Holiday country house for rent in Periana

A magical place for a really special holiday.
La Amapola is a beautifully restored Andalucian country villa, with a huge kitchen diner and 3 luxurious bedrooms. The house is styled with a Mediterranean feel – big mirrors, polished original tiled floors, wide beds and fresh flowers. An old family library, hand-picked artworks and ceramics all add to the charm. The large swimming pool is stunningly situated and totally private, with breathtaking views of Lake Vinuela and the Mediterranean, and features underwater lighting - should you fancy a moonlight dip! Guests can explore the 3 acres of grounds, with huge old olive and oak trees and extensive gardens and terraces. There are grapevines with grapes hanging overhead, peaches and apricots on the trees in season, a herb garden, and an outdoor barbecue area for dining alfresco. Jasmine, hibiscus and bougainvillea, wildflowers, butterflies and birdlife, no traffic, yet close to local shops and bars, 30 mins from beaches and an hour from Malaga/Granada – your own private paradise!

Accommodation
The farmhouse has been tastefully renovated in traditional Andaluz style, with polished terracotta floors, exposed beams, handmade tiles and whitewashed walls. The interior is cool and airy even in high summer, thanks to the high ceilings with ceiling fans and the french doors leading out to the terraces and gardens.
The house offers every modern comfort and convenience. There is a fabulous kitchen-diner (55m2) complete with range style oven, huge chrome fridge and, for the keen cook, masses of cookbooks and specialist cookware. The 3 double bedrooms are all spacious and comfortable, 2 of them with king size beds and french doors leading to terraces. The 3rd bedroom has 2 double beds, one on a mezzanine platform, very popular with teenagers and young adults! The cosy living room has big squashy sofas, masses of cushions and an extensive library of films, books and music to cater for all tastes and ages.
New for 2009: free WiFi is now available for all guests.

Pool, Gardens & Terraces

The farmhouse and pool are set in 3 acres of private land, mainly olive and almond groves, with some fruit trees, including pomegranate, apricot and peach, a number of huge holm oaks and a well stocked herb garden. Guests can help themselves to fruit as well as lemongrass, mint, laurel and more. The kitchen and lounge lead out onto vine-shaded terraces, with comfortable outdoor seating and a large table for dining alfresco. Upstairs, the main bedroom has french doors leading out to a roof terrace with wonderful views. The downstairs bedroom opens onto a pretty enclosed courtyard with climbing roses, ivy and wisteria.

The pool measures 10 by 5m and runs from 1m deep at the shallow end to 2.4m at the deep end. There is a pool shower and a large terracotta tiled terrace around the pool, with 6 sun-beds and a large cane-shaded canopy. The pool features underwater lighting and the pool terraces can be floodlit at night, should you fancy a moonlight dip!
The pool and pool terraces are for the sole use of clients and are utterly private and undisturbed. For families with young children, access to the pool via the gated entrance can be closed off if required.

Activities
With its subtropical climate and gorgeous unspoilt scenery it is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor pursuits (tennis, horse-riding, hiking, mountain biking etc - all available 2kms away at the local Villa Turistica) or simply to get away from it all and enjoy the views, unspoilt natural surroundings and tranquility.
The white hilltop villages of the Axarquia, Granadas arabic quarter and the Alhambra Palace and the picturesque beaches of Nerja are just some of the nearby attractions. Other recommended day trips include Malagas Picasso museum and the wonderful tapas bars in the centro historico, the fabulous moorish architecture of Cordoba, the hot springs at Alhama de Granada, the lake at Beremejales and the gorgeous scenery at El Chorro Gorge. Seville, Ronda, Cordoba and Nerja are all also accessible for a pleasant day trip or a relaxing night away.
There are numerous local golf courses within half an hours drive on the coast. Skiing is available during the winter months at Granadas Sierra Nevada, an hour and a halfs drive.

Location
The house is not overlooked by any neighbours and is totally secluded and private, yet within easy reach of all local amenities. There is an excellent local restaurant about 3kms away, and a pretty hilltop bar in a beautiful location 4kms away, as well as some fabulous seafood restaurants on the coast half an hour away.

The nearest shops, banks, supermarkets, bars etc are at Periana 5kms away. A selection of delicious tapas and raciones are available at the local bars - ask for our recommendations.

The nearest beach is Torre del Mar at 25kms - about half an hours drive. This is a typical Spanish beach resort with sandy beach and beachside promenade with numerous ice-cream parlours, cafes and some wonderful seafood restaurants.
Nerja beach is 40kms away, about 45 minutes drive, a very pleasant and pretty resort with cliffside beaches and little sandy coves and beachside walks, plus interesting shops and some inviting bars and restaurants.

