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Marbella voted best for beaches

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:41:30 +0000

A new study recently carried out by Oak Power Communication (OPC) has revealed that Marbella is consistently perceived on a global scale as having the best beaches in Spain. During the study, OPC asked over 600 journalists from the international media for their thoughts on Spanish tourism. Once the results were tallied up, it was clear that Marbella’s beaches won out, closely followed by Ibiza and Lanzarote respectively.

With places like Puerto Banus, where the streets are lined with designer shops; and the Old Town (Casco Antiguo), where the winding cobbled streets hide plenty of wonderful boutiques, perhaps it’s no surprise that Marbella was also voted the third trendiest and one of the most fashionable cities in the whole of Spain.

Research also shows that the region of Andalucia enjoys the best “brand image” in Spain. As a general tourist brand, Andalucia rated very high, with a score of 7.9 out of 10, followed by Madrid and Barcelona, with 7.3 and 7.1 each.

Maria Asenjo from OPC was quoted as saying “Journalists value Andalucia’s purely Spanish spirit, strength and passion, as well as enormous improvement in infrastructure and the quality of services in the past years”.

Madrid has the best image as a tourist city, with the Museo del Prado being the “best valued element of Spain’s artistic and tourist heritage”, followed closely by the Alhambra in Granada

More frequent trains make travel easier

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:21:46 +0000

This coming summer residents and tourists will be able to benefit from more frequent trains on the Cercanias 1 line between Malaga and Fuengirola, as they will soon run every 20 minutes instead of every half an hour. This is due to the completion of the second track, a project that has always been the long-term goal of Renfe due to the social and financial profitability of the Costa del Sol line.

This new change will allow the 30 departures every day to be increased by 30 percent, although the exact numbers of trains and the earliest and latest departure times are yet to be confirmed.

The recent alterations to the timetables are truly remarkable, considering there have not been any changes to the train frequency since the C1 opened in 1975. This single fact means the adjustment is, in the eyes of many, long overdue and will effectively accomplish the greatest improvement to the service in 36 years.

The current total journey time between Malaga and Fuengirola is 48 minutes. Source claim that this time could possibly be reduced due to the modifications, but only marginally.

Rent The Happy Hooker’s Marbella Hideaway

Mirco Rehmeier — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:10:27 +0000

In the 1970s dutch Xaviera Hollander rose to fame as the author of “The Happy Hooker“, after she worked as a call girl and madam. But now she’s an innkeeper of sorts. She owns a bed and breakfast in Amsterdam and is also the owner of Villa Caprice, a magnificent villa in the hills of sunny Marbella close to the Golden Mile, the beach and all amenities. Her house is located in a secluded area where guests can even “frolic around in the nude if they wish”. The villa offers 6 bedrooms to people who want some fun and sun. Villa Caprice has a garden with a lovely lawn, swimming pool with fountains and a sun terrace with 8 loungers. There is a large living room, well-equipped kitchen, a bar and terraces for outside dining. The villa’s bedrooms include several suites with king-sized beds as well as multiple rooms with twin beds for kids. Prices for the villa start at 1.800 Euro per week and go up to 2.400 Euro per week in summer

Water Taxi’s – travel in style

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:50:33 +0000

A group of entrepreneurs from Malaga are set to launch an alternative way to travel between Malaga and the rest of the Costa del Sol. They have set up a company in Fuengirola called “Aqua Taxi“, the first of it’s kind in Spain and hope to have the service up and running by Easter of this year.

They have brought one of the twelve-seater boats over from Southampton in the UK, and are in negotiations with national shipyards to manufacture the rest of the boats needed to provide the service. Their ultimate goal is to extend the services offered by their company all the way along the coast to Gibraltar. In the medium to long term, there are plans to run up to Nerja and Almuñecar linking the east and the west.

The Water Taxi service, which will be based in Malaga Port aims to revolutionize the taxi business and connect Malaga and Marbella within 45 minutes. The company has currently received authorization to operate from Marbella, Benalmadena and Fuengirola and hopes be accepted also by Puerto Banus in the near future.

