Adventure Travel Holidays in Spain's Pueblos Blancos

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Inland from Spain's heavily created southwestern coastal strip, the Pueblos Blancos sit loftily on Andalucía's hillsides. These charming "White Villages" acquire their name from their pristinely whitewashed buildings, resplendent and sparkling brightly against the dazzling sun. Perched high on the hills between the coast on the west and the Ronda Mountains on the east, these towns provide an escape into natural surroundings, a glimpse into traditional Spanish life and lots of active adventure. Settled by Berbers during the eight centuries of Moorish rule, these villages, which had been below the constant threat of attack were effortlessly defensible and served as the border between Moors and Christians.

Towards Arcos de la Frontera
Winding slowly east into the mountains, high peaks, jagged crags, gorges, chasms and caves, and an occasional goat grazing on the hillsides take the location of beaches and crowds, with breathtaking views at each bend. Heading inland, Arcos de La Frontera, one of the prettiest towns in Spain, comes into view. Situated near the Guadalate River, high above a precipitous gorge, the town was an very important Moorish stronghold and boasts spectacular vistas of olive groves, vineyards and bull and horse farms. Possessing an old-world charm, this lovely village is packed with history.

The National Parks in the Region
Picturesque Zahara de la Sierra, a typical fortified White Village, straddles a hilltop overlooking the wide, blue waters of the Embalse de Zahara, a man-made reservoir alot more like a natural lake. The town lays claim to a Moorish castle sitting high above on a rocky crest, which overlooks a lovely baroque church. From Zahara de la Sierra, a narrow mountain road winds and twists its way up to Grazalema, an idyllically wonderful, properly-kept modest town. Renowned for its numerous bubbling fountains, Grazalema has a wetter climate than its neighbors, its reward getting its setting in the heart of the verdant Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema. To the south and west of the Grazalema National Park, the National Park of Los Alcornocales, one of the world's largest cork oak forests, forms the backdrop of an location of outstanding beauty and is house to uncommon species of Andalucian wildlife including mountain goats, red deer and wild boar.

Ronda's Dramatic Setting
Snaking a way up past panoramic views of silvery green olive groves en route to Ronda, the little charming towns of Montijaque and Benaojan boast ancient caves with wonderful Paleolithic cave drawings. Ronda, the largest of the Pueblos Blancos, sits on a limestone plateau, split by the El Tajo Gorge. Its dramatic setting above the huge gorge, which drops over 100 m. below, made Ronda 1 of the last Moorish bastions to fall. Spanning the gorge are 3 exceptional bridges, the most spectacular of these getting an 18th century construction standing on two huge pillars built at the bottom of the gorge.

On the edge of the crevice, dazzling white Moorish buildings with intricate window grilles of metal decorate Ronda's Old Town. In this setting, the Palacio de Mondragon, applied by kings as a palace and the most crucial developing in town, capabilities wonderful views from its gardens. Located in the Mercadillo ("Small Market") in the newer portion of town, Ronda boasts one of Spain's oldest bullrings, and the nearby Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, originally a mosque converted to church, is an fascinating blend of Moor and Christian architecture. With its fascinating history, Ronda is a city well worth exploring.

In addition to a relaxed respite into local Spanish culture, this Andalucian region features a multitude of activities: Walking and hiking, horseback riding, caving, paragliding, wind and kite surfing are just some of the a lot of adventures on deliver. The countryside is stunning, the white cobbled towns charming, and the very easy-going, warm and friendly locals mark the Andalucian character. Life's leisurely pace is infectious here and is like a breath of cool, fresh air in Spain's sizzling climate.