 The Costa del Sol is situated in the southern coast of Spain on the Mediterranean. It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year with temperatures averaging 20 degrees.
Variety is the key to the Costa del Sols prominence as one of the world's most fashionable resort areas.
The Region can offer beautiful sandy beaches and world class professional golf courses.
The main airport is Malaga serviced with regular flights from the main UK airports and from Ireland. Malaga is the major coastal city of Andalucia and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city.
Less than an hour's drive, for the more sophisticated, is the stylish beach resort of Marbella with the attractive 'Orange Square' in the old quarter of town. (a little further along the coast (7ks) is the internationally famous "jet-set marina" at Puerto Banus.
One of the prettiest places in Marbella is 'Orange Square' which is located just off the main street in the older district and also home to the 16th century town hall and tourist office where you can pick up a detailed map and any additional information.
Explore the honeycomb of surrounding narrow streets where homes and shops intermingle to create the atmosphere of a small village, rather than a cosmopolitan town.
Puerto Banus has a special ambiance of its own.................the harbour was built in the 70's in the style of a small old fishing harbour with white pueblo style buildings. A magnet for the 'jet set' with dazzling yachts, quaint narrow streets, stylish boutiques, good restaurants, cafes and bars. There are sandy beach's either side of the marina
There are several magnificent courses within vitual putting distance from the marina in Puerto Banus, All the Nueva Andalucia golf courses are surrounded by stunning scenery with a backdrop of mountains.
The list of amenities in the area is extensive with a number tennis clubs, every type of water sport, ballooning, excellent equestrian schools, and a Casino. There is even winter skiing outside Granada (1 1/2 hrs).
 For those who wish to explore old Spain there are numerous little "white villages" nestled in the mountains. Ronda (1 hr) is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. It stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province, and is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge which divides the medieval from the 18th century parts of the town.
Mijas (20 miles) is a typical Andaluz village, perched high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. There are no main thoroughfares here, instead a web of narrow cobbled streets.
Some of Spain's most beautiful cities are within driving distance - Cadiz, Granada, Jerez, Seville and Madrid.
The more adventurous can explore the exotic and historical locations such as Tangier via Gibraltar which is just over an hour's drive from Marbella. In short the Costa del Sol has to be the perfect all year round holiday destination. Costa Blanca south
The Costa Blanca or White Coast, which extends along that section of the Mediterranean coast that corresponds to the province of Alicante, is made up of two clearly differentiated scenic sectors.
To the North, a curtain of mountains runs parallel to the sea, descending at times to form cliffs; to the South, a vast plain of sand patches, palm trees and salt deposits make up the backdrop for the beaches.
The traveller can choose any of the corners of this coast, from the most bustling and cosmopolitan to those that still maintain their rural air beside the sea. In any case, the trip to the nearby regions is well worth the venture for they make up a fine representation of the typical Mediterranean countryside.
From the valleys, which are covered with stepped orchards and keep alive its Moorish past, to the palm trees of unmistakable African origin, the horizons of the Costa Blanca offer the most varied attractions.
From Dénia to Pilar de la Horadada, from Orihuela to the valleys of the Marina Alta, including Villena and Alcoi, the Mediterranean breeze fills this land with light, enveloping the entire region in its exceptionally attractive climate. With complete tourist facilities, spectacular scenery and an extensive culinary palette, the gastronomy on the Costa Blanca never fails to impress the traveller. Its rice dishes, fish and seafood, its fresh vegetables, fruits and exquisite wines go together to make an explosion of tastes and menus all based on the so-called Mediterranean diet.
 The climate offers variations as well. The temperatures are usually mild, the annual average is around 20ºC, and rain is scarce, though logically higher in the mountainous northern sector, in comparison with the lowlands that surround Elche and Orihuela. The fields of almond trees, the vineyards, the fruit orchards and the magnificent palm trees form vegetation that emphasizes the ornate nature of the landscape Something for everyone.
Costa Calida
The Costa Calida is located in the southeast corner of Spain, with the coastline to the south of La Manga, largely overlooked by foreign tourists until relatively recently. But the combination of low cost housing and year-round sunshine (Calida means hot) are now proving powerful magnets for international holidaymakers, investors and British ex-pats who have bought permanent or holiday homes here.
Blessed by the mild Mediterranean climate it has an average 315 days of sun per year. Minimum temperatures range between 12-14C and maximum temperatures between 20-22C in winter. Summer temperatures vary between 18-20C minimum and between 30-35C maximum. The average annual temperature is 18C.
The Costa Calida is easily accessed by air - foreign visitors fly into Murcia's San Javier airport or the major international airport of Alicante, an hour's drive to the north.
The World Health Organisation recently declared the province of Murcia the cleanest area in Spain with the least industrial pollution.
The Mar Menor sea inlet, Europe's biggest salt-water lagoon created by the spit of land known as La Manga del Mar Menor, is believed to have great curative properties for ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis. During the summer months, the water temperature of the Mar Menor rises to that of a warm bath so it's the ideal place to master sports such as sailing, windsurfing, water and jet skiing.
The shallow lagoon is a natural water park providing safe bathing for children and an ideal training base for those wanting to learn a water sport.
At the southern end of the Costa is the popular resort of Mojacar, a beautiful Moorish hilltop town in the province of Almeria. The old town is a delightful cluster of ancient whitewashed buildings served by narrow, winding streets.
The beachfront is a 24-hour playground in the summer months with plenty of water sports and leisure activities by day and a lively nightlife consisting of everything from karaoke to flamenco shows and all-night discos. |
