The Andalusian Association of Sport Managers (Agesport) has recognised the Marbella Town Hall as the ‘best local authority in Andalusia’ in the management of sports for the year 2009. The Town Hall will receive an award next April 16 at the VIII Congress organized by the institution to be held in Antequera.

The branch councillor, Angel Mora, has stressed that this award observes and recognizes the great work of the local administration in pushing the Government Team in sport, both in the field of promotion and in the field of improvement and development of new infrastructure.

Mora also highlighted Marbella Mayoress Angeles Munoz’s earlier statement in which she had enunciated that the effort made by the City Council has been recognized by other independent institutions on a regular basis, as the situation has been very complex, and in just two years the Town Hall managed to turn it into positive.

The Sports Councillor, Angel Mora, also emphasized that following the appointment of Marbella in 2009 as European City of Sport, the city has organised more than a hundred sporting events, at all levels, among which stand out the Davis Cup, Grand Prix de Gymnastique rhythmic, the ‘Andalusia Tennis Experiences’ on the WTA circuit, Copa de Espana Platu 25, among others.

Moreover, the City has made numerous other investments in local sports that have served to promote participation and also to encourage physical exercise among citizens. The City Council has also been constantly trying to improve the sports infrastructure and in all municipal facilities projected for the coming years.

Till date, major renovation works have been conducted in the municipal sports facilities which include the replacement of all artificial turf football fields, the enlarged Polideportivo ‘Paco Cantos’, along with various other sports bases such as the Santa Maria de Las Chapas, Soccer Field of San Pedro Alcantara, the Civic Multi Sports Centre of Arquillo.

In addition, for some large projects to be launched this year, the City Council has allocated more than 5 million, that include the indoor pools of Miraflores and Fuente Nueva, the Sports Center of Belo Horizonte and El Ingenio, and restitution tent of soil and the Palacio de Deportes de San Pedro and soil replacement and rehabilitation of the roof of Lima Serrano.

Marbella is not mere a tourist paradise for its sightseeing guarded with a splendid Mediterranean weather; the resort town of Costa de Sol also offers all kinds of food choices. From traditional Andalucían to Spanish special to a variety of international cuisine, you will find almost all to go well with your gastronomic interest.

Being a sea front place, fish occupies an essential part in Marbella food. In fact, the town itself doesn’t have any specialities in terms of cuisine but it serves typical Spanish favourites with a greater inclination towards seafood. However, at every corner of the city you will find some of the finest multi-cuisine restaurants on account of the growing cosmopolitan nature.

The city has a wealth of restaurants…there is Italian, Indian, Chinese and special Thai eateries lined up close to all the famous tourist spots. However, going by the nature of Spain, you will find some interesting options and one can even arrange a special culinary tour in and around Marbella.

Some of the most popular Spanish dishes those are well and frequently served in Marbella are: the Tapas, a snack served with alcoholic drink throughout; Paella, gregarious rice dish available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian; fried fish etc. You can even taste some typical hams, available in a variety of flavour; these are key components in Spanish cuisine.

Going by the preparation of any Spanish food item, food in Marbella is spicy and richly flavoured. Primarily, tomatoes, potatoes, chilli, citrus fruit and beans are widely used in most of the popular dishes. Locals and visitors also love to have some superbly prepared chicken and shellfish delicacies along with some other which include: Bacalao (salted cod), Butifarra (white sausage) and Chorizo (sausage).

But, the best way to taste some great cookery is to travel to any Andalucían village. In fact, the distinctive aroma of Spanish dishes lies in rural regions, especially inside Costa del Sol. Being once a fishing village, you will have a great variety of fish and seafood dishes prepared in a wooden woven releasing a flavour of its own.

Another principal and widely recognised food item of Spain, and so in Marbella, is Paella. Pronounced as paeya, it’s a delicious mixed rice dish which constitutes a variety of ingredients and recipe, including different types of meat and seafood. Although its origin is linked to the Valencia region, it can be found pretty much everywhere in Spain. And again, Paella in Marbella means applying the seafood formula with fish and rice in the pan.

However, over the years, the food in Marbella is greatly influenced by its own growth from a seaside village town to a flourishing cosmopolitan city. The thriving international business community and the growth of tourism as a major industry have encouraged the establishment of restaurants with some delicate Thai and Italian dishes.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Malaga International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain that serves a staggering 16 million passengers annually. As far as Airport Transfer is concerned, there are a number of reputed companies providing hassle-free transportation service from Malaga Airport to any part in the Costa del Sol.

Basically, Airport Transfer means taking you to the exact destination you wanted to reach after arriving at the airport. Companies involved in such business receive your query with all details including arrival time, travel destination, number of passengers, and then arrange everything for your need.

All service providers usually have a fleet of vehicles, primarily of all sizes and models those suit your needs. The prices generally depend on the distance of destination from the airport and the size of vehicle. However, advance payment is mandatory in all kinds of transfer services.

Airport Transfer is the cheap and convenient way to reach your destination from the airport. Pre-booking an airport transfer means, there is no need to stand in the queue to book a taxi and no need to direct the driver to move to the desired location.

For example: if you are using an airport taxi transfer, upon your arrival at the airport the driver of the booked taxi would already be waiting for you with all details of your travel destinations. He will escort and assist you with your luggage to the booked vehicle without any hindrance.

Taxi Transfers

If you need a taxi to arrive at the hotel, you just need to call on the most preferred airport taxi transfer operator to arrange a taxi/car for you at the schedule time. After the confirmation of the availability of vehicle, you will be asked to show the printout copy of the online travel voucher to the driver upon your arrival at the airport, who will take you directly to the hotel or the said destination.

