Ronda is just 45 minutes from the Costa del Sol, in sunny southern Spain. But while just 50 miles in distance, it is one million miles in character, the ancient settlement, largely unspoilt and still preserving many of its ancient Moorish and Roman buildings.

While you are just ten minutes to Ronda by car, you are only 15 minutes walk to Arriate, one of the friendliest white-villages of the Serrania de Ronda. Well provided for with a good butcher, greengrocers and supermarkets, it also counts three or four excellent tapas bars, including the atmospheric El Muelle located in the old station building and La Laguna nestled in a quiet village street between the former convent and the church.

Ronda is a totally different prospect and boasts, without a doubt, Andalucia's best collection of restaurants, including the celebrated Tragabuches to the cheaper, but adventurous Almocobar. The city is also home to one of the best-preserved ancient Arabic cores in the world, with a warren of tiny passageways leading to former Moorish palaces and private homes.

On top of that is the much fabled tajo, or gorge, which once made the city almost impenetrable by force and has been hewn out of limestone rock. Being the third most visited town in Spain, Ronda has a good selection of shops and entertainment in the form of theatre, flamenco and, even opera, all year round. There is a cinema and English papers arrive by midday. Also nearby are the fascinating white-walled mountain towns of Setenil de las Bodegas and Grazalema, which was once the centre of Spain's wool trade.

Further afield - each around an-hour-and-a-half by car - are the majestic Imperial cities of Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Jerez and Malaga. The five crucibles of Spanish culture and history are easily reached by car and Granada and Malaga are easily reached by train. Walks go straight from the door, with half a dozen itineries already mapped out for guests, while some of Spain's best hikes through the Sierra de las Nieves and Grazalema natural parks begin less than half an hour away by car. Mountain bikes can be hired and other local activities includes ballooning, quad-biking and riding.