In terms of tariffs, which are still to be confirmed, a 20 minute taxi ride to Benalmadena will cost around 10-12 euros, while rides to Marbella will cost around 25-30 euros. The company has said that they will combine quick service with leisurely tourist trips according to demand from the general public.

Malaga is favourite destination for Culture and City breaks

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:23:12 +0000

According to the Malaga Councillor for Tourism and Sport, Elias Bendodo, Malaga City is the favourite destination for cultural tourism and city breaks in the whole of Andalucia. Nationally, the city is streets ahead of Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla and San Sebastian, coming second only to Barcelona.

Malaga should be very pleased with last year’s results which showed that 853,481 tourists booked into hotels in the city in 2010, which was 14.35 per cent more than in 2009, and 8.9 per cent more than 2008, which was historically, the best year for tourism until these figures were released.

12.75 per cent more people stayed in the city, equalling a total of 1,591,552 visitors, with an average stay of 1.85 days.

Just over 54 per cent of the tourists who stayed in Malaga city hotels in 2010 were Spanish, some five per cent more than the previous year, and most of them came from the rest of Andalucia, followed closely by Madrid and Cataluña.

The number of foreign visitors has also risen, by 28.1 per cent. The UK continues to be the main interest market, with 63,430 people, an increase of 13.17 per cent. The UK is followed by Germany and France, then Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland, which rose by 50 per cent, and finally the USA and Italy which rose by 30 per cent.

The Malaga Tourism Department attended six national and 15 international fairs in France, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, the USA, Russia, Sweden, Holland and Italy.

Flying Start to new Malaga Airport with 12 million passengers

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:02:26 +0000

Despite the various problems that have plagued Malaga airport, including the volcanic ash cloud and the controllers’ conflict, the airport finished the year with a bang, concluding that in excess of 12 million passengers used the airport in 2010, which represents a considerable 3.8% increase over the previous year.

The launch of the new terminal at Malaga Airport, the T3, (as mentioned in my previous article) has raised the transit of passengers and flight traffic over the past year. Specifically, the airport in the capital of the Costa del Sol operated a total of 105,631 flights from January to December, a 2% increase over the previous year.

This is also the first time since the onset of the economic crisis in 2007 that passengers and flight movements have increased at all.

This expansion has hit two years of consecutive decline on the head, to push Malaga airport through to the second place on the list of best performing airports of Spain. The only other major Spanish airport that experienced a better outcome was Barcelona.

Indeed, the 3.8% increase is not merely an increase for Malaga, but is said to represent a higher growth than in the average of Spanish terminals, according to data provided by Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aena).

In the international arena, Malaga airport received about 9.5 million tourists, most of them on flights from European Union countries. However, the United Kingdom still remains the leader. This market moved 4,280,672 passengers through the terminal in the capital of the Costa del Sol, followed at distance by Germany, with little more than a million passengers and Ireland, with 588,000 passengers.

The airline with most passengers (as predicted by its President Michael O’Leary in 2009) was Ryanair, which carried 2.1 million passengers in 2010 to and from Malaga, almost double the previous year, and overtaking Easyjet who have now been humbled to second place.

Ryanair currently has 47 connections to several locations in Spain and Europe.

Christmas on Ice (Navidad sobre Hielo)

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:12:46 +0000

Christmas time has well and truly arrived in Spain, but for those of you who think that Costa del Sol and the festive season didn’t really go together through lack of snow and ice… well you’re in for a surprise. From the 15^th December until the 10^th January 2011 part of the Palacio de Ferias in Marbella will turn into an 600m2 ice-rink with unparalleled Christmassy atmosphere, where there will be recreational activities for all ages and a Christmas market where you will be able to buy all kinds of festive goodies. All this will be accompanied a cafeteria, sweet shops and yes, even carol singing!

Entrance to the building is free, and the ice-rink and other activities are at very economical prices.

Location: Palacio de Ferias y Congresos of Marbella

Time: Start : Wednesday, 15^th December 12:00 – Finish: Monday, 10^th January 23:00

Christmas Cheer at Mijas Market

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:12:01 +0000

With the Christmas season already in full swing, what better way to enjoy the festivities than this?

A Charity Christmas Market will be held in La Cala de Mijas, starting on the 4^th December and continuing for two more days from noon til 8pm every day.

