Review: Mister Noodles — Oriental temptations on the Costa del Sol

What started as a small restaurant with a few tables is now about to grow into a group of tasty food venues on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. 

The local Fuengirola branch of Mister Noodles opened some years ago, and has always been popular with both local residents and holidaymakers. 

This branch has since doubled in size, and further branches are soon to be opened in Riviera del Sol in Calahonda and also in Arroyo de la Miel, thus extending the range of this popular and delicious cuisine...  

Read the full article and see all that lovely food at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/348167

Photo essay: Fuengirola, Spain — A springtime beachfront stroll

Spring officially sprang (or is that sprung?) around a month ago, but it was hard to know it. With endless rain, cold winds and chilly nights, it seemed to have gone forever. But now, it seems spring is officially back!

Read more and view photos at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/347445

Bioparc Fuengirola, Spain revisited (video)

After months of wintry weather, spring has arrived on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. The spring weather tempted the writer to take a stroll to the Bioparc Fuengirola to catch up with the residents there.

As spring gradually creeps in, along with quite a few tourists, and with Semana Santa (Saint Week) holidays leading up to the Easter weekend, the writer decided to sneak out of the office today.

Bioparc Fuengirola is literally just around the corner, and it has been a while since the last visit to the former Fuengirola Zoo.
The first thing this writer noticed was that expansion work is going on with some of the animal enclosures, and it was quite strange to actually see the surrounding apartment blocks from within the Bioparc. 

These are normally hidden by walls and trees to keep the feeling of being in a jungle environment. Apparently the construction work will be concluded soon however.

Besides the work going on, the animals appear to be happy and healthy. A visit to the chimpanzees caused much amusement, as this fellow sat on a rock and blew "raspberries" at the surrounding audience, interspersed with huge toothy grins.

A visit to the orangutans from Borneo was surprising. Dad wasn't there. It seems the father orangutan has moved along to another Bioparc in the country, and a youngster has turned up in his place.

Mother and daughter are still doing fine, and it looks like the new addition is a young male. Possibly the Bioparc is thinking ahead to breeding with the young female who is a couple of years old now.

There was an addition of a rope climbing set up in the orangutans' enclosure, and as can be seen in the photo and video above, they were taking full advantage of it, swinging and climbing around.

These Northern Talapoin monkeys appeared to be a new addition, shown here with a baby Colobus monkey in the background:

The buff-cheeked gibbons were a little more outgoing - they have always been very shy, but last year had a baby, who is now an adult:

If you are planning a spring or early summer trip to southern Spain, Fuengirola and its lovely Bioparc are well worth the visit. However, if you prefer not to stay over in this seaside city, there are many lovely villages in the surrounding countryside where you could spend the night in a charming bed & breakfast.

Bear in mind that the weather will be pleasant for the next two to three months before the crazy summer heat sets in.

Read more and see more photos at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/346037

Spring is the time to visit the south of Spain!

After what feels like an endless winter, spring is finally creeping up on us, with some gorgeous warm, sunny days on the way!

As we know, southern Spain can be incredibly hot in the summer months, especially July and August, so springtime is probably the very best time for a relaxing holiday in the warm sunshine.

Had enough of the coastal towns, crowded beaches and English pubs?  Maybe take a different route this spring and visit the more rural areas.  Sheer beauty, incredible views, and yet still within easy reach of the major attractions.

The hillsides are gradually covering with their spring plumage, making it a pleasure to drive along, visiting the many small villages inland from the Costa del Sol.

All Spain Rural Accommodation has recently added some wonderful new charming and rural bed & breakfast options in the countryside:

1.  In Axarquia - mountainous land of white villages, olive and almond trees and wonderful country views, lies Casa Colina, a beautifully renovated farmhouse, run by Paul and Niki.


A great place to stay if you are looking to explore the sites of Andalucia or just relax by the pool in beautiful surroundings.

Lunches and dinners are prepared daily from locally sourced produce, including fresh eggs from their 12 hens and home-reared chickens. All meats used at Casa Colina are free range and where possible organic.

Guests can choose from 4 individually styled suites, all of which have a drinks fridge and tea/coffee making facilities.  And just look at the view!

2.  Near the historic and fascinating mountaintop town of Ronda, we can find Montejaque, an intriguing and typical Andalucian village in the mountains, surrounded by wonderful views.

If you would love to visit Ronda, but prefer to stay somewhere a little quieter, the perfect bed & breakfast option is Casa el Corchito:


Located in the village of Montejaque, near Ronda, Andalucia, Spain, enjoy a relaxing stay in a friendly and smokefree environment. Clean, comfortable and affordable.

