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The Las Dunas Diaries: our experience of life and work at Las Dunas, by Callie & Sam

Updated: Jan 16

When Sam and I came to live and work at Las Dunas, we had already been traveling for two months through France, Morocco, and Spain. Using a website called Workaway, we found hosts around Europe who could provide us room and board in exchange for around 4 hours of work a day. While we’d enjoyed our experiences so far, we had yet to find a place that felt like home. 


But then we stumbled across Las Dunas—a cave house retreat venue nestled deep in the Granada Geopark. It was a stark departure from the city locations we had been considering for our next stop. Neither of us had heard of any of the neighbouring towns. But after one call with Mandy, hostess extraordinaire of Las Dunas, we decided to take the leap. 


Mandy greeted us with open arms. We were treated and trusted like family, and we grew to feel the same way towards Mandy and Charles within days. The landscape surrounding Las Dunas felt otherworldly—vast expanses of rocky desert peppered with olive and almond trees framed by rolling mountains lined with cave homes. Some were old and crumbling like ancient ruins, while others, like Las Dunas, are functioning homes. 


Even though we came to live and work Las Dunas in late November, the temperature was mild for the majority of our stay. We spent our days working outside with other Workawayers, pulling weeds, picking olives, and pruning trees. The work was gratifying, made even more enjoyable by occasional visits from one of their many resident cats. Towards the end of our stay, we went with Mandy and Charles to Olibaza—the olive oil pressing co-op near Las Dunas. We witnessed the olive weighing process, and had the chance to see inside the oil pressing factory itself.


smiling young couple standing in the open back of a military Land Rover with barrels of black olives
Sam and I with our bountiful olive harvest

young man sitting on a chair with a dog on his lap
Sam and Milo

We spent our afternoons relaxing, going on runs to explore the landscape, and even taking the occasional swim in the pool (Sam braved it, while I cheered from the sidelines). On the weekends, Mandy and Charles switched into tour guide mode, showing us all the hidden gems in the area. We bathed in the hot springs (Baños de Zujar), enjoyed a mountaintop picnic with breathtaking views, attended a lively charity concert in town, ate delicious paella crafted with love by Charles, and visited a local animal rehabilitation project. We even spent time at Mandy’s pottery studio where we learned to throw, sculpt, and glaze pottery. Mandy and Charles introduced us to their lovely friends, who warmly welcomed us for many lovely dinners and brunches. 


Leaving Las Dunas was bittersweet.  In just a month, Las Dunas had become a haven for us on our travels—a magical, warm, and welcoming community. As we look towards our next adventure, we will carry the warmth of Las Dunas with us. We feel lucky to have found such a special place.


young woman outdoors sitting on floor with ginger cat on her lap
Kitty break!



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