Andalucia self catering accommodation, Spain
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
The Cortijo dates back more than 100 years but we insulated the ceilings of the upper floor. In reforming the outbuildings of Phase 2 we have constructed new roofs with 200mm thick insulation and the walls are dry-lined with plasterboard laminated with 40mm of insulation.
We discovered the village of Lubrin in Almeria and at a time when the traditional industries of agriculture, animal husbandry and mining were in steep decline. Promoting rural vacation accommodation in a renovated farmhouse just outside the village provides the traveler with unique regional food, wine and cultural experiences and helps with the revival of a small community by providing income and jobs for the villagers. The local people are interested to discover about of life outside of Lubrin where the older generation has spent little or no time traveling outside the village. We ask guests to support the village by buying all their consumables here and trying the local foods and specialties.
We employ a single parent local woman to carry out the domestic cleaning and a retired farmer to maintain the gardens. We use a local builder to maintain the fabric of the old Cortijo and outbuildings and a local plumber and electrician to maintain the infrastructure. We locally purchase hard and soft furnishings, white goods and electrical items. We also locally purchase our food and household items.
Almeria is a low rainfall area and so travelers are reminded that fresh water is a very precious commodity and should not be wasted, so use a minimum for showering and washing. We ask that guests ensure that lights and ceiling fans are switched off when not required, and do not leave TV, Video, Hi-F,i etc in standby mode – switch off at the set. Separate household waste is sorted into general waste, glass, paper & cardboard and plastic.
We support our local PAWS (Peoples Animal Welfare Society) by taking stray animals to their compound and also by delivering personal and household effects to their charity shop in Mojacar. We encourage travelers to walk into village and use the local bus. We sponsor a village website and are listing the local services to show travelers that there are all the basic necessities on our doorstep.
Community
The past 20 years has witnessed a steady decline in the traditional industries of agriculture, mining and animal husbandry and the Mayor, along with the support of the Provincial and Regional Governments is committed to the introduction of tourism as a replacement industry. Work has started on identifying and marking the old donkey trails that criss cross the almond and olive groves in the Sierra de los Filabres around Lubrin. We are proud to be part of the quest to breathe new life into the village of Lubrin.
We employ a single parent local woman to carry out the domestic cleaning and a retired farmer to maintain the gardens. We use a local builder to maintain the fabric of the old Cortijo and outbuildings and a local plumber and electrician to maintain the infrastructure. We locally purchase hard and soft furnishings, white goods and electrical items. We also locally purchase our food and household items and encourage travelers to do the same.
We provide travelers with a map of the village showing the locations of the village shops together with the bars and restaurants. We sponsor a village website and are listing the local services to show travelers that there are all the basic necessities on our doorstep.
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