Op-Ed: Sunday travel ― 'Life's a beach' in Fuengirola, Spain

Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol is famous for its 5 km stretch of sandy, well-kept beaches, running from the Sohail Castle all the way through to Torreblanca.

Relatively empty out of season but packed in summer, the beaches curve along the coastline with many restaurants, bars and chiringuitos (beach cafes) to choose from.

A beach promenade (Paseo Maritimo Rey de España) runs the full length, giving opportunities for strolling, jogging, power walking or just for simply walking the dogs in the fresh sea air... read full article.

Benalmádena cableway: sea views, mountain walks and eagles

When visiting the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, why not take a trip in a cable car to the top of a mountain, where you can enjoy mountain strolls, wonderful views and a visit to the eagles.

Just above Arroyo de la Miel (River of Honey) in the town of Benalmádena Costa you can take the ride of a lifetime.

A cable car runs to the summit of the 769-metre Calamorro mountain, providing panoramic views of the coast, the Sierra Nevada mountains, Gibraltar and on clear days, even the Moroccan coastline... read full article.

Ronda, Spain - historic city perched on a mountain top

When visiting the Costa del Sol in sunny Spain, there's a magical place just waiting for you, just a short drive from Marbella and on top of a mountain.

OK, the drive up to Ronda can be a tad daunting as it winds around the hillside, but the views on the way (for passengers at least!) are astounding. And what you will find at the top makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Ronda, whilst traditionally Spanish, incorporates a lot of history - from the Romans to the Moors, they have all left their mark in the well preserved ruins and buildings to be found in the town.

Pictured on the left is the "New Bridge", which spans a deep gorge, El Tajo. While it was built some years ago, the name New Bridge has somehow stuck.

When crossing the bridge the view down to the bottom of the gorge is astounding and on either side of the gorge, houses seem to just cling to the edges and look likely to fall at any moment... read full article.

Ronda, Spain - historic city perched on a mountain top

When visiting the Costa del Sol in sunny Spain, there's a magical place just waiting for you, just a short drive from Marbella and on top of a mountain.

OK, the drive up to Ronda can be a tad daunting as it winds around the hillside, but the views on the way (for passengers at least!) are astounding. And what you will find at the top makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Ronda, whilst traditionally Spanish, incorporates a lot of history - from the Romans to the Moors, they have all left their mark in the well preserved ruins and buildings to be found in the town.

Pictured on the left is the "New Bridge", which spans a deep gorge, El Tajo. While it was built some years ago, the name New Bridge has somehow stuck.

When crossing the bridge the view down to the bottom of the gorge is astounding and on either side of the gorge, houses seem to just cling to the edges and look likely to fall at any moment... read full article.

Mijas Pueblo, traditional white village in Southern Spain

Mijas Pueblo is a traditional white village (or pueblo blanco) located in Andalucia in Southern Spain. The town nestles on the hillside with beautiful mountain and sea views.

Mijas Pueblo is part of the Mijas Municipality, which includes Mijas Costa (the coastal beach town), Mijas Golf (golfers' paradise) and Mijas Las Lagunas, an inland town close to the coast and Fuengirola.

The pueblo is the original town of Mijas and is among the many beautiful white villages in the area. Perched high on the mountainside it offers spectacular views to the Mediterranean below and a scenic backdrop of mountains and endless pine forests. On entering the village, it is possible to see the ancient spring, which still provides natural mineral water... read full article.

'Walking Gallery' - an artistic breath of fresh air in Spain

Spanish artists can now regularly be seen walking on the streets and beaches displaying their art. Why wait in a gallery for people to come and see your work, when you can take it to the people? No more walls!

Walking Gallery is run under the direction of Spanish artist José Puig, and presents another brand new route through the city of Barcelona, with a great number of participating artists displaying high quality work.

Other cities are also getting into the action, including Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Zaragoza and Vigo in Spain, and also Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Their mantra? "NO MORE WALLS!"

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/322577

Nerja, Spain: absolute charm, with a balcony overlooking the sea

Perched on the rocky coastline, east of Málaga city, is the "The Jewel of the Costa del Sol", a small town called Nerja.

When visiting the Costa del Sol, it is definitely worth travelling around 40 minutes by car from Málaga to visit this charming town. You can also catch a bus from the centre of Málaga.

Surrounded by the Sierra de Almijara mountains, with magnificent views over the sea, the town truly is "The Jewel of the Costa del Sol".

The following is a brief introduction to the major sights of Nerja....

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/322555

Málaga, Spain ― Birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas

The birthplace of Picasso and Banderas is a great mixture of ancient and modern.

While most people just fly in and out of Málaga on their Costa del Sol holiday, the city has its own unique charms and history.

A lot of people probably know that Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso was born in Málaga, Spain.

What's that? Too long for you? OK, just plain old Pablo Picasso.

The famous Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer was born in the house to the left on October 25, 1881 and passed away on April 8, 1973

But did you know that the famous Spanish actor, José Antonio Domínguez Banderas, was also born there?

Known more commonly as Antonio Banderas, he still "treads the boards" in Málaga from time to time and supports the local theater community.

While you won't find any buildings dedicated to Banderas in Málaga, you can visit the birthplace of Picasso and also a museum displaying both his and other famous Spanish art.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/322379

Estepona - A calm place on the Costa del Sol, Spain

While the teeming hordes flock to Fuengirola, Marbella and Torremolinos in the summer months, Spanish tourists prefer a much quieter place.

Estepona, a typical Spanish seaside town nests on the coast, along the highway between popular, trendy Marbella and the famous Rock of Gibraltar.

A little off the tourist-beaten track, and nowhere near the Fuengirola-Málaga Renfe circular rail service, the town enjoys a quieter experience in the summer months. Air-conditioned buses do run to the town, so it is accessible to tourists, but many can't be bothered to make the trek.

However, the Spanish make their way down from the extreme summer heat of Sevilla or Cordoba to thoroughly enjoy their summer holidays in the pretty town.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/322322