Let me tell you about a self-catering holiday with a difference. Staying in one of the unique cave dwellings in and around Orce and its nearby hamlet Fuente Nueva in Southern Spain (in the Andalucian Province of Granada). With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is deffinatly a place to be visited at any time of the year.

It is worth telling you a little about cave houses first. The popularity of Spanish Cave houses dates' back to the time of the Moors. You may well ask, what sort of facilities do they have? Modern day cave homes, have the comfort and facilities of any modern day habitation. Are they dark? No, they are bright and airy houses with windows and doors, with light magically reflected around these unique dwellings. Offering you a truly unique self-catering experience, in comfort and style.

Caves are also very ecologically friendly dwellings for a number of reasons. They are carved from impervious rock and as a result retain an even temperature all year round (between 18 to 21 degrees). A truly ecological feature is their ability to generate natural air conditioning in those hot summer months. Keeping the houses magically cool, even on the hottest of summer days, (without the need for carbon emitting and fuel consuming air-conditioning systems).

Even more magically, in the winter they heat the house by releasing the heat stored up in the impervious rock during those hot summer months, keeping the cave warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Having stayed in a number of cave homes at different times of the year, I can vouch for the truth in the above. Be prepared to be amazed.

Fuente Nueva is a small Spanish hamlet, close to the village of Orce. It’s natural surroundings are breathtaking. There are dramatic contrasts between the Mountain Range, the pine forests, the pastoral planes, (where prehistoric animals once fed) and the dry flat-lands. Set at around 900 metres above sea level, this is a tranquil and peaceful place, to relax and unwind. This is truly real and unspoilt Spain. I stayed at Cueva Santa Maria in Fuente Neuva a truly WOW factor cave home.

Fuente Nueva, is also a place of great paleontological and archaeological interest. The hamlet dates back to prehistoric times. Situated on the side of what was once a vast prehistoric lake, where mammoths, sabre tooth tigers, rhinoceros, buffalo, bear and not least man came to drink. Many of the remains of these magnificent animals can be found in The Orce’s Museum of Prehistory.

The medieval village of Orce, (4km from Fuente Nueva), is a historical and traditional Spanish Village whose historic heritage is clearly evident. The architecture in Orce spans a millennium of cultural changes. Made up of quaint streets and traditional houses. A visit to Orce to step back in time and interesting architecture offers many photographic opportunities.

For a small village there is a wealth of amenities including supermarket, butchers, banks, green grocers, fish mongers tourist information, a castle and freshwater swimming pool. The village also has a number of good bars and restaurants, they are traditionally Spanish and very welcoming.

There is an abundance of activities in the area to match the tastes, of all visitors, of all ages and all interests, all year round. Situated close to four lakes and three natural parks, there are many outdoor pursuits to be enjoyed. These include walking, trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, swimming or canoeing, to name but a few. Worth a mention are the Fiestas held in Orce, which are vibrant, colourful and not to be missed. The Festival of San Antón and San Sebastian I went to was amazing. Held January 16th to 20th every year.

Tourists visit this part of Spain from all parts of the globe, be it form other parts of Europe or Spain or further away from the USA, Canada, Australia or South America
Situated not far from the A92N, a main arterial road in Southern Spain and a short drive from no less than five Airports, (Granada, Malaga, Alicante, Murcia and Almeria) . In the province of Granada, just over an hours drive from the city and a two-hour drive from Malaga.

You can take a look at one of these unique holiday homes by visiting

www.andaluciaself-cateringholidayspain.com/ or http://www.cuevasdeorce.com/

for more information on Orce and Fuente Nueva visit

www.andalucia.com or Orce’s own website, www.orce.es/ (Spanish Only)

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