Beautifully Restored Old Village House with Stunning Mountain Views
In Peaceful Spanish Pueblo in the Beautiful Almanzora Valley
Sleeps 3/5 (2 Bedrooms + Sofabed)
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The views south across the Almanzora Valley to the Sierra de los Filabres are breathtaking. Casa Lala is situated in the centre of Lucar, a very quiet, typical hill village near Tijola on the A334 and midway between the towns of Baza and Albox. Lucar now boasts a new bodega selling excellent wine from the region and has a good municipal swimming pool free to residents, open in July and August. Cela, a village nearby, has a fascinating large thermal pool open all year, surrounded by bars and restaurants. In Lucar itself are 2 well-stocked supermarkets, a bakery, chemists, doctor's surgery, butchers and several bar/restaurants, plus a small market every Friday. Beaches of the east coast, Vera and Mojacar, are an hour's drive away and the south coast including Cabo da Gata, one and a half hours via a wonderful mountain route. Half an hour or so to the west, near Baza is a very popular lake. There are wonderful opportunities for walking and bird watching across the entire region.
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| Rental periods | |
| July / August | £200 |
| April - October | £150 |
| November - March | £100 |
| Christmas / New Year | £200 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds for 2 people.
Extra days are pro-rata, where in excess of full weeks. Nominal charge for additional members of the party to cover bedding and towels, etc.
Shorter than 1 week by separate agreement, minimum £50.
Discount for 2 or more weeks.
Changeover day
Changeover days are fairly flexible. Please contact us directly to discuss this.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Lovely twin bedded room with built-in wardrobe, bedside cabinets, chest. South facing terrace with wonderful uninterrupted views. Reverse-cycle (heats and cools) air conditioning. Single bedroom with lovely views, fan. Sitting room has double sofa bed. |
| Bathrooms: | First floor bathroom with bath/shower over, wc, bidet, basin, towel rails and cupboard; ceramic wall heater. Lovely views. Separate wc and basin in utility room on ground floor. |
| Kitchen: | Yet more stunning views. Beautiful carpenter-built fitted wood kitchen and work surface with built-in electric cooker, ceramic touch-control hob, fridge with freezer section, Belfast sink, kettle, juicer, ceramic wall heater. Well equipped. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine, iron and ironing board, clothes airer, basin and wc, hot water tank, all usual cleaning equipment, sun umbrella, etc. |
| Living Rooms: | Lovely, cosy sitting room with low beamed ceilings. Double sofa bed, bedding chest, 2 cane chairs, side table, standard lamp, stereo and portable DVD player; open wood fire, plus reverse-cycle (heats or cools) air-conditioning. |
| Other: | Dining room/area with extending round table and 4 chairs, convector heater. Door to outside patio and stairs to first floor bedroom and bathroom. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
All towels and linen, etc are included, plus beach towels. We provide a full changeover service, including bedding towels and local advice and support as we live nearby Additional change of bedding and towels is provided each week for longer rentals |
Notes on accommodation
Casa Lala is not suitable for the elderly, infirm or small children. The house is built into the hillside, so it is on many levels, with irregular steps, some quite large, and very low beamed ceilings.
However, this is its charm, and is what drew us to buy and renovate it. The full restoration has been achieved sensitively using typical, natural and local materials with original wooden beams throughout. Modern conveniences provide the best of both worlds. There is a good supply of olive wood logs for the open fire to keep you cosy in the colder months and air conditioning to keep you cool in the summer.
Outside, the large south-facing private patio has both shade and sun all day long. Pots and planted areas enhance the patio and are irrigated with an automatic system - plus a watering can for you to use! The views are incredible. We never tire of them.
No smoking or pets please, but please feed the little cat that comes to the kitchen window. We'll show you which one.
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- washing machine,
- iron/ironing board,
- air conditioning
Accessibility
There is foot access to the house from abundant close roadside parking. A very small car can reach the property where there is a small parking space, but it is not for the faint-hearted! The streets were built for people and donkeys, not cars!
The village is on a hillside, so there are steps throughout the village and close to the house.
Outside
The large private patio area is accessed from the kitchen and also the dining area. It has a table, 5 chairs, two comfortable loungers and 3 outside lights - chat over a glass or two of local wine on balmy evenings, we do! There is also an outside tap, a washing line, small store of wood and maturing plants. The first floor good-sized tiled terrace is accessed from the main bedroom. At the front is a gravelled area with mature plants, including vine and lovely fig tree, plus more firewood.
Coast/Beach
Vera beach, including a naturist section, is about one hour's drive east. Garrucha, a fishing village with good seafood restaurants is close by. Further south is Mojacar pueblo and beach.
About one and a half hour's drive south over the mountains are Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce with good beaches, promenades and restaurants.
To the east of Almeria near Cabo de Gata is a very long and quiet beach accessed via wooden walkways, with clear water. Other quiet bays are to be found in the area.
Golf
The most well-known course is 'Desert Springs', near to Vera - about an hour's drive.
Skiing
Those flying via Granada or Malaga may wish to visit the Sierra Nevada ski resorts. From Lucar it will take you around 2 hours to drive there.
