Whitewashed buildings and red-tiled rooftops shining in the Spanish sun typify the laid back beauty of the pueblo blancos (white villages of Andalucia).

Cortes de la Frontera is a gorgeous traditional white village, one in a series scattered accross the Cadiz and Malaga region.

Nestling between Alcornocales and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Parks, the village is surrounded by lush woodland and framed by the Serrania de Ronda mountains.   The forrestation is cork trees, the cork industry has been a major economic force in the region since the seventeenth century. Many of the local elegant buildings date from the eighteenth century when the cork businesses bagan to bring wealth to the region.

 

Cortes de la Fronters is split into two sections, with Estacion de Cortes de la Frontera forming a pretty little village in its own right, slightly seperated from the larger part of the village. This is where the railway station is located.

El Gecko situated in this part of town, between the station and the river, has an interesting history dating back around 200 years orginally being a Travellers Inn, where the travellers would arrive by donkey and tie up their animals on the river bank. Now the river bank has a tasteful patio and outside bar for modern day travellers to enjoy. Inside El Gecko the heritage and charm has been preserved whilst providing all services required for modern day living. Travellers still arrive by foot but more often by train which is only 50 mtrs away.

The Estacion's historic charm is complemented by an assortment of handy shops a bank, post office and supermarket. In addition this sleepy little village also has an assortment of suppliers that arrive by van each day to sell their goods - fishmonger, fruiteria and butcher.

The top village has a wider choice of shops as well as a historic bullring which still occasionaly has bull fights but is more often used now for horse shows or even as a live music venue.

El Gecko offers a perfect location for enjoying traditional Spanish life in a pretty mountain village. Nearby there are a selection of interesting places to visit - the Caves of Pileta with pre-historic cave paintings or Cuevos El Gato with a mountain-water fed lagoon to swim. Horse riding, climbing and some of the best walks in the area through the Guadiaro Valley are all close by.

Or visit the famous and historic town of Ronda by train or car 40 mins.

Fishing, cycling, bird watching or painting holidays are all available from the hotel.

Approximately one hour away +/- are the larger Cities of Cadiz, Seville, Jerez and Malaga. Gibraltar just over one hour by car.

For up to date information on the area and forthcoming events go to www.secretandalucia.com
a local website with plenty of useful information.