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The Costa del Sol is Spain's most southerly and often warmest holiday
region. It
offers everything you could wish for in modern holiday resorts, yet only a few kilometers north if fiery
Andalucia, land of gypsies and flamenco giving a taste of truly traditional Spain. The widest interests are catered for
weather you are relaxing on sandy beaches, enjoying sporting
excitement of water sports, or
the lush fairways of championship golf courses,
You might like to visit some picturesque hillside towns such as Nerja or
Mijas, or perhaps the historic cities of Rhonda, Seville, Cordoba or Granada with its famous Alhambra Palace.
In addition, the sophisticated resorts of the Costa del Sol offer a host of entertainments from bars and discos to nightclubs and casinos.
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Malaga
The second largest city in Andalusia after
Seville is still the same busy port that emerged during the times of
the Phoenicians, nowadays providing anchorage to the multiple cruise
ships that cross the Straits of Gibraltar. The main monuments
include the cathedral, commenced by Diego de Siloé in 1528 and,
still incomplete, popularly known as the one-armed lady; the
citadel, constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries; and the
ruins of the castle of Gibralfaro, a Moorish fortress dating to the
14th century and now housing the Parador. But Málaga is famous not
so much for its buildings as for having witnessed the birth of Pablo
Picasso, to whom the Picasso Museum is dedicated, for serving the
province's best fish and seafood in the old villages of El Palo and
Pedregalejo, now part of the capital, and for two of Andalusia's
most famous festivities: the fair, held in the middle of August, and
the Easter celebrations, a religious and merry hotchpotch, which
fills the week and streets with multitudinous processions such as
those of El Señor de los Gitanos (Monday), Nuestro Padre Jesús el
Rico (Wednesday), and El Cristo de la Buena Muerte and La Esperanza
Perchelera (Thursday).
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MIJAS COSTA
Mijas, a tourist town at the foot of the
hills of the same name, possesses typically Andalusian houses. Its
traditional status as a mountain village has been combined
harmoniously with a major tourist complex located in the coastal
enclave of La Cala, where there are 12 kilometres of beaches. The
whitewashed streets of historic quarter, Arab in layout and nestling
in the mountain landscape, houses some buildings of interest, among
them some churches and hermitages. The surrounding area, meanwhile,
preserves some archaeological sites, testimony to the town's rich
prehistoric past. Not forgetting other attractions Mijas offers,
such as its gastronomy, inherited from Andalusia's rich culinary
tradition and its deep-rooted custom of fairs and festivals
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Settled
on a hill between the Playamar area and Carihuela, the bright,
lively resort of Torremolinos is perhaps the Costa del Sol's most
famous resort. Boasting magnificent clean, wide beaches, known as
some of Spain's most impressive and providing a fantastic location
to laze away the sunny days before enjoying all the lively nightlife
the resort has to offer. For the daytime, there is a huge Aquapark,
street markets, golf courses, and for the evening, along with the
nightlife, you'll find a wide range of restaurants with all sorts of
delicious cuisines. The village of Carihuela, on the coast towards
Benalmadena with its fishing port atmosphere, provides an
interesting taste of the Old Torremolinos.
Benalmadena
Found in the centre of the Costa del Sol, this coastal
resort has beautiful little stretches of sandy beaches and is backed by
the Sierra Mijas hills. The resort is centred round a large luxurious
marina where water sports facilities are available and is also home to
the Sea Life centre and the restored steamboat, the Mississippi Willow.
Hidden in the hills beyond is the original Benalmadena Pueblo (Village)
with its traditional whitewashed houses and steep, winding, narrow
alleys. The resort offers many daytime attractions, with Tivoli Park
providing funfair rides, amusements and restaurants open until late and
the nightlife is varied and fairly lively.
Fuengiorola
Fuengirola situated just twenty minutes from Malaga airport, while the
local train station provides easy access to such popular nearby resorts
as Torreblanca, Arroyo de la Miel and Torremolinos. The advantage of
staying here is that it is a compact seaside resort and town which has
an excellent selection of supermarkets and competitively priced shops,
as opposed to being restricted to the typical gift shop strip with its
imported shells and t-shirts.
Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of sandy beaches,
flanked by high-rise hotels and residential blocks of apartments with
magnificent views of the Mediterranean and sweeping coastline. A recent
landscaping drive by the local municipality has resulted in a wider
promenade and plenty of palm trees, interspersed with colourful flower
beds and additional seating.The beaches known as Boliches - Gaviotas and
Torreblanca hold a European
Estepona
A BRIEF HISTORY
Its history involved the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Arabs. The
latter, who settled in this region the longest, left us numerous
vestiges of which very few have unfortunately been saved
(fortifications, watch towers, etc.).
In the strictest historical sense, however, we are obliged to admit that
it is not known when the town was founded. This might well fall within
the time of the Phoenician settlements, and there are considerate
grounds to believe that it might have been during the Roman era. It is
therefore assumed that the Estepona of old existed a good deal earlier
than the Arab "Estebbuna" and "Alextebuna".
The town was captured from the Arabs during the hostilities ordered by
King Henry IV of Castilla in the year 1456. It is from this moment on
that the history of Estepona as it is known today began, with the very
same King Henry ordering the reconstruction of the castle at the request
of his intimate friend and advisor, Don Fernández Pacheco, the Marquis
of Villena.
