TRAVEL SPAIN

The Costa del Sol has not been named the Costa del Golf without good reason, it is simply a golfers paradise, there are some 69 golf courses in Andalucia , of which 45 are situated along the Costa del Sol, four of those are ranked in the top 10 in Europe, add to that a fantastic all year round climate and you are most definitely in golfing heaven !!.

This concentration of quality courses along with an excellent warm and sunny climate has proven to be a must golfing winter destination to many thousands of northern Europeans each year.

Valderama was chosen for the Ryder cup in 1997 which ironically was almost washed out due to the heavy rains, however even the unusually wet weather couldn't dampen the atmosphere during those momentous days for the European team. This year Valderrama golf club will celebrate in style as the Volvo Masters commemorates its 20th anniversary, the longest-running single sponsorship in European golf. The tournament will be played between the 1st and 4th November 2007

Due largely to the success of the Ryder Cup, golf was taken to new levels on the Costa del Sol as it gained universal recognition and along with it more quality courses where constructed to supply the ever increasing demand. Our complete guide to golf courses on the costa del Sol provides information and full details of each course.

Some of the new additions to the Coast is the excellent 9 hole par 3 Greenlife course situated in the Urb Elviria in Marbella. There is also the increasingly popular Cabopino Golf Club, a short testing 18-hole course designed by Spanish architect Juan Ligues. A short drive along the coast road towards Marbella situated in front of the prestigious Los Monteros luxury Hotel lies the beautiful Santa Clara Golf , a well maintained course with wide fairways and little rough. Another popular and family orientated course with both the local and expat community is Baviera Golf which lies east of Malaga approximately 5 minutes drive from the Village of Velez Malaga. This challenging but not over difficult course offers nice open fairways , lush greens and spectacular views to sea and mountains. Really good to see so many families out playing at this course including the younger members.

Due to the increasing demand of golfers who enjoy playing 9 holes instead of the usual 18, some excellent smaller Par 3 courses have sprung up all along the Costa del Sol. These courses are very player friendly, great value , help your short game tremendously and can be played easily in around 2 hours making them ideal for the local golfing enthusiast who's time and funds maybe limited. The pick of these courses include, Greenlife, El Candado, La Siesta, La Noria, Monte Paraiso, Magna Marbella , Alhaurin and Benalmadena Golf.

A special mention must go to the spectacular La Cala Golf Resort which is now the biggest in Spain since the third ( Europa Course ) came into play. This resort truly encumbers the spirit of a complete golfing community which includes 3 championship courses, a fabulous club house and restaurant, well structured property developments around the courses, many competitions for players all ages and standards, the elite David Leadbetter Golf Academy , a small par 3 course, great practice facilities and a well stocked pro shop. A real must on the itinerary of all players visiting the Costa del Sol.

Due to the high prices of property close to the coast and lack of building land in those areas the promoters know well the importance of Golf courses to interest an tempt future property buyers to Spain. The Spanish tourism authorities are also highly aware of the lucrative commercial benefits of offering quality golfing facilities . The average golfer will spend some 120 Euros a day whilst the conventional tourist spends little more than 38 Euros. 80% of golfing visitors will repeat the same course as well as trying others. 16 new course are planed on the Costa del Sol with a further 19 in the Cadiz region which includes the increasingly popular Costa de la Luz. This means huge investments in Spain and the creation of hundreds of Jobs which is as we all know is music to any politicians ears and so the efforts to build on and sustain manageable quality golfing tourism is of the up most
importance to all concerned.

So whether you are an experienced player or simply a beginner there are courses on the Costa del Sol to suit all tastes and requirements, playing standards and individual or group requirements....but remember during the high season to ensure your favorite course is available don't be disappointed and book your tee times early whenever possible.

Velez Malaga

Capital of the Axarquia comarca, Velez Malaga, also known as Velez, is a bustling market town and the supply centre for the regions farmers. Situated east of Malaga and 4 kilometres inland from Torre del Mar, Velez Malaga, despite its close proximity to the coast, is a traditional Spanish city which is not dominated by the tourist industry. Famous for its agricultural production of vines, olives, sugar cane, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables, it is one of the most important cities in the comarca. Velez Malaga is also home to a variety of intriguing architecture and ancient palaces, with origins dating back to the Pheonicians and the Carthaginians.

Attractions and Sightseeing

Sightseeing is bountiful in Velez Malaga with numerous places of interest scattered throughout the historic town. If you fancy tasting the regions most beloved wares, then a trip to the market cannot be missed. The weekly market takes place every Thursday without fail, and makes for an exciting sensory experience for all the family. Be sure to take your wallet as you will more than likely want to indulge in the incredible fresh, local produce.

