Sitting in the countryside between Málaga and Marbella, this typically Andalusian home is just the spot for a peaceful getaway during which you'll spend as many hours as possible in the great outdoors.

Part of the alfresco appeal is the dramatic landscape of hillsides and clouds rolling across the sky that greets you as you step out the back door. It makes for a lovely backdrop against which to paddle in the swimming pool, soak up the sunshine on one of the loungers or read on the shady pergola. Once nighttime starts to descend, you can fire up the barbecue and dine on the covered terrace.

Back inside, there are a fair few period features to be spotted, from the exposed brick fireplace in the corner of the living room to the vaulted wooden ceiling beams. However, these are matched with plenty of contemporary flourishes, too – the large windows bring in copious amounts of natural light, for example, while the sleek kitchen and bathrooms feel anything but dated.

When you're in need of shops and restaurants, the centre of Villafranco de Guadalhorce is only 2km away and Alhaurin el Grande is 7km away, too. A little further afield, there are sandy beaches at Fuengirola and Torremolinos, which are both around 30km away, too.


Home truths:
*There are two covered parking spaces available for guests
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*The home is spread over two floors but there are bedrooms on the ground level and the interior has been adapted for disabled people
*The TV has channels in Spanish, German, Dutch, and French
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace