Property Details of Costa Tropical Cottage

These unique properties are located near the popular village of Galera, in the province of Granada.

Each one is truly unique, and offers all modern facilities.

There is a communal swimming pool within walking distance which is safe for children and is staffed by trained lifeguards.

Visit www.cavehomes.com for more information.

Local Area Details

There are many attractions within a short drive of the village - plus local shops, markets, museums, and some of the most spectacular scenery in Spain.

The Alhambra Palace in Granada is just over an hours drive away.

Additional Information

About Bars

Children are welcome in all Bars and Restaurants. The welcome is warm and the food delicious and unique to the area. Most of the Bars serve food, and you can visit just for a drink with tapas, a snack or a meal.

About Parks

Galera is perfectly situated for visiting one of the stunning Sierras - the Natural Parks of Granada - namely Sierra de Baza, Sierra de Castril, Sierra de Cazorla, Sierra de Huetor and Sierra de Maria. The Thermal Baths at Zujar, and the beautiful Lake Negratin overlooked by Mount Jabalcón, are just a short drive away. Maps can be obtained from the local tourist offices (Alojamiento) either in the parks themselves or in the nearby town. All the Sierras are well signposted as they are the main tourist attractions in the area.

About Weather/Climate/Temperature

Being inland, Galera and the surrounding area enjoy long and warm summers and short and cold winters. There can be snow in the winter, and temperatures can drop to -5c. In the summer, temperatures can rise over 30c but due to the unique properties of Cave Homes, the temperature inside rarely varies from between 16 to 20 degrees. Air-conditioning is hardly ever necessary in Cave Houses due to the natural ventilation and excellent thermal properties of the rock, and a small open log fire is all that is needed to keep the place warm on the coldest winter night.

About Beaches

Although Galera is well inland, there are man-made beaches at nearby Lake Negratin. There are three good family restaurants spaced out along the edge of the lake, each with different stunning views of the surrounding countryside - which some people say resembles a lunar landscape! The restaurant at Zujar also has an outdoor swimming pool which is heated by an underground thermal spring.

About Airport Information

The International Airports of Granada, Murcia and Almeria are within easy driving distance and connected by modern fast and safe motorways. Use www.skyscanner.net to find cheap flights from all UK and European Airports.

About General Entertainment

Entertainment is generally family-oriented, with the Church and Town Square being the main focal point for the community. During the summer months, various activities are arranged for the benefit of the local children - including free film shows, theatre, pantomime and puppet shows, whilst the adults can relax with a drink and tapas, served at the bars and cafes surrounding the square. There are no booming 24 hour discos or 'Benny Hill' bars, but you can listen to the choir practice at the nearby church, or practice your Spanish conversation on the friendly locals if you wish! People who are unable to have a good time without making a racket and behaving badly will almost certainly come to the attention of the Local Police, who otherwise would have very little to do, as crime and bad behaviour are very rare.

About Scenery/Beauty Spots

The region covering Baza and Huescar is known as The Altiplano. This contrasting district, set in the north west of the province of Granada, sits at over 800 metres above sea level. Its central area, with some impressive desert landscapes, is hemmed in by a ring of mountain ranges. This is where you will find Galera. Galera is situated in a green valley formed by two rivers that wind their way between hills of a moon-like landscape. In these hills lie the remains of ancient civilizations (argaric sites and the Ibero-Roman necropolis of Tutugi). Due to its verdant nature the village has become known as "The Oasis of the High Plateau" Galera is first and foremost a farming community, followed closely as a rural tourist attraction, well known in Spain but undiscovered by the rest of Europe. Recently, with the rise in popularity of modern Cave Homes, the tourist industry is booming, but the area strongly retains it's 'Real Spain' personality. Archaeological digs have shown that it was populated more than a million years ago, and Galera's local museum is well worth a visit. The Altiplano has a wealth of remains of prehistoric cultures - The Iberian Bastetano people, founders of the city of Basti (the origin of modern Baza), one of the oldest in the Iberian peninsula, settled here in the 6th century BC. The 'Lady of Baza', chief among Iberian remains, was also found here.

About Skiing

You don't always think of Spain as a place to ski, but the Ski Resorts of the Sierra Nevada are only a short drive away to the South. Apart from truly stunning scenery, you will find all of the facilities and services you would expect from the world's top-rated ski resorts. There are not many places in the world where you can enjoy a morning skiing, an afternoon on a tropical beach and an evening of traditional flamenco!

