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At Finca La Bobadilla, a Chance to Get Lost in the Andalusian Countryside

At this remote Spanish retreat, hiking trails, olive groves, horseback rides and village-style architecture make the middle of nowhere feel remarkably civilized.

The hiking trails at Finca La Bobadilla are so extensive that when I set out on a solo walk one morning, I almost got lost. At this remote retreat in southern Spain, the chance to disappear in the wilderness is practically the entire draw. Rolling green hills and silvery olive trees go on for miles in every direction with no buildings or paved roads to interrupt them. Usually, I listen to music while hiking. That morning, I kept my earbuds out, tuning in to trilling birdsong and buzzing insects, lulled by the hypnotic atmosphere. I was totally zen…until I realized that I didn’t know which trail led back to the hotel. 

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Luckily, whitewashed buildings, designed to mimic a traditional Andalusian town, rise from the surrounding forests and hills like a citadel in the middle of nowhere. After I crested a hill, it appeared to my left and worked as a landmark guiding me back to the property. I went straight to the breakfast buffet and ate with a little more gusto than usual. There’s nothing like a near-brush with the great wide open to make you appreciate the perks of civilization.

I’m not the first one to get lost in the beauty of this place. Back in the 1980s, a pair of travelers, Rolf Egli and Rudolf Staab, became so enamored with this particular slice of Andalusian countryside that they decided to open a restaurant here. There’s nothing in the surrounding area; the closest town is 30 minutes away, which is, of course, part of the draw, but also made the success of a restaurant unlikely. Foolish, even.........

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