vivAndalus is located in a "White Village" named Montejaque, close to Ronda, which is in the south-western part of Andalusia, within a mountain region and a natural park - the "Sierra de Grazalema", which covers the Provinces Malaga and Cadiz.

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SCENERIES

The "Sierra de Grazalema" belongs to the Andalusia Mountainous Country and is a typical limestone mountain with numerous Karst-Appearances and was appointed in 1984 to the first Andalusian Natural Park.

The real Andalusia can be found between cork oak trees and olive groves. The "White Village" - "Pueblos Blancos", to which Montejaque belongs as well, are located in the Andalusian highlands. Many tourists can find small, robust Bodegas, Tapa-Bars and tiny shops in which fruits, vegetables and other specialities like Jamon and sausages made out of the Iberian Pork, are offered.

But the real attraction is the fantastic view from the villages to the surrounding country and to the coast.

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ANIMALS AND FLORA

Andalusia's largest cave system, the Cueva del Hundidero-Gato is located in the mountain "Sierra del Libar", and where you also can find the Cueva de la Pileta with its pre-historical rock drawings.

The area's most important rivers are the Rio Guadalete, passing Grazalema and feeding the Zahara reservoir, the Rio Guadalevin in Ronda and the Rio Majaceite, one of the few Trout creeks in Southern Europe.

In the lower sites the natural vegetation consists out of stone- and cork oak tree forests, which are still existing in large areas.

A special attraction is the Northern Slope of the "Sierra del Pirar", with the largest in one-piece connected forest of the Spanish Fir trees, the so-called "Hedgehog Firs". These forests are relicts and could survive until now because of the wed and shadowed climate in the southern part of Spain.

In the mountains and around the "Sierra de Grazalema" there are around 1.279 different kinds of farns and blossom plants.

Attraction of the animal world is the large brooding colony of the Goose Vulture as well as the Dirt Vulture. But also other kinds of animals like Fish otter, Bee-eater, Ice birds, Ibex and of course also Fallow Deer's.

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CLIMATE

Andalusia mainly is a fertile area. The climate along the Mediterranean coast is subtropical, along the Atlantic Coast Mediterranean. During summer, the temperature can reach 40 °C and even in the autumn the temperature can still climb up to 25 °C, attracting tourists to visit also during this time. The warm climate allows to plant oranges, lemons, olives, sugar cane, artichokes and different kind of grains.

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ECONOMY

With the appointment to a Natural Park in 1984, the importance of the tourism increased. This led to a revival of old traditions like building a new factory for the production of sheep cheese, on the other hand many footpaths have been provided to show the tourist the real Andalusia.

The economy is marked of pasture land and the manufacturing of leather products and furnitures. The center of the leather manufacturing for example is "Urbrique" in the south.

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CULTURE

In regard of celebrating, the Andalusians are unbeatable. In each village and town many parties take place, the celebrations will last until sunrise. But also historical and religious Ceremonies are held in traditional dresses.

Not to forget the towns and villages out of the Moorish-Arabic time, tempting with their old worth of seeings and to which the natives are proud of, as well as of the bullfight tradition.

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VILLAGES / TOWNS LOCATED NEAR TO MONTEJAQUE

RONDA - QUEEN OF THE WHITE VILLAGES

Those visiting the mountain villages, should not miss their Queen Ronda, which is a romantic small village.

The Moorish stamped old city is located on an all-around steep slope rock plateau, divided from the younger part by a 100 m deep canyon made by the "Rio Guadalevin". Three bridges connect the two sides.

Ronda is tempting with its old buildings of the old times and which the baths, museums, castles, monasteries and churches.

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SEVILLA - CAPITAL OF ANDALUSIA

Sevilla is the Capital of the region Andalusia and the Province of Sevilla.

The industry of the city is wide spreaded with the food and furniture industry. An important part is the tourism.

Many famous antiques are dated from the time of the Moorish occupation, i.e. Alkazar, the Royal Palace. Also the narrow streets, the low white houses with its balconies, the yards and fountains proof the Moorish past of Sevilla.

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JEREZ - TOWN OF THE SHERRY'S

Passing the red hills, where black bulls are grazing, you reach the capital of the Sherry's - "Jerez de la Frontera".

The town is located within a fertile agrar area and is the trade place for fruits, vegetables, grains, cork and timbers. Furthermore Jerez is worldwide known for its wines, liqueurs and brandies.