About Local Attrcations

Fiestas and Markets - Spain is well known for it's Fiestas, and each village and town has it's own unique traditions and customs. Some Fiestas can last for a week or more, and attract visitors from far and wide. The local Church is usually the focal point for Fiestas, but you will also find music, dancing and side-shows, with locally prepared food and drink in plentiful supply! Markets are the place to buy local produce, clothing and shoes, gifts, and even furniture and household goods. Each village has it's own Market Day :- Monday - Cullar, Tuesday - Orce, Wednesday - Galera and Baza, Thursday - Huescar, Friday - Puebla de Don Fardrique, Saturday - Castillejar, Sunday - Maria, Other Activities - Just about every type of outdoor pursuit is available - from Cycling and Horse Riding, to Quad Biking and Para-Gliding. Some activities are available only during the summer months, whilst others are available all year round. If you would like more information about a particular activity, please ask via email.

About Transport

Although public transport is available, a car is highly recommended, and there are several Car-Hire companies operating from the Airport. Book your car on-line (together with child seats if required) after booking your flights. See below for more information about driving in Spain.

About Sailing

There is a Sailing Club near to the Dam at Lake Nergratin, and Pedalos can be hired from the beach at Freila.

About Fishing

Regulations are strict in Andalucia, but there are several organisations that can arrange Fishing Holidays, but must be booked 4 to 8 weeks in advance. Copies of your UK Angling Licence and Passport will be needed in order to obtain the necessay permits. Please email for more information.

About Local Restaurants

There are many good restaurants in Galera and the surrounding area, and if you are fond of Indian Cuisine, the 'Curry Cave' (Yes - it is a Cave Restaurant!) is in the nearby village of El Margen. There are many others in the nearby towns of Huescar, Cullar and Baza.

About Driving

If you are bringing your own car to Spain (see below for ferry information) you will need to carry your Passport and Driving Licence, Insurance Certificate and Vehicle Registration at all times. If hiring a car, you will need a copy of the rental agreement as well. Compulsory equipment includes a spare set of Lamp Bulbs and the tools necessary to change them, two red warning triangles to be placed 100 metres behind and in front of the car if it breaks down, and a fluorescent waistcoat or jacket to be warn in any of the aforementioned circumstances. If you are hiring a car, make sure you check the above equipment is on-board and that you can access it after loading your luggage - also, double check for previous damage before driving off, and get it noted on both copies of the rental agreement. Spanish drivers are more patient and considerate than the rest of Europe, especially in the areas away from the coast. Child Seat Law is much the same as in the UK now, and most car hire companies supply them if you book them at the same time you book your car - don't leave it until you arrive in Spain. A First-Aid Kit is also a good idea, and borrow or buy Satellite Navigation with the latest maps if you can. Also, visit http://maps.google.es and print out any maps you might need as these will almost certainly be more up-to-date than ones you can buy, either in the UK or Spain! Allow plenty of time for your journey, observe the speed limits, and don't even think about using your mobile phone whilst driving - invest in a hands-free headset in the UK, as they can be expensive and hard to find in Spain.

About History

Cave Houses have been carved out of the rocks of Andalusia since the Moorish invasion, and according to some sources, since the time of the Roman occupation. For the last few centuries, right up to the 1960s, tens of thousands of Cave Houses gave shelter to farm workers and herders, their families and their livestock but in the late sixties, with the mechanisation of farming and the advent of mass coastal tourism, the local population saw a steady decline and many Cave House were abandoned. Happily, today, that decline is being reversed, as more people seek an alternative Spain to the over-crowded and over-developed Coastal regions. In the nineties, a few cave homes were re-developed traditionally as attractions for rural tourism. This was very successful and attracted many Spanish holiday-makers, keen to experience something of earlier generations. It is only in the last five years that the potential of Cave Homes as permanent, sustainable accommodation has been realised. Most modern Cave Homes have Cave Rooms to the rear (normally used for bedrooms and storage), with a conventional build to the front to provide the kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Nowadays the conventional builds are well insulated mimicking as far as is practical, the thermal qualities of the traditional Cave House. Still Have Doubts? Almost everyone who comes to stay in a Cave Home is amazed at how dry, light and airy they are. People often go on to buy their own, because they are truly unique and affordable properties, beautifully finished, with a price tag far below that of conventional homes, particularly Coastal Properties.

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Property Features

* Children are allowed

Contact Information for Cave Home Holiday Rental Unique Opportunity Spain

Name:	Alan Reeves
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Its completely free to send an enquiry! Use this opportunity and email the owner below to ask as many questions as you wish about this Cottage in Costa Tropical.