Mayor attractions
The cultural richness of Poniente Granadino is shown in the declaration of some historical towns by the Andalusian Autonomous Government: Loja, Alhama, Montefrio and Moclin. Alhama is a major spa, a paradise of vegetation and water with thermal springs that gush out at 47C. The therapeutic value of the waters was already well known by the Romans and the Arabs. A network of rivers and streams criss-crosses the region. Over the centuries they have eaten away at the rocks to form spectacular valleys and gorges like those in Alhama, Cacin, Montefrio, Loja and Moclin.

A touch of history
Poniente Granadino is known as ‘The last arabian frontier of Spain’. This slogan represents the important role that these towns and their people played during the final years of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, the last muslim presence in Spain. Remains of the moorish cvilization as well as archeological vestiges that go back to paleolithic times, together with buildings made after the Christian conquer are splitted out through the landscape.

Activities
The region offers a wealth of outdoor activities. Donkey riding in Tajo de Alhama, trout fishing in Riofrio, off-road driving, pony-trekking and mountan-biking in the Sierra de Loja and the Natural Park of Sierra de Tejeda, Alhama and Almijara, hiking in Montefrio, gliding from the Cuesta de la Palma aerodrome in Loja or climbing in the ‘Paso de la Burra’ in Loja are just a few. The differences of altitude means vast array of different, breathtaking scenarios for the nature lover.

Cuisine
The history and tradition of the Poniente Granadino are reflected in its local dishes. Meat is an essential part of such well-known delights as ‘choto al ajillo’ or veal with garlic, a dish of fairly certan moorish orgin, and pork stuffing and sausages. During the hunting season, partridge and rabbit form the basis of the dishes in the north of the region. In the centre of the region the two most outstanding specialities are the green-violet asparagus from Huetor-Tajar and trout from Riofrio. In the south of the region the traveller cannot afford to miss the delicious ‘Olla jamena’, eaten with wine produced in Alhama. Also highly appreciated are the sweetmeats produced by monasteries, featuring such mouth-watering delights as ‘Roscos de San Anton’ o, ‘Bienmesabe’, and the ‘Rosco de Alhahud’.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-last-arabian-frontier-of-spain-274650.html

About the Author:

Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe’s most popular online car rental services to help travellers find car hire in granada at low cost prices. Visit www.hispacar.com for a free online car hire quote.

In the area of “Loma de Enmedio”, just 4km away from Gaucin, the remnants of an ancient necropolis can be found. Although this points to an occupation of the area by an ancient civilisation, there is a commonly held belief that it was the Romans who founded the village, mainly due to the fact that there are remains of Roman buildings just 8km away in Casa del Abrevadero.

As was the case in many Roman occupied regions, roadways were an integral part of the communication network and this area is no exception. Paved roads can be found between Gibraltar and Ronda and the Romans used the dry river beds and Valle de Guadiaro to have the roads go up to the mines at Los Reales and Hacho de Gaucin, passing through Lacipo on the way.

The village of Gaucin is characterized by the steepness of its streets and the multitude of steps built as a result of this. The whitewashed houses of the village, built in the style popularised by the Muslims, make it one of the most beautiful of the Sierra de Ronda region. During the 19th century, many artists were attracted to the village as they had a ready source of inspiration at their disposal.

The Castille de Gaucin, now in ruins, once sat proudly on the tallest of the peaks in the inhabited area. Three wells and an excavation, possibly an Arab escape route, can be found in the immediate vicinity of the building and to the west is the San Nino chapel, used at one time as barracks for the soldiers of the castle.

The restored San Sebastian parish church, which dates back to the 16th century, is located in the centre of the village and is just one of many important monuments that are part of the village’s heritage. Others include the 18th century Fuente de los Seis Canos and grand houses of the 17th and 18th centuries. The skill of the craftsmen during the periods in which these houses were built can still be seen in the intricate designs of the balconies and doors.

The villagers of Gaucin celebrate one of their fiestas, the Romeria de San Juan, by vacating the village for the day and spending their time in the surrounding countryside in an event involving a great deal of dancing and music, which goes on long into the night.

