Extremadura holiday accommodation
| country: | Spain |
| location: | Montanchez |
| price: | From €65 per room per night, B&B in the Cortijo. From €100 - €250 for self catering in cortijo or barn per house per night (min. 4 nights) |
| offers: | Celebration of Autumn in Extremadura. A discount of €100 from the normal rate for renting the barn. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
description
The finca covers 22 hectares of the S.W. slopes of the Sierra de Montanchez. Accommodation is at the Cortijo and the Barn.
The approach to the finca is along a winding lane, part of the ancient system of lanes that link even the most remote parts of the sierra. The lane climbs gently up the slope, at the last bend there is a marvelous vista of five craggy peaks erupting out of the sumptuous green of the sierra. The peaks are like the guardians of the finca, wherever you may roam, look up and there they will be, simply magical!
The cortijo, farmhouse and the barn are situated on the lower part of the finca with sweeping views across the olive groves and up to the peaks of the mountain.
Both buildings have been sympathetically renovated to include many traditional features of local architecture. Whilst having every comfort, shady terraces and cool rooms in summer, big log fire and cosy atmosphere in winter. There is a large, natural swimming pool set into the rocks of the sierra surrounded by trees and shrubs with wonderful views of the countryside and up to the mountains.
The finca covers an interesting area of the sierra including spectacular rock formations, crags and peaks which erupt out of the rich, green wooded slopes. One can walk for hours on the finca and beyond, we have cleared paths to all the most interesting points. In this way our clients can be introduced to unspoilt nature and the pleasures of rural life that continues at a rythm controlled by the changing seasons. Farmers still use their horses and donkeys on the ancient network of paths and tracks left by Romans and Moors, to reach the high vineyards and olive- and fig groves all over the sierra.
The highest part of the finca is Peña del Aguila olive grove, the situation of the yurt camp and a good setting off place for adventurous treks on horseback or foot.
Hiking and Walking self-guided tours not only ramble through the magical Sierra de Montanchez and its beautiful surroundings, but also include the MONFRAGÜE National Park with its wonderful birdlife and river scenery and the Villuercas a "wild" and craggy mountain range with abundant flora and fauna. In one of the valleys nestles the famous GUADALUPE an important pilgrimage already in the days of the Conquistadores. They made their way from Trujillo here to pray for the blessing of the Black Virgin.
Riding
We have 4 horses and 3 donkeys which are available for experienced riders or you can borrow the donleys for a longer trek to carry baggage or a tired hiker.
Property viewing
Because of our knowledge of the local community we have access to some beautiful fincas and village houses for sale in the area. Fortunately the Sierra de Montanchez is attracting foreign buyers who are enchanted by the nature and the slow pace of rural life, we now have an interesting community of foreigners , artists, potters, writers , people who just want to cultivate their garden in peace and quiet within a safe and friendly local community. There is of course no pressure on anyone who wants to see a few properties, it is good for a ramble anyway and always interesting to see some of the totally original village houses, nothing changed for centuries. We are more than happy to help with local introductions, we can certainly recommend all the workers that were involved in our own project.
The approach to the finca is along a winding lane, part of the ancient system of lanes that link even the most remote parts of the sierra. The lane climbs gently up the slope, at the last bend there is a marvelous vista of five craggy peaks erupting out of the sumptuous green of the sierra. The peaks are like the guardians of the finca, wherever you may roam, look up and there they will be, simply magical!
The cortijo, farmhouse and the barn are situated on the lower part of the finca with sweeping views across the olive groves and up to the peaks of the mountain.
Both buildings have been sympathetically renovated to include many traditional features of local architecture. Whilst having every comfort, shady terraces and cool rooms in summer, big log fire and cosy atmosphere in winter. There is a large, natural swimming pool set into the rocks of the sierra surrounded by trees and shrubs with wonderful views of the countryside and up to the mountains.
The finca covers an interesting area of the sierra including spectacular rock formations, crags and peaks which erupt out of the rich, green wooded slopes. One can walk for hours on the finca and beyond, we have cleared paths to all the most interesting points. In this way our clients can be introduced to unspoilt nature and the pleasures of rural life that continues at a rythm controlled by the changing seasons. Farmers still use their horses and donkeys on the ancient network of paths and tracks left by Romans and Moors, to reach the high vineyards and olive- and fig groves all over the sierra.
The highest part of the finca is Peña del Aguila olive grove, the situation of the yurt camp and a good setting off place for adventurous treks on horseback or foot.
special things to do and see here
Walking Hiking and Walking self-guided tours not only ramble through the magical Sierra de Montanchez and its beautiful surroundings, but also include the MONFRAGÜE National Park with its wonderful birdlife and river scenery and the Villuercas a "wild" and craggy mountain range with abundant flora and fauna. In one of the valleys nestles the famous GUADALUPE an important pilgrimage already in the days of the Conquistadores. They made their way from Trujillo here to pray for the blessing of the Black Virgin.
