According to the latest figures from the Institute of National Statistics, Marbella's tourism industry is well on the road to recovery. Other tourism figures are also reportedly up across Spain, with the Andalucían region coming out on top.

There have been faint signs of improvement in the property market too. The key selling period of last August was the best month in housing sales since May 2008, according to the Association of Registrars of property, movable property and commercial.

Half an hour into the hills from the Costa del Sol is a pretty farmhouse for sale, together with two newly-built holiday lets. Finca La Borrega stands amid orange groves near the village of San Pablo de Buceite, near Jimena de la Frontera. The main house has three self-sufficient units, which could be united, totalling six double bedrooms.

Who needs the Med when you have a 30ft covered terrace and similar-sized swimming pool? Each of the two separate villas, Los Borreguitos and Finca Zarita, has two double bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a large living/dining room with kitchen area, a utility room, a large covered terrace, its own swimming pool, barbecue and enclosed garden. They are both maintained to a high standard and produce a substantial income as holiday rentals with 70 per cent return customers.

Finca La Borrega and its two cottages are close to the River Guadiaro. Savills is asking £2.03 million.