Rural self catering holiday accommodation at Cortijo Opazo, high in the hills of the Alpujarras, southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada mountains of Andalucia, southern Spain Formerly a working farmhouse, Cortijo Opazo can be found in the countryside near the villages of Pitres, Portugos and the area of La Taha, about 25kms from the town of Orgiva. It is surrounded by ancient terraces used today by shepherds and market gardeners. The cortijo has been renovated recently to provide holiday accommodation in two delightful lodgings, La Corona and El Lujar, named after the two mountain summits that the house faces. These apartments can be rented out on a self catering basis, or as part of a fully catered, all inclusive walking holiday. Self catering apartment 'La Corona'(2 people plus sofa bed): From the south facing verandah the entrance of La Corona leads into the open plan living accommodation. This is a spacious area with a sofa and a double sofa bed, a large dining table, four dining chairs, a well stocked bookcase and a log burning stove. The kitchen is fully equipped with fitted cupboards, full sized oven, a glass ceramic hob with four rings, overhead extractor fan and full sized fridge. Plates cutlery etc are provided for at least four people and there is an extensive range of cooking equipment. The kitchen is tiled with ceramics in traditional local designs, and is clean and modern. From the kitchen there is a short connecting passage that leads to the bathroom and bedroom. The bathroom is fully tiled with a sink, W.C. and walk-in shower. Shelves, hooks, mirrors, towel rails and a wall cupboard are fitted. Next to the bathroom is the bedroom with a double bed (200cms x 150cms) side cupboards with table lamps, chest of drawers and hanging space. This light and airy room has two windows facing east and south that look out onto the surrounding countryside. La Corona is situated to the front of Cortijo Opazo and has a glorious south facing covered verandah (known locally as a tinao) with expansive views out over the valley of the Rio Trevelez and across the summit of La Corona to the mountains of the Contraviesa. To one side of the verandah there is an open patio for your exclusive use which enjoys sun all day long. Outdoor tables, chairs and sun-loungers allow guests to take full advantage of this splendid location. The private patio area leads on to the delightful communal garden. La Corona is ideal for two people but there is a sofa bed that opens up into a comfortable full sized double bed. We are happy to provide additional bedding for the use of this facility. Self catering apartment 'El Lujar'(2 or 4 people). This well equipped apartment has two sets of french windows leading from a private courtyard patio into the light and airy open plan living area of El Lujar. Here you will find a sofa, an armchair, dining table and chairs, coffee table and log burning stove. The kitchen is fitted with cupboards, full sized oven, glass ceramic hob with four rings, overhead extractor fan and full sized fridge. Plates, cutlery etc are provided for at least four people and there is an extensive range of cooking equipment. The kitchen is tiled with ceramics in traditional local designs, and is clean and modern. It has a window that faces east and allows the morning light to flood in. Next to the kitchen there is a door leading to the bathroom. This has a sink, W.C. and walk in shower. It is fully tiled with shelves, hooks, mirrors, towel rails and a cupboard provided. The bathroom also has an east facing window with frosted glass. From the sitting room a door leads into a good sized bedroom with a double bed (200cms x 150cms), two side tables with lamps, a chest of drawers, a built in wardrobe, a well stocked bookshelf and an armchair. A window looks out onto the surrounding hills. El Lujar has its own private courtyard filled with flowering potted plants. This leads directly onto a patio, part covered by a pergola, which is for the exclusive use of guests staying in El Lujar. The patio has open views across the Rio Bermejo to the village of Pitres and further to the high summit of El Lujar - on a clear day the Mediterranean sea can be glimpsed way down in the valley. The patio has full sun all day whilst the west facing courtyard offers a perfect location to enjoy the setting sun. The private outdoors spaces lead on to the large communal garden. Tables, chairs and sun loungers are provided to allow guests to take full advantage of the outdoor spaces. El Lujar is ideal for two people. Adjacent to the courtyard is a guest room with en-suite bathroom and two single beds which can be rented out in addition to accommodate a further two people. Throughout the accommodation the floors have been finished in warm terracota ceramic tiles. There is an underfloor heating system in all areas, the use of which is included in the rental. During most of the year the days are warm enough for t-shirts and light clothing but since the area is mountainous the evenings and early mornings in the cooler months can be chilly and we have found the heating system invaluable. The log burning stove is provided as a cosy luxury and a quantity of logs will be supplied.