Another of the fiestas, The Toro de Cuerda which occurs on Easter Sunday, is one of the ‘running of the bulls’ in which large numbers of (mainly) young men try to prove how brave they are by running in front of the charging animals.

The Feria de Agosto, is held in the 2nd week of August and is a fiesta in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves with another fiesta on the last Sunday of August celebrating the day Jesus appeared as a child to San Juan de Dios in 1536.

Gaucin cuisine is derived from the traditional agricultural products from the region, which is evident by the fact that each of the seasons brings its own delicacies. For example, spring is when dishes including the season’s wild herbs, fennel and asparagus can be enjoyed. Gazpacho, which is a soup served cold in summer, is another typical dish of the region, but the people of Gaucin also eat it hot during the winter months. Winter also brings another of their favourite dishes to the table; called Migas, it is made up of breadcrumbs in olive oil and is served with fish and fruits such as melon, olives and grapes.

Pork and rabbit are popular meats that are used as an ingredient in a variety of dishes as are the Spanish style stews that include chickpeas. These are year round dishes and are not really season dependant as much as the other traditional recipes and with the people of the Valle del Genal area enjoying a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables they can only be complimented on their healthy, balanced diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/gaucin-spain-do-all-roads-really-lead-to-rome-309330.html

About the Author:

Written by Mark Buckingham for Rentaccomspain.com. Rent or buy your perfect Spanish retreat direct from the owner. Find other articles on Spain here Find properties to buy in Spain here

Sightseeing

The most often visited attractions of in the area are the golden, sandy beaches, scattered along the almost 300 kilometers of coastline. Granada exhibits the commonly visited, 14th Century, Alhambra palace-fortress, which is a spectacular Moorish architecture in Spain. Two other popular historical tourist attractions in the region include the 15th Century Alcazabar, a Moorish Fort situated in Malaga and also the Cathedral, known as La Manquita, which means “the little one armed lady”

Further inland the topology of the area becomes very mountainous with beautiful elegant Spanish villages and spectacular views with valleys packed full of orchards. This is a sheltered region due to the mountain ranges creating a mild, stable climate with slight prevailing sea breezes and little rainfall. Sub-Tropical vegetation flourishes in this part of Spain, such plants include the common palm trees, as well as cypresses, hibiscus and oleanders. Vegetation here is very colourful with village and town streets lined with orange trees.

Shopping

There are a wide range of shops in the area including designer fashion, home ware, and hyper market specials. Paseo Maritimo is an excellent place to shop in Marbella and Feria del Libro, is a well visited flea market in Malaga. Malaga is the fifth largest city in Spain and is located in the center of the Costa del Sol, as mentioned above; Malaga contains a wealth of interesting features such as the magnificent gardens and cathedrals. Torremolinos offers a range of wonderful shops which have been built where the old fishermans quarters were originally found. Places to visit and stroll around include Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, and Estepona, which are all beautiful places, great for shopping, especially Estepona, which has five star shopping. Numerous golf courses can also be found scattered throughout the area.

Food and Drink

There is an abundance of restaurants catering for the British and German tourists in the Costa del Sol, including the traditional Spanish tapas, which are a popular traditional food. Fresh seafood and Spanish meat dishes are a common meal in the area. There are plenty of coffee bars, trendy bars and clubs that remain open till the early hours of the morning.

Accomodation

Accommodation in the Costa del Sol caters for everyone and suits all budgets. The majority of hotels and apartments offer amazing facilities with restaurants and bars, swimming pools, saunas, and Jacuzzis and are situated either in the centre or on the outskirts where it is quieter. There are also several campsites in the area to suit the needs for those self catering families.

Getting There

Malaga International Airport offers connecting flights to all major European cities and a number of worldwide destinations. Other options include the frequent bus and rail services that operate in and out of the city, connecting easily with Gibraltar, Seville, Madrid, Alicante and Valencia via major motorways.

