There are a range of accommodation options and selection of holiday homes for rent available in Marbella, located in the province of Malaga. Most of travellers prefer cottages, apartments, villas and rural country houses for a holiday package to this coastal resort. However, the sumptuously established villas in the Old Town and other areas of Costa del Sol offer a charm of its own – ensuring a great holiday experience in this part of world.

Many privately owned luxury villas are available for holiday and vacation rental, and some of them are even placed next to any golf course or attractive sandy beach, making it a quite comfortable stay amidst a host of world-class facilities and services. Marbella boasts a wide selection of rental villas of which some are located in the coastal town, those provide a good option of sightseeing and travel around.

Right from the design and location to the facilities inside, a villa in Marbella is nothing but well-appointed apartment built with an ancient or medieval feeling while equipped with all modern urban amenities for a relaxing holiday. The weather of this coastal resort, i.e. mild and pleasant, further makes it the right place to find some of the best villas, where neither summer nor winter is harsh enough to drive away the inbound tourists.

In fact, all year long, villas in Marbella attracts holidaymakers for its ample accommodation multiple bedrooms, Jacuzzi, bars, restaurants, and everything that is essential for a luxury living. Why live in a five star hotel or an expensive apartment when you have the option of living in a marvellous villa which guarantees an ideal holiday retreat? These days, the affluent tourists also like to rent stunning villas as those comprise marvellous tourist spots in their vicinity.

Almost all villas in Marbella offer easy access to some exotic beaches or golf courses which are two of the prime attractions of Marbella. A beachside villa in Marbella offers great sea views from its outside terraces, and keeps its guests or tenants busy in a range of recreational activities such as pool, billiard and various other indoor sports facilities for entertainment.

In some villas, you will find separate outdoor pools for children and adult; the gardens and areas around pool are nice places for chilling out and relaxing while enjoying a choice of room amenities and appliances. However, the best part of villas in Marbella or Costa del Sol is its places of interest within the region. A short walk from most of the villas can either guide you to some of Marbella’s historic monuments, local markets, and traditional eateries or to a coastal village where you can sense a true Andalucían lifestyle.

If you desire to stay in one of the most luxurious Marbella villas, during a family or group vacation, all authentic information can be obtained from a dedicated website where you can even book your stay in one for the highest level of comfort. Now, villas in Costa del Sol play an important part in the tourism industry of Spain and considering the business prospect; it too holds a sizeable fraction in Spanish property market.

Since its establishment in more than half a century ago (1954), the Marbella Club Golf Resort & Spa is Costa del Sol’s most famous and prestigious establishment. This exclusive beachfront club house has been one of the preferred travel and recreational spots for its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful natural setting in the heart of Golden Mile in between Marbella and Puerto Banus.

The club’s history dates back to 1947, when Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe bought some land in Marbella and established a private resident, located in the Sierra de Gibralgalia. Seeing the growing number of visitors to this part of Spain, the royal family later converted it into an exclusive club. Ever since, it has been nominated and awarded as the “Best Beach Hotel in Europe”, “Leading Small Hotels of the World”, etc.

Guests are invited to have a wonderful time of their vacation while enjoying an intimate climate with a plethora of high-end services at the world famous Beach Club, Golf Club, Riding Stables and Thalasso Spa. All these provide a wonderful holiday retreat for those who want to make their vacation memorable in such a relaxed setting on the shore of the Mediterranean.

Luxurious Accommodation

The beach front Marbella Club Hotel offers luxurious and flexible accommodation in 84 fully-furnished rooms and 37 elegant suites, equipped with a comprehensive array of amenities and immaculate services that guarantee a contemporary lifestyle experience. There are exuberant gardens and as many as 14 Andalucían-style villas with individual but small gardens and pools to bring a sense of privacy and luxury.

Being among one of the leading hotels of the world, and once a family residence, the accommodation is a perfect blend of modernity and typical Costa del Sol characteristics. Those whitewashed villas, nestled amongst lush subtropical gardens resemble a naturally created appearance of Andalucía village life in tranquillity, peace and luxury.

There are two outdoor heated sea-water pools inside the premises of the Marbella Club which represents a beach club. Visitors will feel the same as in any other exclusive beach club inside those thatched bar and services of a Beach Club Buffet. While you choose to lounge on sun beds, waiters will serve your needs with much attentiveness.

In the Beach Club Buffet, you can have a varied taste of those long list delicacies from traditional Spanish local cuisines to European, Asian and some extraordinary Lebanese dishes to rejuvenate your gastronomic interest. One can also indulge in a range of adventure watersports, but the fitness centre and spa would be another addition to your list of recreational activities.

Golf Course

Apart from being famed as one of the best beach front hotel resorts, the Marbella Club offers professional golfers a chance to mingle in the rustic natural surroundings and experience the better part of a superb golfing tour. The Golf Course, located only 20 minutes away from the main Marbella Club, presents spectacular views of Sierra range, natural elevation of Gibraltar, North African coastline and the Mediterranean.

