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 11, 2009
September 10, 2009
Purullena Andalucia Spain
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
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.
San Pedro de Alcantara Spain
One of the most unspoilt towns on the Costa del Sol coastline of Spain, San Pedro de Alcantara is situated about ten kilometres west of the glitz and glamour of Marbella. A world away from its upmarket neighbour, San Pedro de Alcantara is a quiet and peaceful coastal town with some excellent beaches, it has a population of 26,500 and is surrounded by the rugged hills of the Sierra Blanca, Sierra del Real and the Sierra Bermeja. San Pedro de Alcantara is well known as the location of the final summer fair to be held in Andalucia, an event which features a bull fight held in the ancient Iberian style. The town is ideal for peaceful family style holidays and is perfect for golfers, having numerous fine courses in its environs, among these are the 3 courses of the Guadalmina Golf Resort, the Atalaya Golf and Country Club and the El Paraiso Golf Club. San Pedro de Alcanatara is near to Puerto Banus and can be reached via the N-340 coast road. San Pedro de Alcantara Map.
Estepona Andalucia
Until the 20th century just a small fishing village in Andalucia, Estepona has now grown into a sizeable resort popular with holidaymakers, especially the Spanish themselves. Attracted by the fine climate, excellent beaches and pretty harbour, tourists arrive in their thousands in July and August, but also throughout the year as the town experiences a unique micro-climate giving Estepona some of the best weather in the region or in fact the whole of Spain. The old town still retains much of its traditional charm and it is a pleasure to stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and shaded squares. For a welcome breeze and a relaxed coffee, head for Estepona harbour where luxury yachts sit beside traditional fishing boats, try one of the harbourside restaurants for fresh fish dishes and local delicacies. For beach lovers there are miles of beaches around the town (some 21 km in all), with water sports on offer and the usual facilities. There is plenty of golf to be had around Estepona with 4 excellent courses to the south-west of the town. Map of Estepona.
September 3, 2009
Salobrena Costa Tropical
Considered by many to be the “Jewel of the Costa Tropical”, the Andalucian pueblo blanco, Salobrena tumbles down a high rock just inland from the coastline which is known as the Costa Tropical. Domnated by the Moorish castle which looks down on the town from its high position, Salobrena is surrounded by sugar cane plantations, a notable feature of this region of Spain. The Moorish castle (Castillo) was built in the tenth century and was a refuge for its Arabic inhabitants during their long struggle with the Christian troops of the reconquest, there is also evidence of Roman structures showing that Salobrena has an even longer history. Salobrena has eight kilometres of coastline including a fine wide beach of greyish sand, it is a popular location for those seeking a quieter holiday away from the main coastal resorts, but is also an ideal base for those wishing to explore the larger towns of Almunecar and Motril and also the historic city of Granada, which is less than an hours drive away. Costa Tropical Map.