StockenBridge HISTORIC ANDALUCIAN MANSION, SPAIN Two Spring Bridge trips in a stunning hillside property with your hosts Zebedee and Claudia Stocken. from 1090 pp including : 7 nights stay in this wonderful family-owned private property Full board every day including unlimited selected wines at dinner Reception with sparkling wine and tapas on the first evening Outdoor cookery class creating a delicious group paella All Bridge tuition, course notes and prizes The perfect opportunity to combine Bridge, delicious local food, great company and much more in beautiful surroundings - giving you a taste of the real Spain. Saturday April 13 th Saturday April 20 th, 2013 Saturday April 20 th Saturday April 27 th, 2013
The Andalucian Mansion A dramatic drive from the village of Otivar, at the end of a tropical valley, leads you to this Andalucian Mansion, Dating back to 1492, the mansion is set in a private, quiet and peaceful setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the coast and nearby towns. A sub-tropical microclimate gives an average 320 days of sunshine a year with mild winters and long hot summers. The property has been painstakingly restored and comprises the mansion, two separate but adjacent cottages, a private chapel, tennis court, swimming pool, extensive gardens and several large terraces, all surrounded by magnificent, unspoilt views of the hillside and valley. Inside the Mansion The house is well-loved with a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. The bedrooms are elegantly and tastefully decorated in an old Spanish style, some with private terraces, some suites - all with en-suite bathrooms. We have three options for Bridge. There is the splendid main drawing room with its central column, vaulted ceiling and original stone fireplace. Or we can play in the cool of the converted olive oil mill, or outside on the shady terrace. There is also a sitting room, library and games room to relax in. The dining room is separate, though we plan to eat outside whenever possible. We have this beautiful house exclusively for ourselves, so we can really feel at home.
Bridge with Zeb & Claudia Zeb Stocken has many years experience of teaching and hosting Bridge events, and whether you come as a group, in a pair or on your own, you can be certain of an instructive and enjoyable game. Claudia Zeb s sister will be on hand to ensure the smooth running of your holiday and, as a keen and experienced Bridge player herself, she will also be supervising Bridge sessions. The Bridge programme will be a mixture of teaching, supervised play and some duplicate all played in a fun and friendly environment. The tuition sessions will use Compass- Cards (set deals) and a fun topic tailored to the group. If required, we will have two groups with Zeb running advanced and Claudia running intermediate. The other sessions will be either supervised play or some form of duplicate. The duplicate sessions will have an on-going competition with prizes at the end of the week. We plan to have two sessions of Bridge tuition, duplicate or supervised play per day each lasting approximately two hours. There will be supervised Bridge every evening after dinner. All Bridge sessions are optional and open to all standards of play. Non-Bridge Players Non-Bridge playing husbands, wives and partners are welcome providing that they are sharing a room with a Bridge player!
Gardens The ornamental Moorish gardens, laid out in the style of the Alhambra gardens, have been laboriously restored to their former glory so that you can wander and relax in total peace and tranquillity. You will find yourself surrounded by centuries old palm trees and eucalyptus, shady borders, colourful exotic plants and trees bearing lemons, tangerines and avocados. Excursions and Activities Ancient cypress hedges border the swimming pool that is fed by a natural spring. The hard tennis court appears to have been cut into the hillside and is overlooked by a terrace above: searching for lost balls could be a bit tricky however! We plan to organise two optional day-trips during your stay. We will contact you nearer the time with the exact details and prices, and you will be able to book them in advance. Trip to Granada to see the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens We will definitely be offering an excursion to see the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens at Granada, which is NOT to be missed. The Alhambra is a World
Heritage Site and not only one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built but also the finest Moorish palace still standing. You will be spellbound by the splendour of its architecture which incorporates delightful gardens and running water creating a Koranic Eden. It sits atop the highest hill in the city and is considered one of the finest sites in Spain. Trip to the Coast For the second trip, we head south to the pretty coastal town of Nerja, visiting the spectacular caves, situated 3km from the centre of town, and dating back some five million years. They are impressive for their huge stalactites and stalagmites, one of which is the biggest in the world. Following lunch in a local restaurant, you will be able to explore the old quarter of the town, virtually unchanged with its narrow winding streets and whitewashed houses. You can take in the stunning views from the Balcon de Europa, a magnificent promenade with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and sandy beaches below, against a stunning backdrop of hazy blue mountains. Golf There are a couple of golf courses at Granada including the Granada Golf Club which has a nice course, 18 holes, and fairly forgiving (1.5hrs away). There is also an 18 hole golf course by the beach at Salobrena (50 mins away). There are a number of courses near Malaga (about 1.5 hrs away). Flamenco Dancing We are hoping to hire a group of traditional Flamenco dancers for one evening at the house, for an unforgettable evening in a perfect setting.