Typical for the historical picture of the town are the narrow winding streets and the large numbers of wine cellars. Worth of seeing are the buildings belonging to the Moorish Fort, the Santiago-Church, the gothic church "San Miguel" and many monasteries.

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GRANADA - TOWN AT THE BASIS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA

is the capital of the Province Granada. The town is the trade center of the surrounding acriculturing country. Sugar refineries, breweries and distillation facilities belong to the most important industries, but also the tourism is of immense importance.

The antique, left behind of the Moorish culture of Granada, is the remaining part of the "Alhambra", a fortress kind of castle designated as "World Cultural Heritage".

Other well-known buildings are the University and the Cathedral connected to the royal chapel.

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From the COSTA DE LA LUZ to COSTA DEL SOL with a hired car

The coast region of Andalusia became famous through the Costa del Sol, the home of the prominent Jet Set as well as the simple sun searchers. Beach-Volleyball at the sandy beach, fun and relaxation is guaranteed.

Also sunny but more rustically is the Costa de la Luz, west of Gibraltar. Those who love empty beaches should hire a car and travel from Tarifa westwards along the coast road.

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CHICLANA - a improving Tourist place

Vacation in Chiclana de la Frontera that means Andalusia, sun, endless beaches along the Atlantic coast. Located directly on the Atlantic, south of the provincial capital Cadiz. The mostly well-known beaches along the Costa de la Luz are La Barrosa, Santi Petri und Nova Santi Petri.

The surrounding country is flat, green, natural and relatively untouched; mainly Pine tree forests and dune sand beaches line the seashore. The tourism increases, but the breath taking landscapes and coasts are untouched.

Chiclana is tempting with its historical town center, monastery and of course its endless beaches.

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CONIL DE LA FRONTERA - the pure idyll

Who likes peaceful places, must visit the Conil de la Frontera. With its fine sanded beaches the place has developed to the most liked vacation destination of the Spanish people, but even with 15.000 inhabitants Conil has not lost its idyllic country life style, where the fish market counts only few stands and where the elderlies meet with their chairs every evening in the old alleys and places to talk about the daily news.

Conil attracts with its rocky bays "La Roche" which belongs to the most beautiful Andalusian beaches with its Cafeterias, Bars, little bays, which can be reached by stone stairs.

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CADIZ - Europe's oldest town

Cadiz is a fascinating town and the oldest in Europe. A peninsula, nearly completely surrounded by the water of the Atlantic Ocean.

As ever the sea influences the life of the inhabitants. From the port, daily vessels sail to Africa and to the Canaries. The fishery and the salt industry are dominating, but also the tourism got more important.

Besides the Carnival also the Flamenco has a long tradition and attracts more and more visitors, as the landscape is very variable and the climate very mild.

The town is a combination out of architecture, history and landscape. The friendly natives and the unique beaches guarantee an enjoyable stay.

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TARIFA - Past and future - now

Excavations and rock painting show the culture of the past while the architecture and the buildings absorve the younger history. Here melts the past with the future together.

Walking through the town you will discover many contraries like Flamenco music, romantic alleys and places, but also well crowded Cafeterias, Discos and Restaurants with cheerful people showing their joy of live. Outside of the town there is untouched nature. Nowhere else Africa and Europe are so close than in Tarifa, the nearest point in the south of Europe.

Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea invite to diving, swimming, walking, surfing and dreaming.

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MARBELLA - Beauty of the sea

In earlier times a fisher village only - one of the most exciting vacation place on the Mediterranean Sea has been created. In Marbella you will find well-groomed boulevards, parks and gardens, a center with Moorish and Andalusian traditions which provide Marbella with an incomparable beauty.

Beautiful beaches, great climate, first class restaurants and a unique sport- and entertainment program are offered. Sight seeing to interesting monuments and museums, folklore and parties makes Marbella worth of seeing. A day at Marbella gives you a view into the Jet Set life of the rich and beautiful and is an adventure in the late hours as well.

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MALAGA - a town with a lot of charm

Malaga is a town with a lot of charm and is in possession of the most important infrastructure of the world. "Malaga, where - besides the Spanish language - you also will learn the art to live". These words - impressed by many artists and writers - highlight the excellent climate and the friendly charming people.

Malaga - in opposite to the different cultures - has not lost his Spanish and Andalusian mentality.

The variety of the sport activities, the climate, friendly people ban many visitors.

Furthermore there are many different restaurants and bars, in which you can enjoy the magic of the Andalusian nights by a good glass of wine, tapas, chocolate con churros and Flamenco.

All in all Malaga offers a culture for all kind of tastes.