Characterised by their flat roofs and prominent chimney pots, the houses are the product of the perfect designer - Nature. Beautiful because of their very simplicity, the villages tumble haphazardly down the steep hillsides, connected by a labyrinth of narrow, winding cobbled streets. A picture to behold, glistening white in the sun, roses and geraniums spilling from every nook and cranny. and a great climate . The mountain air is the cleanest in Europe and, because of the altitude, the heat in mid-summer is not oppressive as it can be in much of southern Spain. As the seasons change, so does the appearance and character of our mountain world.
Winter is the most dramatic.
Snow lies thick on Sierra Nevada, occasional rains bring rich odours from the earth, cloud 'dragons' swirl up the valleys and the sunsets are a joy. A roaring log fire at night is a must. The sun warms a green countryside and there is a fresh liveliness in the pure mountain air. Each little village celebrates its own festival and for some this marks out an itinerary in itself of dance and fireworks, saints and wine. For others, the high mountain villages are a haven away from the coastal heat.