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Ronda is a small town in the andalucian province of Málaga, situated in 723m high above sea level in the hillside called Serrania de Ronda, to which belong as well the natural parks Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves. The town is situated approximately 113 km west of the province capital Málaga and 50 km north of the Costa del Sol. With approximately 35,500 inhabitants and an area of approximately 480 km² the municipality of Ronda is one of the biggest “white villages” in Andalucia. Ronda is at first known for its location: the moorish stamped Old Town, La Ciudad, is situated on an all around steep sloping plateau and is separated from the younger district, El Mercadillo, through a 100m deep gap, El Tajo, built by the Rio Guadalevín. The abyss is overstrung from three bridges, the Puente Árabe, the Puente Viejo („old bridge“) and the well known, in the 18th century built, Puente Nuevo (“new bridge”). More objects of interest are the church Santa María la Mayor on the Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, as well as the Casa del Gigante and the Palacio de Mondragón, including the museum of the city, „Museo Municipal“, as well as the well obtained patio and a moorish style garden. Read more »

The “Golf & Country Club La Duquesa” was built after a design from Robert Trent Jones in 1987, surrounded by a spectacular countryside. 18 holes with par 72 on 6062m of amusing courses pamper most of all the sunbathers and aficionados of light seabreezes. The course offers large, wide fairways and demands from the player concentration and high precision drives. The second 9 holes are slightly difficult, but offer fantastic views to the Mediteranean, Puerto de la Duquesa, Gibraltar and the mountains. From hole 15, par 4, you can even see Marbella. Hole 17, par 3, is especially mentionable because of its beauty and spectacular 30 meter altitude difference. This golf course is always worth a visit because of its nice and fantastic views. Sometimes they have good offers, for example two green fees for 18 holes + a buggy for 90 €. Read more »

Málaga is with its 560,631 inhabitants (2006) the second largest city in Andalucia after Sevilla and capital of the province Málaga. In addition Málaga is the sixth-largest city of Spain. The city possesses one of the largest Spanish airports, which is now being extended, and is considered as the gate to the Costa del Sol. Málaga is a modern city with an important commercial port, airport and a university. It is the capital of the Costa del Sol, which represents one of the most important vacation destinations of the iberian peninsula with its good climate all year round. The city is in culinary regard known for raisins and wine (muscatel).

Today the main focus is particularly on the tourism, which gives rapid growth to the city. Already since the 19th century English and Spanish upper layer families settled here in order to spend the winter in the mild coastal climate. Opposite the bullring there is even an English cemetery and a residential area with modernistic mansions. From here a large palm tree park, in which also horse coachmen offer its service, leads to the city centre and to the port. The park surrounds the castle mountain, on which the Alcazaba is situated. This Arab king palace was built between that 8th and 11th century and is situated in the midst of maintained, expanded gardens. Today it houses the archaeological museum. Connected by two towers with a bridge above is the “Gibralfaro”, the moorish castle Malagas, within whose walls is the lighthouse and a mosque. Beside it is a beautiful hotel, the Parador de Gibralfaro, from whose pool in clear weather the view is good enough to see Gibraltar. Read more »

The kingdom of Spain (spanish: Reino de España) is situated in the southwest of Europe and captures the biggest part of the iberian peninsula. In the beginning of 2005 Spain had about 44,1 million inhabitants, which are living on an area of 504,646 km². 3,1 million inhabitants are living in the capital Madrid, which is the third biggest city in the European Union after London and Berlin. Head of State is King Juan Carlos I. The slogan Spains is “Plus Ultra” (“Further Beyond”). Furthermore to the national territory of Spain belong the Balearic Islands with its main islands Mallorca and Menorca, as well as Ibiza and Formentera in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands consisting of the seven main islands Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Teneriffa, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, the six smaller islands Alegranza, Graciosa, Montaña Clara, Lobos, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Towns Ceuta and Melilla, situated on the north african coast. In France Spain owns the exclave Llívia. Furthermore Spain owns some islands in front of the Moroccan coast: Islas Chafarinas, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Alhucemas, Alborán, Islas Columbretes, and the island of Perejil, which is as far as possible unoccupied.

Puerto José Banús, more known as Puerto Banús is a marina near Marbella on the Costa del Sol and in the heart of Andalucia. In May 1970 José Banús established this yachting port. It has moorings for more than 900 boats, including those of the King of Saudi Arabia and several of the world’s wealthiest individuals. The biggest yachts are up to 70 meter. In the harbour you find the most exclusive shops from Louis Vuitton to Armani and most exclusive cars from Rolls Royce to Ferrari. Therefore the port became more and more famous and is now known as playground for the jet-set glamour and the rich and famous. The streets behind the harbour are filled with bars and nightclubs and behind this is the main square with a big El Corte Inglés department store. There are many excellent bars usually open until 4 am. The livliest bar is xs bar which is located in the Plaza de la Comedia in the second line behind Sinatras. The bar is usually full of Marbella’s crazy crowd. The harbour is the synonym for the luxury and wealth of the Costa del Sol and is worth a visit. If you want to take a coffee, make sure that you have enough money. Read more »