Scotland with sunshine and sherry: an elegant, family-run guesthouse in the wooded Aracena hills. Finca Buen Vino is closed until May 2009 and will not be taking bookings until then
With all this global warming around, it seems a bit unfair that Scotland is losing the gulfstream and getting even colder than it already is.
Perhaps that explains why Sam and Jeannie Chesterton, an energetic, multi-talented couple who had run shooting lodges in the highlands, moved to Andalucia 14 years ago.
With uninterrupted views over undulating hills covered in dense oak and chestnut woods, and the little-known Moorish hilltown of Aracena at its doorstep, they found the perfect replica. The only snag was there was no house. So they built one (indeed multi-talented).
The result is a large pink affair sitting atop a hill, with tiled roof, castellated walls, a panelled drawing room, a sweeping central staircase and a quartet of characterful guest bedrooms.
At this stage most people would sit back, pour themselves a sherry and enjoy the view from either the shady terrace, the conservatory or the nearby open-air pool. But, to keep themselves busy, Sam renovated three family-sized cottages in the valley below, while Jeannie uses her Cordon Bleu skills to run summer cookery courses. Scotland's loss is Spain's gain. Finca Buen Vino in Aracena, Andalucia is an elegant, country guesthouse with 4 rooms, with doubles costing from €120 for bed and breakfast. To book boutique hotels in Seville and to read i-escape's full hotel review, click here