Travel
Car hire is essential and details can be provided, though we could provide an airport service if asked.
Nearest airports - Almeria and Granada, which are used by low-cost airlines, Ryanair, Easijet, Jet2.com and Monarch. Both are one and a half hours drive or so on good, quiet roads. Murcia (San Javier) is around 2 hours away.
Malaga and Alicante are about 2 and a half hours drive, with flights from almost every airport in the UK.
Please ask for our detailed travel information and directions.
Distances
Granada is the most significant city within reach, an hour and a half or so by car, through wonderful mountains and plateaux on good roads. On the way is Guadix, famous for its cave dwellings. In Granada the Alhambra is not to be missed and the old city centre is definitely worth exploring - sit in one of the many squares to enjoy a drink, free tapas and watch the world go by.
Mini Hollywood, of 'Spagetti Western' fame is about an hour's drive south over the mountain road, close to Tabernas.
Further details
Take a step back in time! In Lucar some people still use donkeys to work on the land returning at the end of the day laden with fodder. There are springs where drinking water is collected, cave houses, herds of goats and sheep to listen out for, exquisite almond and orange blossom in the Spring, olive groves, delicious figs and flame coloured pomegranates. The dried-up river-beds or 'ramblas' are used by walkers and drivers alike and a talc mine trail starts from Lucar.
The excellent municipal swimming pool in Lucar, open in July and August is free of charge and has a life guard. There are good bars open all year serving tapas and cheap basic meals.
The pool at Cela, nearby, also free, is very popular, particularly in the summer. It has several bars and restaurants serving a variety of food at very good prices.
Just outside Lucar is the new bodega selling inexpensive wine from the 'Alto Almanzora' region. Tastings are available at any time during opening hours and tours are available by appointment.
Tijola is the nearest small town, 10 minutes by car. It has all the usual banks, shops and services, plus a good Saturday market. Baza to the west and Albox to the east along the A334 are half an hour's drive away. Both have large supermarkets and excellent outdoor markets. The closest supermarkets, Eroski and Consum at Olula del Rio are 15 minutes by car.
We have information and maps with details of Casa Lala, Lucar and the surrounding area, an inventory and full directions, available electronically via email or by post. Lucar and other local villages are perfect starting points for walks, bird watching, etc. There are several excellent locations for watching the more exotic birds found in the region, eg Salinas at Cabo de Gata and Roquetas de Mar - many species of waders and wildfowl including flamingo, stilt, avocet, etc. Locally we have many species such as golden oriole, nightingale, bee-eater, black redstart, black wheatear, hoopoe, etc.
Booking notes
A £50 deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance payable 6 weeks before departure. No security deposit is required, but we expect tenants to pay for any breakages or damage. A full inventory is provided for this purpose and also so that you know what we are providing - almost everything you will need, bar clothing and toiletries!
Guest comments
'...the house is a treasure; lovingly restored and nestled in unassumingly among its neighbours. No-where must lend itself better to getting to know the 'real' Spain. We've had a fantastic and memorable trip - thank you Alan and Jenny!' (The Woods)
'...we were immediately enfolded in the levels, charm and spaces of the old house - each as varied as the angles of the beams above. And then, to open the shutters and walk out onto the terraces, it was a truly Almerian welcome!... All so thoughtfully created and brought to perfection.' (David)
'Casa Lala is a gorgeous place; have had a lovely restful stay; thank you for making Casa Lala SO comfortable' (Ruth and Suzanne)
'Only three days - too little time in such a wonderful place, and yet enough to realise what attracted Alan and Jenny to it. We felt relaxed and 'at home' as soon as we walked through the door. We hope to come back for a longer stay next year.' (Steve and Gill)
Owner profile
About the owner
We have lived permanently in Spain since October 2008, but have owned Casa Lala and our current Cortijo (small farm) near Lucar, Almeria since 2004. We work the land, have two horses, a cat and a dog and love to receive guests.
We decided to settle here after many years exploring Spain, Portugal, The Canaries and Cyprus. We are working hard at being able to communicate well with our lovely, generous Spanish neighbours.
Year purchased: 2004
Why the owner chose a home in this location
The area is very green and fertile, due to unlimited irrigation water, despite being in the south east of Spain and the views are incredible. It is very Spanish and rural, but has good communication by road. A new motorway is currently under construction down the Almanzora valley to the coastal motorway. The villages (pueblos) are a mix of old and new, and populated by the friendliest people. They are well served by shops, medical services and mobile deliveries. All have swimming pools open in the summer months. There is much to enjoy nearby both within walking distance and by car.
Unique benefits of the property
Casa Lala is very well equipped (we send our full inventory if you book), has magnificent views and a lovely private patio. We live near the village, so can assist with any requests you may have. The house is close to the centre of the village and its amenities, but in a quiet location. We also provide further detailed information and maps regarding the house, the village and surrounding area, plus information about travel plans if you require it.
For booking and further information
Property Ref S6458
Alan and Jenny James
Tel: (Spain) + 34 950 067 098 Mobile: (UK) + 44 (0)7710 615 294
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and has advertised this property with us since February 2007.
Property Ref S6458
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