JOURNEYS4LIFE
  • Home
  • About
  • Land Journeys
    • Tailor-Made Vacations
    • Groups
  • Small Ship Voyages
    • Ocean Cruises
    • River Cruises
  • Blog
  • REVIEWS
  • PLANNING PROCESS
  • UNESCO
  • Privacy Policy

Travel Blog

Marbella, the jewel of Costa del Sol, Spain

10/18/2019

0 Comments

 
Fellow traveler,
Exploring the "Old World" in September is my favorite way to embrace the changing seasons and this fall, my heart was set on Southern Spain. Since growing up in Eastern Europe, I remember people talking about Costa del Sol & Marbella, but wasn't quite sure what all the fuss was about.
​Costa del Sol (the "Sun Coast"), is your Mediterranean escape to the Spanish Riviera. The region is steeped into the traditional culture as much as any other part of Andalusia. From Picasso to bullfighting, to flamenco, and colorful ferias, Costa del Col has an immense cultural offering.
Picture
The region is comprised of small resort towns along the coastline of the province of Malaga, as far south as Gibraltar, and if your time allows, you can even take a day trip to Morocco! As the largest city in the area, Malaga is the main gateway, and from the airport, you can either rent a car or rely on the well-connected local bus companies such as Avanza Portillo to travel up & down the coast.
​Travel Tip:  The easily-recognizable, red-labeled Avanza Bus ticket counter & the bus stop are located right outside of Malaga Airport Arrivals Exit
​Although there are plenty of charming towns along the Costa del Sol such as Fuengirola, Mijas, Estepona, etc., we chose Marbella as a home-base for our one-week, car-free vacation. With a population of over 140,000, the town was larger than we imagined it and is spread out to different neighborhoods. Also, situated just four miles south of the main town, the affluential "Puerto Banus" enclave and its marina is a popular playground for the rich and famous and a quick ride by public bus or ferry service from Marbella. Notably, many of the higher-end hotels are nested on the so-called "Golden Mile" strip (Marbella Club Hotel, Nobu Hotel, Puente Romano), between Puerto Banus and Marbella's center. My family and I stayed in the Town Centre, in a complex located a block from the beach, the sea promenade and 10 min. walk from the historical center.
Travel Tip: The location of your hotel is key if you wish to get around on foot to the main points of interest, alternatively there are regular buses & taxi services to the "Golden Mile" & Puerto Banus.
Marbella's sea promenade is a walker's paradise dotted with hotels, restaurants, bars & shopping that ends in Puerto Banus.  It's a lively place until the wee hours. In near proximity with Marbella's Marina is "Avenida del Mar"- a small, palm-fringed square that connects the beach walk with the Old Town. Take the time to study the Mediterranean inspired bronze sculptures of the Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali -- a real treat for art-aficionados!
Just a short walk from the sea promenade, the Historical Town of Marbella is a cultural treasure and a favorite gathering place for locals & travelers alike. The labyrinth of pedestrian streets is lined up with Castilian Renaissance period buildings, today meticulously restored and converted into boutiques, cafes & trendy alfresco restaurants. Start with leisurely strolling along the spotless, cobblestone streets and slowly taking in the vibrant scene unfolding in front of your eyes. At the moment you might think that you are lost, the streets suddenly emerge into small plazas, home to churches and romantic fountains.
​Right in the middle of this whole maze is the iconic "Plaza de Los Naranjos"(plaza with the orange trees), which dates back to the 15th Century, right after the Christian re-conquest of the city from the Moors), and the historic Town Hall. Dominating the square is the most important building in town, the Church of St Mary, constructed at the beginning of the 17th Century. Go ahead and stay in at one of the plazas for a late-night, live local performance while sipping a glass of Spanish wine.
Between the endless sea promenade, Puerto Banus & the Old Town, combined with the easy day trips to the heart of Andalusia & Gibraltar, Marbella captured our hearts and left long-lasting memories. Are you ready to start planning your vacation to the Spanish Riviera?
CONTACT US
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Alghero
    Amogros
    Angkor Wat
    Bali
    Bali Must See
    Bonifacio
    Cambodia
    Cave Of The Apocalypse
    Chania
    Corsica
    Costa Del Sol
    Crete
    Cultural Heritage
    Egypt
    Egypt Travel
    Elba
    Ephesus
    France
    Greece
    Greek Isles
    Holy Hindu City
    India Travel
    Indonesia
    Italy
    Knights Of Saint John
    Knossos Palace
    Luggage
    Malta
    Marbella
    Mediterranean Cruise
    Mediterranean Vacation
    Monemvasia
    Morocco Travel
    Napoleon Bonaparte
    Neptune's Grotto
    Palma De Mallorca
    Paris
    Patmos
    Pavillion D'Orient Boutique Hotel
    River Cruise
    Ronda
    Sailing Ship
    Sardinia
    Sicily
    Siem Reap
    Small Ship Cruising
    Spain
    Star Clippers
    Syros
    Taormina
    Tonle Sap Lake
    Travel
    Travel Tips
    UNESCO World Heritage Site
    Varanasi
    Windstar Cruises
    Yacht Experience

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

    RSS Feed

(305) 433-1243
Gia@Journeys4Life.com
Picture
Journeys4Life.com, an independent affiliate of Palm Coast Travel, Seller of Travel - CA: 2099900, FL: ST14303, WA: 602904620, IA: 936
  • Home
  • About
  • Land Journeys
    • Tailor-Made Vacations
    • Groups
  • Small Ship Voyages
    • Ocean Cruises
    • River Cruises
  • Blog
  • REVIEWS
  • PLANNING PROCESS
  • UNESCO
  • Privacy Policy

Sign up for updates!

Enter your email to get updates straight to your inbox.