Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

April 3, 2011

History of Fuengirola Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,History,Spain — Tags: , — needahand @ 8:20 am

Location of an early Iberian settlent, what is now known as Fuengirola was originally known as Suel. A little later the Phoenicians founded a trading post there, to serve their ships, which regularly plied their trade along this coast, on their way to Portugal and beyond. Subsequently occupied by the Romans, and noted by Pomponius, a Roman historian, a fortress was built in Fuengirola, together with spa baths and residential villas. Sohail Castle was built much later, and by another civilisation, namely the Moors, this was during the 10th century. The settlement was burnt to the ground in the Middle Ages, and became little more than a heap of ashes and rubble, its remaining residents fleeing to nearby Mijas. In the late 15th century Fuengirola was recaptured from the Arabs, by the Christians, it soon became depopulated, but eventually recovered to become the sizeable town that it is today. In the 20th century tourism arrived and saw the area grow considerably, attracted by the wonderful weather, excellent beaches, and good amenities, Fuengirola has continued to attract visitors up to the present day, becoming one of the most popular resorts on the Costa del Sol.

June 22, 2010

Almunecar Andalucia

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 10:04 am

One of the popular resorts of the Costa Tropical in Andalucia, Spain, Almunecar has a history going back to the times of the ancient Phoenicians, whe a settlement was founded there, called Sexi. Later the Romans built an aqueduct in Almunecar, remains of which can still be seen to this day. Looking down on the old town of Almunecar is a Moorish castle, reminding present day visitors of the town less peaceful times. These days Almunecar is a much visited coastal resort and holiday destination with a greyish sand beach, decent hotels, and the usual facilities expected of a modern holiday resort.

June 18, 2010

NH Sotogrande Hotel

Filed under: Costa del Sol,hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 12:24 pm
NH Sotogrande Hotels

Sotogrande Hotels – The NH Sotogrande Hotel

One of the most popular hotels in the Sotogrande region of Andalucia, Spain, The NH Sotogrande Hotel comprises 106 modern rooms which you will find very comfortable during your visit to the area. The hotel is located near to the shopping centre and sports complex of Sotogrande and is within easy driving distance of at least five fabulous golf courses, including the world famous Valderrama Golf Club. The NH Sotogrande has a terrific outside swimming pool with plenty of sunbathing areas for relaxing in the sun, its restaurant enjoys spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The largest private residencial area in Andalucia, Sotogrande is a luxurious area boasting some very expensive properties and is a playground for the wealthy and famous. Sotogrande is located between Estepona and San Roque and is around 25 kilometres from Gibraltar airport. You can book the NH Sotogrande Hotel by clicking on the link below, other hotels are also available in and arount the resort.

BOOK THE NH SOTOGRANDE HOTEL

May 18, 2010

Mijas Golf Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 4:48 pm

One of the most popular golf destinations on the Costa del Sol in Andalucia southern Spain, Mijas Golf actually comprises 2 golf course built at different times and designed by Robert Trent Jones. The first built of the golf courses was Los Lagos (named after its numerous water hazards), a fine par 71, 18 hole golf course with wide fairways, big greens and a playing length of 6,007 metres. The second built was Los Olivos (named after the large amount of olive trees lining the fairways), an undulating course with many bunkers, Los Olivos is par 72 and has a playing distance of 5,866 metres. The town of Mijas is one of Andalucia’s “white villages”, built on a hillside overlooking the Costa del Sol coastline, its coastal section Mijas Costa is adjacent and almost joined to the resort of Fuengirola. The region enjoys a fine climate and Mijas weather is excellent for all year round golfing although the cooler winter months are more popular. Mijas Map.

April 17, 2010

Marbella Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 5:11 pm

Famous as a playground of the rich and famous, the resort of Marbella located on the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain has a population of over 125,000, which of course increases considerably during the busy summer months, and a municipal area of some 114 square kilometres. Situated in the province of Malaga, Marbella and its neighbour Puerto Banus, has long been a sought after destination for wealthy visitors from Northern Europe. Marbella is also popular with golfers, and there are numerous fine courses in the immediate areas around the resort, other sports which thrive in the town include tennis and all sorts of water sports. Only as long ago as the 1940’s, Marbella was just a small fishing village with less than one thousand residents, it grew when Prince Max Egon zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg bought land in the area and opened the Marbella Club Hotel, attracting a higher class of visitors to this part of Spain. Marbella has some 27 kilometres of coastline and over 20 beaches to explore and enjoy, the climate is fantastic with the weather in Marbella being sunny and dry for most months of the year and very reliable between the months of May and October. Marbella is around fifty kilometres from Malaga and its International Airport. Marbella Map.