There will be something for everyone, with Christmas goodies and handmade items on sale on stalls set up especially in the boulevard.

Additionally, there will be various performances by international choirs, the Tapas choir and Dutch choir, as well as dance shows by groups such as Stagecoach and FAMA academy.

For the kiddies, there will also be a very special visit by Father Christmas who will give out chocolate and sweets.

For more information, call the Mijas Town Hall on 952 589 010

Single Hiking tours in December

Mirco Rehmeier — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:31:35 +0000

Costa del Sol Singles is a new Single Club for singles who want to meet by sharing activities and common interests. Because life is more fun that way. In December they offer different Singe Hiking Tours.

GENTLE WALK TO “EL TÁBANO”
Sunday, 5th of December 2010
Meeting point: Church of El Secadero (near Tesorillo) at 10am.
It’s a gentle walk without mayor hills to climb. Duration of the walk approximately 2 and a half hours. After the walk we shall have some tapas at the village.

PINAR DEL REY – CIRCULAR TOUR
Sunday, 12th of December 2010
Meeting point: Parking Garden Center Agrojardín N-340, Km 117, exit Las Margaritas(117) at 10am. Very pretty, gentle walk through hills, forest and fields. Duration of the walk approximately 3 hours. After the walk we will have tapas in San Roque.

CELIMA – MONTE DUQUE – REFUGIO DE CASARES
Sunday, 19th of December 2010
Meeting point: Casares Restaurante Laura at 10am. We will park some cars there and drive up to Celima. We will walk through the most beautiful estate of the Coast, a cork forest until the Mountain Refuge of Casares with spectacular views. Duration of the walk approximately 3 ½ hours.

DOGS ARE WELCOME
Contribution towards expenses: 9 €
For further information, please send an e-mail or call Julie on 600 543 269. See you!!

Cómpeta Dance Gala in December

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:59:00 +0000

Cómpeta is preparing an exciting dance gala which will last for two nights over the first weekend in December. An fantastic line-up of artists has been confirmed for the event which will include a variety of dances – everything from flamenco, ballet and even tap.

It has been announced that the new gymnasium in the secondary school of the town will be the venue. Director and founder of the organisation, Reach4Dance, Ray Rowden, said that the gymnasium was an ideal location with great views for the audience, on top of which there is a separate space for a bar and tapas service.

Amongst those dancers in the line-up will be Matthew Powell, who is presently dancing in the exceptionally successful production of The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End and ballerina Julianne Rice-Oxley – who will perform a Strauss waltz, a pas de deux from Coppelia and the fabulous routine from Le Corsaire popularised by Fonteyn and Nureyev.

Also making an appearance will be four of the top graduates from Elmhurst Ballet School including Yamato Mashiko who was born in Japan and has been dancing since age 10. He studied at the Royal Ballet Summer School in 2006 and entered Elmhurst two years later. This year, he performed in the Lausanne Gala in Tokyo.

Flamenco dancer Juan Luis El Borde will also make an appearance as part of the local talent.

Malaga Jazz Festival

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:14:04 +0000

This month heralds the return of the Malaga Jazz Festival, which includes a variety of concerts and other activities. The festival kicked off yesterday, 9^th November, and will continue until the 13^th.

The schedule is completely packed, with concerts in the Teatro Cervantes from Chano Dominguez, The Bad Plus and Dayna Kurtz over a period of 3 days (10^th, 12^th and 13^th of November respectively).

Later this week the Teatro Echegaray will play host to the Seamus Blake Quintet on the evening of the 12^th and the Sacri Delfino Trio playing ‘Jairana’ on the 13^th.

The most important public event at the Echegaray will be a Jazz Master class on the 12^th of November, to which admission will be free for a lesson given by the Seamus Blake Quintet.

There will also be a marching band parade in the streets from 1pm to 2pm in the centre of Malaga from the 10^th to the 12^th of November.

