The list of things to see and do grows every day... I also love a good adventure, and this year I have made some special new discoveries, close by and further away, that I would like to share with you. Here at the Finca there are three books with my experiences and tips, which I try to supplement as much as possible. How long should you plan for a destination? How long is the drive? Which route is nicest? Away from the crowd? a good walk? Nice restaurants? Where to park? I'd love to tell you personally!
The list below is just a sample of all the beauty that Andalusia has to offer!
There is much to do in and around Archidona: white towns, hiking, horseback riding, cycling, boating on Lake Iznajar and of course the beautiful cities of Granada, Ronda, Cordoba, Malaga, Antequera... all within an hour to an hour and a half drive. Nature is overwhelmingly beautiful, and every bend provides a new surprise and beautiful views!
Archidona itself is a small town located in the middle of Andalusia. Plaza Ochavada, an octagonal square in Baroque style with a few nice restaurants and terraces is a wonderful place to eat. The monastery that seems glued to the rock above the village is also definitely worth a visit. For daredevils by car and otherwise it is a tough climb, but definitely worth it, the view of Antequera, and the valleys is phenomenal! Archidona is a 10-minute drive from Todos Y Tonya.
Salinas, the village where Todos Y Tonya is located is a 5 minute walk away, a small hamlet, but there's two small real Spanish restaurants and a litlle shop. In the immediate vicinity you will also find a number of other restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals. Lunch starts around two o'clock, and dinner is served after eight or nine, but you get used to it quickly! Between one and five o'clock EVERYTHING is closed because of the Siesta. Even in winter. Indeed: this is the Campo. The real Spanish life!
Iznájar is one of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia, a fifteen minute drive. This village is also located against a mountain and is the natural road to the Sierra Subeticas Natural Park. Iznájar is located on a 32 km long reservoir where you can drive onto the beach by car! In the summer there are umbrellas, and there is a water raft (what's that called?) where you can swim. You can practice various water-sports or take a boat trip (even privately) on the lake. There is also a small, simple, typical Spanish beach-bar for a nice lunch under the trees. Although the climb onto the white stairs to the top of the village is tough, the view is great. At the top you walk around the Castillo de Iznájar: 8th century, and the Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago, from the 15th century. Courtyard Patio de las Comedias is filled with blue pots full of flowers that are cared for by the inhabitants of the village. The white walls with the blue flower pots give you the ultimate holiday feeling. In the middle of the square is a fountain and you can eat or drink something on one of the terraces.
Antequera is a super fun and interesting city. The elegant towers and the intriguing silhouette of the Moorish castle that tower above them: there is plenty to see, do and shop for.. Antequera is located on the Guadalhorce River and is still the leader in the production of asparagus, grain, olive oil and sunflower fields. Antequera is a 20 minute drive. For history lovers: Just outside Antequera, just a few kilometers away, are the Dolmen. You can visit these archeological wonders up to 5000 years old. They have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The El Torcal Nature Reserve with impressive carved rock formations is located 13 km south of Antequera, about 45 minutes drive from Todos Y Tonya along a beautiful road. High above the world you almost feel like you are on another planet and with a bit of luck you can see the ibex! You can take two marked walks here, if you are able to walk because there is some scrambling and climbing here and there, although not scary or dangerous. Good shoes are a must! Near Antquera and El Torcal is a real wolf park where different wolf species are sheltered in a semi-natural environment. Lobo Park is about 40 hectares and has a view of El Torcal. During the tour, a guide will take you through the wolf park and explain how wolves communicate and play with each other, how they hunt and what they eat. The wolf park is open all year round, except. Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The tours take place daily at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM. The price is € 11,-
These three can easily be combined on a day trip, so plan your trip on the guided tour at Lobo Park... ;)
The Caminito del Rey is one of Spain's most beautiful hiking trails! Originally built between 1901 and 1905, it was used to transport people and equipment between two factories that sat on either side of the El Chorro gorge. It took many years before the path was officially opened: in 1920 King Alfonso XIII walked the entire route and immediately gave it its current name. The new path (2015) consists mainly of wooden panels, supported by points in the cliff walls and even has parts that have a glass bottom. Doable for anyone with a normal condition, it takes about two and a half hours to walk, but those with a serious fear of heights should skip this one. Tickets are often difficult to obtain and must be reserved in advance online, at https://reservas.caminitodelrey.info/?lang=en. Entrance fee is 10 euros per person. People are allowed on the route every 15 to 30 minutes and it is open every week from Tuesday to Sunday.
You can also indulge yourself in Malaga, a 45-minute drive away. One of the most important and well-known sights is the Museo Picasso, who was born in Málaga in 1881. Málaga also has its own Center Pompidou: the annex of Paris. The harbor is impressive and has a pleasant promenade that ends at the beach where you can enjoy a bowl of fresh sardines, or a nice cold beer. If you like to shop, Malaga is the place for you. Highly recommended are Centro Comercial Larios, Calle Marqués de Larios and especially the Plaza Mayor, with its outlet! Or how about a bike ride along the sea? During the Christmas period it is one big party: the old town is full of spectacular lighting and there is music in the streets. In May, the people of Málaga celebrate La Noche en Blanco. During this culture night, many museums are open and you can, for example, visit the enormous Alcazaba fortification. In addition, well-known museums are open to the public. The night of June 23 to 24, la Noche de San Juan is celebrated in Málaga. This is the party people celebrate the return of summer, which includes large pyres on the beaches. If you wash your face in the sea this night, you will be assured of beauty all year round. That is, if you don't look in the mirror, because that will break the spell...
