Secluded Cortijo with Private Pool and WOW views!

Description from the owner

Cortijo El Terral:Our beautifully restored home and private pool is situated in a secluded and peaceful location surrounded by terraced gardens and borders full of exotic plants, cacti and trees. We offer superior accommodation to immediately help you relax as we know how important and special your holiday is to you. We have one hundred percent positive feedback and because it is so relaxing guests love to return.

The Cortijo has breathtaking extensive panoramic mountain views and looks towards the hill top village of Comares which the Christians re-captured from the Moors. The little whitewashed village glistens in the sunshine and twi...nkles with lights at night. This small and unspoilt area of La Axarquia in Andalucia – to the north and east of Malaga, is still an area untouched by tourism and is mainly agricultural. The high rugged mountains of the sierras are in the distance turning purple at dusk and the Mediterranean coast is to the south. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and wildlife.

We have lovingly restored the L shaped Cortijo and grounds carefully over many years keeping the original style and features using traditional materials wherever possible. It has a wonderful history which we wished to preserve. The ceilings are beamed, the windows are shuttered and the heavy wooden doors have authentic handmade grills, nails called clavos and hand made door knockers.

There are three hundred and sixty degree views from the Cortijo, looking towards the mountain called Maroma, the hill top village of Comares and the undulating landscape of olive and almond trees towards Riogordo. An abundance of bright coloured wild plants and flowers (including orchids) and herbs cover the area. The wildlife of gheckos, chameleons and pretty little lizards can be seen. The Cortijo is surrounded by our land and there is virtually no passing traffic apart from the odd farmer with his mule.

The colours of the distant landscape are constantly changing contrasting with the bright red hibiscus, the yellow of the mimosas, the oranges and lemons in the garden, the rash of almond blossom in Springtime to the red earth and the profusion of wild flowers, pale green of the olive trees and the strong leaves of the Yuccas and Palm trees against the blue sky.

Outside there are different planted terraces and a walk way goes completely around the house past the fruit trees to the tree lined drive, around to the hand built dry stone wall area past the Yukka trees onto the shaded areas on the same level as the pool and shower. The swimming pool measures 8 metres (plus entry steps) x 4.62 metres and is the same depth throughout 1.32 metres and is very secluded. There is a barbecue and preparation area. Tables and chairs are in four different areas and sun beds by the pool. Comfy steamer chairs to lie on under the canopy for shade are provided to help you unwind and relax.

Each room in the Cortijo has different far reaching views and the master bedrooms are comfortable and ensuite. All bed linen and bathroom towels are supplied, all you need to bring is a beach towel. The Cortijo feels welcoming and comfortable as soon as you arrive.

We advise on good restaurants and out of the way places of interest to visit as well as the the major attractions of Nerja,Granada, Cordoba, Ronda, Malaga, Marbella, Gibralter and local activities and fiestas.

If you need a quiet peaceful break in a relaxed and very comfortable atmosphere yet within easy reach of modern facilities, the lakes and the sea, or for exploring La Axarquia area which is stunning, whether you are a couple, a family, on honeymoon or for a special occasion, then Cortijo El Terral is for you.Read more

Additional Location Information

Riogordo
This pretty whitewashed village in the Axaquia region is situated 39 kilometres from Malaga, Velez Malaga and Antequera and is four hundred metres above sea level.

The coastal resort of Torre del Mar is some 46 kilometres from Riogordo and the next nearest town is Colmenar, six kilometres away, which has a twenty four hour medical centre.

The town is divided into three different areas, the northern most rugged part with the Tajo de Gomer and the Sierra del Rey mountains. Between these flows the river La Cueva. To the south the landscape is gentle with rolling hills covered with seemingly endless rows of olive trees.

The name of the town comes from the water being mineral laden or ‘gordo’ fat.

History
The very first human settlements date back to the Neolithic Period, and were located at El Tajo de Gomer. There were Bronze Age remains found in the Cerro de la Capellania. Around the 17th century livestock farming and sweet wine production began.

Around town
There are a variety of shops in Riogordo and a weekly market. The Museum is really excellent reflecting life as it used to be for the ‘Riogordeños’ people.

Places of interest
Other points of interest are the Church of Nuestra Senora de Gracia, which was built in 1490, the Hermitage of San Sebastian, built at the end of the 17th century and Tajo del Gomer, one of the most beautiful areas situated close to Riogordo.

There is a walking route that takes you to the Tajo (Gorge) from the river (Rio).

Riogordo sits on the scenic Route of Olives and Mountains, a 62.5 kilometre long route, that runs inland through mountainous terrain in the north-west of Axarquia.

The oil is the olive oil grown from the verdial trees of the region from which is produced one of the best olive oils in the world. The route covers the areas of Vinuela, Alcaucin, Periana, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Riogordo and Colmenar.

