THE LOCAL AREA & THINGS TO DO

The Spanish Town of Puente Genil has a number of large Supermarkets and is only 5 min car drive away. It is a large bustling town with lots of shops, bars, restaurants, including highly recommended Casa Pedro and even night clubs. It really comes to life at night when all the Spanish families come out to chat in the bars along the street. As you drive into Puente you come to Carrefour it’s a large supermarket with all the provisions you need for a good holiday, and is open from 10am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday. It does not close for siesta. Other supermarkets nearby include Lidl, where you can pick up bargains including some lovely low cost wines and Dia and Mercadona supermarkets. All shops are closed on Sunday and the town shops close between 2pm and 5pm for siesta

The complex around Carrefour has a bowling alley, fast food place, internet cafe, cinema, coffee shops disco and a very good restaurant called La Lemon. Further into town you have many local bars and restaurants. There are numerous fiestas through out the year so keep an eye out.

PLACES TO VISIT NEARBY
There are many day trips to be made from here if your into rambling, mountaineering cycling or horse riding they are all available Ronda, Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Alhambra The Sierra Nevada’s, are all achievable in a day Perfect for Walking, Horse Riding, Painting and Fishing etc
The local Flora and Fauna offer great interest . The nearest Golf course is the 18 hole golf course, at Antequera (Hills of Gandía), 30 mins away.

Aguilar and Estepa
The nearby pretty villages of Aguilar and Estepa are typically Moorish, with a network of winding streets lined with numerous Whitewashed houses. Here time seems to have almost stood still yet, surprisingly if you explore you will find numerous Bars and places to eat.

Ronda
Visit Ronda a lovely peaceful town. Walk downhill towards Bullring and the old town. Have lunch at one of the lovely restaurants with a terrace overlooking the Gorge. Ideal for peaceful walks. Stroll round the old town look at the beautiful views. Come back over the bridge and follow path round Parador and look at the Bull Ring

El Torcal
Is one of Spains most beautiful natural parks, and is an ideal area from where to explore the very best of rural Andalucia.10 kilometres west of Antequera El Torcal Park is a haven of peace and tranquillity, 17 square kilometres of some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe To reach the heart of the park the road winds up to 1,100 metres above sea level with spectacular views all along.

Lobo Wolf Park
Has 40 hectares of protected, untouched nature park with numerous rare plant and animal species it is located at Ctra Antequera-Alora Km 16. Four large enclosures with European wolves, Timber wolves, Polar wolves and Iberian wolves. A petting zoo, horse riding and wolf tours and museum.

The Lakes
Go towards Antequerra but don’t bear left towards Arteq, go towards Campillos on the A382. When on the A382 the KM signs on the side of the road come down to 60km take a left down the A357 to Ardales. There is a sigh saying EMBAKE CLARKES a short way down the road, but we were told to go past this towards Ardales Keeping Lakes on the left as we did. When KM road mark show KAIZI, take right to Ardales and this right to EL CHORRO M444 you go under the A357. The M444 is a pleasant windy road round the lakes it then becomes the M9006. There are secluded spots for you to shop or keep going on till you pass ‘Campus Zone’ 1-3 Then go through a little tunnel and you come to the well known ‘El Kiosk’

Antequera
There is a market once a week, every Tuesday. At the market you can get fresh local food such as poultry, cheese, nuts, fruit etc. There are also clothes stalls with both local and fashionable clothing at cheaper prices. At the market you will also be able to get some traditional souvenirs perfect for gifts or even household décor. A visit to old town is a lovely trip that will take approximately half a day. N.B Market is on the left after the supermarket. You can also visit the unique Lobo wolf theme park located in the heart of Andalusia, ... Only 8 km outside of Antequera

The Coast & Beyond
Now moving to the coast It takes about 75 minutes to get to Malaga from the house from there drive to scenic trip to Marbella where you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous and if its retail therapy you crave then a visit to Puerto Banus is a must Alternatively go into Fuengorola for the lovely beaches or the fantastic shopping centre mira mar it has all the British shops and also some lovely Spanish shops as well it also has all the fast food places to eat and is typical of the costa del sol Benalmadena is also a lovely place the marina is wonderful.A great place to visit with the kids with Tivoli World a nice day out filled with fun and thrills of the rides. Try the cable cars and see the whole town from above. In addition to this there’s lovely sandy beaches which are clean and the harbour is a must see rated one of the best in the world. There is a thriving shopping area where your classic souvenirs can be brought for your loved ones back home. Arroyo must not be missed just further up the hill at Benalmadena Pueblo this delightful little town is full of narrow, winding streets, flower bedecked balconies and white washed houses.

Torremolinos
Is another little town that is worth visiting situated just near to Malaga airport, with two excellent beaches either side of the town centre. Joining the two beaches is a rocky promenade which is some 7 kilometres in length and extends as far as Benalmadena. Wonderful place to walk and absorb the fresh air and scenery.

Granada
Visit Granada one of the pearls of Spain only 145Km away, most visited by tourists from all the world. The long-time capital of Moorish Andalusia has to offer the most important reminds of this epoch in Spanish history, with the world-famous Alhambra at the top of the list.

Walk through beautiful gardens, charming narrow streets filled with flowers, sit down in one of those typical taverns to have some of that famous "Trevélez" ham and local wine, and breath the centuries of history around you anywhere. There are gypsies singing "Flamenco", and dont miss to visit their famous "Cuevas" - caves - in the mountain of the monastery of Sacromonte where some of them really live still nowadays making magnificent artisany. Granadas popular festivals, based as well on Moorish as Christian tradition, are most attractive.

The city is located at the foot of the "Sierre Nevada", Spains highest mountain-massif with great posssibilities for winter-sports. The highest peak, "Mulhacén" arrives to 3478 meters so Granada is a great place to visit in any season

Seville
is a must the Cathedral the third largest in the world is breathtaking and Giralda tower are stunning the view across the whole of Seville is lovely also a picnic in Park Maria Luisa is a great way to relax after all that walking around or a ride around the city in a horse drawn cart will take you to the Plaza de Espana and through beautiful gardens in the city centre.
Gibraltar and Morocco are also good days out but an overnight stay would be a nice treat after all that driving..