Travel
La Amapola is located 25kms inland between Malaga and Granada, only an hours drive from both and from Malaga airport. Both Malaga and Granada airports are easily accessible from Amapola. (Malaga 55kms and Granada 65kms). Budget airlines serving these airports include Easyjet, Ryanair, Monarch and BMIbaby. Iberia and British Airways also offer regular and frequent daily flights. Car hire is essential and there are numerous car hire companies, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Hellehollis and malagacarhire.com. We recommend shopping around for the best deal as prices often vary quite dramatically.

Visitors comments
Please take a moment to read some of the comments from our Visitors Book. We feel that the words of our clients speak for themselves!

"Highly recommended! What a great place to come and unwind and relax. A fabulous house in a fabulous part of Spain. We have had a great holiday – birds (golden eagles, nightingales, swallows), flowers, scenery and a lovely climate in May,. Loved every minute of our time here!"
RS (UK)
"We can't even begin to express the lovely time we had here in your magnificent villa. Such a beautiful place, true heaven and so difficult to leave! The region is amazing in beauty and tranquility! We sure plan on returning as one week was not nearly enough!!"
MB (Herzliya)
"Wonderful countryside for hiking, horse-riding, bird watching, swimming and mountain biking! After long days out, returning to our stylish and comfortable rooms at La Amapola for a glass of Rioja, and something delicious cooked up in the fabulous farmhouse kitchen, was a well deserved treat!"
MH (UK)
"What a great decision to book a week here! We felt inspired in this beautiful environment, and it was so relaxing watching the sparrows and swallows. The personal touches - flowers in the bedrooms, mini toiletries in the bathrooms, the welcome basket - were all really lovely.
Our evenings were filled with the sound of Nina Simone and Johnny Cash on the stereo – reminded us of our childhoods! Excellent!"
UF (UK)
"We are very happy that we found your lovely house! It was our first vacation in Andalucia but won't be the last – expect us to come again!"
FL (Denmark)
"We have had a wonderful stay at La Amapola. Your pool was a treat on those lovely hot days. The views were absolutely spectacular and the house perfect."
PM (UK)
"We had a fantastic 2 weeks! Beautiful views, the beach nearby was very nice, and we had very good weather!"
GR (Holland)
"It is only because I am convinced we will be back again that I agree to leave La Amapola! Thankyou once again for providing the perfect house and surroundings for a lovely vacation!"
AM (Denmark & France)
"We have had a great time in your marvelous house. We have travelled all the continents and seen many places but La Amapola is the most special of all! Views are stunning, garden perfect, kitchen fab, delicious local food..."
HP, (Holland)
"Thankyou for the wonderful week at La Amapola! we fell in love with the house and surroundings, and hope to be back one day!"
JI (Norway)
“What more can you want from a holiday? Stunning views, an amazingly large pool, grapes hanging overhead ready to eat on just one of the gorgeous terraces, and all the books and DVDs you need to see you through the next 5 years! Highlights included watching baby swallows taking their first flight. It was amazing to see them over the next week soaring around us and drinking from the pool.”
BW (UK)
"I’ve tried to capture some of the "La Amapola spirit" with my camera, although nothing beats the real thing. We hesitate between telling everyone we know about how wonderful your house is and keeping the secret to ourselves.... also, the child friendliness and safeness of the place! We are counting the days till we can come back next year."
AM (Denmark, France and Switzerland)
“The perfect place to get healthy again, spiritually and physically! The mountain panorama is breathtaking from every angle! I learned about a whole new part of the world I would never otherwise have discovered, and I and the children have fantastic memories of our holiday here.”
The Melchiors (USA)
“La Amapola exceeded all our expectations. A farmhouse full of character set in a great location. The views are fantastic, we wanted a “chill out” holiday and we got it! Thank you.”
JS (UK)
“Beautiful house, great company, loads of sunshine, good food and wine. Best holiday ever.”
FS (UK)
“Absolutely wonderful holiday! Cordoba, Granada and Ronda were definitely worth the visit, we enjoyed the beaches at Nerja and of course the pool and your beautiful gardens and terraces.”
GB (Holland)
“The master bedroom upstairs is really superb and we loved the private balcony, with great views, for quiet time away from the kids!”
LB (USA)
"We are looking back on a wonderful holiday in your marvellous house. This was really the best place we ever stayed for holiday!"
GB (Holland)
