| If as a visitor to Spain, you are looking for something | | | | welcome break from the relentless modernity and |
| more than the heaving beaches of the Costa del Sol | | | | throngs of the resorts. |
| and a deep suntan, use this guide to discover where | | | | Ronda |
| to look for those charming small towns off the beaten | | | | This village is cleaved in two by a deep ravine, its two |
| track, with unique sights and features. Relax and wind | | | | halves linked by old bridges that span the gorge. The |
| down, cradled by the warmth and hospitality that can | | | | Moorish predecessors left behind quaint narrow |
| be found in these five small and very special villages. | | | | streets and the countryside that enfolds the village is |
| Zafra | | | | spectacular in its beauty. Ronda is also renowned in |
| If you are a fan of Picasso, visit Zafra and experience | | | | bull fighting circles for its bullfighting arena, one of the |
| its singular, very angular architecture, made starker by | | | | oldest surviving bullrings in Spain and for the notoriously |
| the whiteness of its walls. The Cubist Movement, of | | | | fierce bulls that are bred there. |
| which Picasso is one of the originators, is said to have | | | | Santillana del Mar |
| been inspired by the buildings of Zafra. Within these | | | | Santillana del Mar was dubbed "the prettiest village in |
| walls is set the 15th Century castle which is of | | | | Spain" by Jean-Paul Sartre. It is a small but perfectly |
| impressive size and particularly well preserved. | | | | formed village 5 km from a beautiful stretch of unspoilt |
| Carmona | | | | coastline. From this village one can visit the Cuevas de |
| Carmona is a tiny village with an enormous history | | | | Altamira, a site of awe-inspiring prehistoric art. The |
| which dates back to before 206 BC when it was | | | | architecture in the village includes many beautiful |
| occupied by invading Roman soldiers. Each occupation | | | | Romanesque buildings such as the Parador de |
| and takeover since then has left a vestige of itself | | | | Santillana which is open to guests. The village has a |
| behind in Carmona's eclectic architecture and history. | | | | slow old world medieval feel with local milks and |
| Mijas | | | | cheeses being sold by small producers from their |
| If you wish to have the best of both worlds, enjoy the | | | | homes. |
| beaches of the Costa del Sol and then immerse | | | | Discover a different side to Spain as you explore |
| yourself in Spanish culture by wandering through the | | | | these hidden gems; you only need to keep your eyes |
| nearby village of Mijas. With its narrow winding streets | | | | wide open to experience Spain's many unique |
| once walked by the Celts and the Moors, this charming | | | | surprises. |
| village has a distinctly medieval flavour that is a | | | | |