AMAZING ANDALUCÍA      It had been over twenty years since our last visit to Spain. So it was with great anticipation that we set off to visit properties in Andalucía, Spain's southern-most province. Our Andalucian adventure began in Málaga, whose international airport welcomes millions of visitors to the Costa del Sol, the "Sun Coast," stretching along Andalucía's Mediterranean shore. The airport is served by numerous flights: from low-cost EasyJet and British Air from London, to Air France from Paris and Iberia from Madrid.      During the next week, we barely scratched the surface of this diverse and exhilarating region. If you're looking for sun and sand, you've landed in paradise. Along the sparkling Mediterranean coast, beaches stretch for miles dotted with lively seaside towns. In our opinion, the coast is a great place to visit. To get a real taste of Andalucía's rich history and culture, venture inland.     Once you've left the coast, there are great surprises. Let's start with the countryside that is nothing short of spectacular including majestic mountains, oak and cedar forests and fertile valleys with olive groves and citrus orchards. Set amidst the scenic countryside are the pueblos blancos - whitewashed villages and towns, once fortresses against a succession of invaders. Characterized by the ruins of ancient castles, church bell towers and a maze of tiny streets, these villages suddenly rise into view and are seemingly untouched by time. It's easy to spend a few hours strolling the narrow alley-ways of these delightful places, where traditions and culture are still alive and well. Among the most interesting are Casares, Gaucin, Arcos de la Frontera and Grazalema.      But our hands-down favorite of the trip was Ronda. With its dramatic mountain location high above the Guadelvin River ravine, Ronda's setting is breathtaking. Its Puente Nuevo, "New Bridge" dating from the 18th century and spanning the river gorge hundreds of feet below,

is an engineering marvel. The town itself is a delight and features an old Moorish quarter and a "modern town" whose buildings date largely from the 18th and 19th centuries. Ronda is accessed by roads winding through high plains and mountains. It's slow going at times, but the magnificent views along the way and the final destination are worth savoring.      With property inspections a priority, we didn't have time for visits to the three historic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. You'll probably want to include at least one of these in your itinerary, and all are about 1-1/2 to 2 hours driving.      Besides the wonderful and varied sights, what else impressed us about Andalucía? First and foremost, the warm welcome we received. Many people speak English, which makes communication easier. And everyone was very patient when we tried out our rusty Spanish.     Add to that the cost of living. From gasoline to groceries, things are just cheaper in Spain, an average 15-30%. continued on page 2 RESERVE NOW FOR 2005     The 2005 rental season is in full swing. The winter months are our busiest reservation period and we cannot overemphasize the importance of acting now to secure the home of your choice.     Accessing property listings has never been easier. For country homes in the south of Spain, visit our new web site, www.athomeinspain.net. You can review a wide selection in Dordogne, Provence, Languedoc and Côte d'Azur on our web site, www.athomeinfrance.com.      If Paris is your destination, you'll find a large selection of apartments and an availability request form on the web site as well. Or if you're planning on exploring the northern regions (Normandy, Brittany, Loire, Burgundy) contact us to receive appropriate listings.     And remember - we're much more than email correspondents. We've visited most properties and can answer your questions and provide our personal perspective. Just let us know a convenient time and phone number, and we'll give you a call.