Zahara – Where Eagles Soar
August 22nd, 2006
These days, it’s impossible to turn the pages of any magazine about Spain without reading about the virtues of ‘Real Spain’ – how different the inland locations are from the popular coastal developments. You know what? It’s true!
We have just returned from a two week holiday near Zahara de la Sierra, just north of Ronda, 100km inland from San Pedro de Alcantara on the Costa del Sol. The contrast between the two could hardly be greater.
Zahara is surrounded by national park land and it truly is an unspoiled wilderness. At night, in the villa we rented, when we switched off the lights there was complete darkness – there were no other signs of life for miles and miles. By day, golden eagles soared overhead, surveying the local hills – almost mountains at a height of 1500m.
I had imagined nearby Ronda to be a bustling busy city but, even at the height of the tourist season, it still retained a charming village atmosphere. This area is also famous for its ‘Pueblos Blancos’ – we lunched in Grazalema one day – simply enchanting!
So, for once, you can believe what you read. Spain is a country of immense contrasts and this part of inland Spain is as enchanting as it is different from anything I had ever experienced before.
Martin Dell
