The interior is cool and minimalist yet far from clinical, with honey-coloured limestone floors and crisp white walls softened by patterned Moroccan rugs, brightly coloured cushions and carefully chosen pieces of art.

The open plan lounge is bright and airy and has a comfy L-shaped sofa, fireplace, TV and DVD player as well as a fabulously long, refectory-style table with seating for ten – the perfect setting for a lively family feast. The sleek, monochrome kitchen is well-equipped and fully fitted, complete with breakfast bar and stools. At the back of the house is an outdoor barbecue kitchen with a shaded dining suite for more laid-back, alfresco mealtimes.

The bedrooms are simply but elegantly furnished, decorated in pristine white and accessorised with splashes of flamboyant colour. Two are located on the ground floor, along with a bathroom and a shower room, while on the first floor are a twin room with separate bathroom and the magnificent master suite. This gorgeous room is flooded with light, its floor-to-ceiling windows appearing to melt away into the stunning mountain landscape. An en suite shower room, with elegant marble fittings and curvy twin basins, completes the stylish picture.

A further en suite bedroom is found on the second floor, accessed from a first floor terrace up a delightful spiral staircase. This wonderful Arabic-style roof terrace is furnished with traditional Moroccan banquets laden with cushions and is an idyllic spot for after-dinner star-gazing or admiring the sunset.

Andalucia’s ancient pueblos blancos (white towns) are rightly known for their dazzling white architecture, quaint cobbled streets and shady plazas and Canillas de Albaida and Competa are no exception. These pretty villages offer an array of cafés, restaurants and shops and are easily accessible from the villa. The adjacent Sierra de Tejeda is a national park famed for its superb walking trails, cycle routes and wildlife spotting, while the villa is still only half an hour’s drive from the sea should you crave a little sand between your toes.