Surroundings

The Hacienda Retreat welcomes all types of workshops, retreats, group work
or holidaying friends wishing to relax within the peace and tranquillity of
the 'real' Andalucian countryside.

ALHAMBRA PALACE: 1 hour drive

Childhood home of Katherine of Aragon - Discover one of Spain's greatest splendours, often referred to as 'The eighth wonder of the world'. The Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is set in a stunning location overlooking the city of Granada.

The Alhambra is composed of three parts: the Royal Palace, the Gardens of Generalife and the fortress of Alcazaba. The Royal Palace is the most famous; it consists of the Mexuar - enclosing the striking Golden Room - where the sultans conducted every day business. The inspiration for the gardens of Generalife is supposed to be the Koranic description of Paradise. A tour of Alhambra Palace is a must-do for all visitors to Spain

ALPUJARRAS: 1 hour 20 minutes

Experience some mountain magic in the peaceful and picturesque Alpujarras region, located at the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range, 3000 feet above sea level. The spectacular landscape with clusters of small white villages with flat earthen roofs and terraced farmland that make this an essential visit.

Las Alpujarras is the subject of the award winning travel book "Driving Over Lemons".

MONTEFRIO: 15 minutes

Situated 8km from The Hacienda- Montefrio was officially declared a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest in 1982 and forms part of the Poniente Granadino - The Last Frontier of Al-Andalus. The town sits at just over 830m above sea-level in a landscape made up of mountainous slopes and olive groves with a skyline dominated by the monumental El Centinela.

Located off the tourist trail in the northwestern corner of Granada province near the Cordoba border, this friendly village enjoys one of the region's most striking settings, with one of its churches perched on top of a bare, rocky pinnacle, overlooking the town and its surrounding hillsides clothed in olive groves and fields of cereal crops. It nestles between two memorable hilltop churches; you can't miss either of them since they dominate the skyline.

On the rocky outcrop is the Iglesia de la Villa, which is well worth the steep climb from town to visit it and enjoy the magnificent panoramic views that often feature in the region's guidebooks and posters.

Down in the centre of town is the pantheon-style Iglesia de la Encarnación, which has a huge domed roof and was designed in the 18th century by the acclaimed neoclassical architect Ventura Rodríguez.

Signposted off the road to Illora, about 7km east of Montefrío, is an intriguing and unmissable archaeological site, the Penas de los Gitanos, which has evidence of human settlement from Neolithic times to the Bronze Age. Excavations here have unearthed numerous artefacts including combs made from bone, flint arrowheads and shards of decorative ceramics in the collection of prehistoric dolmens and cave dwellings.

Sierra Nevada: 1.20 Hours

Sierra Nevada, located in the province of Granada in the south of Spain, is Europe's most southerly ski resort. It's the best known and best equipped of all the Spanish ski resorts with 48 pistes covering 70 kilometres. You won't find another resort where you can ski in the morning then play golf in the sunshine or relax on a Mediterranean beach in the afternoon.

Sierra Nevada Mountains: 1.20 Hours

The resort provides slopes for all levels, from complete beginners to expert skiers. You can ski here for five months of the year thanks to the 320 snow cannons capable of producing nearly 2,000 cubic metres of snow per hour. There are four nursery / green runs for beginners, 21 blue runs, 23 reds and four blacks. Experts can enjoy some sensational off-piste ski-ing with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and (on the clearest days) of Morocco.

GRANADA: 45 minutes

Granada, in Andalusia, is best known for its fascinating Moorish old quarter, the labyrinthine Albaicin, with its secluded inner gardens, and 14th-century palace, the architecturally stunning Alhambra. A Muslim city until it fell to the Christians in 1492, Granada sits at the feet of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a reputation for wild nightlife, partially courtesy of boisterous University of Granada students. Walk the compact city to discover thrilling restaurants, bars and stores.

SEVILLE: 2 hours

The capital of Andalucia, Spain, Seville is one of the great cities of the area and also boasts that is is the Flamenco capital of Spain. Seville is a wonderful city which has a maze of streets that are just waiting to be explored. It is well pedestrianised so this makes walking around the city and enjoyable experience. The province of Sevilla also boasts some wonderful beaches along with the rest of the Costa de la Luz.

Lovely walks around the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, full of tapas bars, picturesque alleys, glimpses of secret gardens, a Moorish palace, a gothic cathedral and many more grand, ornate buildings. Then there are promenades along the River Guadalquivir, buzzing with cafes and social action at night, with sights aplenty around there too

RONDA: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. It stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province, and is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge which divides the medieval from the 18th century parts of the town. This gorge is known as El Tajo The Cliff and is spanned by a stone bridge, which once housed a prison. Visitors love to peer down into the gorge, to see the waters of the River Guadalevín.

Ronda is also famous for its bullring, the oldest, and the most beautiful one in Spain; the arena itself is also the country's largest. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum with many mementos of Spain's most renowned bullfighters. Ronda has a population of 33,570.