Casa El Corchito is located in the Andalucian mountains on the edge of Grazalema Natural Park, only 15 km from the historic town Ronda.

The surrounding area will attract you to experience a mixture of a relaxing, a sportive and cultural holiday.  You can enjoy a good climate, all year round, many interesting sites (historical, cultural and natural, easy travelling distance to the beaches and cities and many sports opportunities, including climbing cycling and walking, especially with 3 natural parks close by.

Of Dutch origin, the owners, Rob and Coby will ensure a pleasant stay and will assist with all your touring, walking, and watersports needs.

So consider southern Spain for a warm break in springtime.  You will not regret it!

Málaga city, gateway to the Costa del Sol, southern Spain

Málaga is one of those cities that you fly into, and of course, out of, when arriving for a vacation and flying off home again.  However, the city is so much more than an airport!  Take the time to visit before setting off on your beach or rural Spanish holiday.

The second largest city in Andalucia, southern Spain has a lot to offer.  A cosmopolitan and attractive city, with its contrasts of ancient and modern, there is something for everyone to explore.

The city is the birth place of a couple of famous people including the artist Pablo Picasso and another son of Málaga, a certain Antonio Banderas, still "treads the boards" there from time to time.

In the newer section of the city, you will find modern department stores, like El Corte Inglés, and shopping malls full of temptations. 

You can stroll Calle Larios and view the best of fashion along the way, plus enjoy the human statues (street artists), reminiscent of Las Ramblas in Barcelona.



However, for many people, the older, narrow and winding streets are far more interesting, with little seafood restaurants and tapas bars dotted here and there, and fascinating little shops hiding just around the corner. 

If you follow Calle Larios you can find these fascinating little streets as side-shoots of the main "drag", sometimes even finding an artist at work.



In the older area, you will also find the Cathedral of Málaga - a beautiful Renaissance building with a baroque and very lovely façade. However, when visiting, beware of the gypsies haunting the entrance to the cathedral, who will try their best to take a few Euros from you.



The interior is fascinating with its curves and high ceilings.



Close by is the Plaza de la Merced, a huge town square surrounded by restaurants and bars and a great place to take a rest on your tour.  Here you will also find the house in which Pablo Picasso was born. Worth a visit, although there is a little to see except the clothing worn by Picasso when he was christened!  Also you are not allowed to take photos inside the house - if you try, your camera will be confiscated and locked away until you leave - I speak from experience and was surprised I didn't get my knuckles rapped too!



More interesting in the Museo Picasso (or Picasso Museum), where you can view many of the fine works of the artist as well as other famous artists:



Around the corner is La Alcazaba, a Moorish creation from the mid fifteenth century.  The architecture is fascinating and if you have a bit of energy, you can climb right to the top where the Gibralfaro Castle is located, with amazing views across the bay and countryside. 



A note of interest is that there is a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the grounds of La Alcazaba.  However, this is undergoing renovation at present and can only be seen through the fence.

Right next door to the castle is the amazing Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, one of the famous Paradores of Spain - a range of luxury hotels, most of which are in converted castles, palaces and convents.  Luxury with great food, and amazing views!  The photo below was taken from the writer's balcony at the hotel, showing the bull ring and port.



Back down the hill, we find Calle Alameda and the Botanical Gardens, which run through the centre of the city.  A beautiful, restful and leafy place to relax and catch your breath.
Getting back to Antonio Banderas, if you enjoy theatre, Teatro Cervantes is worth a visit, and Antonio still appears there from time to time.



Wherever you go in the city, you will find a range of excellent restaurants, cafés and tapas bars.  Enjoy a range of both local and international food, but especially try the Andalucian specialities including “pescaito frito”, a selection of small fried fish including sardines and red mullet.  Enjoy the catch of the day and wash it down with a fine Spanish wine.

Lest we forget!  Yes, Málaga also has sandy and beautiful beaches to catch a tan, and you can also visit the Port of Málaga to see the incoming cruise ships and ferries from around the world.



If you don't have the time to stay in Málaga longer, try and make a plan to tag a day on to the beginning or end of your holiday to explore this fascinating city.  Jump into a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the ride - you will not regret it!

Photo essay: A little bit of life in the countryside of Spain

Even in winter, the countryside in southern Spain has something to offer. Warm sunshine, wildflowers blooming and farmers working the fields.

I had to babysit my son's dogs, yet again, as he and his girlfriend took a short trip to the Gibraltar area.

As always, things were very quiet, and of course, the Internet was deadly slow.

