Inhabiting a beautiful and remote landscape of ancient olive groves, this vacation home for rent in Spain was built in homage to the many caves in the area and is completely at one with the landscape. We love the graceful arches and soft lines of the interiors and the rustic stonework outside. Simple and stylish, it's a modern version of a primitive dwelling.

Designed and built by the owners as an off-grid escape, the home is nestled into a magnificent and remote landscape at the foot of craggy mountains in once epically cultivated but now abandoned olive groves.

Fully off-grid and solar-powered, the home treads delicately on the landscape. Built underground with a strong ring-like shape, the curved ceilings and central atrium are a feast for the senses, with ever-changing light and shadow projected through the house as the sun moves throughout the day.

Constructed of limestone, concrete and natural stone, the structure is dominated on one side with three arched glass doors leading out to the terrace. The open plan main room includes the sitting area with a fireplace, a dining area and kitchen that features fun, multi-colored lighting. 

There are two double bedrooms to the rear and a colorful bespoke shower room with a unique washing machine drum bathroom sink. Many of the one-of-a-kind decor and furnishings are the result of up-cycling roadside finds to make original pieces that blend modern and rustic styles.  

The large shaded area with built-in wood-fired BBQ to the front of the property is perfect for dining al fresco and enjoying the stunning mountainscapes and there are hammocks for lazy siestas. 

AT THE BORDER OF CATALONIA & ARAGON

The house is just a few miles on a partially paved road to the pretty riverside village of Tivenys where you will find all local amenities and a very laid back atmosphere. 

Twenty minutes further is the medieval town of Tortosa at the mouth of the Ebro River. A gorgeous mix of Baroque, Renaissance and modernist architecture, there's also a 15th-century Arab castle perched on a hillside overlooking the town. 

The relatively undiscovered area along the border of Catalonia, Aragon and Valencia is a spectacularly beautiful and biodiverse region that allows for vast exploration without the crowds. Bordering the Els Ports Nature Park, the region is characterized by dramatic limestone massifs and was once home to prehistoric settlements, where you'll encounter fascinating remains of paved pathways, chalk ovens, ice wells and charcoal stores. 

The area is also home to several ancient hilltop villages dating back to the 12th century within a short drive that provide a glimpse into a bygone era of rural life. They come alive each summer with parties featuring traditional music, dance and dress and colorful markets. Once known primarily for olive oil, the region is now a big wine producer and the village of Lledò an hour west will welcome you with a tasting at Bodegas Crial and the dramatic "Cathedral of Wine" in Pinell de Brai. The coast is twenty miles south with the nearest beach being L'Ampolla.

LOCATION

Tivenys, Catalonia, Spain. Nearest Airport: Reus Airport (1hr 15 minute drive). Valencia and Barcelona Prat (2.5 hrs) 

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May for Spring flowers. Spring, Summer and Winter months for blue sky mountain walks