For the history buffs out there, La Fortaleza is bound to inspire. Built in the 13^th century, this monumental castle is perched high above the city providing breathtaking panoramic views of Velez Malaga and the Torre del Mar area. Once used as a royal residence, jail and courthouse, La Fortaleza is steeped in history. Other notable attractions in Velez Malaga include Palacio de los Marquesas de Beniel, the church of Santa Maria la Mayor, and the Convento de Las Carmelitas.

Famous Fiestas of Velez Malaga

Anyone who has not experienced a Spanish fiesta has not truly experienced Spain! If you are looking to a true taste of Spanish life, joining in with the celebrations and local fiestas is simply a must. With that in mind, it is a great idea to time your visit to the town to coincide with one of the many vibrant, colourful and exciting fiestas. The biggest celebrations are held in Semana Santa, which is the week preceding Easter, with the main festivities being played out in the Axarquia district. Other important times to note down if you are looking to join in with some fiesta fun in Velez are July, when there are two fiestas, and late October, which is another large scale celebration in honour of the towns patron San Miguel.

Getting Around

Velez has been a rapidly expanding for a number of years now, and to cope with the increased demand lots of work has been done to improve the local and regional transport systems. There is a tram system in place which carries passengers from Velez to Torre Del Mar every 30 minutes or so, and this makes a trip to the beach extremely convenient and cheap. Torre Del Mar also has an abundance of shops and restaurants to explore and enjoy, with an especially eclectic atmosphere at the seaside resort. The bus station has been expanded upon in recent times offering more local and national services. It is now possible to get coaches to lots of the major Spanish cities directly from Velez Malaga, enabling much more varied day excursion options.

Subsequently one of the best and most economic ways to explore the region is by car hire. There are some great car rental deals, starting from as little as 9 Euros a day.

Traveller's Tips

Spain is considered to be a very safe place to visit on the whole, and the quaint and charismatic city of Velez Malaga is an ideal location for a family holiday. General advice given to travellers is simply to be aware of personal possessions when in public places, such as beaches and shopping centres as pickpockets do operate in the larger city complexes where there are lots of people around. This is not a major problem in Velez, but is something to be aware of if you are visiting Malaga or any of the other larger cities. It is always advisable that you take out travel insurance, especially if you are going to travel with medical conditions, as it gives you an extra level of security and makes the process of getting treatment hassle free. An absolute minimum requirement is that all travellers carry their European Health Insurance Card as this entitles you to receive free treatment in Spanish hospitals and doctors surgeries.

The Costa Del Sol has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world as it offers something for the whole family. The beautiful sandy beaches and lively resorts draw holiday makers in every year, and with more than 300 days of sun a year it really does live up to its name  Sunny Coast.

There are plenty of great places to visit on the Costa Del Sol where you can relax on the beach or enjoy a round of golf. However, if youre looking for a more traditional Spanish experience why not head off the beaten track a bit.

Mijas

A tranquil way of life is clearly evident in Mijas Pueblo and the distinct lack of cars indicates how far removed from typical Spanish holiday destinations it is. Most of the narrow streets are one-way and horse drawn carriages are the main mode of transport. Tourism does still play a big part of the villagers lives however (despite the peaceful appearance) and attractions such as horse drawn carriage rides are very popular.

The town boasts a number of bars and restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine, and evening entertainment can be found at the weekly flamenco shows held in the main square. Festivals and processions are also held though out the year providing a taste of Spain that most people dont get to see.

Estepona

Estepona is another interesting town in Costa Del Sol. Not only does it have beautiful sandy beaches which are ideal for a relaxing Costa Del Sol holiday, but it is also host to the famous Estepona Bullring and many other cultural attractions.

The town has managed to keep its charm and authentic Spanish roots despite its growth in tourism and is a great destination if you want all the tradition of an old Spanish town mixed with a great range of quality hotels, restaurants and facilities.

While on your Costa Del Sol holiday a visit to Esteponas town market and tourist market are a must. Fresh fruit and veg can be found at these as well as many other products like leather, jewellery and art. Barter with the stall owners and find yourself a bargain.

The Costa del Sol is planing to re shape its future as a top travel and tourism destination to compete with the ever changing faces of the world tourism market.

The Internet has created a more "self service traveler " , cheap flights, and a move away from the package holiday has prompted the Costa del Sol and Spain in general to rethink its strategy for the future.

People come to Spain for the climate, to relax and enjoy themselves, the beaches and its culture and staying one step ahead of market trends and investing wisely by the local and regional authorities will undoubtedly improve the infrastructure and image of the Costa del Sol for both tourists and residents alike and keep it as one of Europe's favourite tourist destination for many years to come.