Article source: www.articlesbase.com
About the Author
Doug Scott works and writes for Self Catering budget car rental. Doug is also a freelance writer for The Villa Rental Site

The Spanish tourism flourishes every year because it is one of the most affordable and easy to reach destinations in Europe offering a variety of choices regarding accommodations, travelling means and entertainment. The hotels in Costa del Sol are always full of tourists, due to the fact that the region has great potential. There is something interesting to do for everyone, from families, who want to have fun with the children, to singles looking to hang out on the beach and enjoy the nightlife. There are hotels in Costa del Sol to cater for all tastes and needs. For example, families who want to spend quality time with their children can stay in some hotels in Costa del Sol which are closer to the Selwo Wildlife Park. Depending on what you plan on doing during your holiday, the region has it all.

The region was discovered for international tourism only in the 1950 and it became renowned for its beautiful beaches. But this is not the only a reason for the hotels in Costa del Sol to always be full of visitors. Lately, another attraction has drawn tourists – golf. The vast number of high-quality golf courses in the area has contributed to the increase in tourism and to the fact that a lot of complexes have started to be built. The scenery is wonderful for those romantic persons willing to relax and spend some time admiring the area. The Mediterranean Sea, seen from the transformed sunny coast or from the window of your hotel in Costa del Sol, is undeniably wonderful. White-washed villas, high buildings and the hotels in Costa del Sol bring the region a personal light full of charm and satisfactory for all tastes. As the area is heavily urbanised, it doesn’t matter if you’ve checked in one of the hotels in Costa del Sol or if you prefer a villa, architectural styles create an unforgettable mixture ready to please anyone.

For water park amateurs, there are some hotels in Costa del Sol which are close to Torremolinos where there are 2 such parks with plenty of water slides that are great fun. Also, for those with more cultural tastes, finding a stay in Costa de Sol hotels, closer to Malaga, is very helpful because in this city you can visit the Picasso Museum. Last, but not least, if you are a plant lover, you can’t miss the chance to visit the Bonsai Museum or the Botanical Gardens. Of course, there are plenty of Costa del Sol hotels close to these areas.

Undoubtedly, most hotels in Costa del Sol are situated along the beach of the Mediterranean Sea, as the main attraction for people who come here is this – lazing on the beach, enjoying tasty drinks, getting a nice tan and forgetting all about the hardships of life. Costa del Sol hotels are the most popular because it is more comfortable for those who are looking to relax and unwind to spend as little time on the road between destinations. They can easily go to the beach and come back to the Costa del Sol hotels to rest and have launch.

The most distinguished city in the Costa del Sol region is Marbella, the place where the king of Saudi Arabia built one of his palaces. There are numerous hotels in Marbella, due to the fact that the area has a huge number of tourists every year. Its popularity is surpassed only by the quality of the offered services. Because of the competition, it is only normal for the hotels in Marbella to have become more and more customer – oriented. Therefore, no matter what you want, everything is of excellent taste and quality, especially when it comes to the few Marbella hotels situated in the harbour – Puerto Banus. They might however be more expensive than the hotels in other parts of Costa del Sol, due to the fact that Marbella hotels have only three or four stars. Staying in one of the hotels in Marbella might cost you more, but you can have it all right there, even a small kitchen. Also, there are Marbella hotels which offer suites, not simple rooms, and they are all as luxurious as you can imagine.

People who want to spend less money on housing and still spend their time in the heart of Costa del Sol can do so by staying in one of the cheaper Marbella hotels situated a little further away. It’s a fifteen minute drive from these hotels to the core of the excitement. However, due to the fact that renting a car or paying for a cab is quite expensive, in the end, one might end up paying even more than by staying in one of the hotels in Marbella to begin with.

The advantages of staying in the comfort of one of the hotels in Marbella are numerous. Besides the comfort, by visiting Marbella you can get to see some great sights like Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, the old city centre, the Arabian Wall, the Bonsai museum (which was already mentioned) and a lot beaches like Fontanilla and Bajadilla. The beauty of this place is reflected in the fact that a lot of famous people have chosen it for a vacation destination. So, if you decide to book a room in one of the hotels in Marbella, you might get to spot someone like Antonio Banderas or Sean Connery on the beach sitting next to you. It is after all a favourite destination for wealthy tourists, who enjoy quality services in luxurious hotels in Marbella and love peace and quite away from the eye of the press.

To conclude with, the hotels in Costa del Sol and especially the expensive, distinguished hotels in Marbella, are one more reason to visit this beautiful region of Spain. No matter if you come there with the entire family or by yourself, you will be able to have a great time and find interesting things to do.

