The Casa de Luz

The Casa is a five bedroom town house overlooking the Andalucian village of Almachar. Perfect for large and small groups of friends, for project groups, family reunions of two or three generations or for teaching breaks such as Spanish or yoga classes.

This traditional Spanish house has been authentically renovated in the Moorish style by a local architect. The dining room, kitchen, lower lounge, shower room, bathroom, separate cloakroom, three twin and two double bedrooms are built around an atrium, lit naturally through a translucent roof. Above this, a spacious upper lounge leads to a large terrace with breathtaking mountain views

Bedrooms
The house will provide comfortable bedroom accommodation for a maximum of ten people, while leaving the unusually spacious living areas free for recreation. Two double bedrooms at the front of the house on the first floor. Both have French doors onto balconies with beautiful views of the mountains.Three spacious twin bedrooms - one on the first floor and one on the upper floor.

Kitchen
The large, well-equipped kitchen has a full-size electric oven and hob, microwave oven, very large fridge freezer plus a full range of cooking utensils and dining ware. There is a washing machine in the bathroom

Dining room
The spacious dining room is decorated with a huge carved mirror and Moroccan wall hanging. It has a very large refectory table which will seat up to ten.

Living room
The living room is furnished in Moorish style and has satellite television (including UK terrestrial channels) and video and DVD player, a CD player and a wood burning stove.

Bathroom
One large bathroom and one shower room, both on the first floor. There is an additional toilet on the ground floor

Upper lounge
On the upper floor is a wrought iron Moroccan mosaic table and chairs. This leads to the:

Roof terrace
The roof terrace is very large (10 x 4 metres) and has
spectacular views of the village and mountains - perfect for sunbathing and outdoor dining. There is a barbeque, a large teak table and chairs, umbrellas and sun loungers.

Area Description: Almachar is a traditional Spanish farming village located at the heart of the Axarquia region of Andalucia, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, cereal fields and orchards.
Located in the heart of the Axarquía, Andalusia, Almáchar is 200 metres above sea level, 35 kilometres from Malaga city and 14 from Vélez-Málaga.

The Cadogan guide says of Almachar:

"West of Velez, Almáchar is an exquisite little village of tumbling houses and winding streets, best explored on foot. Leave your car at the top of the town near what used to be the old bus shelter, and head down C. Eugenia Rios. In spring and summer, the town is a riot of colours, with flowers spilling from every balcony, patio and window box (look at the plaques dotted about town, commemorating individual streets for their displays)".

Today Almachar is a large, bustling, lively village - very Spanish and self sufficient. It has its own swimming pool,arts centre, health centre and dentist. There are a large number of small shops, which you have to search for behind the fly curtains on the front door! There are a number of groceries and general stores, two butchers, a fresh fishmonger, a bakery and several bars. The co-operative warehouse sells very good oil, figs, raisins and almonds and several versions of the local sweet wine. In the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th, Almachar was famous for its cloth, hand-made in a number of textile mills. Today, most of the village's inhabitants work on the land, particularly in the cultivation of muscatel grapes and raisins, avocados, almonds and mangos.

This village is a pueblo blanco, one of the ancient white villages built by the Moors who ruled Andalucia betwwen 8th and 16th centuries. Many moorish features and traditions remain. The village also prides itself as a centre for "Cante Jondo" (deep song), which is ancient gypsy song.

The village is well located for touring. The great Maroma mountain (2000 metres) is half as high again as Ben Nevis and is walkable. It's 40 mins by car. Tourist beaches are 30 mins away and secluded coves in a nature reserve 35 mins. Granada is one and a half hours away.