Dove Villa

What Lindsay thinks...

A delightful new property for Tots to Travel in Spain, Check out the video above for a taste of pure relaxation!

I think this family friendly whitewashed villa is as pretty as a picture.  You are enveloped in Andalucian charm as you pass under bougainvillea into the patio with its sparkling pool.  Perfect for "Real Spain" seekers, the house is close to the white village of Casabermeja nestling above Malaga.

It is perfect for outdoor living with a shady porch over the handmade Moroccan-blue mosaic table, alongside which you will find sun loungers for lazing away the days whilst your little people play, and a brick-built barbeque for those balmy summer evenings.  The whole outdoor space is very safe for children, with Spanish style balustrade and safety gate separating the pool.

This is a peaceful retreat set back from the coast, and yet only half an hour hop from sandy beaches and the fantastic holiday facilities of the Costa del Sol.  For a fix of Spanish culture, you are just off the main corridor through Andalucia and the gateway to some of the most emblematic cities in Spain - a trip to wonderfully historic Antequera, or beyond to magnificent Granada or stunning Seville, are all easy to do. 

Anyone seeking plenty of R&R, a countryside break with a hint of real Spain thrown in, is sure to love it here.  As an extra bonus, the owners Harold and Susan who regularly have their own grandchildren to stay, are on hand to help both before and during your stay.

You can tell that the house itself has been lovingly converted from what was originally an artist's studio; it has been thoughtfully decorated to offer a comfortable home from home.  

The sitting room leads to a small breakfast kitchen with all you need to prepare a family meal. From the sitting area you will find a child friendly twin room (or can be made up for adults instead) with ensuite shower room for washing sticky faces or night time visits, and a surprisingly spacious master suite with a full bathroom and plenty of space for a cot. The master suite also has a comfortable seating corner for nursing a baby or having a quiet read during siesta time. 

The age of the house means solid walls and cool indoor spaces, but there is also a gentle osmosis air-conditioning system, and insect screens on all the windows, which coupled with ceiling fans in every room mean very comfortable summer nights and happy sleepy tots! 

The villa comes equipped with a DVD player with some family films, UK Satellite TV to keep up with goings-on back home, plus a good selection of holiday reading & magazines.  There is also a CD player so you can bring your babies favourite lullabies with you, helping bedtimes to go like a dream.

The layout is ideal for small families to keep the children safely enclosed, as the house is compact and all on one level, with the bedrooms & sitting room leading straight to the safe patio, where no doubt Mum & Dad will be catching some well deserved sunshine! 

Parent points:

• There is a single step up into the kitchen from the sitting area, requiring normal supervision.

The outdoor space is safely enclosed,with a balustrade and safety gate to keep younger children away from the pool. It is all on one level so the children are free to go between the patio and the house quite safely without being able to escape anywhere. 

Part of the patio is covered to provide summer shade, and there is a hand-built barbeque just crying out for a steak or two!  If you fancy have someone else do the cooking one night, then you can order home cooked tapas & wine tasting from a local pop-up kitchen, a really authentic taste of the Spanish Summer!  Alternatively, the owner is happy to give guests a lift to one of the lovely Spanish restaurants in the nearby village.

This child-friendly villa sits in wonderful Spanish countryside, and apart from the buzz of the Cicadas and cry of the Bee-catchers, it is very peaceful - only Farmer Juan might occasionally put in an appearance with his tractor and goat herd!

Parent points:

• The swimming pool is accessed by ladders rather than steps; normal levels of supervision required when children are getting in and out of the pool.

Ready in time for Summer 2012 will be a new children's play area to keep little holidaymakers amused.  

• Enclosed swimming pool
• Enclosed patio
• Selection of toys & games
• Nightlights
• Blackout blinds
• Cot and cot linen
• Microwave
• Steriliser
• Highchair
• Booster seat
• Hand blender
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
• Potty
• Step
• Changing mat
• Bath toys

The house sits in a little country hideaway close to the white hillside village of Casabermeja and just a few kilometres from the main Malaga/ Granada/ Cordoba/ Seville highway. 

This is a perfect spot for nature lovers and bug-hunts, and the owner Harold is very happy to give a lift to the nearest supermarket or a local restaurant for an evening out.  It is just half an hour from the historical city of Antequera, where you will find a beautiful old town and new indoor shopping centre.

In the other direction you are also half an hour from Malaga, the beaches and the gateway to the wealth of attractions that the Costa del Sol has to offer for family holidays. 

Here is a taster of what the Costa del Sol has in store...

In Summer, you can take the family to visit the largest Aquapark on the Costa del Sol in Torremolinos, just 35 minutes away. There is plenty to keep children of all ages happy and some excellent shallow pools and attractions for toddlers.

A little further along the coast is the resort of Benalmadena, where the family can spend a fabulous day out visiting the lovely Paloma Park with peacocks and semi-tame rabbits running around (take a picnic and food for the ducks!), then pop next door to Selwo Marina or perhaps take a tour on the mini train or Red Bus tour around Benalmadena.

Also in Benalmadena is the award-winning Puerto Marina, an exclusive port with a selection of restaurants, bars and the delightful Sea Life Centre with a touch-tank for little visitors.

In Fuengirola you will find the Biopark, a new type of zoo based on respect for nature and the preservation of natural species.  Here you can meet the latest members of the family, two beautiful rare white tigers which can sadly only now be seen in captivity.

For older children, further afield is the safari park Selwo Adventure located in Estepona.  Why not make a day of it and combine with lunch or dinner in Marbella or famous Puerto Banus en-route?

Heading inland now, away from the coast, there is the wonderful Wolf Park close by in Antequera, complete with petting zoo & 'howl nights' throughout the season.

Finally, for a memorable trip into some of the most stunning natural parks, a visit to El Torcal (with another picnic!) or the lake at Fuente de Piedra is a must.  The lake is the largest in Andalucia, and houses a huge colony of pink flamingos.  There are guided tours for families and you are able to hire bikes and binoculars.

On a family holiday in Andalucia, you will certainly be spoilt for choice! 

Before booking, please read our Terms and Conditions.

Bookings are generally taken for full weeks and the calendar below shows 7 night blocks; however many Owners are happy to consider bookings for additional nights and to consider different starting and departure dates outside of the busy periods.  Please enquire by clicking on an available period in the calendar below.