How do we get there? Most guests fly to Malaga, but it is possible to go by train or drive all the way if you prefer. Once you arrive in Malaga it takes 40 minutes to drive to most of the houses. It is also possible to fly to Granada, Almeria, Murcia, Jerez or Seville, but please check the distances involved before you book your flights.
Can we drink the tap water? Yes. The tap water is perfectly good to drink, and is very similar to the public supply in the UK.
What activities are there in the area? Walking, horse-riding, skiing (in season), touring, bird watching, climbing, swimming, golf. You can also visit Granada, Sevilla, Ronda, Cordoba and Antequera for their buildings, monuments and archaeology or any of the hundreds of typical Andalucian villages, where life goes on much as it has done for centuries. There are splendid mountain and countryside scenic drives and walks or you could just sit and relax!
What will the weather be like? Most of the houses and villas are in the foothills of the mountains, so the weather is hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter than on the coast. However it is usually much less humid, so even when it is hot it is more comfortable than in Malaga. During the summer the temperature can go up to about 40C but is usually a little less. In the winter it can go down to freezing, but is normally mild. There isn't much rain in the summer, but there are occasional periods of rain from November to February.
How good are the local roads? The main roads are fine. Most of the houses and villas are less than 10 minutes drive from the motorway along good roads. If you venture far enough into the mountains you might find some rough tracks, but it is not necessary to use them.
Will we hear the motorway traffic from the house? No. The towns are well away from the motorway.
Is there a Night-club/McDonalds/KFC/Burger King/disco/fish'n'chip shop nearby? No!!! But all these are available in the larger coastal resorts.
Where can we buy groceries etc? There are many food shops in the local towns, ranging from small "corner shops" to supermarkets.
Where is the nearest bank/post office? There are several banks and one Post Office in each of the towns.
Where is the nearest doctor? There is a doctor's practice in each town. You can usually get an appointment the same day, and in case of emergency the doctor will visit. There is a dentist too, who will also give emergency treatment. Medical treatment is generally excellent in Spain, and the doctors and hospitals will treat emergency cases without charge. However we recommend that you take advantage of the cross-agreements between the UK and Spanish health services; details are available at main Post Offices throughout the UK.
Will my mobile telephone work? Yes, the coverage is good, but check with your service provider that your 'phone is enabled for international use.
Must I speak Spanish? Obviously it helps, but although most of the local people don't speak English, you can get by without speaking Spanish. Some restaurants have an English menu, and some of the shops have someone who can speak a little English; our agents will be able tell you which.
Is there a swimming pool? Except where shown, the houses don't have pools, but there is a new public pool in Villanueva del Trabuco and a water park at Loja. A little further north there are several lakes, some of which are suitable for swimming. Check the pool opening times locally; some are only open during the summer.
Is the area safe? Yes. Villanueva del Trabuco, Colmenar, Loja and Archidona are small market towns, where everybody knows everyone else. Consequently crime is very rare and it is generally safe to walk anywhere locally at any time of day or night. (Just remember that they drive on the right, when you cross the road.) The greatest hazard might be falling in the river if you've had a little too much sangria!
Must I buy travel insurance? We strongly advise it, but it's up to you.
