Cortijo Aguas Calmas

In the heart of nature in the Rio Torrente valley , the cortijo borders the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. Within 5 mins walk of the picturesque ´slow´ village of Niguelas. Aguas Calmas lies between two traditional acequias (water-courses). Superb walking tracks lead into the mountains. Lots to do! Perfect base for Granada, beaches, Alpujarra, skiing and local restaurants. Great weather all year round. Paradise for hiking, cycling, lazing around pool or remote working. Good WiFi. Host vaccinated. The apartment is a converted nave (barn) on a cortijo (small farm) just outside the stunningly picturesque village of Niguelas. The land is mostly planted with olives. A drip irrigation system takes water from a dam at the bottom of the land which is filled from an acequia above. The garden outside the apartment is planted with olives, loquats, almond, walnut, cherry, citrus, mimosa, grape vines, lavender, thyme, agaves, aloe vera, jasmine, roses, geraniums and many other flowers. You can help yourselves to a variety of herbs. There is a well shaded table and sitting area overlooking the pool and garden exclusively for guests. Another chill out zone (shared with us) has a table overlooking the pool, shaded by grave vines and large almond tree. In response to our most frequently asked questions: please note that the pool is shared with us and that you are unable to bring your own dogs. The apartment has a double bed and a single bed, a sofa, a TV with HDMI port), air-conditioning, heating, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee percolator. Good wifi. Sheets, towels, pots, pans, plates, cutlery and olive oil are provided for guests. When available, we greet guests with our own organic eggs or if in season such as grapes, kakis and nisperos. We try to be eco-friendly. There is solar water heating and 12 photovoltaic panels, backed up by the grid at rare times when the sun is not shining. The apartment, the pool, the gardens, exercise bike, hammock, table tennis table The cortijo is permanently inhabited by an Australian/Spanish couple. Tim is retired from working with humanitarian agencies. Helga, native of Granada, is an artist. We like meeting people. We are always available to help. We speak English, Spanish, French and Arabic. We can offer advice on walks (from strenuous to doddles) and you may accompany us (and dogs) on our daily paseos. We can direct you to several nearby restaurants with very affordable menus del dia. We can also provide information on fiestas - a regular occurrence in Niguelas and nearby villages - as well as day trips to the coast, ski-slopes, Granada, pueblos blancos of the Alpujarras, Cabo de Gata and elsewhere. Niguelas is regarded as the most attractive of the villages of the Lecrin Valley. It is famous for its tranquility and being laid-back - inhabitants of the village proudly call themselves Los Lentos (the slow ones). There are a range of bars and a restaurant in the village. There are two bakeries and mini supermarkets. A large well-stocked supermarket (Mercadona) is five minutes by car, near the motorway exit. Niguelas has a reputation for promoting culture and there are regular concerts and art exhibitions. There is a spectacular fiesta in early September. The cortijo is five minutes´ drive from the Granada-Costa Tropical motorway but due to topography traffic can never be heard and the autovia is not visible. The cortijo is an excellent base for exploring a wide area of Andalucia. Niguelas is connected to Granada, the coast and the Alpujarras by regular bus services. Granada is less than half an hour away. Ski slopes, the pueblos blancos of the Alpujarra and beaches between Salobrena and Almunecar can all be reached by car within an hour. Airports in Malaga and Almeria are 90 minutes away. The cortijo is at the base of two unsealed roads which lead to the high sierras. They are motorable by normal cars, but not after snowfalls! If you drive for 45 minutes up the mountain, the summit of Caballo, the third highest peak of the Sierra Nevadas (altitutde 3,100 metres) can be reached on foot in a few hours. The cortijo is on the route of the well known GR7 footpath. The high level Sulayr hiking trail around the Sierra Nevada alta is accessible after a short hike. Mountain bikes can be hired locally. We sell our own organic olive oil. We will give you a small quantity to try. If you like it, please ask us for prices. Guests should like friendly dogs. We have three. Most guests fall in love with them at first sight, but if requested we will keep them out of your way. The dogs will not share your space. Sorry, you can´t bring your own. Parking is available immediately outside the apartment, on our own land. Sorry, but we cannot accept guests who do not already have airbnb references or who cannot provide a similar form of reference. We accept one child under six for no additional charge. Please note we have another apartment whose guests may share the pool and garden, but not the private space outside the apartment. We are not a hotel. We do not provide cleaning services after you check in. We make a broom, mop and vacuum cleaner available for you to use. For guests staying longer than a week, we will prove clean sheets and towels every seven days but it will be your responsibility to make the bed.