Hotel Bandolero is found in the small & charming white village of Júzcar. Júzcar is situated among the lush chestnut tree country of the spectacular Serrania de Ronda, 20 odd kilometers from the town of Ronda. It offers various walks for the energetic, peace and quiet for the weary and is centrally located in the Serrania for those wanting to explore the area. There is a history here that goes back for thousands of years, stretching from pre-historic cave paintings through the traces of Phoenician visits to the long periods of Roman and Moorish occupation to the final flowering of Christian Spain. Visitors may enjoy it all; cool mountains, Andalucian architecture, soaring eagles and other wild life, stunning views and delicious cuisine…. all while enjoying the tranquillity and peacefulness of the Genal Valley.
The Genal Valley is divided into two parts, the Upper and Lower Valleys. The upper valley comprises seven white villages with the largest being Igualeja and the smallest being Cartajima. The lower valley comprises eight white villages found mainly along route A369 between Ronda and Algeciras. Each village has something different to see, most have a place where one can enjoy a tapas or two and a drink, all have spectaular views of one sort or another and share in the history that goes back thousands of years. In summer, all have their dates for their annual fiestas, a traditional event that should be experienced at least once.
The Upper Genal Valley may be of particular interest to writers or painters. The incredible mountain and valley views, old tiled top houses and villages, crumbling ruins, constant changing light, all offering a wide variety of subjects for painters including the white villages themselves. The tranquillity of the area may be just what a writer needs to get that latest work completed, whether reading or writing it.
Júzcar is also home to the source of the Arroyo Riachuelo, one of the arroyos (streams) that contribute to the Genal River. In the bottom of the valley below Júzcar village, there is a chiringuito (snack stand) selling cool drinks, ice cream and tapas. There is a campsite covered in Poplar trees creating lovely soft shade from the strong Andalucian sun... the Genal River passes through here as well. During the summer months, the bridge is blocked under which passes the river thereby creating a natural fresh swimming pool. This is a lovely, peaceful location to sit and read, drink a beer or other refreshment, have a siesta, and a swim.... very refreshing, relaxing and cool. Júzcar also has a municipal pool, cool mountain tops, groves of chestnut trees, a couple of bars, a "night club", residents with character, an old church, three fountains with mountain fresh, pure water and fantastic views of the surrounding area.
