Houses to escape from the heat

According to a new survey by the European Travel Commission, a third (33.7%) of Europeans already avoid destinations where extreme weather events are likely to occur, and 17.3% said they avoid places with extreme temperatures. On the other hand, 18% are looking for vacation destinations with more stable weather conditions.

Despite these changing trends, the ETC report, which surveyed people in Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland and Austria, states that August is still the preferred month for travel, however, and that warm, Mediterranean destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Greece continue to be the main vacation destinations.

However, in Spain there has been an increase in interest in areas of the Cantabrian coast with more contained temperatures, a fact that is confirmed by all the real estate agencies that have a strong presence there. Also now the type of housing is selected a lot, for years no one has considered living or summering in a house without air conditioning, it is increasingly common that neither is questioned that the house should be designed to give pleasant moments of leisure and good shelter from the sun.

In our portfolio we have wonderful examples of houses that allow us to cope very well with summer temperatures, not only in coastal areas, but also in towns near large capitals like Madrid that even allow us to telework during these months or go up and down to the center when necessary, but at the same time having a vacation feeling.

An architectural jewel 40 minutes from Madrid

This 1,153 m2 property was designed in the early 70’s by architect Antonio Miró, colleague and friend of Fernando Higueras, both highly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. Organic architecture on two levels, pure lines and perfect symmetry with a very modern distribution that allows a fluid circulation and linking of spaces, with large windows and sliding doors that open to the 18 hectares. surrounding this house in Galapagar, in Madrid’s Sierra de Guadarrama.

Its good road connection allows you to live completely isolated but with the capital 40 minutes away, enjoying however a much cooler climate where you will still feel the pleasure of having to put on a jacket at night. The property is completed with a magnificent south-facing garden with swimming pool, changing rooms and a separate house for the caretakers.

The austere luxury of stone and Herrerian style in Cantabria

The north of Spain is experiencing a golden age, with thousands of urbanites who, when they discover it, no longer doubt that they have found paradise on earth: cool climate, nature in abundance, good gastronomy and a thousand plans and sports to do. In addition, the landing in the Cantabrian summers can be done in style by acquiring the Casona de San Miguel, in the town of Voto, built by none other than Juan de Herrera on the land granted by Philip II as payment for the Monastery of El Escorial.

It was built entirely of stone, including its original staircase carved in a complete block, and also highlights its ashlar facade, so characteristic of the royal architect. The house was meticulously restored by the architect José Luis Uriarte, undertaking the first comprehensive restoration in 1988, adapting it to contemporary use and respecting all its uniqueness. It currently has a total area of 2.5 hectares and has two buildings, the manor house and some old two-storey garages.

A cottage in Galicia

Wood is identified with warmth, but also with freshness, because it is a material that achieves great thermal insulation, so it keeps the house cool in summer and warm in winter. That is what happens in this wonderful cabin of 150 square meters and capacity for 8 guests overlooking the lagoon and the beach of Doñinos (Ferrol, A Coruña), famous among surf lovers.

The charm of a farmhouse in Empordà

How many times have we felt pleasure just looking at some of the wonderful houses that are often shown to us in decoration magazines? And how many times have we felt the desire to be able to be there, even if only for a few days? It is something that we can now fulfill, from one week, in this ‘magazine’ farmhouse in the Empordà Valley (Gerona).

A house of 250 m2, distributed on two floors, which retains exposed beams, arched openings and original wooden doors of the building or recovered. But in addition to its cozy decoration, the six guests who enjoy this stay will enjoy bed linen and towels are 100% cotton, XXL beds, outdoor pool and wonderful views.

A refuge and mill in the forest

Few refuges from the heat are more authentic than nature itself. This bucolic property is located in a water mill of the late s. XVIII or early s. XIX in the village of Ventosilla and Tejadilla (Segovia), in an area with great natural value and highly prized locations at the foot of the Natural Park Sierra Norte de Guadarrama.

The building dates back to 1800 and has been restored maintaining all the authenticity and charm of the old mill, but equipping it with all the comforts. In addition, its location and natural protection offer a privacy difficult to achieve in other provinces near Madrid.

The house is located within a farm of three hectares, surrounded by a clean and flowing river with water all year round. The farm is surrounded by a beautiful forest of junipers of 600 hectares, and you can make routes and walks on bike, horseback…

Those who don’t move from Madrid, because they don’t want to

Despite the fact that, as the tourism survey we mentioned at the beginning said, August is the month par excellence for summer holidays, it is also true that there are many people who are very comfortable at home and prefer not to go out during these months, leaving their getaways to enjoy throughout the year. In properties like the two we show you below it is more than understandable that it is difficult to go out.

In Fuente del Fresno, one of the most sought after developments in the north of Madrid, this house of 657 m2 built, on a plot of 2,153 m 2, stands out for its incredible unobstructed views of a protected green area and the skyline of the capital. Its ample interior spaces, but especially its large garden, terrace and swimming pool will make us not miss other destinations and we are eager to receive at home. The urbanization has 24 hour security and has a shopping center with restaurant, banks, pharmacy, stores and sports center, as well as several bilingual schools nearby. Its sale price is 1.4 million euros.

But this pleasant vacation feeling can also be achieved in a house of more discreet measures. The best example is this first floor with two garden gardens in the valued urbanization of Somosaguas in the northwest of Madrid. The distribution of the house stands out, in which both the social area (kitchen and living room) and the bedrooms are perfectly integrated with the terraces and independent garden areas thanks to its large windows and sliding glass doors.

It has state-of-the-art facilities, such as home automation and underfloor heating and a small but beautiful private pool in the garden, as well as a large communal pool and sports courts.

In the end, vacations are not only where, but how.