October 9, 2009

Jaen Andalucia

Filed under: Costa del Sol,History,Spain,Travel — needahand @ 11:52 am

Located in a fertile area in the north of Andalucia, Spain, the city of Jaen is dominated by the Castilla de Santa Catalina fortress and lies at a height of 574 metres above sea level. A significant university city, Jaen is most famous for the production of olive oil and is often called the “World Capital of Olive Oil” in recognition of its proliferous production of what the locals call “liquid gold”. Jaen was the scene of many battles during the long struggle between Moors and Christians and its important strategic position between Castille and Andalucia was largely the reason for this. The old castle looking down on the city was originally a Carthaginian tower built by the famous general Hannibal, it was extended and refortified by the Moors and again by the reconquering Christians. One of the high points of a tour around the city of Jaen is the 16th century cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque and designed by Andres de Vandelvira. There are plenty of other interesting sights to visit and a long weekend trp would be ideal to see most of the main attractions. Jaen enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters but while Jaen weather is suitable for visiting throughout the year, July and August are best avoided due to excessively high temperatures, May and October would be the ideal time for a visit. Jaen does not have its own airport (the nearest is in Granada), so you will no doubt arrive by road, you can take the A45 from Granada or the A4 from Cordoba.

September 14, 2009

Velez-Malaga Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:36 pm

Known simply as Velez to the locals, the town of Velez-Malaga is the capital of the Axarquia district of the Malaga province of Andalucia in Spain. Located a little inland from the seaside area of Torre del Mar, Velez-Malaga is a significant market town surrounded by agricultural land where large quantities of olives, vines and salad crops are grown. The story of the town stretches back to pre-history and was no doubt settled prior to the Roman times when it was known as Menoba. Further expanded and developed by the Moors (who called it Ballix-Malaga) it became an important centre for trade and commerce. Its 13th century fortified castle overlooks the town from its lofty position on a hill, other places to visit include the Palacio de los Marqueses de Beniel and the 13th century Iglesia de San Bautista. Velez-Malaga Map.

Torremolinos Spain

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 11:27 am

Located about seven kilometres west of Malaga, the coastal resort and town of  Torremolinos, was, forty years ago, just a small fishing village with little of note to attract visitors. Since the 1960’s Torremolinos has developed as one of the most popular resorts on the Costa del Sol and along with neighbouring Fuengirola and Benalmadena attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. At one time having a reputation much like Benidorm, fish, chips and beer, Torremolinos is gradually evolving into a better class of resort and has some excellent shopping facilities, improved, clean beaches, and a very vibrant nightlife scene which of course appeals to the younger generation. There is of course plenty for visitors of all ages, with facilities for children and a huge range of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes. A big attraction is the wonderful Torremolinos weather, which is pleasant all year round, being especially hot and dry in the summer months and mild (watch out for the chilly wind though) during the winter. Easily accessed from Malaga airport, Torremolinos is an ideal location for the purchase of a holiday home or a rental investment property, and has a large expat community, making the Brits especially feel at home (but with sun!). Torremolinos Map.

Malaga Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,History,Spain — Tags: , , , , , , , — needahand @ 10:04 am

Located in the Spanish region of Andalucia, Malaga is the 2nd largest city in that region, also considered as the capital of the Costa del Sol, Malaga has a long history going back to its founding in around 1000 BC when established as a trading port by the Phoenicians. Famous as the birthplace of the celebrated painter Pablo Picasso, Malaga has a number of interesting places to visit including the Alcazaba, the Roman Ampitheatre and the cathedral which was started in the 16th century. Having the main airport for the region of course Malaga in one way or another welcomes most of the visitors to the Costa del Sol, the main road from Granada passes by the city and the port is still a busy commercial centre as it has been for many centuries. To the south of Malaga lie the popular coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola, further south is Marbella, Malaga together with all of these resorts attract huge number of visitors each year, attracted by the fine beaches, the superb Malaga weather and the variety of interesting places to visit.

Malaga Street Map.

