Kukutana - a week to remember

Adventure Family Farmhouse Sep 13. 2023

A beautifully appointed private house in an idyllic countryside location - as perfect for exploration as it is for relaxation

The Kukutana team

Located within the unspoilt countryside of southern Spain, Kukutana – a six bedroom private house and gardens – is an ideal base for a week exploring Andalusia

Bordering the region’s beautiful Donana National Park, an hour’s drive from Seville and only a couple of hours from Jerez and Cadiz, Kukutana is the perfect spot for a week of tranquility, rest and relaxation, as well as a launchpad for outdoor adventures and cultural discoveries.

Hosted by the Llorente family, who own and run the property, guests at Kukutana experience the very best of Andalusian culture and hospitality at the house, while local experts, from ornithologists to historians, guide them through the surrounding rural splendours on bespoke tours along cycling, hiking and horse-riding trails. These meander through ancient woodlands that were once the hunting grounds of Spanish royalty and are now the site of fabulous picnics thrown for Kukutana guests, sometimes in the shadow of former royal palaces.

As this rich history of the place illustrates, horse-riding is at the heart of Andalusian culture and remains an important part of daily life at the homestead: a team of Anglo-Arab horses are stabled here, as well as traditional horse-drawn carriages for taking guests on beautiful journeys into the surrounding countryside.

One of the most fascinating day trips from Kukutana is the journey, either on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage, to the white-washed town of El Rocio. Entering the town through its sandy, unpaved streets guests follow in the footsteps of the brotherhoods that take part in Romeria del Rocio, Spain’s largest religious ceremony – the annual horseback pilgrimage to the Cathedral in El Rocio. Galloping along tree-lined avenues to reach the ‘Pueblo Blanco’ (white city) of El Rocio is like riding onto the set of an old western movie, with streets of sand and hitching posts on every veranda; after all, horseback is still the most common form of transport here. Travellers along this road are rewarded with a visit to the striking cathedral in the plaza mayor and refreshing sundowners with a view over bird-flocked marshlands.

Another exciting day trip from Kukutana is to the World Heritage-listed nature reserve of Donana National Park. Rumbling along in 4×4 safari vehicles, guests discover marshlands, sand dunes, pine forests and the longest virgin beach in Europe. The Donana National Park and Nature Reserve offer bird-watching opportunities that are unrivalled in Europe, with particularly impressive populations of waterbirds migrating from Africa, as well as Spanish Imperial Eagles and flocks of flamingos. And animal-lovers can spot wild boar, red and fallow dear and even Iberian lynx in the park. This all makes for a beautiful, varied and exciting road trip, especially when combined with a leisurely seafood lunch at a waterfront restaurant in San Lucar de Barrameda, just a quick ferry hop over the Guadalquivir River, where Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World set sail.

A long weekend works well to enjoy everything on your doorstep at Kukutana, but a full week allows time for relaxing by the pool and gardens, as well as visiting the wonders of Andalusia further afield – its renowned rolling hills, its white-washed towns with cobble-stone streets and beautiful churches, its innate horse culture, its rich flamenco heritage and its stunning coastline.

A stepping stone to Seville

About an hour away, Seville can either be visited in a day, or for a few nights in combination with a stay at Kukutana, providing a lovely balance of city and country life. Seville is steeped in history and is a feast for the senses: Moorish palaces and Gothic churches flank cobble-stone plazas; jamon iberico hangs from the ceilings and lines the plates of the incredible tapas bars; leafy parks punctuate the bustling life of boutique shops and amazing museums. Then there are the breathtaking Real Alcazar, the old bull ring, the Plaza de Toros, and the Roman ruins of Italica outside the city – all extraordinary, must-visit attractions.

Close to the coast

Miles of unspoilt beaches skirt Andalusia, particularly in Huelva and Cadiz, and these coastal destinations are all within easy reach of Kukutana. The Costa de la Luz is a paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, while Cadiz, with its spectacular seafood, and Jerez, with its world-famous sherry bodegas, are havens for food and wine lovers. For those interested in the latter, the Kukutana staff can arrange private visits to sherry houses and tastings guided by local sommeliers.

And relax…

Of course, with so much to do in Andalusia, the most important ingredient to a relaxing and rewarding stay at Kukutana is to put aside some time to enjoy the house and grounds themselves. With manicured lawns surrounding the beautiful, white-washed house, there’s plenty to do without going anywhere! Take a sundowner overlooking the bullring, spend time by the pool or, as the Autumn evenings draw in, enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail in front of the roaring fire. In the kitchen, Lourdes and Isabel will be rustling up the next delicious meal using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, all served either on our terrace or in the sumptuous dining room.

So whether guests are staying for a weekend or a week, when you are ready to explore a little further afield, the team would be delighted to recommend and organise excursions and day trips with insider knowledge, to ensure that everyone at Kukutana gets the most out of their time in Andalusia; get in touch to plan your own trip.

I’m struggling to put into words everything that we have experienced these past days, from the very first moment it has all been exceptional. The team and the hosts are marvellous, the experiences unforgettable - we will cherish these days forever.

Guest, Madrid

A unique experience surrounded by friends and hosted by this wonderful family who have poured their dreams and love into this project. The most memorable G&T in history! We will be back soon.

V.U. Madrid

The magic of southern Spain and the warmth with which we have been received have made these days unforgettable. What an incredible project you have created!

A.L. Germany

Thank you for the most magical few days in this piece of Paradise! It was the most memorable time and holiday that we have ever had. The food was delicious, the horses were beautiful and cannot believe that we saw a Lynx! We cannot thank you enough for all you have done. Hope to see you again soon and best luck for the creation and adventures that you plan.