Robbie – Page 8 – Nerja Holiday Rentals

Nerja Holiday Discounts – Bargain Holidays in Nerja

A Fantastic offer of a 15% discount on a Nerja Holiday Apartment; This offer runs for the whole of November 2022

Nerja Holiday Discounts

Everyone is counting the pennies at the moment. That includes people looking to get away on a well-earned holiday to Nerja. There is some excellent news for the people at Nerja Beach Holidays. They have a fantastic offer of a 15% discount on a one-bedroom holiday apartment in Nerja.

Capistrano Playa 108

Situated on the sought-after Capistrano Playa complex, this elegant one-bedroom apartment overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the complex.

As you enter the property you will find the living room set with a TV, sofa and an armchair. There is international TV in this property and free WiFi is provided. There is air conditioning and a ceiling fan. The living room leads to an open-plan kitchen with a dining area. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge freezer, hob, oven, microwave, coffee machine and all the usual appliances needed for your self-catering holiday.

The apartment has one bedroom with two single beds. It also has a vanity, clothing space and air conditioning. The bedroom leads onto the terrace.

The bathroom is just next to the bedroom and has a shower, a washbasin, a toilet and a washing machine.

The terrace is furnished with a seating area, a barbecue, a ceiling fan and an awning.

The Capistrano Playa complex does have a lift / elevator but due to the location of this apartment it is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or those using wheelchairs as access to the property is via stairs. Access to the apartment is via a spiral staircase.

The complex has 2 communal swimming pools (one for adults and one for children) with grass and shaded areas and also a drinks café (open in the summer months).

There are more details and photographs of this great discounted apartment. Capistrano Playa 108

Don’t hang about though: book now! and bag yourself a great bargain holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Como Hacer Butifarra con Garbanzos – Homemade sausage with Pulses Recipe

Butifarra con Garbanzos – A great hearty meal from the Costa del Sol

Butifarra; what is it?

Butiffara or Botifarra is a type of sausage and one of the most important dishes in Catalan cuisine. Botifarra is based on ancient recipes, either the Roman sausage botulu or the lucanica, made of raw pork and spices, with variants today in Italy and in the Portuguese and Brazilian linguiça. Wikipedia

That’s one way to describe it: another is simply ‘homemade sausage’. Butifarra comes in all shapes and sizes, all flavours, and is presented with anything you like. Usually, in the Andalucia region, you will find it simply served with Garbanzos (Chickpeas) or Lentejas (Lentils) or some other type of pulses.

The more adventurous will jazz it up, but, for now, I’ll show you how I make this delicious Spanish dish after seeing it in Nerja.

Como Hacer Butifarra con Garbanzos – How to make homemade sausage with Chickpeas

Butiffara con Garbanzas - Como hacer Butiffara

Unless you have a food processor with a sausage-making fitting, go out and buy your sausage. Mercadonna (Spanish Supermarket, a bit like ASDA) do a fantastic version, a lot like Cumberland sausage. The recipe is simple and quick.

Method

In a pan add a little olive oil (or other another type of oil. Add the butiffara. Cook on high for 3 or 4 minutes and then turn the meat over. You are looking to get some colour for on the meat. Once browned to your liking, transfer to a plate and cover.

Add diced onions ( I like two) and 3-4 cloves of minced garlic, along with finely diced carrots and a stick of celery finely chopped. Saute until the carrots go translucent.

Add the sausage to the pan and reduce the heat to medium.

Add sufficient stock ( Mercadona and other stores have ‘Caldo’ which is pre-made stock) to cover the sausage and turn the heat to a simmer. Cover for 30 minutes.

You are looking to reduce the stock by half.

Add a bottle of Garbanzos (chickpeas) or lentils. Add some fresh or dried parsley. Mix and replace the lid. Cook for ten minutes. If you want thicker a sauce, mix a teaspoon of cornflower with some cold water and stirr the entire pan.

Job done!

Serve with some fresh sliced bread for a simple, hearty meal for 4 people.

There are many variations on this theme. Whats your favourite? You will find this dish all over Andalucia. If you don’t see it on the menu; ask for it,

Make sure to keep updated with the latest villas and apartments from Nerja Beach Holidays. Autumn and Wintersun holidays are a great time to be on the Costa del Sol.

Drought in Andalucia Spain – Andalucia Seeks EU Help

Drought in 2022 is causing problems for everyone

Long dry summer and so far the drought continues

The summer has been long and hot in Andalucia. Normally, you can expect rain to start falling about the second week in September; usually for somebody’s Fiesta! So far, this September, we have had a few hours of thunderstorms and showers; nothing more!