Shuttle Transfers

Such service is generally needed for a large group even up to 50/55 people at a time. As per the requirements, operators arrange a luxury micro-bus, mini bus or a coach on a per person basis. This is the cheapest option if you are travelling in a suitably sized group; however, if you are travelling as a couple or a family of ¾ persons then it is no way convenient.

Holiday Taxis

Alike the shuttle transfers, booking under the holiday transfers is conducted on the basis of number of passengers and also the size of the vehicle. Here, travelling in luxury like air-conditioned and other additional services will be optional. Transfer service providers will take care of all your requirements and then tailor it to suit your demand. This is usually preferred for excursions, night outs or day trips for a sizeable group.

Chauffeur Services

Chauffeur Transfer Service or the Executive Airport Transfer Service is usually for those customers who only need a driver for the privately owned car. Such type of luxury transfer service is available for both to and from the airport, and the driver is paid on hourly basis.

In all kinds of airport transfers services, operators use a range of air-conditioned vehicles for ultimate comfort and that to suit customer needs. Some of the vehicles those are most commonly used by the companies are: Mercedes, Audi A6, Jaguar, Mercedes Viano and mini buses such as Mercedes Sprinter etc.

Benefit

The benefits of using airport transfer services in place of the usual taxis available outside the airport are, in fact, many as listed below:

• No need to stand in queue to book a taxi
• English speaking drivers to understand the precise demand
• Pre-booking makes you know how much you are paying
• Booking a vehicle of your choice
• Transfer services for all kinds of needs
• Fully legal, experienced drivers and insured vehicle
• Time saving & trouble-free journey

The magnificent 18-hole par 72 golf course is situated in the heart of the city in a valley in between the Mediterranean Sea and Sierra Blanca Mountains. The golf course is a part of the hotel Rio Real which offers great accommodation and excellent facility amid an eye-catching natural beauty, spreading over a beautiful valley and crossed by the river Rio Real.

Designed by Javier Arana, the course opened for play in 1965 with wide fairways and surrounding bunkers. The layout is generally flat but there is a gradual inclination towards the sea. Over the years the course has undergone great improvements with long challenging greens with many trees.

Being one of the oldest golf courses and placed at a distance of just 3 km from the Marbella centre and about 50 km from the Malaga Airport, Rio Real Golf Club is one of the preferred golfing courses amongst the tourists. Furthermore, the 6166-meter long course offers real challenge for all, starting from amateur to all levels.

Golf enthusiasts who want to play their game at different levels may find this place one of the best in Costa del Sol in a subtropical climate where temperature remains mild even during the winter, in doing so a perfect condition to play golf the year around.

While the hole number 4 and 5 are a gaze at the seashore, the par 3 sixth hole needs more accurate tee shot in order to avoid the hillside on the right. The 8th is protected by bunkers while the 10th, 11th and par 3 12th are surrounded by lake. Furthermore, the presence of pine, palm and mimosa trees in the fairways can make it quite difficult shots for many professionals while judging the approaching distance over the ravines.

Golf Academy

The academy of Golf inside the Rio Real Golf Course can really be helpful for those who want to learn a few lessons, or even for professional who are in practice of mastering any technique with the best available facilities.

Golfing lessons have been outlined for individuals, ranging from 30 minutes to one hour long class. 3D Biomechanical analysis, plasma monitor and interpreter of a particular shot, including swing and putt, are also in place to single out the exact error.

Facilities & Services

Rio Real Golf Club offers a wide range of facilities and services include: round the clock room service, restaurants, bars, Pro shop, Buggy hire, Hand Cart hire, driving range, medical assistance, airport transfer, corporate centre, etc.

So, just take a break from your usual busy schedule to experience the grandiosity of this place with luxurious accommodation and picturesque views amid a perfect weather.

Marbella, in addition to its tourist value, is a preferred destination for all golf lovers for a number of golf resorts and spas placed in an ambience full of luxury and pampered by a soothing climate. Marbella Golf Club is one of those beautifully designed golf courses open exclusively to provide a full range of golfing facilities on a green and driving range during your tour to this beautiful resort town in southern Spain.

Situated just five minutes drive from the exotic Marbella resort, Adjacent to Hospital Costa Del Sol, on the backdrop of a striking countryside of Andalucía, Marbella Golf Club is one of the finest championship courses in Europe. The 18-hole layout was creatively designed by Robert Trent Jones, Senior and opened for the first time in 1994.

The entire course has an overall playing length of 6450 meters with a par rating of 72. But, one of the most important aspects of the layout is the sustenance of the natural environment at the time of setting it up; as a result, it has been quite exciting for golfers of different abilities. The presence of large abundant bunkers and hilly terrain, however, makes it quite difficult for amateurs to try their hands out.

Marbella Golf Club is a place where the registered members and professionals come to challenge their own golfing skills while enjoying the magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the sunny golf course, the club offers a unique vacation experience while making the night out, after a long day of golf, in those sumptuous bars, restaurants, tennis courts and at member’s salon with all modern facilities.

At Marbella Golf Club, the Pro Shop inside the premises offers a wide range of golfing equipments. Just drop in at and test those equipments in the indoor practice facility and choose the right clubs, tees, gear, gloves, shoes, golf bags etc. of all top available brands. Members can also make use of clubs, hand carts and buggies easily on a rent basis.

The club offers golf reservation and membership options in normal as well as one/two months booking in advance. Interested persons can follow the online booking facility on the official website by filling all required details, including number of players and tee off time.

Address:
Ctra Cadiz- Malaga Km. 188
29600 Marbella
Malaga – Spain
Tel: 952 83 05 00
Fax: 952 83 43 53
W: www.marbellagolf.com