“We are enjoying our last evening on the terrace looking out over the mountains. It’s hard to choose which view to admire each evening – they are all lovely and there are so many comfortable, tranquil places to sit. This is a stunningly beautiful place and we have loved our stay here. We will definitely be back and will recommend it to our friends and family.”
AW (UK)
"Once again weve enjoyed a super relaxing time in your beautiful home, two weeks of chilled bliss - sun, swimming, drinks and stuffing ourselves silly!"
VH (UK)
“We all had an incredibly enjoyable week. We sunk into relaxing harmony instantly and would recommend it to all our friends! Such a great collection of classic movies, games, CDs and books! Everyone is catered for, impossible to be bored!"
DL (UK)
“We feel so fortunate to have chosen Amapola - a little bit of paradise amongst the mountains of Andalucia!
AN (UK)
"All your lovely books and films. What a charismatic house! We will tell everybody we know about it!"
PJ (Denmark)
"This is the best holiday I have had! The pool was so great!! The kitchen was massive!" Issi Norris, age 10
“Such a beautiful place! The pool always cool and refreshing, the stars so pretty at night! I am very sad to leave."
CB age 12 (USA)
“What a lovely place La Amapola is – exceeding all my expectations. We were in real need of relaxation and peace and we certainly got it here in your little bit of paradise. Thankyou – I feel sure we’ll be back.”
SB (UK)
“We had a wonderful time at your wonderful house. The weather has been lovely. Can’t pin down my favourite part of the stay – I did enjoy looking at the stars – they were so bright! The moon and Venus were clear and we even saw a satellite!”
SB (USA)
“How wonderfully your beautiful home fits into the landscape. The excellent library was a real treat!”
AS (UK)
”A fantastic 2 week family holiday, just what was needed, very relaxing. The children, grandma, grandad, mum and dad loved the pool, many an afternoon playing water polo! One of the best holidays, would love to return in the near AH (UK)
“A wonderful holiday set in stunning surroundings”
FH (UK)
“Outstanding views from every angle!”
DB (UK)
“The most beautiful house in Andalucia!”
PS (Israel)
“What a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing place!”
DH (USA)
“Views are fantastic, pool very refreshing and the house very nicely equipped/furnished.”
AW (UK)
“A wonderful finca – a perfect orientation and everything you could wish for.”
KA (UK)
“The villa is really beautiful – so secluded with such beautiful views!”
PH (Holland)
“Even better this year, a true paradise!”
VG (Bulgaria)
“After all the grey days at home the blue sky and sun every day was a real treat. The log fire was very welcome in the evenings and the well equipped kitchen was well used. We enjoyed visiting the Alhambra Palace very much. A wonderful Christmas!”
AC (UK)
“The fragrance of broom, the low-tone clunk of a sheep’s bell, sunlight slipping beyond the western rise, your delightful cortijo!”
RB (Canada)
“A suberb view everywhere one looks. We have enjoyed 3 relaxing and fabulous weeks here, most of the time by the pool, but also your lovely kitchen has been a popular spot!”
PC (Denmark)
“A wonderful holiday – the views, the villa, the pool, the books (!!) Everything!”
KR (UK)
”High points of our visit have included climbing the rocks at El Torcal, near Antequera (Antequera is also lovely), the small road between Periana and Alfarnate across the mountain, Alhama de Granada, El Verdugo restaurant in Periana and the local hilly walks. The railway walk from here to Periana. The locals have been lovely – just smile and say hello!”
RC (UK)
”Here we are yet again and still completely spellbound by the beauty of this place – we really can’t seem to stay away!”
VG (UK)
“Idle sunny days at the poolside with readings selected from the library, fresh produce from the local markets, indulging in a 3 course “menu del dia” at El Verdugo, drinking Cava, Moscatel, Rose and other Spanish elixirs. We are laden with enough olive oil hopefully to last until our next visit!
Thanks for another 2 weeks in paradise!”
RB (Canada)
“Lots of pool sessions, lots of barbecue sessions, lots of beautiful places around, we will definitely be back!”
CM (France)

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Notes
Prices are per week in Euros and include gas, water and electricity and first basket of wood for lighting the stove in the winter (euros 5 per basket thereafter). Bookings are from Saturday to Saturday. Please call or email before booking to check availablilty.
Final cleaning is included, but we do ask guests to leave the house neat and tidy, and to clear away rubbish etc before departure. A €50 charge will be applied if extra cleaning is required.

THE COTTAGE
"The Cottage" is available for Winter Lets from November to March. It has 2 double bedrooms plus cot/divan bed - please contact us for photos and further details.