Casa Priego stands in pretty surrounds in the heart of Cordoba’s stunning countryside and makes an intimate 2-bedroom holiday retreat for a small family or groups of friends. Echoing a traditional farmhouse with its stone-clad walls, wood shuttered windows and rustic details, its charming exterior is more than equalled by its lovely, rustic and cosy interior.

Boasting numerous rustic features such as exposed ceiling rafters and robust tiled floors, the house exudes charm, with thoughtfully selected Spanish pieces, simple, but traditional furnishings and attractive ornaments rounding off its relaxed, lived-in feel. The main living focal point is the open-plan kitchen-lounge area with its chequered blue and white tiled floor. Here you’ll find a sofa and an armchair, with a dinky coffee table. It’s an unfussy sociable spot - there’s also a TV and you’ve Wi-Fi too, so all the time you’re watching a movie or catching up with the news back home, you can be chatting away to the chef in charge of rustling up meals and snacks as the kitchen area is just footsteps away! Equipped with every amenity you might need during your stay, such as an oven, microwave, dishwasher, freezer and toaster, there’s even a small wooden breakfast bar for starting the mornings with a delicious breakfast as the sweet breeze flows in through the window close by. Additionally, sliding glass doors close by open straight into a larger dining area with a wooden table and four chairs, giving you a lovely place to start or finish the day. Further sliding doors open out to the great outdoor area and terrace, allowing in more of the refreshing breeze and lots of natural light.

The air-conditioned bedrooms are set out with decorative furnishings to make them feel warm and welcoming. They include a room with a double bed and a small mahogany chest of drawers, with the bathroom having an ensuite shower. The second bedroom - a twin – has a bathroom complete with a shower that’s been specially adapted for anyone who has a disability.

Outside, the spacious, walled grounds are peppered with palms, and the courtyard benefits from beautifully fragrant orange trees and shrubs all standing prettily against the magnificent countryside backdrop and whitewashed façade of the house. An enchanting covered terrace makes for a peaceful oasis; furnished with a table and chairs for lazy outdoor dining enjoying the vistas, and then there’s the enticing private pool, whose terraces and sunloungers are a welcoming retreat for catching the rays, and quiet relaxation.

Casa Priego is a simple, but charming holiday home in an area oozing with history, culture, and unique experiences. You’ve even got access to a wine cellar where you can taste local wine, sample cheese typical of this region, and buy regional produce such as ecological honey, honey soap and some other authentic products all handmade by Casa Priego’s owner!

A small rural village nestled in the middle of countryside, at the foot of the Alcaide Sierras mountain range and a short drive from the town centre of Priego de Córdoba, Zagrilla Alta is perfect for enjoying the age-old attractions and tranquillity of this beautiful Andalusian region. Surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, this unspoilt area is perfect for walking, cycling and breathing in the fresh country air.

Well known for its olive oil, visits to the town centre of Priego de Córdoba 10 kms are a must! Within the narrow lanes of this whitewashed village lie authentic restaurants, tapas bars and eateries where you can feast on appetising local dishes (featuring its famed olive oil) in the sunshine. Some favourites that you might see featured on the menus are Easter stew, turkey with almonds and salmorejo, a cold soup, followed by sweet treats starring homemade quince jelly, almond curd and "piñonates" (spiced cakes made with honey and pine nuts). You’ll also find gift stores, antique shops, galleries and a friendly, unhurried atmosphere that extends into peaceful nights of wining and dining.

Interesting fact: Priego de Córdoba is one of the obligatory stops on the Route of the Caliphate, the European Cultural Itinerary that crosses Andalusia from Cordoba to Granada.

Around the old town, history and cultural gems all wait to be discovered. Tour Priego's Baroque art at the Mayor de la Asunción parish church, together with intriguing churches, including the stunning church of La Aurora, San Francisco and San Pedro.

For more adventure, go hiking, horse-riding or bird-watching in the forested hills and nature reserves of the Sierra Subbetica.

Cordoba itself will delight, surprise and seduce you. Explore the enchanting city - one of the most interesting in Andalusia and classed as a unesco World Heritage Site. The city is possibly best known for its Mezquita, the grandest and most beautiful mosque constructed by the Moors in Spain, and one of Europe’s largest. It’s really impossible to overemphasise the magnificence of Córdoba’s great mosque, so take some time to explore this impressive work of Islamic architecture.

In the city, you’ll discover a maze of narrow cobbled lanes and alleyways with whitewashed buildings leading to hidden squares full of local banter and flowered patios carrying remnants of Roman design. Another top thing to do in Cordoba is the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs.

No Córdoba holiday would be complete without an alfresco lunch in an atmospheric square. Look out for the intimate traditional tapas bars. Grab a seat in a prime spot in the square just inside the Sevilla Gate, then hit the shops and even more historical sites.

There are many half and full day trips out of the city too. Explore the capital of the Islamic Caliphate of the 10th century on a half-day excursion from Córdoba, and discover more of the beautiful patios of this southern Spanish gem. Malaga is another excellent day trip. Apart from the beaches of the Costa del Sol, there’s Roman ruins, Moorish citadels and a gleaming central shopping district. Other day trips include, Antequera, a historical town dating back to the Bronze Age with an impressive Moorish Fortress, Gothic Churches and Roman burial grounds.

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