In the absence of the Catholic Kings, during the reign of Doña Juana La
Loca, or "Mad Jane", the village remained under the
jurisdiction of Marbella.
With more than 600 inhabitants, Estepona obtained its complete and
unrestrained independence under King PhiIlip V, "In perpetuity and
for always without end in all manner of civil and criminal matters of
the first instance within the town and its municipal district", as
is recorded literally in the town Charter signed by the King himself in
Seville on the 21 April 1729 and which is kept in the town
archives.
From this moment on its development
began in earnest using its own natural resources, the sea (fishing) and
the countryside (crops), until today and the beginning of the tourist
phenomenon.
Nerja
authentic touch of Real Spain.
Nerja lies approximately 35 miles east of Malaga, just under an hour's drive. Sheltered by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains on one side and the Sierra Almijara on the other, Nerja boasts one of the best all year round climates in Europe with tropical plants and flowers forever in bloom.
The town is small and intimate and not over developed, with narrow winding streets and courtyards lined with typical white Andalucian houses, numerous restaurants, tapas bars, and shops catering for your every need. Visitors are made to feel welcome by the ever smiling and friendly locals. From the centre of town the Balcon de Europe juts out to sea from a beautiful palm tree lined plaza, dotted with pavement cafes in the centre of town, and offers beautiful views out to sea and along the coast.
Nerja`s numerous beaches lie the length of the town and can be reached from various points, but perhaps one of the most picturesque ways is by taking the steps down near the Balcon de Europe, where a roped off path takes you through a grotto of gigantic rocks and tropical plants, allowing access to different small coves and beaches along the way, eventually ending up at Burriana Beach, a wide expanse of golden sands which is lined with restaurants specialising in fish dishes and paella.
For clients with cars Nerja is an excellent base from which to explore other nearby towns and villages. The picturesque little mountain villages of Frigiliana and Competa are both just 30 to 40 minutes drive away, with their narrow winding streets forever climbing upwards, village squares with open air cafes, beautiful churches and views over the mountains and rooftops to the sea and beyond. Another hour's drive further inland takes you to the fabulous old Moorish town of Granada, which we are sure needs no introduction.
Back down to the coast and just 10 minutes from Nerja lies the completely unspoilt little seaside town of Maro, with its superb restaurants and quiet beaches. Almost opposite Maro are the famous Caves of Nerja which date back to the Palaeolithic Age and are now rated among the biggest and best in Europe.
Back down to the coast and just 10 minutes from Nerja lies the completely unspoilt little seaside town of Maro, with its superb restaurants and quiet beaches. Almost opposite Maro are the famous Caves of Nerja which date back to the Palaeolithic Age and are now rated among the biggest and best in Europe.
Along the coast to the West are numerous other small towns and coastal resorts such as Valez Malaga, a typical Spanish market town, Torrox with its narrow streets and river running through it and Algarrobo, famous for its deserted beaches and Chiringuitos (small fish restaurants on the beach). Each town and every village have their own individuality, all with an authentic touch of Real Spain.
Marbella, meaning Beautiful Sea in Spanish, is a world renown destination located in Sunshine Coast, that lives up to both names: long sandy beaches bordering the clear, sparkling blue Mediterranean boasting the best possible sunny weather year-round. Through it's history it has become a marvellous city offering all that come the true taste of Andalusia: whitewashed buildings bordered by narrow streets, wonderful flower filled plazas and corners, horse drawn carriages lazily taking it's passengers on a relaxed tour through yesteryear, friendly and open people, quaint churches and exciting nightlife.
Storybook beaches; countless golf courses that challenge any player no matter what their handicap; sports marina's world renown; an unbeatable natural surrounding on the slopes of the sierra that protects the entire area, offering it an enviable microclimate; world famous hotels; restaurants; shopping centers and boutiques catering to all needs and an exciting and intense nightlife make Marbella the ideal setting for your holidays or business meetings and conventions - even if you mix them together.
Marbella is never far away from the major metropolitan areas and cities imbibed in rich history and tradition as: Málaga, Córdoba, Granada and Seville; or the enticing and mysterious North African destinations, just a ferry ride away from Algeciras - gateway to Africa and it's also millenary cultures.
What was a sleepy port and fisherman's village, has now grown up into a vibrating and cosmopolitan city... the perfect blend between tradition and modernity.
Puerto
Banus
Puerto Banús, named after it's promoter, Mr. José Banús, is located only 3 km from the hotel, and is one of Marbella's most famous attractions. Inaugurated in 1970, it houses 915 moorings between 8 and 50 meters in length attracting some of the most attractive and luxurious boats in the world.
It has received many awards and mentions, outstanding among which are the Center of National Tourism Interest, gold medal to Tourism Merit and the Gold Mercury International. This last award was bestowed in Rome in honor of the development and cooperation by this world famous marina in economical, cultural and social fields.
As night falls, Puerto Banús becomes one of the area's most attractive night hot spots offering a wide range of choices in meeting all discerning needs: bars, restaurants, outdoor cafés and discotheques fill with internationaly famous faces from all walks of life. Some of the world's most outstanding names in fashion have a boutique here,
bustling with life and sales until 2
in the morning and adding their glamour to
this already spectacular destination
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