While using Hotel El Gecko as your base in Andalucia we have compiled a list of wonderful days out in and around Andalucia. Iznajar Lake Beach - Theres no need to travel to the coast to find a great beach! This long, gently shelving sandy beach with clear reservoir water (no motor boats allowed) provides safe swimming as well as watersports such as canoeing and windsurfing. Fish for trout, carp and bass, walk the herding trails around the lake or take refreshments at the beach bars and restaurants. Nerja Caves - The pretty town of Nerja not only has some nice beaches and coves, but also has a cave, a couple of kilometres outside. Open from 10am to 2, 4 to 8pm 7E, it makes a pleasant visit, ambling through the enormous caverns where youll find the largest column in the world and see the devastation caused by an earthquake. It is possible to explore other parts with the caving group. No special skills required. Sit in the gardens or take a local walk. Leaflets on walks are available from the Tourist Office on Calle Pintada near the Balcon de Europa overlooking the sea. Sea Aquarium Museum, Malaga - This is not only an aquarium for the marine flora and fauna of the Alboran Sea but also recreates maritime life with models and artefacts. It is the only centre dedicated to the rescue of endangered species such as dolphins and sea turtles. Open Mon to Sun 10 to 2.30 on Calle Manuel Agustin Heredia, Malaga. Tel No: 952219761. Alcazar Sevilla - Forget the Cathedral and the Roman remains! For a superb visit, go to the Alcazar, next to the Cathedral. It has some of the best surviving remains of Mudejar architecture and the huge apartments of Carlos V. The Alcazar Gardens are delightful and extensive with trees, flowers and fountains where you can rest in the shade. Open Tues to Sat 9.30am to 7pm and Sun 9.30am to 5pm. Entry is on the Plaza del Triunfo. PARQUE DE LAS CIENCIAS, GRANADA - For something different, explore this open-air Science Park with its 270 interactive activities plus Planetarium, Butterfly House, Observation Tower and Astronomy Garden. Open Tues to Sat 10 to 7 Sun 10 to 3 Museum 5E Planetarium 2E the Science Park is on Avenida del Mediterraneo, Exit 131 or 132 from the Motril Jaen motorway. Punto Umbria - Escape to one of the finest beaches in the south with golden sand and the clean, clear water of the Atlantic. A variety of watersports are on hand, such as windsurfing, and cosy restaurants and bars to enjoy great food. Take a walk by the estuary through Los Embrales to see junipers, broom and pine trees. The Lagoon is home to a large colony of chameleons. Sanlucar de Barrameda - After lazing on the quiet, shell-encrusted river beach with its warm waters, take a trip into town to visit the Bodega Antonio Barbadillo, Calle Eguilaz 11 Tel 956385500, to learn how sherry is made and to taste the fine Manzanilla wine they produce here. Amble around the old quarter, Barrio Alta to see the Medina Sidonia Palace, the 13th C church and the Castle of Santiago. Sanlucar is the setting for some exciting horse races on the beach in late August! Cable Car - Take the Cable Car ride in Benalmadena to the highest point on the Malaga Coast and youll find a whole new world. With amazing views of the coast, the Sierras and the Valley of Guadalahorce, you can walk back down the special path, or cycle, after visiting the Calamorro Mountaintop Sanctuary to see birds of prey (Demo at 1pm and 8pm). Why not take a donkey ride through the area, including an exhibition of Spanish dressage horses. Access via Arroyo de la Miel, entry opposisite Tivoli World. Cable Ride open from 10am to 11.30pm. Jerez de la Frontera Horse show - Be amazed by the Royal School of Equestrian Art where you can watch horses being trained or see the Show (Tues Thurs), tour the stables, saddlery and interactive Museum. Price includes the excellent carriage museum nearby. Open 11am to 2pm on Avda Duque de Abrantes. Afterwards tour one of the many bodegas to learn about the history of sherry and taste some great sherry. Tivoli World Benalmadena - For a perfect Summer evenings entertainment for the whole family, visit Tivoli World in Arroya de la Miel. The theme park has beautiful tropical gardens, pretty squares, fountains, exciting fairground rides and shows in the theatre. Be a cowboy and try a bucking bronco. There are rides for tiny tots too. Open from 6pm to 2.30am. Access is by exit 222 from the A7. Whale watching - Its great to be on the ocean when the weathers hot so check out the tours run by the Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals (www.firmm.org). Excursions run out of Tarifa for sightings of dolphins and pilot whales. The Straits of Gibraltar with its rich diversity of marine life is an under-water park. Whalewatch Espana (Tel 956627013) also run similar tours. DRIVING IN THE AXARQUIA - Although you can walk in this spectacularly beautiful area of pines, oaks, mountains and gorges, with historic white villages and towns, there are also driving tours. They are named for the speciality of the area, The Mudejar Route, The Raisin Route, The Oil and Mountains Route, The Sun and Avocado Route and The Sun and Wine Route. This