From the majestic 3000 metre peaks of the Sierra Nevada that sweep their way down to a sparkling Mediterranean coastline, to the culture laden cities of Seville and Granada there will certainly be something that makes Andalucia a holiday destination to remember.

You won’t be the first to experience its appeal, however. The Tartessians, Phoenicians, Carthagineans, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and Moors all got there before you. And it’s a good thing they did because Andalucia is literally dripping with architectural jewels courtesy of its previous uninvited guests. The Moorish influence is apparent across the region not just in the well-known spots such as Grenada, but off the beaten track you are likely to stumble across some remnant of Spain’s multicultural past.

And therein lies the key to making the most of Andalucia. To truly experience this land of plenty you need to get off the beaten track. It’s one thing to stay in the safety of a beachfront complex, but it’s another thing altogether to base yourself in the real Andalucia. To experience the authentic flavour of centuries of multicultural culinary mixing, to understand the culture that shaped artists such as Picasso and Velazquez, to taste the wine that us foreigners never get our hands on you need to look a little further than the glossy holiday brochures.

Fortunately, finding a unique, one-off place to stay in the heart of Andalucia couldn’t be easier nowadays. Whether you’re looking for a mountain hideaway with goats in the garden, an olive farm with local Costa wine on tap, or an apartment within the walls of a historic city there will be something out there to suit your needs. Once you’ve found the spot, then Andalucia will do the rest.

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