GET TO KNOW YOUR HOST
THE “WHO’S WHO” OF VILLA SILA
or “get to know your host a little better”
Some of you might wonder who your host and owner of Villa Sila is.
It’s me, Elizabeth!
Cape Town
My heimat
I was born and grew up in South Africa.
This is something that I absolutely love about my own biography.
I’m a true South African – more specifically “Capetonian”. Cape Town is and will always be my Mother City, as it is fondly known by locals.
So what makes it so special, you might ask?
If you get to know your host, you invariably get to know Cape Town too:
Cape Town local loves:
Table Mountain, our mountain, The Mountain
Two oceans – yes we have both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans
Kirstenbosch – a botanical garden to get lost in
The Waterfront – Two Oceans Aquarium, shopping centers, restaurants and pubs, hotels and much more
Robben Island – history and nature
Sea Point – the world’s best marine promenade with the world’s best ice cream
Blouberg beach – the world’s best view of Table Mountain and sunsets to die for
Café culture – restaurants, markets, theatres
Beaches that will take your breath away
The locals – easy-going and just “lekker” or “kif”, both meaning “nice, good, great, right, cool”.
GERMANY
A gap year turned into many years
Although South Africa will always be my first home, I have a long-standing relation with Germany. Therefore, if you get to know your host, you also get to know Germany. I spent a gap year in Germany and later I lived close to the Black Forest in the South.
It is no secret that this area is beautiful with its dark green forests, the Rhein river and castles that sit on top of many a rolling hill.
Living in Germany I learned to appreciate things that many people take for granted such as:
Snow – although it is mostly a wet and messy affair
Hiking in the forest – or doing Nordic walking
Castles – there are so many!
Fresh asparagus – this was a learning curve, but then I got hooked
Train travel – often shunned for bad service, but I never once had a delay
Fußball – oh they love their football!
“If you want to discover the Genal Valley and its beautiful corners, definitely the best place to stay is Villa Sila.”
SPAIN
Finding my forever
While living in Germany I fell in love with Southern Spain and, more specifically, the Genal Valley close to Ronda.
So it was no surprise that it was also in the Genal Valley that I made my decision to leave Germany and settle here permanently.
It was here that I experienced most of my “firsts” in Spain, such as:
Ordering and loving my first tapas
Learning meditation and living in awareness
Sleeping in a yurt
Parking in the narrowest parking space you could imagine – and surviving it!
Seeing where cork actually comes from
Learning that flamenco is much more than dancing in frilly dresses
And so I found Villa Sila – or maybe it found me…
Nestled between rich chestnut forests and sun-kissed olive groves in the quaint white village, Benalauría, Málaga, Spain, at Villa Sila I welcome couples and families seeking nature’s gifts.
Villa Sila offers everything I was looking for:
Located at the edge of Benalauría, you have town and county right at your doorstep.
The apartments are modern, offering all amenities, yet have a relaxing country feel to them.
All apartments have beautiful tranquil outside areas, such as a patio, balcony, terrace and a shadowy garden.
And these are the best spots for spectacular – Views, views, views!!
“Situated in an incredible environment, with a beautiful town, quiet and surounded by nature.”
Choose from three private and fully-equipped self-catering apartments to begin your journey of discovery into local culture, produce and the tranquillity of this unspoilt corner of Andalucia.
Villa Sila – where nature meets nurture in Andalucía, Spain
This is just a short introduction for you to get to know me, Elizabeth, your host here at Villa Sila.
Watch this space for the story of my move from Germany to Benalauría coming soon…
Thank you.
I hope to welcome you soon!
Elizabeth