Meandering through Andalucia

First stop: La Cohiba Hotel in Pedregalejo, just east of the city of Malaga. A sweet, intimate retreat away form the hustle of the beaches of Torremolinos and the bustle of the city center, La Cohiba offers a quieter taste of the Costa del Sol with a Cuban flare -- and a rooftop penthouse, if you're lucky enough to snatch one of the two that are available!

A stunning, brand-new museum created from a 160th century palace and dedicated to the more intimate works of one of Malaga's most famous native sons: Pablo Picasso. A must-see before hitting the road! Don't miss the 6th-century B.C Phoenician foundations discovered beneath the building during renovations.

Just north of the coastal town of Nerja, you'll find this tiny, sparkling village nestled in the hills. With narrow, stepped cobblestone streets meant for walking, lave your car at the south end of town and spend the day strolling--and climbing--through this quintissential white pueblo, learning about its history via plaques that have been placed strategically on the walls throughout town. Here you can dine and lodge comfortably at Los Carocoles.

Hidden in the hills northwest of the city of Almeria is a Lilliputian oasis town that began its life as Roman baths that utilized a thermal aquifer, growing into a therapeutic bathhouse by the 18th century. After many years of neglect (and brief use as a prison during the Spanish Civil War), it was restored in the 1980s, even incorporating the original Roman baths. Aside from thermal spring water baths, full spa treatment and fine dining are both available â and the views of the Almeria desert are unparalleled!

Youâll find this ancient archeological site in the rolling land between the crackling desert of Tabernas and the snowy Sierra Nevada. Considered one of the most important Copper Age settlements in southern Europe, Los Millares straddled the period between the Stone and Bronze Ages. The 5-acre site features the remains of walls, battlements, houses, workshopsâand dozens of tunnel tombs, some of which have been restored.

This delightful little hotel features not only Moroccan-style architecture, but a Morrocan restaurant and tea room as well. Itâs ensconced in the sleepy, cozy village of Instincion, perhaps most notable for its annual Festival of Crosses, in which people paint white crucifixes on the rocky hillside where a hermitage once stood.

From elephants to naturists? On the east coast of Almeria, this blue-flag resort area near the town of Vera sits along eight kilometers of beautiful white beaches, and is home to Spainâs foremost naturist enclave. Said to be the place where Hannibal landed with his elephants, it is now annually invaded by throngs of Mediterranean beach-goers. For an au naturel change of pace, stay at the 4-star Vera Playa Club, Spainâs first naturist resort.

Remember those Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns you loved so much? Take a trip through the Tabernas desertâthe only âwarmâ desert in Europe--to get a firsthand look of the parched land of the Man With No Name. For a fistful of dollars, you can visit Little Hollywood, where many such westerns were filmed in the â60s. Or, for a more high-tech stop, check out Almeriaâs solar power station, among the largest in the world.

Before returning to Malaga, cap your Andalucian road trip off with a stop in the ancient Moorish city of Granada, home to none other than the world-renowned Alhambra, the Arabic palace immortalized by Washington Irving. Visit the gypsy cave-homes of Sacramonte, wander its compact and wonderfully varied streets, take in a flamenco performance, and enjoy traditional tapas in one its many pubs. Andâif youâre luckyâdiscover the little-known, but culturally irreplaceable âstreet of guitars,â formally known as Calle Gomerez.