Finca Fantastica: The name says it all ... This seluded hideaway in the countryside of Southern Spain sleeps up to 6 (though very popular with couples!), has a private pool and all the peace and quiet you could wish for. Retreat to this rambling country villa to relax - the crazy world will seem a million miles away, but is 15 minutes by car to the nearest village of Estaction de Cartama with supermarkets, banks etc and less than an hour's drive is the Costa del Sol with all its attractions, the Spanish Lake District of El Chorro and Malaga international airport.

Car Hire

Out of season you may be lucky to pick up a car without a reservation, but to be absolutely sure, we recommend you book first.

Many places on the internet are actually agents and they just find the best deal they can with any company – including the bad ones. It seems that the cheaper the car hire, the longer you have to wait for your car (often well over an hour!) and the more extras they charge. We are dismayed to hear from guests that many hire car companies are charging for a full tank of petrol at premium rates, and then asking you to bring it back empty … and many only having used a quarter of a tank. Check the small print carefully!

A Berlingo, Kangoo or Doble are good vehicles for up here - a lot of the locals use these types of vehicle as they are cheap to buy and have good ground clearance plus loads of space. Failing that, Ford Focus and Renault Clio are fine. However, I don’t think anyone actually gets the car that they request! Don’t worry too much about it – so long as you don’t go for anything too classy (especially anything with low profile tyres!), you’ll be just fine.

Having not felt we could reliably recommend any one particular company, we think we have now found a firm that, whilst perhaps slightly more expensive at base level, it guarantees no extras. Hilary and Richard, arriving late at night, were very pleased with the service.

The price is generally about 30-40 euros higher than the base price you would pay via other internet companies, but you will not then get charged extras (such as a full tank of fuel at premium prices) on arrival - check on their site:

á Click logo to go to Top Cars Website.

1. Top Cars Account Name ruralspanishholidays

2. Top Account User Password discountcarhire

"I just wanted to let you know that we were very impressed with the car hire company. It was quick, the people were very efficient and friendly and excellent English speakers. We got the car within minutes on arrival and they took us straight to the airport when we arrived at their office to depart. The office is also very easy to find and very close to the airport. He drove us in the same car to save messing around with luggage etc. And the final point, which impressed us was that he said that as we had left the tank 3/4 full of diesel, if we returned he would make a note of it and not charge us for the fuel. So we were pleased all round."

Hilary and Richard Rogers, 3rd Jan to 10th Jan 2008.

The offered prices include their top range insurance which you advisable anyway and is generally an extra elsewhere. Click the logo below which will take you to Top Cars website. You will then need to use the Account Name and Password to access the offer and further information.

Beware: there is another company called Top Car - (no "s" on the end) - we know nothing about this one!

	You are met as you come out of the main arrivals and hence you miss the other car hire desks with queues.
	Extra drivers at no cost.
	Baby / child seats included in the price.
	Tyre insurance (which you should take out in Spain - even the main roads have large holes in!)
	Danish owned company, so language is not a problem as they speak English and Spanish as well.

Types of cars from Top cars - For a family the Skoda Octavia is a very good rate with lots of space and it has German VW engineering for those who do not know the vehicle. Topcars use mainly Seat vehicles for their smaller vehicles which should be suitable for here.

There are many companies represented at Malaga airport and you should have no problems. However, if you do, let us know and we will try to help.