Article source: www.articlesbase.com
About the Author
By visiting our site you can find out which hotels in Costa del Sol have vacancies and book a room in advance. The same procedure is available for hotels in Marbella. Learn more at http://www.go-cielo.com/

The Golden Mile is full of attractions for the night lovers such as restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, casinos and cinemas all of them of top quality. The right place for every type of person can be found in this area of Costa del Sol as well as an activity for every stage of the night.

In order to begin with the evening, Marbella is a very good option, more specifically in the old town you can find a lot of nice restaurants that can please every palate at a fair price, nevertheless Puerto Banus is a great option for those who have a wider spending budget.

In these two cities of Costa del Sol you can find every type of bar, starting from piano, passing through karaoke and ending in rock or flamenco. Examples of the already mentioned types of bars are La Notte Piano Bar, Stones Music Bar, Franks Corner and Ana Marias respectively.

In terms of pubs, the most popular are Old Joys Pub with a piano and a singer, OGradys an Irish bar with its own DJ, and Salduba perfect to have a drink while watching people pass by.

Moving to nightclubs, there are countless options, each of them with a unique atmosphere and offering a particular kind of music. If you want to enjoy Latin-American rhythms you should head to El Cubanito that as its name states is specialized in Cuban music, another option is The Mambo Club where you can dance salsa. Other popular clubs are Scream, Oh Marbella where well known DJs alternate, La Comedia and Olivia Valere which is located on an arab-andaluz building next to the mosque of Marbella and which is visited by a lot of famous people, it is the perfect place to spot the celebrities.

For those who prefer a more tranquil way of entertainment the Complejo Cinematografico Gran Marbella offers good cinema, showing different movies, the last function starting after midnight.

Finally for people who like adrenaline a visit to the Casino Nueva Andalucia will do good. The Casino has shows during the summer and is open from Monday to Thursday from 8 pm to 4 am and on Saturday from 8 pm to 5 am.

There is no doubt you can always find the right place for you to spend the night in Costa del Sol because the places mentioned above are just some examples of the many establishments you can go to.

Article source: www.articlesbase.com
About the Author
Gaizka Pujana is the co-owner of Barcelona Homes, S.L. which is a company specialized in providing short term tenancy solutions in Seville and Barcelona through its web pages Holiday apartment Costa del Sol Rent apartment Barcelona Seville apartment

Spains costa del sol(Coast of Sun) is situated in the south of the country and experiences around 320 days of sunshine every year. This is why it has become in recent years one of the most popular holiday destinations for the British as well as other europeans including the Germans and the French.

The costa del sol has a host of towns a cities to explore such as its capital Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona to name a few.

The costa del sol is a fantastic holiday resort for people of all ages. If you have children then there are lots of places to visit such as Selwo Marina in Benalmadena which has a variety of sealife to see including sea lions, dolphins, flamingos and penguins.

Or if you are visiting Fuengirola the zoo there is a must. Located pretty much within the hustle and bustle of the town it has a great number of different animals from all over the world to see and is great for the kids.

If golf is your thing then the costa del sol is perfect for you as its one of the worlds golfing mecca’s. There are around 50 courses to choose from and most are of a very high standard. A particularly nice course is Santana Golf Course in La Cala and is well worth 18 holes. Bare in mind though if you do play golf in Spain try and avoid July and August as although the green fee´s will be a lot less than the rest of the year, it can get very hot and is not ideal for playing any sport.

If it is nightlife that you are after then the costa del sol is definetely a good choice. With literally hundreds of bars and clubs to tickle your fancy you will be spoilt for choice on where to spend your evenings.

On the other hand if all the above sounds like just a bit too much activity for you, why not settle for a nice spot of sand on one of the many fine beaches that there are on offer. Lay your towel down, chill out and feel that warm sun on your body.

The great thing about the costa del sol is that there is something for everyone.

Article source: www.articlesbase.com
About the Author
Robert Griggs lives on the costa del sol and is the owner of a holiday lets website
He is also the maintainer of a holiday lets spain website which has lots of information on holidaying and living in Spain.