I live to the north of Nerja, about an hour away. The village of Villanueva del Trabuco is 4KM from my rural house.

Drought is more than a problem for my friends and neighbours as they are mostly farmers, farm workers and businesses associated with food production. No rain means the olives will be small this year.

“Olive trees are very resistant to water scarcity,” said Juan Carlos Hervas, an expert with the COAG farmers’ union.

But when droughts become extreme, the trees “activate mechanisms to protect themselves. They don’t die but no longer produce anything,” Article of interest link

Even when it does rain, it has to be the right type of rain; does this sound silly? I will explain: If the rain comes down in torrents, it washes soil away and runs off into the low areas. It does not sink into the hard ground. This causes flooding in some areas and erosion in others. A slow, long spell of rain is better as it sinks into the earth slowly.

If it doesn’t rain in September or October, this plays havoc with the olive harvesting. You cannot pick olives in the rain or when the ground is waterlogged. It is dangerous, extra-hard work as the nets get soaking wet and covered in mud. I have worked on the olives for my nieghbourneighbour; believe me, it is hard work, even under perfect conditions.

There is an excellent article in the Sur in English. The Andalucia regional government are asking the EU for financial support due to the effects of the drought. Check out this article.

Andalucia seeks European Union’s help with the water shortage

On the second day of his two-day visit to Brussels, the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, said on Tuesday that the present drought in the region is a serious threat to the economy and major investment is needed to provide adequate infrastructure.

He explained that works costing one billion euros are already underway and another four billion euros of investment will be needed, so he called for specific plans to be drawn up by the government in Madrid to finance these projects in southern Spain and for the EU’s Next Generation funds to be reprogrammed to cover not only environmental and energy efficiency projects but also to solve the water problem. See more

So far, my weather forecasting app has warned of rain several times this week but, none came. There was some thunder and a rather pathetic rainbow.

Dry weather is wonderful for tourists but, everybody needs water.

Antequera attractions – Cuba 1897 and Local Artists Exhibitions – MAD Antequera

Using Nerja as a base, discover the joys of Antequera and all it has to offer

Antequera

Antequera is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain. It’s known for its ancient burial mounds, including the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera and Tholos de El Romeral. The Alcazaba of Antequera is a centuries-old Moorish fortress. The vast nature preserve of Torcal de Antequera has dramatic limestone tower rock formations. Overlooking the town, Peña de Los Enamorados is a distinctive, face-shaped mountain.

Check out this great website for all the information on Antequera – See more.

I love Antequera. Imagine, if you have ever been to Granada, the city of Antequera is a smaller version. There is so much to see and do, a single day is not enough, and a week is a better option. However: if you are using Nerja and Nerja Beach Holidays as a base, take a day trip. There are often free exhibitions in the many museums, galleries and other great public buildings.

I went last week to see the CUBA 1897 exhibition and the art gallery containing works by local artists, both free of charge. Here is a link to the MAD website.

Cuba 1997 Antequera Exibition

This exhibition runs from the 23rd of September to the 27th of November 2022. There are large photographs showing the Cuban artillery pieces, the soldiers and officers as well as uniforms, insignia and other related artefacts.

In 1894 Spain cancelled a trade pact between Cuba and the United States. The imposition of more taxes and trade restrictions prodded the economically distressed Cubans in 1895 to launch the Cuban War of Independence, a resumption of the earlier struggle. Cuba’s war of independence.

Cuba 1897 - Antequera is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain.

Antequera is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain.

Nerja to Antequera 1 hr 11 min (102.9 km) via A-7 and A-45 by car. The car park has a 180º view of Antequera from the rooftop. This is well worth the trip.

Another pleasant place to visit is a small park dedicated to the most famous dogs from different countries; these include the likes of Lassie as well as a local here dog named ‘Ajax‘. This brave dog saved the lives of Guardia Civil officers and civilians. Park Glorieta Rojas Perez

Check out this website, if you are thinking of making the trip. There are so many places to see, great food and excellent shopping.

Nerja Caves are a must-see attraction when visiting Nerja

What are the Nerja Caves

As a regular visitor to Nerja, I have been to the caves on many occasions. I can tell you, it is well worth a visit. Along with the Balcòn de Europa, El Salvador Church and Burriana Beach, the caves make Nerja one of the most visited places on the Costa del Sol

The Caves of Nerja are a series of caverns close to the town of Nerja in the Province of Málaga, Spain. Stretching for almost 5 kilometres, the caverns are one of Spain’s major tourist attractions. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers, which forms a natural amphitheatre. Wikipedia

Nerja Caves in the News

The Sur in English, a free newspaper for the south of Spain is a great source of information. If there is anything happening, you bet you will hear about it in the Sur. This week’s edition has an article about the Nerja Caves.

