Notes from the host
Casa Olivia
Casa Olivia is set in the spectacular mountain scenery of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is in a peaceful but not isolated position only about 10 minutes drive from the restaurants and shops of Cómpeta, a typically picturesque Pueblo Blanco. Our villa is set in a large level plot that is attractively planted with a wide variety of Mediterranean plants and has a 8x4 metre pool. The pool has passive solar heating, comfortably extending the swimming season from mid-April to mid-October. During the Summer season, the pool is cleaned twice a week and garden maintenance is done once a week. The property is walled and gated and protected by a 24/7 Securitas security system. There is a secure, fire proof safe for guest use to protect valuables.
Inside you will find everything you need for a relaxing holiday, a real home away from home. Casa Olivia has been freshly painted inside (Dec 2022) and outside (Feb 2023). There are two large air conditioned (for cooling and heating) bedrooms with full width fitted wardrobes. The new airconditioning units were installed in August 2024. The master bedroom has a new (Nov 2022) King Size hotel quality bed, with a memory foam mattress. The twin beds in the second bedroom can be converted into a king bed on request.
The spacious lounge has two settees, an LG smart TV with over 120 channels (Spanish, English, German, Austrian, Norwegian and Swedish), Netflix, Prime Video, amongst others, and an Apple TV. The full kitchen is very well equipped. Outside there is a very private solar heated pool, extensive sun terraces and a large covered eating area next to the pool, with outside kitchen and BBQ. There is also a covered terrace at the front of the villa where you can sit or doze in the shade if it's too hot by the pool or to sip a glass of vino and watch the sun go down over the mountains. The Wi-Fi (15 Mbps download) covers the whole property.
PETS
Pets are very welcome at Casa Olivia! The house is not located directly along a road and is relatively secluded and safe. That said, it is good to know that the garden is not 100% fenced off. You'll have to keep an eye on 'explorative' pets.
CYCLING & HIKING
The area is fantastic for cyclists and is becoming well known by cyclists of all levels, from amateur road and mountainbikers, to keen long distance road bikers and triathletes. The roads in La Axarquia are quiet, offer spectacular views of the mountains and sea and car drivers are very respectful to cyclists (there is a strongly enforced law, requesting cars to give cyclists 2 meters of space when overtaking).
Casa Olivia is ideally positioned, with just a short concrete driveway from the Torrox-Competa Road (one of the main cycling routes) making access for road bikes or mountain bikes really easy. We strongly recommend bike rental from Cycle Malaga www.cyclemalaga.com. Steve and Helen offer excellent service, high quality, perfectly maintained road and mountain bikes and deliver the bikes to and collect bikes from Casa Olivia. They will also give great tips and advice for the best routes to search out.
The coast from Nerja, to Maro and beyond to La Herradura offers breathtaking rugged coastal views and satisfying (but not too strenuous!) hills to climb. Due to the motorway running in parallel but higher up the coast, there are few cars on this beautiful route. And there are plenty of places to take a break for a drink and something to eat to keep you going.
The area is also a hikers paradise, with lovely walks directly near the villa. Further afield there are more challenging hikes in the nearby national parks, along the coast and in the various valleys. The hike to the peak of La Maroma is on many a hikers bucket list.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
There are remote and quiet pebble and sand beaches nearby between Maro and Nerja and more accessible, beaches, with lively boulevards filled with restaurants and bars at Torrox Costa, Algarrobo and Nerja. For the children there are pretty coves as well as 'bucket & spade' beaches; one of the best Aqua Parks in area is at Torre del Mar. The famous Caves of Nerja is within 25 minutes drive. There are also great opportunities for horse riding & pony trekking for all abilities near Competa.
For those who like sight seeing, in addition to Competa there are many other Moorish Pueblo Blanco's nearby just waiting to be explored. Further afield Granada & the Alhambra Palace are one and a half hour's drive away. Sevilla and Cordoba are less than three hours drive. For keen golfers there are two 18 hole golf courses within easy driving distance and skiing in the Sierra Nevada is less than 2 hours away.
Even more things to do!: Lovers of the great out doors will find some spectacular walks in the Sierra Tejeda and Almijara Natural parks which are literally on the doorstep. You might try the gentle strolls along Moorish irrigation channels between Competa and Canillas through citrus and Avocado plantations. Or for the more adventuress the views from the old Malaga - Granada mule track at 1000m are breathtaking.
Competa: The nearby village of Competa (4km - 10 minutes drive) is a very typical Pueblo Blanco (White Village). You can watch the daily comings and goings from the relative tranquillity of one of Competa’s many restaurants and bars. Competa has plenty of amenities, including banks, bars, restaurant, supermarkets, pharmacies and bakeries. Many artists have settled in the area and a leisurely browse through Competa’s craft shops and art galleries is a rewarding way to pass a few hours. Each Saturday morning there is a market in Competa’s lower square. For a small fee visitors can use the pleasant swimming pools, gardens and tennis courts at the Balcon de Competa hotel.
C
Hosted byCharles & Joshua