The road to Alfarnate has some of the most spectacular views in the Axarquia region, plus there are three other routes, which take in the local area: Raisin (Historically, the Malagueñan owners of vineyards have used part of their crops to make raisins). The grapes are laid on paseros (raisin dryers) next to the farmhouses. These are distinctive rectangular white sloping platforms, which can be seen throughout Axarquia), the Sun and Avocado and Mudejar routes are also worth exploring.

Festivals
The festive calendar begins in January with the Procession of the Three Kings; during Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) a very special event happens in Riogordo, when more than 400 villagers re-enact the life and death of Jesus. Over six thousand people can be seated to watch this spectacle.

The villagers are dressed in period costume of the time and the horses are saddled, as they would have been. The scenes include: Sermon on the Mount, the Last Supper, Judas Betraying the Lord and Jesus on the cross with the two thieves. The event is set in the natural landscape of Riogordo on Holy Friday and Saturday each year at four pm.

The Feria de Ganada (Cattle Fair) takes place in May, at the same time as the Snail Fair, where the snails are cooked in stock and served with olives, beer and the local wine and accompanied by music and dancing.

A Flamenco festival takes place in August and lasts a week, with activities during the day and evening festivities including fireworks.

Climate
All year the climate is good even when snow is on the mountain peaks during the winter months. Every month is different in the area and there is always so much to do. In springtime the almond blossom covers the landscape in a white and pink haze. The sound of the goat bells can be heard in the distance.

Location Type Away from it all, Mountain, Rural

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

The Cortijo is very comfortable for four people plus a baby. There is a cot in the smaller bedroom. There is a small extra charge for central heating but a set supply of logs are given in the Winter.
If you are coming for a long stay a cleaner is available at an hourly rate @ 10euros an hour..
Always enquire for longer rates ie over three weeks.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Family Wijnen
  The Netherlands

  Cortijo El Terral - A great place to stay

  Left on 08/05/2012 for a stay in July 2012
  
  

  2 weeks at Cortijo el Terral. What a great time. A very comfortable house with a beautifull garden, stunning swimming pool and great scenery in the mountains. Everything you need is available in the house.
  Many thanks to Rob and Linda as hosts and friends. We can recommend this Cortijo to everyone.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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  Response from Linda and Robert - 08/05/2012

  

  Linda and Robert

  Owner

  Thank you so much for your honest review. You were fantastic guests!

• Annette
  Slagelse

  Cortijo el terral riogordo

  Left on 10/30/2011 for a stay in September 2011
  
  

  It was nice, peacefull and very relaxing.
  A place to go back to.

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• One of my best vacations!!!!
  Eufaula, AL USA

  One of my best vacations!!!

  Left on 10/21/2011 for a stay in December 2010
  
  

  I would highly recommend staying at Cortijo El Terral. Everything was perfect from the accomodations to the scenery and weather. Lin and Rob were great hosts. We came as strangers and left as friends.

  

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• Persson Family
  Malmo, Sweden

  Mountain retreat

  Left on 10/19/2011 for a stay in September 2011
  
  

  Wow, what a place, a true get-away-from-it-all holiday with all the comforts of home. The house is a beautiful and lovingly restored farmhouse with superior accommodation for the executive traveller. The bedrooms are a great size with amazing views from every window down over the valley and mountains plus en suites. The inside living space is a very comfortable size with a fully equipped kitchen. The greatest asset for the house however is the outdoor living space. The house is completely surrounded by beautiful mature gardens that are very well maintained and of course for those hotter days, a lovely swimming pool, fully fenced to either keep the kids in or out! There are numerous courtyards and decks around the house also so you follow the sunshine all day.
  
  I would happily recommend the house to anyone who is looking for a secluded restored vila in the mountains, after some time to relax and re-charge by the pool. The photos of the house are no exaggeration, it is actually that lovely!!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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• The Dawsons
  St Albans

  A truly beautiful, away from it all, destination

  Left on 10/18/2011 for a stay in May 2011
  
  

  Cortijo el Terral is the most picture perfect of country houses. Lovingly restored by Rob and Linda the house is a wonderful, comfortable relaxing home away from home. Beautiful bedrooms with stunning views of the mountains, a lovely large shower upstairs and large family bathroom downstairs. Fires for the winter and cool thick walls and shutters for the summer. But the real draw is the gardens and pool. Walk through the beautifully stocked gardens, pick fruit from the trees and herbs to use on the large built in barbecue. Laze in the pool and watch swallows nesting in the eaves of the veranda.It really is an "away from it all" place. We love it so much we have been three times. In May we went for a week and only left the cortijo after 5 days because we ran out of milk and beer! Great for couples and families and if you do want to venture out you are close enough to drive to Granada and down to the coast. An easy drive from Malaga airport too. Perfect!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Romantic, Luxury, Families w children

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