Granada, an hour's drive away, is one of the top ten most popular destinations in Spain. This is mainly due to the presence of the medieval fortress Alhambra, but also because of the old town with it's characteristic Andalusian. Nice squares, beautiful architecture, cozy terraces and shops. Although the city has a total of almost half a million inhabitants, the cit- center is quite compact and intimate. Reasons to visit Granada? First of all, the Alhambra. Originally the Moors started the construction but extensions in the late Middle Ages by the Castilians have given the fortress a unique mix of styles, tickets must be ordered online and it is usually very busy, but really worth it! Secondly, the Albaicín district: the atmosphere is fantastic in this originally Arab district. And thirdly, the low prices: Compared to many other Spanish cities, Granada is still very affordable. The entrance fees to museums and sights are absolutely reasonable, and for food and drinks you sometimes pay prices here that are so low, you thought this was no longer possible in Europe. In short, worth a day trip!
Córdoba (about an hour and a half drive) is the perfect city to discover by foot. The city is not too big and has many highlights such as the Mezquita and the Alcazar. This Andalusian gem has a lot to offer in terms of art and culture. and when it comes to history, few cities have more to offer than Córdoba. The Romans, Jews, Moors and Christians; they have all left their marks on this city. The most famous neighborhood in Córdoba is undoubtedly the 'Judería' the former Jewish quarter, which borders the Mezquita. This white 'barrio' is easy to explore: cozy squares with terraces and palm trees, narrow streets, nice shops and good food in the many bars and restaurants. Especially in spring, Córdoba is the place to be. There is even a 'Calleja de las Flores' and the city is known for the spectacular flower festivals in May: the Cruses de Mayo and the festival de Patios.
Ronda is a city that you should definitely not miss when exploring beautiful Andalusia! This city is located in a mountainous area and at an altitude of 750 meters. The drive is about an hour and a half. The city is split in two by the river Guadalevín: the deep gorge and the bridge over it are simply impressive. Its history goes back to prehistoric and Celtic times and under the Romans Ronda was given the name Arunda; 'around'. In the 15th century, Ronda also became home to the Real Maestranza de Caballería, the oldest and most noble order of equestrian art, and a place horses were trained for the military. Much for this history can be found in the “Plaza del Toros”, the bullfighting arena that you can visit and which also houses a museum. The old town with its squares, churches, restaurants and shops: you can spend a lovely day here. And if you do have time to spare, drive past Setenil de las Bodegas (17 km), one of the white villages of Andalusia. What makes this village extra fun is the houses: partly built into the rocks. Definitely a nice detour back to Todos Y Tonya!
Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Benemaldena, Marbella, Cala Honda and so on...: the well-known coastal towns on the Costa del Sol, all have a "Paseo Maritimo" along the beaches and sea. Here you will find lovely beach bars with nice beds. Each with their own atmosphere and cuisine. Or go and enjoy the old town centers where you can stroll along the many shops and terraces. A day at the coast? 45 minutes drive, and I know where to park your car... ;)
Do you like to walk or Hike? Then you can really indulge yourself here. So so many Opportunities here... Relaxed walks and the more serious stuff, Andalusia is a paradise in routes! I've already completed a number of them and there are so many excellently marked routes, for example; take a look at www.zotvanwandelen.com. If I have the time I'll be more than happy to walk with you!
TIP: Jerez de la Frontera and the Costa de La Luz at the Atlantic Ocean. A litlle over a two hours drive, and again the route is beautiful but maybe a bit too far for a daytrip. Nevertheless, this city can be easily combined with a stay at Todos Y Tonya. For example; We left at half past eight in the morning and first visited the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art where the show starts at 12.00. Afterwards you can view the gardens, stables and the museum. Reservation is necessary: https://www.realescuela.org/en/main/ This is highly recommended for all horse lovers! Then we took a carriage ride to the old center where we had a delicious lunch and further explored the city by foot. We visited the Cathedral, Bodega Tio Pepe and enjoyed the sun on the various terraces in this beautiful city. Our hotel was only 300 meters from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art a 10-minute walk from the center. The next morning we drove to Chipiona for a lovely beach walk and lunch on the beach. In the afternoon we drove back at leisure. Let me know if you feel like a combination, and i'll help you to make a plan that suits you!
Anything else? YES! Ofcourse!
There are no fewer than six (!) golf courses within an hour to an hour and a half drive from Todos Y Tonya. Have a look at the following link: www.leadingcourses.com/nl/region/europa+spanien+andalusien/archidona/clubs.
My dear friends Steve and Kay Brooks: www.DirtBikeHolidays.com are just around the corner, 7 minutes away from Todos Y Tonya. You can enjoy off-road riding through the olive groves and over the mountains. An absolute must for anyone who has a motorcycle driver's license; Steve is an excellent guide and happy to create a custom program for you! (and they provide you with all the gear you need)
Horse riding is possible at various locations. There are opportunities for beginners, intermediates and "outdoor riders" and even to take lessons. Bikes can be rent in the cities, but there's also adresses for mountainbike tours. You can do boattrips at Iznajar lake or rent a paddle board. And ofcourse I can make you a picknick to take to take along. For more information and your specific wishes you can contact me by mail.