ACTIVITIES
So what can you see and do whilst in Cortes de la Frontera.
If you have any sense you will just lie around and enjoy the sun and the calm atmosphere. if you choose not to do that then here are some things you may wish to consider whilst you are here.
Photography, Drawing or Painting
There many places to sit and draw and photograph throughout the area, However being one who prefers to chill out with a quiet drink, its not my thing but here are a few ideas suggested by others
There is an impressive Bridge at Ronda, There are several places within the village or just outside where you could paint or photograph. You will find some pictures on this site that have been taken already to give you an idea . the twisting winding whitewashed village streets lined with orange trees often find favour with artists and the plaza in front of the Town Hall is good for paint or photo.
Several rivers in area should provide suitable scenes but don’t taste the water near the station or you will be viewing the local medical centre.
Views of the Rock of Gibraltar with the African Rif mountains as a backdrop should be quite a challenge If you enjoy photography bring plenty of film or buy that extra memory card.
Eating and Drinking
This I have no problem telling you about.
The Spanish eat and drink at a very leisurely pace and at very regular intervals during the day until very late at night and with their children.
My day often starts with a Café solo and a suitable tapas. (La Fuente, Santiago, Pay-Pay)
Tapas is a snack - small meal normally served with beer in the bars of the region. It is served throughout the day and a good bar will have up to ten different hot or cold tapas to serve. In some places you pay for a larger plate or in some its free. Tapas tends to better in the more rural areas. The area specialises in pork products. Morcillo is black pudding which is not for me. Jamon is leg of pork hung and dried and will be seen everywhere. The lower super market in the village has a very nice ham, its sliced in very thin slices and tastes great. Chorizo is a dried pork sausage or salami.
Many local dishes are simple but are made with good quality ingredients, vegetables where provided are fresh, fish is very popular. Most are cooked in olive oil. The village has three restaurants and each is very differant. Late drinking is very common and being able to drink for 24 hours is possible but ill advised.
A small Pizza parlour has recently opened in the village so you don't have to cook really.
Mountain Biking and Cycling
Very popular but climbing these hills and mountains seems to me a gross waste of energy. But the area sees many people working hard on their bikes. Cycle hire is available in Ubrique.
Shopping
There are many shops in the villages and to my amazement some people love it. Clothing
would seem to be cheaper than at home.
All the main towns including Ronda have large shopping areas but you should be prepared to look in the street markets too. A list of street markets is included later in the website. Gibraltar really only provides for English tastes but a Morrisons supermarket can be found there. I prefer Carrefour or Lidl for food shopping and there are several of both along the coast. If visiting Gibraltar don't miss la Linea the Spanish border town which has many bargains for the clever shopper. La linea's shops open as Gibraltar's shops close so its a perfect long day of shopping. If you like that sort of thing!
Enjoying the Sun
The House only 45 minutes drive from Sabillnas which is fairly quiet compared to other areas.
There are places a lot closer to Cortes de la Frontera worth considering, you can
go to the River Genal which on the other side of the valley where there are pools
and waterfalls that make great sunbathing, swimming and picnicking areas for a much
more relaxed and tranquil day out. The house also has a nice sun terrace where you
can watch the dawn over the valley and sunbathe until dusk. Beware of the strength
of the sun and use plenty of sun cream with a high protection factor.
Bull Fighting
Not my idea of fun. There is small bull ring at Cortes de la Frontera which is used a couple of times a year.
There are bullrings at Ubrique, Ronda (a very famous one) and in Malaga. Other towns
also have them.
Hiking and Walking
Stunning mountains, beautiful valleys and clean air what more do you want?
This is
a beautiful place. Signposted walking routes take you from village to village. Just
use the map in the house as a guide.
Bird and Nature Watching
This is by all accounts a great place to watch birds from the small to the large Vultures with a wing span of just under 3 metres. The whole area is on the main migration route from Africa to Europe. plus local eagles, storks and flamingoes.
This is reputed to be one of Europe’s great short rail journeys, this 50-mile stretch
through the Ronda mountains was built from 1890-1892 by the British so that their
officers, and passengers on cruise ships bound for the east, could escape the heat
of Gibraltar by heading upwards into the mountains.
It runs through silvery cork
woods and dark green cypresses, past the first white hill towns of San Pablo and
Jimena with its dramatic tower, and into a mountainous landscape with plunging views
over the Rio Guadiaro and up to the limestone crags. The single track line is so
steep (by rail standards) that sand must be deposited onto the rails when wet to
avoid slippage; originally this was done by men with buckets of gravel!
There are
4 trains a day taking about 1hr 45mins each way, which makes a day trip possible
– but remember that most stations (eg San Roque, Castellar, Jimena, Gaucin, Cortes
de la frontera, Benaojan) are a few miles below the hill towns they serve. However
taxis can be arranged to and from the larger towns including Cortes. A popular starting
point is San Roque for people on the coast which not far from the city of Algeciras.
Why not end your trip at Ronda, or Benaojan where you can visit the prehistoric caves
and have a good lunch at the Molino del Santo or one of the cheaper local bars?
All
journeys stop at San Roque, Jimena de la Frontera, Gaucin, Cortes del a Frontera,
Jimera de Libar. A return fare from Algeciras to Ronda costs about £7.50 but costs
less from Cortes de la Frontera.
A Stunning Train Journey
From Algeciras – Ronda
© All photographs on this site are the copyright of mdypictures.com
Horse Riding
Can be undertaken locally. Please follow the link on the left for more details.