Designed by Dave Thomas, the 18-hole and par 71 Golf Course in an area of 6,247 m is quite every golfer’s destination with those scenic surroundings, water cascades, rounded shape fairways, uneven slopes and large greens. The varied topography means golfers have to be very accurate in their shots. Although it is popular, the Marbella Club Golf is only open for club members. It only offers a 30 minute limited play between tee times.

Besides, there is also the Golf Resort Club House set in a charming thatched cottage where golfers can assemble to relax after a tiring golfing round and get pleasure from all those aristocratic traditions of Marbella Club with a refreshing drink or a delicious lunch of individual choice.

Marbella Club Riding

Visitors who just want to take some time out from their golfing session or any other recreation activities in Marbella Club, riding is another option. For general visitors, golf enthusiast and riding fans, this would be certainly be a great respite while capturing those fascinating scenic landscape.

Marbella Club Thalasso Spa

Spread over an area of 800 square metres, the spa and beauty centre is well-equipped, including an indoor pool, Turkish baths (hammams), sauna and a dozen beauty rooms. Here, visitors can experience the richness of a range of thalassotherapy treatments.

The beauty and relaxation treatments also include slimming treatment, anti-stress programmes along with some exclusive healing sessions such as ShiTao massages and Sea Creation, aquatic massage, facial massages with seashells, etc.

However, that is not all in terms of facilities and services in Marbella Club. Guests can enjoy at the Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness club, situated adjoining. Within a distance of just 5 min walk, there are 10 tennis and four paddle courts to draw the interest of visitors.

Meeting Centre

Marbella Club Hotel also has a meeting or conference centre catering the needs of various events. Various enterprises chose the club to organise professional convention and meetings with all kinds of support from the club management to make it a successful one.

This apart, it also serves as an ideal venue for weddings, banquets, cocktail parties and all other special occasions. The club has special service men to address the needs of any event superb services and excellent organisational capabilities.

On a special occasion like anniversaries or birthday parties, Guests can even opt the splendid Villa del Mar. As rightly said, it is in fact “a club within a club” designed with lush gardens embellished by the Mediterranean views. This beautiful mansion with all state-of-the-art facilities in an enchanting atmosphere is the right place to celebrate any special occasion.

For reservation and check availability of service, just log on to www.marbellaclub.com/bookings.html or follow the details given bellow.

Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe
29600 Marbella, Malaga
España
Tel: (+34) 95 282 2211
Fax: (+34) 95 282 9884
reservas@marbellaclub.com
www.marbellaclub.com

Deep in the heart of “Green Spain” is Galicia, renowned for its ancient forests high atop mountains and green pastures as far as the eye can see. Hence, it is no surprise that Galicia is the largest producer of fine cheese in all of Spain. Galicians have proudly flaunted this for the past three decades in their annual cheese fair, Feria de Queso de Arzúa, held the first Sunday in March.

Grand festivities converge on this charming town with this gastronomic springtime celebration, playing tribute to the wide range of rich and creamy cheeses produced in this area attracting everything and anything to do with food and drink on this special day, and anything and everything to do with a good time! Great music and dancing fill the streets of Arzúa late into the night.

The lovely village of Arzúa is located in the centre of Galicia in the province of A Coruña. Arzúa is one of the many stop-overs for the inspired pilgrims travelling the historic Road to Santiago de Compostela. Here, as in all of Galicia, the rich and fertile land offers unbeatable conditions for livestock breeding, especially cows, which greatly benefit from the climate and the green pastures for its grazing.

The most notable Galician cheeses from cows milk are: Tetilla, Arzúa-Ulloa, Cebreiro, San Simón and cheese from Nabiza. Each are creamy and delicious and stand alone, all you need is a nice glass of wine or cider to add to the decadence! Each traditional cheese is either industrially produced, made on farms, or cured. The different processes contribute to the distinct taste of the cheese. The artisan production process of cheese still exists in Galicia and is usually just sold at fairs, local markets and directly to the consumer.

Many Spaniards may argue that their region is the most renowned for fine cheese production. The diversity among the different types (and price) of Spanish cheese is vast, but one thing is a given….. all are ripe with rich flavour and are fantastic. Depending on your palette and preference of goat, sheep or cow cheese….cured or uncured, there will be one to your liking and the search will be worthwhile.

In true Spanish tradition, you can count on the fact that each region has their own cheese fair and will boast featuring the best cheese of Spain.

Here are a few other fairs featuring fine cheese:

Feria del Queso Artesano de Pesquera (Cantabria)
Feria del Queso en Miranda de Ebro (Near Bilbao)
Feria del Queso de Euskal Herria & Feria Europea del Queso Ordizia (Basque Country)
Semana del Queso artesano San Telmo (Ibiza)
Feria del Queso Artesano (Madrid)
Feria del Queso de cabra de Acehúche and Freia del Queso de Trujillo (Extremadura)
Feria del Queso de Cangas de Onis, Feria del Queso de San Lorenzo de Ribadesella, Feria de Queso de Taramundi (Asturias)
Feria do Queoxp de Betanzosa, Feria del Queso de Friol, Feria del Queso de San Simón da Costa (Galicia)

Yet, Arzúa is hands down the most popular fair of them all. Thousands of cheese lovers go there each year to taste the many varieties of highly valued rich creamy cheese delicacies in a day devoted to cheese tasting and celebration.

