds chirping, and there are even two electric bikes available for exploring the area!
After saying goodbye to the managers, we continued our journey to Cortijo el Caracol. Here, we met the owners of this cosy house for four people. It’s a brand-new addition to our website and truly a gem. The house is charming and fully equipped, with a delightful outdoor area featuring a private pool and terrace.
Everything you need is here, making you feel right at home: a gas stove for the winter months, a water purifier, plenty of crockery (so you don’t have to wash up after every drink), and even a sewing machine. Bonus: dogs are more than welcome here and even have their own bed! The surrounding area also offers beautiful routes for walking with your four-legged friend.
The last stop on today’s itinerary is Casa Vista Serena. On the way, we pass through Alcaucín, a picturesque white village that seems well worth a visit during your holiday. Casa Vista Serena is perched high in the mountains, and when we arrive, we can’t believe our eyes; what a view!
We make it just in time for the sunset and capture many stunning photos. The house is spacious and complete, both inside and out. There’s even a guesthouse, which is perfect for a bit of extra privacy. Curious to see our sunset photos? Then check out our stories on Instagram!
We drive back in the dark and arrive at our accommodation in Nerja: Villa Vista Azul. This is a lovely house with terraces on both sides, so you can always find either shade or sun. It also features a private pool, which we’ll definitely make use of. The villa is within walking distance of the town centre and the beach, making it the perfect base for exploring the area. Below is a photo of the view during sunset: absolutely magical!
Time to freshen up and then head out for dinner. We’re in the mood for tapas and pick a charming little tapas restaurant: Taberna de Pepe. It’s filled with locals, a great sign! Recommendations: the gambas pil pil and the sweet potato fries with honey from Frigiliana.
We’ll quickly review tomorrow’s plans and then head to bed, so we can start the new day fresh and full of energy!
Saturday November 9
Today, we have some fantastic properties on our schedule. First up: Casa Cartarra. This is one of the most popular houses in our Andalusia portfolio, and we completely understand why. We meet the owners of the casa and get a tour. The space and the view here are simply incredible!
The owners have recently added an outdoor kitchen, so you can enjoy cooking with a drink in hand while soaking in the stunning views. They’ve also given the garden a makeover, so of course, we took some photos. The owners share that they warmly welcome tips from guests and have already implemented many of them in the house. They’re constantly improving!
After this lovely visit, we headed to Villa Los Soldados. Here, we could only take a quick look outside. From the terrace, you have a stunning view of Lake Viñuela. If you’re lucky, you might even see sheep passing by in the morning. Can you picture yourself waking up here with a cup of coffee in hand?
Our journey continues to Villa Regazo Andaluz. We meet the manager, Roeland, at an agreed location so we don’t have to navigate the way on our own. He offers this service to all guests of the villa, making it so much easier to follow him to the villa on your first visit. Upon arrival, we admire this beautiful property. Once again, it’s a very well-equipped house: extremely comfortable, tastefully decorated, and the terrace with the outdoor kitchen is the perfect spot to cool off during the summer. From the upstairs bedroom, you can step straight onto the rooftop terrace, where you’ll have sunshine all day long. Pure bliss!
Next on our itinerary is a bit of sightseeing in Nerja. Armed with our sunglasses and water bottles, we wander through the charming streets of Nerja, catching glimpses of beautiful little beaches to our left. Of course, a visit to the Balcon de Europa is a must, where we once again marvel at the breathtaking views. Afterward, we settle down at a terrace to enjoy some delicious paella.
Back at our lovely accommodation, we take some time to unwind and process all the beautiful things we’ve seen today and all the information we’ve gathered. We’re looking forward to another day in Andalusia!
Sunday November 10
Today, we wake up to a bright sun and a clear blue sky. We start the day with a refreshing morning dip in our private pool. After a warm shower, we’re ready for what promises to be another beautiful day. We drive from Nerja to Frigiliana, a journey of about 10 to 15 minutes. Upon arrival, we park the car at Villa Noelia, a spacious house for 10 people, perfect for large families and groups! Another great feature: you can easily walk into the whitewashed village of Frigiliana, with its charming shops, restaurants, squares, a bakery, supermarket, and more.
Of course, we’re also quite curious about this village, so we walk from the villa into the town. Here, you can leisurely wander through the charming streets. We spot plenty of restaurants that would be perfect for lunch or dinner. Since it’s Sunday morning, many places are still closed, but the quiet adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
In Frigiliana, we also have another beautiful holiday home: Villa Frigiliana. Nestled in the mountains, this property accommodates up to ten people. It’s also an excellent choice for guests who use a wheelchair, as the house features a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and an adapted bathroom.
Around noon, we have an appointment with the owners of Casa Balcon de Guardia, where we’re invited for lunch. However, we accidentally take a wrong turn onto a bumpy and difficult road, ending up in the garden of a Spanish couple. This turns out to be a perfect example of Spanish hospitality: they immediately hop into their car to help us find the right way!
We finally arrive at our destination, thankfully via a paved road this time. The owners of Casa Balcon de Guardia warmly welcome us, and it’s clear from the start that this is a special place. We’re given a tour and are amazed by the stylish interiors with Moroccan influences.
In the garden, there’s a swing where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains. Of course, we couldn’t resist trying it out—check out our Instagram stories for a glimpse! The owners have prepared a delicious lunch for us, which we thoroughly enjoy. With full stomachs and the sun on our faces, we leave this stunning house behind, feeling truly inspired.
On the recommendation of the owners, we drive to Salobreña, a charming village about a 30-minute drive from Casa Balcon de Guardia. This picturesque village invites us to wander through its quaint streets, and we also take the opportunity to visit a castle, adding a touch of history to our day.
We drive back to our accommodation in Nerja along the coast, enjoying the scenic route. Upon arrival, we’re treated to a stunning sunset. Later, we head into Nerja to make the most of our last evening in Andalusia. Naturally, we wrap up the night with some delicious tapas, savouring every bite of this memorable trip.
Monday November 11
Today is our last day in Andalusia. We’ve already seen and done so much during this trip. Before we board our flight, we’re heading to a small holiday park that has been part of our offerings for many years.
We have a phone call scheduled with the owner of the holiday park as well as some other properties nearby. Through video calling, he gives us a virtual tour. What a beautiful park and a fantastic location! The park is perfect for families with (young) children. It features a shared pool and a separate kiddie pool, and there’s even a restaurant on-site. The holiday homes at this park include Casita Primera for 2 people, Casita Segunda for 4 people, and Casita Cuarta for 6 people.
We also walk over to Casita Cuarta Grande and Casita Cuarta Suprema, both of which are within walking distance of the park. Casita Cuarta Grande features a fenced private pool, offering added privacy and safety. At Casita Cuarta Suprema, there’s a large lawn in front with no less than four jacuzzis. All guests of the park can enjoy the shared pool, and the jacuzzis are available by reservation.
After this great impression of the park and the nearby houses, we hop back into our rental car and drive to Málaga Airport, which is about a 30-minute journey from the park.
We rented our car through Sunny Cars, a fantastic and reliable rental company. The benefits of Sunny Cars include: all insurance is included, zero deductible, unlimited mileage, 24/7 Dutch-speaking customer service, and the option to cancel for free up to 1 hour before pick-up!
We leave sunny Andalusia behind, reflecting on a truly wonderful and insightful study trip.
We offer a highly diverse selection at this destination. There’s something for everyone: from a house high in the mountains with breathtaking views to a property within walking distance of the town centre and the beach. Explore our full range in Andalusia here. Feel free to call or email us if you need help finding your perfect holiday home. We’re happy to assist!
