costablog.com

Head on down to the Palacio de Ferias and Congresos in Marbella during the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of August for the Outlet Parade (Fiesta de Los Stocks) Here you will find up to 70% discount on top designer and high street brands for men and women, such as Armani, John Galiano, Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli, Tommy Hilfiger, Blanco, Stradivarius and Pull and Bear to name but a few! This is the time when the shops liquidate all their accumulated stocks and you can find some real bargains to complete your summer wardrobe. For those who are not so clothes orientated, there will also be a fantastic selection of homewear, décor items, art and gifts! Read more »

Wednesday, the 28^th July 2010 was an historical day in Cataluña as bullfighting was officially banned during a vote in the Catalan parliament. The controversial decision was announced in the morning after 66 voted in favour of the prohibition, 55 voted against and 9 abstained from voting at all. The prohibition ban will take place from 2012.

Barcelona first decided to debate the issue in December 2009, after a petition to include the bull in existing animal protection legislation gathered over 180,000 signatures. Eric Gallego, a speaker for the group known as Prou was quoted as saying “Bullfighting is about animal rights, it’s about cruelty and about a bloody entertainment. We think that we must stop this cruelty because we don’t want to be a barbaric society inside Europe.” Read more »

Marbella takes the visit of the US First Lady Michelle Obama and her youngest daughter Sasha to Marbella seriously. The visit which will start 4th August has already caused huge excitement amongst the Marbella population and their surroundings. The town hall of Marbella has installed together with the two advertising agencies Imagen Consulting and Copremusa Sur a huge billboard at one of the busiest points of the N-340 road through San Pedro de Alcantara which reads “Welcome Obama Family” and in smaller print “Thank You For Choosing Marbella”. The Obama family will pass by this billboard on their way to the Hotel Villa Padierna they are staying in. The five-star luxury resort ranked among the top 30 best hotels in the world by Expedia on rank 28 with a score of 99,9 of 100 points and ranked the best hotel in Spain.

The bullring in Puerto Banus promises a hot summer with never ending concerts. The next event is already in preparation. Rock in Marbella brings the X Factor to  the bullring of Puerto Banus, Marbella. All disappointed Faithless fans have now the chance to enjoy another big concert in the bullring on 20th August. The X Factor Concert will bring Alexandra Burke, Jamie “Afro” Archer, Diversity and The Scarletz. This concert aims as well to the Super VIPs. The X Factor concert offers Champagne Reception at the Laurent Perrier Champagne Bars, Canapés by gastronomic genius and Michelin Star Chef  Dani Garcia from Lamoraga, lounged seating staged by Secreto del Sur and Private After Show Party at Pangea Night Club for a price of 400 Euro. For VIP tickets call the VIP Team under 669 208 417 or email vip@rockinmarbella.com. Normal tickets are priced at 50 Euro up to 100 Euro if you want do be on the dance floor. Tickets are available from ticketmaster.es and El Corte Ingles.

After a few month of crisis hotel occupancy of the Costa del Sol has increased about 5 % in July in comparison with 2009, as tourism reemerges in the region. The city of Malaga itself sees an even bigger increase with an estimated 8 %. Several leaders in the tourism sector say they are very happy with these figures, as August looks to see an even larger increase than July. Owners of restaurants and bars also indicate that 2010 will be a better year than 2009 even if many tourists stay in their rented apartments and have dinner there. The increase of tourists to the Costa del Sol is by German, French, Italian and Spanish visitors, the Irish and British tourists are still on the decline.