Riding
We have 4 horses and 3 donkeys which are available for experienced riders or you can borrow the donleys for a longer trek to carry baggage or a tired hiker.
Property viewing
Because of our knowledge of the local community we have access to some beautiful fincas and village houses for sale in the area. Fortunately the Sierra de Montanchez is attracting foreign buyers who are enchanted by the nature and the slow pace of rural life, we now have an interesting community of foreigners , artists, potters, writers , people who just want to cultivate their garden in peace and quiet within a safe and friendly local community. There is of course no pressure on anyone who wants to see a few properties, it is good for a ramble anyway and always interesting to see some of the totally original village houses, nothing changed for centuries. We are more than happy to help with local introductions, we can certainly recommend all the workers that were involved in our own project.
rooms, food and facilities
There is a flexible choice of accommodation at the finca on b&b or self-catering basis, weekly or daily. Accommodation in two houses, the Cortijo for 6 and the Barn for 2/3. The Cortijo: the original farmhouse is situated on the slope of the sierra with great views across the olive groves and towards the peaks. The accommodation is spacious and very individually decorated with a mixture of antiques and art from our travels. There are 3 bedrooms, with en-suite bathrooms, a spacious double height sitting room with plenty of good books , c.d.s and dvds for relaxing inside or sunny/shady terraces and verandas and pool for outside relaxation. Dinner can be ordered during a b& b stay. We have an activity programme which includes, walking with donkeys, horse riding treks, camping in yurts, cycling.
The Barn: is situated in its own 2 acre grounds with a sunny aspect and views across the olive groves. Spacious sitting/dining room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom on the first floor with a skylight with view of the peaks. Big terrace for outside dining, barbecue and shady area on copse of holm oaks in the pasture, perfect for siestas.
Both the cortijo and the barn have open access to all parts of the finca. We have made paths for easy walking, particularly to the highest part of the finca where there is an olive grove and many traditional stone shelters, chozos, also plenty of springs and pools, perfect pic-nic spots. Also of course the natural swimming pool set into the rocks of the sierra.
There is a delightful walk directly to the village of Montanchez on the old moorish path which takes about 40minutes. The walk to Arroyomolinos and the water mills takes about 1 hour. Driving to either village takes about 10 minutes; to our nearest large towns, Caceres, Trujillo or Merida takes 30-40 minutes.
how to find us
Montánchez is situated in the middle of the golden triangle of three World Heritage towns, Merida, Trujillo and Caceres. Towns bursting with historical and cultural interest as well as lively night-life. By plane: Nearest airport is Madrid, 250kms away, very good, free motorway takes about 2 hours to Trujillo. Sevillle is also a possible airport, also 250kms, take signs to Merida, then Caceres, turn off at sign to Montanchez..
By car: Take signs for Montanchez, reach roundabout before climbing up to Montanchez and take direction Alcuescar and Merida, next turning on left to Arroyomolinos, 1km and follow our signs.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
We are continuing the traditional way of here and have taken alot of care to keep our part of the sierra looking natural. We have solar energy so no ugly power lines. Our swimming pool is as natural as possible using solar powered algae deterrents and non-chlorine filter system. We are lucky to have a rich wild life on the sierra, especially rare species of birds which are left undisturbed in their craggy nests. We have 4 horses and a carriage and use them often instead of the car. The land on the finca is mostly wooded with cork oak and holm oak, we have been careful to maintain these old trees in good condition, using the pruned branches for firewood in the winter. It is especially important to keep the holm oaks pruned as they are the source of acorns which feed the black, iberic pigs producing the famous jamon iberico of Montanchez. Community: We employ local people for all our building, renovating and farming work. We also give a significant boost to the local tradesmen through our property selling activities, we try to guide the renovation as much as possible in traditional ways and methods which we have used in our own home. We contribute to the important local jamon iberico industry by letting local farmers use parts of the land for their iberic pigs to eat the acorns. We buy all food and wine for the finca from local establishments. By attracting outside people to the area with our accommodation and activities we help the local shops and restaurants with new clients. In winter local farmers use parts of the finca for their free range pigs. We have initiated a programme to revive the callejas, pathways, of the sierra dating back to Roman and Moorish times. Many have become choked with brambles and weeds.  We have cleaned all the old callejas on the finca and surroundings and encourage the local councils to do the same. It is so important to keep these ancient ways open as they provide wonderful riding and walking, giving access to the remote, high olive groves and vineyards and the great views of the higher pastures. |
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