last one starts in Algarrobo and ends in Nerja. Check www.absoluteaxarquia.com and click on the map for details of the routes. On the way, stop and look for mountain goats or birdwatch, or take a break in a bar in one of the villages. CAMPILLOS KARTING - Dare to drive like a champion race driver in a competition kart round the largest karting circuit in Europe. Find it outside Campillos on the A 384. Ring 610774429 for details and bookings for an earth-shaking experience. Weekdays 10.00-19.00 Weekends 10.00-21.00 Prices start from 10 euros on their junior circuit and 25 euros on the competition circuit. THE ROYAL CHAPEL AND THE MONASTERY OF CARTUJA - Theres always something to see in Granada! Next time you are there, visit the fascinating Royal Chapel, near the Cathedral, where Isabella and Ferdinand lie buried. Within you will find art, architecture and history. Opening hours are Mon to Sat 10.30 1.00 and 4 7pm, Sun 11 1 and 4 7pm. Afterwards, take No. 8 bus from Plaza Nueva to the spectacular Monastery of Cartuja to learn about the Carthusian monks and admire the church and chapels, refectory and cloister gardens. It is an extraordinary place! Opening hours are Mon to Sat 10 -1 and 4 8pm, Sun 10 12 and 4 to 8pm. Detailed English guides are available, worth reading for themselves! Sanlucar Cadiz - Why not take time out to enjoy some of the oldest horse races in Europe (dating back to 1845) which take place on the Bajo de Guia Beach, Sanlucar de Barrameda. They run from 6pm 2nd and 4th weekends Thurs to Sun. For refreshments visit one the bodegas to sample their famous Manzanilla wine. With the daily market in Plaza de San Roque, gorgeous palaces and churches to visit and great seafood to sample, youll need more than a day! Pedro Romero Fair Ronda - One of the highlights of the Pedro Romero Fair is a chance to see the Goyesca Bullfights in the oldest bullring in Spain. However, there are lots of things to see and do there. The Mondragon Palace, lots of Museums, the Art Gallery and the Church of Santa Maria Mayor with its amazing panels depicting Christs life. Amble along the cobbled streets, lunch in the pretty squares and walk the old walls down to the Arab Baths. Go to the biggest party of the year in Spain, lasting 9 days (10 19 Aug) and starting with a spectacular firework display!The Day Feria includes street entertainment for kids with Punch and Judy, face painting, mini circus and plenty of bouncy castles. There is great food, dancing in the street and concerts in different venues. Catch the shuttle bus to Palacio de Feria for the Night Feria with concerts, casetas, music and dance. Check with www.feria-d...

The restaurant offers generous home cooking reflecting on the varied produce that Andalucia provides. Dining is available at any time of the day either in our dining room or on the terrace which overlooks the river and is an ideal spot to watch the many birds and other wildlife that continually pass. The cosy and friendly bar is the ideal place to unwind after a day exploring the surrounding area. The bar is open for drinks to non residents where you can meet with new friends and friendly locals. Now with a new outside bar and bar b que. Non residents are welcome to visit for the day, eat in our restaurant, take a dip in the pool or just enjoy a drink on our shady terrace. Packed lunches are available on request.

Experience a holiday with a real rustic Spanish feel and a touch of home comforts, or just visit to have a drink and a meal - El Gecko is just the place. El Gecko is now re-open under the ownership of Sara,welcoming back old guests and new friends. Tel: (0034) 952 153 386. Mob: (0034) 661 124 371. El Gecko stands on the banks of the Guadiaro river in the sleepy station village of Cortes de la Frontera, surrounded by the Alcornocales Cork Forest and Grazalema National Park, nestled in the Ronda mountains. El Gecko was an old inn that has been restored to create an atmosphere that is both friendly and informal. Drawing strongly on the regions moorish heritage, el gecko, combines rustic charm with contemporary comfort. There is a swimming pool, sun terraces overlooking the river and shady areas to relax on the bankside with only the fishes, turtles and bird life for company. El Gecko is the base from which to explore a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. Enjoy riverside, forest and mountain walks, fishing, bird watching, horse riding, painting, running with the bulls, Neolithic caves, historic Ronda and other picturesque white villages. Granada by train or car (3 hrs.), Sevilla (2 hrs) and the beaches of the Mediterranean (40 mins) or the Atlantic (90 mins). The sleepy hamlet of Estacion de Cortes de la Frontera is ideally situated between Gaucin and Cortes de la Frontera. Only 50 metres from the picturesque railway station where you can travel to Gibraltar or Ronda in under an hour. Or further afield to Granada and the Alhambra palace. The fiestas in the summer months attract many visitors who enjoy the local hospitality and traditional folklore. C/Canada del Real Tesoro 39. Estacion de Cortes de la Frontera hotelelgecko@hotmail.com. Telephone: (0034) 952 15 33 86