Cookery Classes We are planning to hold cookery classes during your stay, run by fabulous chef, Stephanie, who is the daughter of the owners of the house. We would like to organise a large group paella-making class outside on the terrace, and to have additional small classes in the week. More details to follow! Other things to do Explore the Moorish gardens and the various ponds, miradors and viewing terraces - Play a game of tennis, pool or ping-pong followed by a refreshing dip in the pool - Take a picnic on one of the many local walks, finishing with a swim in a river pool - Quiet reflection in the private chapel - Relax with a glass of Sangria, chilled white wine or ice cold beer while taking in the sunset from one of the terraces There are a number of information books and maps, full of ideas of walks and local attractions. Certain activities and transport may need to be booked in advance so please let us know so that we can help you make arrangements. Food The food will all be freshly prepared by Spanish chef, Peppa, who lives in the local village and is exceptionally good. Peppa successfully combines authentic Spanish cooking with fresh, high quality produce of the region. Situated close to the coast, there will be plenty of fresh fish on offer, and according to the season, vegetables and fruits grown in the garden.
The meals will be a mix of buffet, barbeque and waitress served. Here are some typical menus: BUFFET: Pollo al ajillo (chicken pieces cooked in garlic sauce) Gambas al la plancha with alioli (fresh prawns cooked in the shell) Calamares Mixed salad with tuna Tomato salad with onion and parsley Patatas o lo pobre (potatoes cooked slowly with green peppers and onion) Chocolate tart Strawberries or nectarines and cream DINNER: Gazpacho Bruschetta of roasted Mediterranean vegetables Salad of manchego cheese, jamon Serrano and salad leaves Malaga style mixed fried fish and seafood with lemon, alioli and salad Roast beef with Rioja sauce, dauphinoise potatoes and spinach Sole fillets with cava and prawn sauce, green beans and sauté potatoes Fresh tropical fruit salad Baked nectarines with almond Natillas (local custard dessert) BARBEQUE: Sardines Marinated swordfish Green leafy salad Avocado and tomato salad Warm patatas bravas (potatoes, paprika, chilli and tomato) Bread and alioli sauce Vanilla ice cream with fudge sauce and walnuts Included in the price will be breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner on all days. During dinner you will be served with an unlimited quantity of good quality wine. During Bridge play, there will be bottled water available and tea and coffee in the break. Alcoholic and soft drinks will be available in the form of an honesty bar, payable at the end of your stay. Peppa will be assisted by a team of local maids who will also be available for daily cleaning and bed-making.
