"Villa Zalia", Andalusia, is part of a small collection of stylish holiday homes of the Zalia Retreats' portfolio.

The house itself is hard to leave. Cool in the summer (air conditioned), cosy in the winter (heating and wood burning stove). It has a light, airy living space, One double bedroom ensuite wet room and one twin bedroom ( or double) second large wet-room.

Step onto the terrace, which is furnished for outdoor meals and sun worshippers. The pool is big enough for serious swimmers to exercise or for others to float and enjoy the views.

There is free Wifi available throughout the Villa and by the pool area.

The hillside is carefully cultivated with local cacti, poppies and boulders.

The nearest beach with all the facilities is just twenty minutes drive away and more private coves signed a little further along the coast.

Good skiing and snow boarding are just two hours away in the Sierra Nevada – the most southerly ski centre in mainland Europe. Ski early morning, swim late afternoon.

The ancient cities of Granada with the Alhambra, Malaga the birth place and home to the Museo Picasso, Ronda sitting astride a spectacular gorge are all within reach for a days excursion.

Alcaucin, the ‘pueblo blanco’ just down the track from the house, has amongst its picturesque narrow streets local bar, restaurants, small shops, banks, a play area and a basketball court.

The Centro Commercial, El Ingenio, a shopping mall is a twenty minute drive and has amongst its shops and bars a cinema and adjacent to it there is Aqua Velis, a water park.

Pablo Picasso Aiport Malaga 1 hour drive.