The barn at Finca al-manzil is in the magical Sierra de Montanchez, Extremadura, a wonderful part of Spain with plenty to see and do. A perfect summer holiday, spring break or winter retreat.
This is a unique house, full of character, just for 2 in total privacy and tranquility. It's in its own grounds of 1 hectare with its own entrance. Really spacious with upstairs bedroom, a double height sitting/dining room of 45m2 with sofa, armchairs, dining for 6; wood burning stove; plenty of books and dvds; fully equipped kitchen with door to terrace with outside dining table on covered porch. Sunny bathroom with roomy shower. Long terrace with views over the olive groves and up to the peaks. Furnished with care, interesting objects and paintings. Super swimming pool set in secluded area.
There is a copse of Holm Oaks in the barn meadow for shady siestas and star gazing on clear Extremadura nights. Bike hire available. Lovely walks in all directions. FANTASTIC FOR BIRD WATCHING... an eagle owl is nesting in the woods, flocks of azure winged magpies, magical hoopoes plus the usual eagles, hawks and griffin vultures circling up in the crags.
The walk to our local village of Montanchez takes 40 mins on a delightful path through the natural scenery of the sierra.
There is also a great 3 hour walk up the watermill gorge, over the mountain and into Montanchez. There are 4 World Heritage towns within 40kms: Caceres, Trujillo, Guadalupe and Merida, fascinating to explore, great night life and shopping.
Spring is a delightful time to visit the finca, it's a long season from late March until the middle of May, the wild flowers are spectacular and a wonderful time for bird watching.
Summer means lovely lazy days surrounded by beautiful views of olive groves and up to the shady woods of the sierra, the evenings are a delight, long balmy hours for candlelit dining on the beautiful terraces, and possibility of sleeping outside under the breathtaking stars, all very romantic.
Autumn is wonderfully warm until the end of October, another great bird watching opportunity with the winter migrations starting. Time for enjoying the uniquely preserved Moorish paths of the sierra.
Winter is cosy in the barn, the Danish wood burner keeps the whole space warm. Lots of sunny days for enjoying the surroundings.