As is always the best option, I had the camera with me and got a few views, starting in the dewy, early morning, and concluding at sunset....

Read more and see more photos: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/340135

A little bit of Christmas in Fuengirola, Spain - Photo essay.

While we bask in unseasonably warm sunshine, Fuengirola is getting ready for Christmas, with lights and decorations galore, and everyone is going shopping, shopping, shopping.

Just past the winter solstice, today is unbelievably warm. 21 degrees Celsius, with warm sunshine, clear blue skies and no wind at all. The tourists are in heaven, and we don't mind either!

In the run up to the Christmas festivities, the shops are busy and while people are probably buying less, and cheaper, business does seem to be booming. Supermarkets have many special offers going, which helps with preparations for the festivities.

© Anne Sewell

One thing that is always noticeable at this time of year is that people smile a bit more readily, and greet you as you walk along. Even the normally grouchy ones, who will no doubt be back to normal once 2013 is here!

© Anne Sewell

The Christmas lights here in Fuengirola, are, I think a bit boring this year. What happens is that the street lights, and the main Christmas tree in the plaza are shared with other surrounding pueblos, to keep them varied. This year, I think, Fuengirola pulled the short stick.

While some streets look colorful, for the most part it's a very monochromatic Christmas. Especially the main decor in front of the town hall, in the Plaza de España.

© Anne Sewell

And sometimes reflections of the lights can be better than the real thing:

© Anne Sewell

From different angles, with the lights on the olive trees in the plaza, it can make for an interesting view:

© Anne Sewell

Just for fun and comparison, I am including views of previous Christmases, which I think were better. Especially when taken in the rain.

© Anne Sewell

And in the early evening, with the children playing:

© Anne Sewell

The side streets have some more colorful decor, with the Camino de Coin displaying poinsettias:

© Anne Sewell

There were Christmas carols in the Plaza de España yesterday evening, and while the weekend will be relatively quiet, on Monday, Christmas Eve, the Spanish will be celebrating with their families and lots of good food and English and South African residents will be overeating on Christmas Day, as per usual.

And while those other than the Spanish will enjoy their gifts on the 25th, the Spanish children get to wait for January 6, when the Three Kings come to visit, with the festival of "Los Tres Reyes Magos."

The Plaza de la Constitución is always pretty - here is a view from a couple of years ago, with the church in the background, and an attractive deer in the foreground (which is lit at night).

© Anne Sewell

Let's take this opportunity of wishing everyone, everywhere in the world a wonderful Festive Season, whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or other local festivities, from everyone here in Fuengirola, Spain.

© Anne Sewell

© Anne Sewell

And of course, a very happy and hopefully prosperous New Year in 2013:

© Anne Sewell

Other photo essays on Fuengirola, Spain:

Photo Essay: 'PictoParque' — Art in the park in Fuengirola, Spain

Photo Essay: Dog and cat friends in Fuengirola, Spain
Photo Essay: Changing moods of the Mediterranean

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339626

Autumn light in the southern Spanish countryside (video/photos)

While southern Spain doesn't experience the glorious splash of autumn colours experienced elsewhere in the world, there are some attractive sights to see in the countryside. This article shows some views near Coín in the province of Málaga, Spain.

The writer was recently stuck in the middle of nowhere, looking after her son's house and dogs while he visited Barcelona for a few days.

With a very slow Internet connection, and not much else happening, photography and videography called.  She even got up at dawn, which is a rare experience (even when dawn is at 8:00 am!). The colors in the sky were quite beautiful to view... read more, see photos and view video.

Op-Ed: Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen: A special event in Fuengirola

Monday is a public holiday on the south coast of Spain, for a very good reason. The annual Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen is on the agenda.

The Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen.

On the evening of July 16, the fishing villages and towns up and down the southern coast of Spain, celebrate a special event, where the fishermen pay tribute to their saint, and also take her for a spin out to sea... read more and view photos.

Review: Hotel Los Castaños — Boutique hotel in Andalucía, Spain

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Serranía de Ronda, this charming Moroccan themed hotel is the perfect place to relax.

Hotel Los Castaños is located in Cartajima, a traditional white village (or "pueblo blanco"), just a short drive from the historic town of Ronda. Cartajima is also convenient for visits to the romantic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz and Jerez.

Located in the heart of the village next to the church and the Town Hall, the hotel is convenient to shops, restaurants and bars in the area.

The Moroccan theme of the hotel is charming and attractive, and all rooms are extremely comfortable. Owners Di and John are always unobtrusively on hand with tourism assistance... read full review.

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.

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