World Tourist Day recognition for the Caves and its four discoverers

The site has received some 18.5 million people since opening to the public over 60 years ago

The most visited natural monument in Malaga province, the Nerja Cave, has received more than 18.5 million people since it opened to the public 62 years ago. To acknowledge its importance for the area, on Tuesday Nerja town hall named the caves ‘Tourist Ambassador 2022’, as part of its programme of events to mark World Tourism Day. See more.

Getting to the Caves

From the Nerja Beach Holidays accommodation, you can easily catch a bus, taxi or even walk to the caves. The walk is just about 3 kilometers and is quite pleasant. By car it takes a couple of minutes.

If you have never been to Nerja, then a visit to this natural tourist attraction really is a must. There are a lot of steps inside the caves, so, you need a good set of legs.

There is a great website that has all the information you will need. Nerja Tourismo.

Nerja Self-Catering Villas and Townhouses – Los Arcos 4

Self-Catering Holiday Rental in Nerja – Townhouse Pueblo Los Arcos 4

Nerja Self-Catering Holiday Rentals 2023? Yes! We will be at the beginning of December before you know it, the New Year will be upon us. Now is the time to be thinking about your vacations for 2023.

I sound like a one-trick pony but it is really never too early to book your townhouse, villa or apartment in Nerja.

European holidays are very popular, with countries such as France attracting vast numbers. The Costa del Sol is and has always been, a great attraction to tourists looking for Spanish sunshine. Nerja is the jewel of the Costa del Sol and is also very popular all year round.

Nerja Beach Holidays has a fantastic catalogue of Nerja villas, townhouses and apartments for self-catering holidays 2023. Check out the main website and see what is available to you.

One property we would like to highlight is this lovely townhouse in Nerja, Pueblo Los Arcos 4

Self-Catering townhouse Los Arcos in Nerja Spain — Self-Catering townhouse Los Arcos in Nerja. A great place to stay on the Costa del Sol

From 435€ per week

Sleeps 4

Free WiFi

Use of facilities and pool

Amazing views

Terrace furniture

Air conditioning

Self-catering

VFT/MA/03289

Pueblo Los Arcos 4 Nerja is a pretty townhouse with a private garden and a communal pool with a relaxing atmosphere.

The townhouse is located in small gated urbanization that is perfectly safe for both families and couples. It is a ten-minute walk down to the Burriana beach, and a fifteen-minute walk down to the centre of Nerja.

You can take advantage of what the two nearby hotels have to offer: A gourmet tapas restaurant, an Andalucian-style café bar, a garden bar, and entertainment some nights of the week.

The townhouse is accessed through the communal security gate. There is a fully fitted kitchen on the ground floor.

Also on the ground floor, you will find a living/dining room with air-conditioning and direct access to the private garden and a toilet. You can do outdoor dining on the garden terrace while watching the sun go down behind the mountains. The TV in the living room has a lot of UK channels through IPTV.

On the first floor, you will find the master bedroom and a second bedroom, both with air-condition and Juliette balconies, as well as the bathroom with a bath, shower head over the bath, toilet, bidet and sink.

If you have a car, there is a private car parking area at the entrance of the urbanization. There are two supermarkets nearby for convenient shopping.

You can see a lot more photographs and details from the main Nerja Beach Holidays website.

If you need any help or have questions, please contact us and we will be delighted to help.

Rental Apartments Capistrano Playa Nerja Spain

Rental Apartments in Nerja on the Costa del Sol – Apartment With Fantastic Views

One of the great benefits of renting Capistrano Playa villas and apartments is the location. You are right on top of Burriana Beach. The views are lovely.

There is a walkway down to Burriana Beach. The down is in itself a pleasure as there are fountains and ponds. Carp fish and turtles sunbathe on rocks in the water. You can feed the fish.

If it is a beach holiday you want; they don’t come much better than Burriana Beach.

Capistrano Playa 106

Situated on the sought-after Capistrano Playa complex, this spacious and modern two-bedroom and two-bathroom apartment overlook the Mediterranean Sea and the complex.

As you enter the property you will find the living room set with a TV, sofa and 2 armchairs. There is international TV in this property and free WiFi is provided. The living room leads to a modern open-plan kitchen with a dining area. The kitchen is fully equipped with a fridge freezer, hob, oven, microwave, washing machine, dryer and all the usual appliances needed for your self-catering holiday.

