The Voice of the Sun

The Voice of the Sun: Andalusia

Set to the backdrop of the Serranía de Ronda, this charming villa is a rural retreat for the whole family. In the cosy living area, exposed stone walls, traditional wooden shutters and dark timber beams create a characterful space to unwind and reset. We also love the kitchen, which is well-stocked to rustle up whatever meal tickles your fancy, including classic Andalusian dishes like asparagus soup and borrachuelos (Málaga's version of doughnuts).

But it's the sun-kissed outdoor spaces that make this home stand out. Get your morning started with a café con leche on the terrace, then pad down to the private pool and while away the afternoon in the refreshing water. After a leisurely dip, stretch out on the lounge chairs for a siesta in the sun – or just enjoy a glass of sweet wine and work on your tan. As the day comes to an end, tuck into an alfresco dinner while watching the stars appear above the mountaintops.

Speaking of mountains, Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema is a goldmine for walking and hiking. Pack a picnic and hit the trails, relishing the fresh air and sprawling views. For a change of scenery, visit Ronda, about 22km away. You can easily spend the afternoon wandering the town's cobbled streets and admiring the stunning 18th-century bridge straddling the El Tajo gorge.

Home truths:
*Only six of the seven bedrooms have air conditioning – there's also air conditioning in the living room
*There's a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom here for those with limited mobility
*The third bathroom is a WC located outside
*There's not a dining table big enough here for the whole group – you'll need to split across the various indoor and outdoor dining spaces
*Your host does not accept groups of people aged 30 years old or younger
*The dining tables double as laptop-friendly workspaces if you need to work from home
*This home is in the village Montecorto – there's a small mini-market and a restaurant nearby, but a larger shop is 11km away
*We suggest renting a car in this rural area