Around Andalucia - Magic Roundabout
Take a cheap flight to Malaga, hire a car and head out along the A357 for your first night's stay in Alora. A mountain walk up El Hacho in Pizarra just behind the town affords some of the most impressive and unfortgettable views in Andalucia, making the experience well worth the effort. Alora offers a good choice of holiday accommodation, including cabanas, guesthouse, self-catering apartments, which are all in the gorgeous countryside just outside of town. Alora is full of atmospheric bars and restaurants with delicious cuisine at affordable prices. There are also many other attractions in this fascinating pueblo such as the municipal museum and the Casa de la Cultura where you may be lucky enough to see one of the many art exhibitions that are put on throughout the year. A walk through the old part of town up to the Castillo Arabe with its far reaching views over the Guadalhorce Valley is a must for any visitor.

After a couple of days, move on to El Chorro and check in at some fabulous apartments which offer further incredible views over the famous El Chorro Gorge, especially from the swimming pool area and restaurant which is well known for its sensational and reasonably priced cuisine. You will be ideally placed for relaxation, exploration or participation in a number of thrilling activity sports. A short drive through the Paraje Natural Desfiladero de los Gaitanes will bring you to the picturesque embalses (lakes) near Ardales. On the way don't forget to take a detour to the Bobastro Ruins. The lakes area is ideal for water sports, walking, picnics and BBQs, although it would be very hard to beat a lunch at El Mirador Restaurant, aptly named by its owner and proud Andaluz, Juan, as the Balcony of Malaga. Should you have the time, the towns of Ardales and Carratraca are also well worth a visit. After a further several days take the winding mountain road (MA-226) from La Garganta to Valle de Abdalajis.

Faced with a completely different, yet no less compelling landscape, you can now choose to stay at a guesthouse near Abdalajis, or turn left along the A343 to reach the Paraje Natural Torcal de Antequera and stay at a lovely cortijo hotel. Alternatively, you may prefer to continue to Antequera and stay in an exclusive townhouse with fabulous views over the city. Time now to explore the many nearby attractions such as the incredible rocky outcrops of El Torcal, Lobo Park (wolf park) and the colonies of pink flamingos at certain times of the year at Fuente de Piedra, as well as the bustling and engaging town of Antequera itself.

To round off your journey and rest up before your flight home, spend a few days at a friendly and informal hotel with stunning views or a luxurious secluded wing of a recently restored finca with exclusive use of large swimming pool in a well established garden. And if you still have the energy, there is a wide range of further activities available.