The area has grown since the 8th century when Arab control was gained. The city is home to Spain's oldest bullring that is still standing and still in use although it isn't used very often. There is an excellent museum dedicated to bullfighting that can be found in The Plaza de Toros.

Orson Wells and Ernest Hemingway have both written about Ronda's beauty and Orson wells even has a street named after him. Ronda is considered the 'muse' for many of Hemingway's novels.

CORDOBA : 2 hours

The ancient town of Cordoba is one of the many jewels of Andalucia. In the 11th century it was one of the most important capitals in Europe. It was a mecca for free thinking and was where people of many cultures and religions chose to live in harmony.

There are monuments aplenty such as the world famous Mezquita,an architectual masterpiece with a unique fusion of muslim and christian styles and museums. Bullfighting and Flamenco are steeped in the traditions of this Andalucian city.

It comes to life at night with nightclubs, Flamenco, tapas, many restaurants and bars and is a must during one of the many Spanish festivals. This city remains unspoilt and is a popular destination for the Spanish.

MALAGA: Museo Picasso - 1 hour 15 minutes

The Moorish city of Malaga is the biggest town on the Andalucian coast of Spain. Pablo Picasso is the cities favourite son.

You can visit the museum at Picasso's birthplace at Plaza Merced and Teatro Cervantes.

Housed in the beautiful Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, the museum was originally based on a large collection of work donated by Christine Ruiz-Picasso who was the artist's daughter-in-law. Opened in 2000, other works are continually being added.

For further info contact: www.museopicassomalaga.org

NERJA CAVES: 2 hours

A few kilometres east of Nerja are the Caves of Nerja, beside the charming village of Maro. Between the shores of the Mediterranean and the wild foothills of the Sierra Almijara mountains, hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive every year to the caves, making this unique and valuable historical cavern one of Spain's most visited sites.

The Nerja Caves were discovered in 1959, when a group of boys from Maro, out playing, made their way in through a narrow passageway situated at the bottom of a small cavity known as "The Mine". Little did they imagine what they would discover there. In 1960 a proper entrance was made in order to allow visits, The caves were first known as the Caves of Wonders, although this was later changed to the present name, and declared as an Historic Artistic Monument on the 15th June 1961.

YOGA:

The Hacienda's beautiful daylight studio and tranquil surroundings provide the perfect setting for Yoga Teachers and their groups to come and hold a Retreat throughout the year. Yoga equipment is provided and various therapies can also be arranged directly with Tracie / Jason at The Hacienda.

BIRDWATCHING:

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species, together with those arriving for the summer months.

If you belong to or lead classes in this subject why not contact us about bringing a group out to us, at The Hacienda Retreat.

CYCLING:

The Hacienda is surrounded by miles of quiet country tracks crossing open countryside with amazing views of the sierra nevada mountains, granada city and almond and olive groves.

For those wanting to escape city streets, Andalucia is well equipped to cater for this and being one of the least populated areas of Spain, there are miles and miles of National Parks, back roads and bike paths. Spend time at The Hacienda cycling around the Poniente Granadino, exploring the countryside and charming towns of Alhama de Granada, Loja and Montefrio.

GOLF:

If you are golfer who is desperate to play in the sunshine, then golfing in Spain is ideal for you. Offering a temperate climate all year round with impeccable courses in spectacular locations, the Costa del Sol and Granada are great places to play. The province of Granada has two championship courses.

For further info contact: www.spanish-airport-guide.com/granada-golf-courses.html

WALKING/HIKING:

The Hacienda's location is ideal for ramblers who can literally walk out the door and begin their discovery of the Andalucian countryside. A truly rustic experience from the outset.

Montefrio is on the Route of Washington Irving, which is the historical road that links Malaga, Seville and Granada and has many fascinating walks and is popular with cyclists and trekkers worldwide. There is also a wealth of landscapes which have a variety of birds and wild flowers for nature enthusiasts.

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada and to the range of mountains and valleys known as the Alpujarras is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ecological diversity, and it is not hard to imagine that seven hundred years ago this was the fabled promised land of the Moors.

PAINTING:

Montefrio is an artists dream come true - a spectacularly sited town cradled between two rocky outcrops each topped with 16th Century churches. The square in the centre hosts the Neoclassical large domed moorish church that was built by the same designer as the Alhambra Palace in Granada which has been the subject of many artists throughout the centuries.

The picturesque white washed villages, castles, roman villas, olive and orange groves of Andalucia are waiting to be captured by whichever art form you prefer.

Andalucia is famous for its amazing light, varied landscapes and wildflowers.

If you belong to or lead classes in this subject why not contact us about bringing a group out to us at The Hacienda Retreat.

TAI CHI:

he peace and tranquility of the Hacienda's location in the Andalucian hills, surrounded by century year old olive trees and wildflowers is perfect for a rejuvenating break from your normal routine.

If you belong to or lead classes in this subject why not contact us about bringing a group out to us at The Hacienda Retreat...