September 13, 2009

Seville and Utrera Andalucia

Filed under: Costa del Sol,History,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 7:11 am

A city with a population of around 700,000, Seville is one of the most important cities in southern Spain. Artistically, financially and culturally it is the hub of the region of Andalucia and is one of the most visited cities in Spain. Lying in the plain of the Guadalquivir river, Seville covers an area of 140 square kilometres and has a metropolitan population around double of that of the city itself. Historically, Seville is over two thousand years old and was called Hispalis during the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsular. There are still Roman remains to be found in and around Seville, one of the best known being the aqueduct. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, Seville fell successively into the hands of Vandal, Visigoths and Moors, but it was the Moors who had the greatest influence on the city, and it became a significant centre under the control of the Umayyad dynasty. It came back under Christian control in the mid-13th century. These days Seville is a popular tourist destination with plenty to see and do all year round, although as Seville weather can be extremely hot during July and August, these months are perhaps best avoided if possible. Among the best known attractions in the city are the cathedral, built between 1401 and 1519, the Alcazar, begun in the 12th century, the Torre del Oro (Golden Tower), the Town Hall, and the Plaza de Espana. Outside the city of Seville itself are some other interesting places to visit, one you could consider might be the town of Utrera, one of the main agricultural towns of the region and the area where many of the bulls, reared especially for bullfighting are bred and tended. Utrera was overrun by Alfonso X in the 13th century, as he prepared for his defeat of Seville. Worth a look in Utrera are the 14th century castle, the Iglesia de Santiago church and the church of Santa Maria. Seville Map.

September 12, 2009

Ronda Spain

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 8:53 am

One of the most spectacularly situated cities in Spain, Ronda lies on both sides of the Rio Guadalevin, joined by three picturesque bridges, a stronghold of the Moors, it was not freed by the Christians until 1485. A must visit place for those holidaying on the Costa del Sol coastline, Ronda is located about 100 kilometres from the city of Malaga in the region of Andalucia. The spiritual home of bullfighting, Ronda has one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, built in 1785 it attracts bullfighting fans from all over Spain and in fact the world. Ronda Map.

September 11, 2009

Nerja Caves

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain,Travel — Tags: , — needahand @ 3:56 pm

If you are visiting the Andalucian coastal town of Nerja this year, be sure to take time out for a trip to the Nerja caves, a series of subterranean caverns located to the north-east of the town, used for human habitation some 20,000 years ago. The caves are now often used for holding concerts, which make the most of this natural ampitheatre’s fine acoustics. The Nerja caves were discovered by a group of pot-holers in 1959, the caves, divided into two major sections are open to the public who enter by way of a series of stairways and pathways.

More info on Nerja: Nerja Factfile.

Torrox Andalucia

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 1:40 pm

One little town which is worth a visit if you are travelling to the Costa del Sol region of Andalucia in Spain, is the historic town of Torrox. Together with its coastal limb Torrox Costa, the town has a history going back to the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsular, when it was developed as a factory town. In Torrox Costa there are still remains of a Roman villa, a necropolis and also a thermal baths, however Torrox Costa today is a modern tourist resort with eight kilometres of beaches and coves and a charming promenade. The old town of Torrox built on a hillside some four kilometres inland was an important trading town for the Moors, specialising in silk production and sugar cane, other important products were almonds and figs. It is said to be the birthplace of the famous Arab leader Almanzor (938 AD), and a walk in its charming old back streets may whisk you back to these early times, take a look at the 16th century Franciscan convent and also the 19th century sugar cane factory. Torrox Map.

September 10, 2009

Purullena Andalucia Spain

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 6:35 pm

Well worth a visit if you are travelling through the Granada region of Andalucia, the small town of Purullena is renowned for its cave houses, which are dug into the clay hillsides of the Guadix plateau. Over half of the population of the town live in these unique cave houses and one of the cave owners has transformed his house into a living cave house museum, which you can look around to see the construction of the cave houses and learn about the history of the town. You actually walk through his house, where he lives with his wife and you can see a new room that he is constricting by simply digging out the clay with a pick. A shop adjoining the house has numerous mementos which you can purchase to remind you of your visit. A good spot to visit whilst on the way to the Costa del Sol or Costa Tropical and a nice change from the over developed coastal resorts of Andalucia, pop into Purullena for a taste of the “real” Spain.

September 8, 2009

Marbella Golf and Country Club

Filed under: Costa del Sol,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 1:55 pm

If you are a golf fan and you are heading for Marbella this year then you should certainly consider a trip to the Marbella Golf and Country Club situated about five kilometres to the east of Marbella town centre on the Costa del Sol, Spain. The superb golf course which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, is set in rolling countryside offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean, and featuring lakes, ravines and gulleys and plenty of well placed bunkers, making it a challenging par 72 course of some 6,000 metres. When you have finished your round you can enjoy a drink in the comfortable bar or perhaps partake of a meal in the fine restaurant which is part of the complex, later you can head into Marbella and enjoy all the benefits of this wonderful resort.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress