La Huerta Ganga is situated in Southern Spain in the Province of Málaga.   The region is called "Axarquía" which derives from the arab expression "AlSharq" and means "land in the east". The Axarquía used to be "Bandit Country" in the 19th and early 20th century. "Bandoleros" preyed on traders carrying goods from Málaga harbour to Granada and smugglers brought contraband into Spain from Africa.   Nowadays you will enjoy to travel through this mountainous region with its lovely beaches and its unspoilt nature.	Lake Viñuela with Maroma
Traces of the Past		Southern Spain is steeped in history and culture. 2500 years ago the Phoenicians founded the trading city of Cádiz.   They were succeeded by the Romans, who gradually conquered Spain in the years up to 220 AD.   The next invaders were the Vandals, followed by the Visigoths, who ruled Spain from the 5th century.   When the Moors arrived from North Africa in 711, it was not difficult for them to conquer the region. The moorish civilisation reached its peak in the 10th century, with a prosperous, cultured population that tolerated three religions living side by side. From the beginning of the 13th century to 1492 the Christians reconquered the country.   You will find traces of that eventful past in andalucian tradicions and cultural live and in the architecture.   Stroll through ancient Roman, Moorish and Spanish ruins and buildings. Sit mesmerised through a flamenco dancing, singing and musical extravaganza. Visit the birthplace and museum dedicated to the genius of Picasso, a son of Malaga. Sample traditional tapas over a refreshingly ice-cold drink, shop for handmade gifts such as hand-pressed olive oil, cheeses, wines, handcrafts and curios, delight in dramatic sunsets and cloud formations, feel relaxed by the slow and easy pace of life and inspired by the work of the many different artists who have made their home in the region.	Alcazaba in Seville Tradicional Flamenco
Nature		Or enjoy Andalucia's unspoilt nature.   There is an endless variety of hiking and walking trails that explore the mountain ranges, natural geological features, flora and fauna, as well as the surrounding picturesque villages and towns. Horse riding and lessons are available locally with English instructors.   Andalucia boasts of an almost endless stretch of coastline and beaches are easily reached by car.   For snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts, the Sierra Nevada is an enjoyable 2 1/2 hour drive through breathtaking scenery.	The mediterranean sea
Vélez Málaga		Vélez Málaga is the centre and capital of the district of Axarquía, with a population of 55,000. It is situated 25 kilometres to the east of Málaga and 5 kilometres from the coastal town of Torre del Mar.   Vélez Málaga has all the facilities of a major town, including a large shopping centre with multi screen cinema and a street market every Thursday morning.   Despite it's proximity to the coast it has not developed a tourist industry. The town lies in the wide valley of the River Vélez and ist main resources are agricultural products such as vines, olives, and vegetables.   Vélez Málaga is a working town with various interesting architectures and old palaces. Visit the Vélez Málaga Castle (Castillo de Vélez Málaga) - built in the 13th century.   The Palace of the Marquises of Beniel (Palacio de los Marqueses de Beniel) which now is the Town Hall, is a building in Mudejar style with a magnificent vaulted ceiling above the stairwell.   There are four convents and monasteries of artistic merit - these being San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sant José and Las Carmelitas. Church of Santa María la Mayor - 16th century in Mudejar style. Church of San Juan Bautista - 15th century in Mudejar style with a valuable Baroque retable by Berruguete.   The main hospital is found here in Vélez Málaga.	Vélez Málaga
Torre del Mar		Torre del Mar has the closest beach and golf course and to keep the kids amused there are go-cart tracks, a water theme park and boat trips from Caleta marina.   The wide sandy beaches are flanked by a long promenade with pretty views along the coast and of the hills and mountains behind which are dotted with white houses and villages. At a nice two kilometres walk to the east on the beachfront promenade there is a fishing port and marina at La Caleta de Vélez.   Torre del Mar has a lot of atmosphere and local flavour. You will find numerous shops, restaurants (including some very good fish and seadfood restaurants) and bars. Along a stretch of the seafront there is a summer night market offering a huge variety of goods.	Fishermen at Torre del Mar
Nerja		Nerja is situated on the coast and offers 9 kilometres of well maintained and differing sandy beaches, shared by fishermen and sunbathers.   Nerja is a very attractive white town that has maintained a great charm and its old part which dates from the 14th century has a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets in typical Moorish style.   One of the most popoular spots in the centre of the town is the Balcón de Europa. It has been built on the previous site of a 10th century castle and is hanging over cliffs and beaches. You can be sure to gain some spectactular views there...   Don't miss the many restaurants and bars with local and exotic food and drinks! As well you will enjoy the huge variety of tapas in rustic bars or on the promenade next to the beach.   On sundays there is an attractive boot sale and the busy weekly market invites you on tuesdays.   A few kilometres from the centre of Nerja are the Nerja caves. They were discovered in 1959 and skeletal remains and artefacts were found, dating from 30,000BC to the Bronze Age.   The caves are considered the biggest in Spain and the visitor is able to enter various nicely illuminated chambers. During many thousands of years very large independant stalactites and stalagmites have grown there and in one of the caves you can see the world's widest column.   Every July a music festival is held on the stages inside the caves.	Balcón de Europa Nerja Caves
