Kay

A few friends and I are looking to rent a villa for a week or more this summer in Spain, one of my favorite places on earth. I've been lucky enough to have spend quite a bit of time there, and have visited most of the major cities. This time around though, rather than jump from city to city, we'd rather rent a place and explore small Spanish towns, soaking in the good life. Last summer, we hit Italy's Amalfi Coast and relaxed in a beautiful villa, visiting small towns, sipping views, taking in the views, interacting with locals. Any suggestions for something similar in Spain? I've done the Costa del Sol - too commercial - and was thinking possibly the Costa Brava or possibly something in Galicia? My experience there ends with Santiago de Compostela. Other suggestions? I'm open to anything. We don't need beach, though that would a plus. I'm more interested in experiencing culture, history, etc. to its fullest. <BR><BR>I would love feedback from anyone who's rented a place in Spain (outside the major cities) and had the time of their life.

Maribel

Kay,<BR>We've rented in Puerto Banus to the west of Marbella on the Costa del Sol and have rented agrotourist homes (caserios) in the Basque Country and Navarra.<BR>Outside of the Costa del Sol and the Portuguese Algarve, you'll find most "villas" (as we think of them-luxury properties with pools ) on the Costa Brava or Costa Blanca. I have a friend who owns a villa rental agency and most of her properties (quite large) are in the very upscale Pals-Aiguablava-Begur area of the C. Brava. We love this unspoiled, pretty area, and there are tons of activities and sites to explore there.<BR>Here are a few urls to get you started:<BR><BR>www.indiv-travellers.com<BR>www.travellersway.co.uk<BR>www.s imply-travel.com<BR>www.spanish-harbour.co.uk (Sitges)<BR>www.vintagetravel.co.uk<BR>www.villara ma.com<BR>www.1001-villa-holidaylets.com<BR>www.barclayweb.com<BR>www.overs easvillas.com<BR>www.rentaholiday.com<BR>www.villa-rentals.com<BR>www.elitevacations.co.uk (C. Blanca)<BR>www.greatrentals.com (1 villa near Santiago de Compostela)<BR>www.rentvillas.com<BR>www.goldenres idences.com<BR>www.elsolvillas.com<BR>www.elysianholidays.co.uk/spain/spain.htm (Costa Blanca)<BR><BR>Happy hunting!

Kay

Thanks Maribel. I appreciate the advice and will definitely take a look at the sites you mentioned. I had hard good things about the Pals-Aiguablava-Begur area and will certainly look into it some more.<BR><BR>thanks!

Carol

Check out the Casa de la Higuera in Andalucia, about halfway between Cordoba and Granada, about an hour or an hour-and-a half from Malaga. Five bedrooms, three baths, very reasonable, a new house in a small village called Zagrilla Baja, near Priego de Cordoba. It almost assuredly is already rented, but is in a lovely (though hot in summer) area, near many small towns well worth a "soak in the good life."<BR>Regards,<BR>Carol

Judi

Kay, if you are willing to rethink the Costa del Sol I promise you that Nerja is not like the commercial-tour groups-time share towns to the west. I can personally vouch for www.inter-sol.com . Villa Carmen and Villa Aritza are listed on the availability chart. We have stayed at Villa Aritza and it is much prettier than the pictures. It is a five minute walk downhill to the beach and about a fifteen minute walk to the town center.