Unbelievable that we have been living here for almost 1.5 years! That our sons speak Spanish like real Andalusians. That we still wear our winter coats at 20 degrees and have lunch at 2.30pm.

It all started in 2021. I fell in love. That summer, together with my boyfriend and our two sons, we were on holiday with Martin and Aletta, who ran Casa Lobera at the time. And I didn't want to leave. The place, the landscape, the nature, the food....Everything here felt more like home than the one I knew in the Netherlands. A serious case of love at first sight.

You guessed it: once back home, we quickly booked our summer holiday 2022 at Casa Lobera. Something I normally never did. Because there is so much beauty to see in the world. So why go to the same place twice?
In the summer of 2022, we enjoyed again. We started dreaming together. About a future in Spain. In about eight years' time.

Dreams became plans. We said to each other 'If we can ever find a place as beautiful as Casa Lobera then we will be the king of the world'. And when you have plans, it's time for action! We decided to put our house up for sale. The housing market was attractive. And it gave us the freedom to pursue our plans from a rented house. Then, once the time came, we could go right away!

In the spring of 2023, there it was. The big shiny brochure about our beautiful house in the Netherlands. We were really going to do it! 
And then something very special happened. We received a newsletter from Casa Lobera informing us that the managers, Martin and Aletta, were quitting. It took, I think, 10 seconds for my friend to pick up the phone and call asking 'Do you have any successors yet?' A few weeks later, we were on a plane to Spain to sort things out. Two months later, we signed the contract. Impulsive? Maybe a bit. But sometimes something feels so good that you have to go for it. And so far we don't regret a single moment....

This area offers us everything we could wish for. Beautiful nature, wonderful sunshine, the sea nearby, tasty food, impressive culture and warm-hearted people. Here you have everything within easy reach. It is also a paradise for hikers and cyclists. The possibilities are endless.
The views are breathtaking. The atmosphere soothing. The silence relaxing. But, you can also walk in 15 minutes to our lively white mountain village of Canillas de Aceituno. There are plenty of terraces, restaurants and small shops. You'll also find our sons' school there. And in 50 minutes you can be in Málaga city. More in the mood for skiing? Within 2 hours you're on the slopes in the Sierra Nevada! For us, the perfect balance.

Our small-scale and child-friendly holiday park has 3 holiday homes: Casa Agave, Casa Buganvilla and Casa Ciprés. There is plenty of room for children to play. Near the houses, but also in the orchard or by the swimming pool. Thanks to the small scale and outdoor life, children quickly make friends here. And you need them for a fun water balloon fight or a game of laser gaming in the orchard.

We have a nice playground with slide and swing and a ping-pong table. New is our big trampoline. At the swimming pool you will find a toy chest with plenty of toys, a water table and a water slide! Older children often have fun with the floating volleyball net. And grab a book from our little outdoor library. For safety, the pool can be closed with a fence.

If there is enough interest, we organise a fun scavenger hunt in the neighbouring nature reserve. Or several families eat together in the orchard. It's fun there anyway. Relaxing in one of the hammocks or hanging chairs is a favourite with many of our guests. The sunset is beautiful there!

For the parents, it is nice that the houses are fully equipped. You can wash the dishes in the dishwasher and relax on the lovely lounge set on the terrace. Cots, high chairs, buggies, changing mats and baby baths are available on request. You will also find games, books and craft boxes in our houses. 

What we also really like is that we regularly host whole families. In different houses, but still together. Grandpa secretly trying the slide with his granddaughter. Mother and daughter searching for wild herbs in the garden together. Grandson helping grandma with dinner. Or brother and sister enjoying a glass of wine together in the orchard.
We have also had several couples or families as guests who were themselves looking for a place nearby. To live and/or do business. This makes for fun and interesting conversations. We like being able to offer house hunters a pleasant place to stay during their search. So they can do so in peace and quiet.

Are you curious about Casa Lobera? Then take a quick look at www.vakantiezuidspanje.nl. We also have a Spanish website www.andaluciacasarural.com and an English-language www.holidaysouthernspain.com. Who knows, see you soon!

Sandra