White washed villages		The region of the Axarquía includes 31 municipalities which are mostly lovely white washed villages. They are all worth visiting and the roads from one to the other very often lead you through breathtaking landscapes up and down the mountains.   Each village is special. The daily life in their steep and narrow streets is picturesque, most people live of agriculture and as the vineyards and olive groves are steep you will still see the farmers doing their work with mules instead of tractors.   You might want to know the "Paradise of the Chameleon" which is the village of Arenas whith the highest density of chamaleons in Europe.   Or join the "Day of the Medlar" (Día del Níspero) in Sayalonga and try these tasty fruits directly from the trees.   Almáchar celebrates the "White Garlic Soup" (Ajoblanco) which is a cold drink of mashed almonds, garlic and olive oil and has to be taken with fresh grapes.   Cómpeta does not just offer nice restaurants and bars and spectacular views over the mediterranea sea but invites you to visit the wine museum (Museo del Vino) as well.   El Borge is the "Capital of the Raisin" and celebrates the raisin festivities in autumn after the grapes have been picked and dried.   Once a year one of the 31 villages of the Axarquía celebrates the "Verdiales Competition". Music groups from the whole region gather in one of the villages and fill the night with their very special traditional sounds.   And the descriptions could go on and on...	Paradise of the Chameleon Typical village
		If you want to dive into Andalucia's famous history or enjoy it's manifold cultural events plan a day trip to one of the cities!
Granada		Granada is famous for its Moorish Alhambra Palace.   But it offers more attractions: The Albaizín which is the old arab quarter with ist colourful street life, many shops and bars and small restaurants.   Wonderful architecture and narrow little streets in the centre of the city. Some quality shopping in elegant and exclusive sites.   Granada is 3.000 year old and you will find traces of its history everywhere.   Reservation Alhambra: Phone: 902 22 44 60 within Spain and +34 915 37 91 78 from outside of Spain. Internet: www.granadainfo.com/ticketsalhambra.htm	Alhambra
Seville		Seville is the biggest and most exiting city in Andalucia. It is over 2.000 years old and has been a cultural centre throughout the times.   Take your time and enjoy walking through the narrow streets of the "Barrio de Santa Cruz", the old quarter of the city where old houses have overgrown balconies, with shady narrow streets and lots of bars and restaurants.   The Giralda (Tower) and the Cathedral with the tomb of Cristobal Colón are famous and in front of them you can hire a horse drawn carriage for a tour through the city.   More places to visit: The Alcázar (fortress), the centre of Seville, the river Guadalquivir by boat.	Plaza de España
Córdoba		Córdoba was in competition with Seville in influence and culture for a long time.   The most impressive place to visit in Córdoba is the "Mesquita-Catedral" (Mosque-Cathedral). The edifice is astonishing because of ist combination of two religious sites - a moorish mosque and a christian cathedral - in one building.   The original mosque was built in 785 and in the 16th century a cathedral war erected right in the middle of the mosque. Probably thanks to that the mosque could be preserved whilst all over the country moorish relicts were destroyed after the christian reconquest.   In the beginning of May a competition for the nicest patio takes place. It allows visitors to enter into patios which are locked for the rest of the year. The event is accompanied by music and wine.	Mesquita-Catedral
Málaga		Málaga is looking back to over 2.000 years of history as well.   It is a lively, tolerant and wealthy city of about 550.000 inhabitants and the most important harbour of Andalucia. In Málaga meet up the railways, bus lines and the airport and make it an important junction.   The fortress "Alcazaba" is worth visiting and the foot path up to the peak is nice. The place offers stunning views over the city and the blue mediterranea sea.   In honour of the most famous son of Málaga - Pablo Picasso - there are two places to visit:   La "Casa Natal de Picasso" (the house where he was born) at Plaza de la Merced Nr. 15. And the Picasso Museum with a permant exhibition of Picassos work and varying special exhibitions.   Picasso Museum in the Palacio de Buenavista Calle San Augustin, 8 29015 Málaga Phone: 902 44 33 77 Internet: www.museopicassomalaga.org   More places to visit: The cathedral, many more museums and exhibitions in this busy seaport city, the old quarter around Plaza Merced...   Don't forget to have a break in one of the bars or restaurants!	View over Málaga Alcazaba

 

El Eznite s/n E-29195 Comares (Málaga) Andalucia-Spain Phone: +34-600 333 752 E-mail: Comareshill@hotmail.com

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