Entrance fees for the events are between 9 and 24 euros. Tickets are on sale now from Uniticket and Unicaja on 902 360 295 and 952 076 262. Check out more information online on www.generaltickets.com

Galaxia Play Centre in Guadalmina

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:28:02 +0000

Parents with very energetic children in or around the area of San Pedro will soon breathe a sigh of relief when they read this article. A new play centre has opened up in the Guadalmina Commercial Centre in the area and boasts many great facilities. Among these are: lots of slides, a massive fun ball pool, exciting tunnels and mazes, a great Zip Wire, air powered guns and there is even a dedicated toddler area for the really small ones. In addition to this, there is an outside play area with comfortable sofas where tired, hassled parents can relax while their children run about and enjoy themselves.

The Galaxia Play Centre has even thought about the security aspect and has installed cameras on all the play areas to give parents peace of mind and to know that their children are completely safe.

This play centre really seems like it has everything!

The centre is open from 12.30 till 20.30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10.30 till 20.30 on other days and there is plenty of parking.

Perhaps you think all these facilities, security and fun will come at a hefty price? However, that couldn’t be further than the truth, because absolutely unlimited access to the park for one day costs only 2 euros for the under twos, 4 euros for the under threes and 8 euros for children from 3 to 12 years old. There are also Memberships available starting from 40 euros.

I can just hear it, can’t you? : “Can we go nooooooow, Mummy?” (or Daddy, of course)

Call: 952885530 for more details.

Volvo World Match Play Championship

Largest Butterfly Park in Europe to open in 2011

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:05:51 +0000

The Town Hall of Benalmádena has announced that Europe’s biggest butterfly park will open early next year in the town. The Mayor of Benalmádena, Enrique Moya, says the Asian-inspired complex, which is a 1,500 square metre site, will house “some of the world’s most spectacular and endangered species of butterfly”.

The local administration has said that it believes that the butterfly park will become a major tourist attraction, as well as a possible research facility in the future.

The complex is situated next to the town’s famous Buddhist temple, known as “La Estupa”, which is located on the outskirts of Benalmádena.

The largest butterfly park in the world is still “Butterfly World” which is located in Florida, USA. It opened in 1988 and the aviary houses over 10,000 butterflies of up to 150 different species.

You may be surprised to learn that the average life span of a butterfly is only fourteen days, and that’s in “captivity” in the aviary. This average life span compares to about seven days in the wild. However, some species like the Zebra can live for up to ten months.

The most exclusive yachting port of Europe

Prepare your own Michelin star meal – in the restaurant!

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:54:14 +0000

Calling all lovers of fine cuisine.

El Lago restaurant in Marbella are offering a select few the opportunity to join the chef and help prepare the haute-cuisine dishes that have earned this restaurant their Michelin star.

The price is all inclusive (dinner, cooking presentation, accomodation and breakfast) and is a mere 135 euros per person for a suite or 120 euros for a studio.

So, what’s on the menu? Well, these Masterchefs-in-the-making will get the opportunity to cook up some of the gastronomic delights that make up the “Tenth Anniversary Tasting Menu” following direction from top chef Diego del Río. There will also be an opportunity over the weekend to do some wine tasting with Paco García, director and sommelier.

For more information regarding this very special offer, check out the website: www.restauranteellago.com

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Erotic Tapas Route

Emilia Hazell - Smith — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:07:55 +0000

“Sex sells” A truer word regarding marketing and advertising has never been spoken, so when I heard about this titillating gastronomical event I just had to write about it.

Around 60 establishments have signed up to participate in the second annual “Erotic Tapas Route” which is being held in Fuengirola town from 1^st to 21^st November. Bars and restaurants will be offering erotically designed tapas for €1,50 each. This campaign is purported as being a way to promote bars and restaurants in what is typically a slow month. And you can certainly guess why….!

Those inquisitive souls who wish to participate should collect a “tapas passport” from the Town Hall (ayuntamiento) Tourist office, or any of the included establishments. A stamp is issued after eating an erotic tapa in each venue and a prize draw will take place for those who have accumulated more than 10 stamps. (Considering there are 60 bars and restaurants participating, that shouldn’t be too hard!)

This years event will be continuing one week longer than the first “Erotic Tapas Route” which was held in 2009.

Although it’s slightly out of my way – I think I will go along just to see what they come up with! The mind boggles…

Delectable dining experience in Marbella