Accommodation - The Main House Room 1 1 Large double bedroom with sitting area and ensuite bathroom with shower over the bath (first floor, north facing over the rear orchard). Room 2 s Master suite with 4-poster, living room area, luxury ensuite bathroom with separate shower and bath, double-aspect (first floor, south-west facing over gardens). Room 4 2 Twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath (first floor, south facing over gardens). Room 3 2 Twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath (first floor, south facing over gardens). Room 5 2 Twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath (first floor, south facing over gardens). s 1290 per person 1 1240 per person 2 1190 per person c 1090 per person
Room 6 1 Spacious double-aspect room with canopied double bed, large ensuite bathroom with shower over bath (first floor, south-east facing with great views). Room 7 1 Mini suite with two rooms, twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath, (first floor, north-east facing). Room 8 2 Spacious twin-bedded room with sitting area, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath (first floor, north facing over rear garden). Room 9 1 Rear tower, 4-poster bed, ensuite bathroom with shower over bath, private terrace, (second floor, south-east facing over gardens). Room 10 2 Twin beds, ensuite shower room (ground floor, north facing). There is a single person supplement of 250 for all rooms.
Room 11 2 Front tower, twin beds with triple aspect view. Bathroom has bath with shower attachment, in converted dovecote on floor above. Access is up steep stairs (second floor, south, east and west facing with superb views) Accommodation - Cottage Rooms A newly converted cottage with superb views over the adjoining valley. There are two bedrooms upstairs, each with en-suite facilities. The main room downstairs can be used as a twin, or as a living room and has an en-suite shower room. There is an entrance hall and a small modern kitchen. This property may be more suitable for guests who already know each other. Cottage Room 1 c Spacious double aspect twin bedded room with ensuite shower room, open fireplace, french windows to a small charming courtyard, and views over the valley to the front. (ground floor, south-west and north-east facing). Cottage Room 2 c Twin bedded room with ensuite shower room, excellent views over the valley (first floor, south-west facing).
Cottage Room 3 c Twin bedded room with ensuite shower room and views over the valley and the small patio at the rear (first floor north-east facing) s 1290 per person 1 1240 per person 2 1190 per person c 1090 per person We can supply additional details and photos of the rooms and bathrooms, including floor plans, on request. All prices are based on 2 people sharing. There is a single person supplement of 250 for all rooms. The rooms will be available from 4pm on the day of arrival, and need to be vacated by 10am on the day of departure. We are offering a 10% loyalty discount on the holiday price for all previous Stocken Bridge Breaks guests, provided that the holiday is booked before the 31 st July 2012. If you would like to come with a friend, even if they are new to Stockenbridge, the discount will apply to them too. STOCKEN BRIDGE BREAKS - COMING UP! Following the enormous success of our Burgundy holiday this Spring at La Maison de Chateau, we are planning to return in Autumn 2013. We are also putting together Bridge Breaks in the stunning French Alpine resort of Serre Chevalier with short breaks for beginners and early intermediates in the Spring and Autumn, and Ski and Bridge holidays in the winter for more experienced players. We are planning to launch our new website for STOCKEN BRIDGE BREAKS this summer which will give you all the details of our upcoming holidays and weekends. Watch this space!
How to Book... There is a deposit, payable on booking, of 180 per person. The full payment will be due by January 31 st 2013. To book your holiday, please fill out the booking form - stating your room preferences - and post with a cheque for the deposit to: 131a Stephendale Road, London, SW6 2PS. Alternatively, you can transfer on line - please email for details. Terms and conditions are on the booking form. Travel Details The property lies near the village of Otivar, in southern Spain s Granada province, about 20km inland from the coastal town of Almuñécar. Best airport is Malaga (100 km, approximately 1.5 hour s drive.) There are many choices of flight to Malaga including British Airways, Easyjet, Monarch and Ryanair with flights at extremely low prices if booked in advance. Transfer from Malaga Airport Transport from the airport can be arranged with local driver, David, who has an 8-seater minibus. Approximate price per car: 1-4 persons 120 one-way, 220 return; 5-8 persons 180 one-way, 320 return. David is also available for transport to other local places, bookable once you are at the property. Please contact us for more details and if you would like to reserve your airport transfer. Car Hire from Malaga Airport There are many car hire companies situated at the airport and some very good deals to be had. There are all the main companies such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar, all bookable on-line. We used Record Rent a Car which was great value, and we encountered no problems.