Marbella
This luxurious resort town only a short drive from Malaga Airport seems to have
it all and is, once again, rising to the fore as a favourite location with
the rich and famous, as well as more ordinary folk who are willing to pay just
a little bit extra for southern Spain's answer to St Tropez. |
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Not too long ago, Marbella sharpened its image still more thanks
to a considerable investment initiated by the town's colourful
and controversial former mayor, Jesus Gil which resulted in
a massive landscaping drive.
But Marbella has a down to earth side as well, an air of individuality
which can be best appreciated by exploring back streets in
the old part of town. One of the prettiest places is the fabled
'Orange Square' which is located just off the main street in
the older district and is also home to the 16th century town
hall and tourist office where you can pick up a detailed map
and visitor information.
Back to Orange Square, or "La Plaza de los Naranjos",
as it is called in Spanish, expect to meet with stately buildings,
small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros and is a hub of
activity day and night. And, depending on the time of year,
the colours here can be vibrant, with the trees and exotic
tropical plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings
and a deep blue sky.
Be sure to 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. There
are numerous excellent restaurants to choose from, ranging
from those specialising in the predictably pricey exclusive
cordon bleu to the gritty individuality of a backstreet Spanish
bar where the Serrano ham is gently cured by tobacco smoke
and the tapas cost 1 euro each and are both tasty and filling.
Back towards the coast is the La Alameda park where you can
book your personal horse and carriage to travel in style or,
if you prefer, stroll on towards the sea along the Avenida
del Mar. This is arguably one of the most delightful promenades
on the costa, flanked by classy restaurants and bars and mercifully
free of concrete skyscrapers. |
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