In this day and age, zoos being built thankfully do not resemble the old time zoos of animals in empty metal cages with one artificial tree to provide shade. Instead, many zoos are being built to replicate the natural habitat of each and every one of the animal species living there.

The Fuengirola New Zoo is a perfect example; it has created a Disney like atmosphere for the animals; rivers, gigantic trees, impressive waterfalls, bamboo-shrouded temples, hanging bridges and abandoned mines. This is a fantastic way for children to see exotic animals from such places as Madagascar, Africa and South-East Asia interacting with each other in their natural habitat.

As you wander through the simulated tropical forest, lush with vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, you’ll see alligators basking on the sandy shores of the Nile, Sumatra tigers swimming beside Angkor Wat, monkeys playing around the thousand year old Baobab tree and bats flying around the abandoned mines. Looking down into “The Forest Floor” section you are likely to see giant snails and river hogs.

“The Forest Canopy” hovering over your head is full of noisy gibbons and hornbills and rainbow loris monkeys. Wherever you look in this impressive zoo, the only thing between you and the animals are natural barriers like bridges and riverbanks, or windows that allow you to get right up close with the breath of the animals fogging up the windows!

During summer, in the months of July and August, the zoo stays open until 1.00 am allowing visitors to stay and observe the nocturnal animals, such as leopards, flying foxes and owls. The forest paths are lit with artificial moonlight and sounds of animals echo through the forests. The zoo even provides especially themed restaurants to enjoy after your “moonlight visit”. This unique touch is very impressive and adds to the magical Disney- like experience.

An additional bonus for the kids is the large play area, including a miniature farm where kids can interact with the animals one on one. The zoo has also made sure that it is easily accessible to those with disabilities since most of the grounds are flat with no barriers.

ZOO INFORMATION

Entry: Tickets are available at the zoo box office, hotels, travel agencies, and the Portillo bus terminals. There is a 1 euro discount for passengers arriving on the Malaga local train. Two tours are made daily – mornings and afternoons.

Adults: 12,30 euros, Children: Ages 3 to 9 – 8,60 euros and Retired: 8,90 euros.

Located at: Calle Camilo Jose Cela 6, 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga. Tel: 952 666 301. The Zoo is in the centre of the town of Fuengirola, only a few minutes walk from the bus terminal and train Station.

Image Credit: zoofuengirola.com

Andalucia, along with parts of New Zealand, is one of the only places in the world where you can spend the morning skiing in Sierra Nevada and then with a quick 2 hour burn in the car have lunch and spend the afternoon taking in some spring sunshine on the beach! Spoilt for choice!

Sierra Nevada is in the province of Granada, and is the highest and most southerly resort in Europe. It isn’t far, only 25 minutes, from the beautiful historic town of Granada itself, and has one of the longest skiing seasons in Europe. In fact this year snow has fallen already as I write this (November) and the station is planning to open at the beginning of December.

Skiing often can continue until the beginning of May as a result and also due to its ease of access; airports, railway and motorways are nearby, it is a very popular resort during the whole season and particularly during the school holidays! Be warned, the queues for the lifts can be a bit boring.

Sierra Nevada is part of a World Heritage Site and also is a National Park, so spending a holiday there doesn’t just mean skiing; there is the fantastic scenery, flora and fauna to keep the less than keen skiers occupied.

The skiing station, called “Sol y Nieve”, is a purpose built complex completed several decades ago. It was revamped in the nineties but still is not your average ski centre, it’s a bit of a concrete jungle with massive underground parking facilities reminiscent of a shopping mall! But this means that it has a much more relaxed carefree approach than some traditional Alps resorts.

There are over 86 kilometres of pistes ranging from the absolute beginners to the expert black pistes for the fearless. Three ski schools cater for the resort and classes can be on an ad hoc daily or a weekly basis. Equipment can be hired from the schools to save those of you who haven’t skied before forking out loads, then finding it’s not quite the addictive lifetime enjoyment you thought it would be! Children are well catered for too. For the smallest there is a nursery and for those ready to learn there is a special school the ”Dreamland School” to start them off and take them up to the stage when they can join their parents.

Unlike some more traditional resorts snow boarders are welcomed. In fact the Parque Sulayr has been set up in the Borreguiles station to provide a special space where snowboarders and freestyle skiers can practise their jumps without disturbing others. All the 86 kilometres of piste are situated in 6 zones around the Borreguiles site and are all served with restaurants and bars so you don’t need to go off-piste back down to Pradollano, the main resort area.

The après-ski in Sierra Nevada is rather special too. The relaxed Andaluz touch means that there is something for everyone and at Andaluz-not French-prices. Restaurants range from pizzerias to International with of course smoking and non-smoking options.

Finally accommodation! Flats and chalets can be rented for self catering or there are many hotels in the resort itself. Granada is also an option due to its proximity and for those of you who may not want to join in the party atmosphere, which can go on till the small hours; this may be a better idea!