The apartment has two bedrooms – one master bedroom and one twin room.

The master bedroom has a double bed with TV and patio doors opening out onto the covered terrace. The master bedroom also has an ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet.

The twin bedroom has two single beds, and also leads onto the terrace.

Both of the bedrooms and the lounge area benefit from air conditioning / heating units.

The property has two bathrooms. The main bathroom has a bath with overhead shower, a washbasin and a toilet, the other ensuite bathroom has a walk-in shower cubicle and toilet.

The complex has 2 communal swimming pools (one for adults and one for children) with grass and shaded areas and also a drinks café (open in the summer months). See more from the Nerja Beach Holidays website Capistrano Playa 106.

There are plenty more rental apartments, villas and townhouses to choose from.

Does Nerja on the Costa del Sol have Sandy Beaches?

Nerja has many Sandy beaches

Nerja is a resort town along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, tops a promontory with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains.

Below it lies sandy beaches and cliffside coves. Cueva de Nerja, a nearby cavern with unusual stalactites and stalagmites, hosts popular summertime concerts. It’s also known for its palaeolithic paintings, viewable by guided tour. ― Google

Nerja has many beautiful beaches.

Burriana Beach
El Salón Beach
Calahonda Beach
Chorrillo Beach
Caletilla Beach
Torrecilla Beach
Chucho Beach
Playazo Beach
Carabeillo Beach
Carabeo Beach

There are more beaches either side of Nerja. I found this great website with a lot of information on all the beaches around Nerja. A visit to this gentleman’s Blog will provide you with a lot of accurate information. Nerja is a must for beach lovers.

Burriana Beach, Nerja

I suppose after the Balcòn de Europa and the Nerja Caves, Burriana beach is the most well-known feature of Nerja; and, for good reason. The beach, with its dark sand, is about 800m long and 40m wide.

There is lots of parking just yards from the beach and the promenade. Although, it has to be said, that parking during the summer months can be hard to come by. Often, it is better to park elsewhere and stroll down the hill to Burriana.

Shops, bars, restaurants, cafes as well as diving schools and other types of business line the opposite side of the beach.

Ayo’s Chiringuito and La Barca are two of the best restaurants in Nerja and they sit right on the beach.

Nerja Beach Holidays

If a beach holiday in Nerja is what you are looking for, then check out the main Nerja Beach Holidays website. Here you will find self-catering apartments and villas that almost sit right on the beach. Check out the speacial offers for September.

There are 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available. Special offers are also available for September in some of the great self-catering apartments. Hurry! they won’t stay vacant too long.

Self-Catering Autumn and Winter Breaks in Nerja

Self-Catering Autumn and Winter Breaks in Nerja on the Costa del Sol

Autumn and Winter Breaks

Sadly summer is nearing its end in 2022 and we welcome autumn. But hey! Cheer up; Nerja and the Costa del Sol are fantastic in the autumn months. You will still get temperatures in the mid to high twenties and not too much rain. There is always plenty of sunshine as well.

Prices are often lower in the autumn and winter months and flights more affordable. So, why not come and join us in a self-catering holiday apartment or villa in Nerja?

Nerja Beach Holidays are open all year round. You can book your accommodation at any time and, for any time you like. We have a great range of apartments and villas as well as an odd townhouse or two.

Why not treat yourself? Book in advance and make sure you get the accommodation of your choice.

Apartment Capistrano Playa 114

Self-Catering Autumn Winter Breaks Nerja on the Costa del Sol - Capistrano playa apartment 114 — There are great views from the Capistrano Playa apartments – Enjoy Self-catering autumn and winter breaks in Nerja on the Costa del Sol.

This spacious 1 bedroom apartment is situated on the sought-after Capistrano Playa complex, built in traditional Andalucian style and overlooking Burriana Beach. It benefits from a large south-facing terrace which offers beautiful views of the gardens and the Mediterranean sea.

The living/dining room is furnished with a sofa and seating area as well as a dinner table, There is a flat-screen Internet TV with Google Chromecast (controlled with your own mobile or tablet). Free WIFI is provided in the apartment. The patio doors open onto the terrace which is complete with a table, chairs and a barbecue.

The kitchen is equipped with a ceramic hob, oven, microwave, fridge, washing machine, and all other amenities you could require for a self-catering holiday.

In the bedroom, there is a queen size bed. You will wake up with amazing sea views through the patio doors to the terrace. There is also a large wardrobe with a safe as well as an Air conditioning unit.

See more of this fantastic 1 bedroom holiday apartment from the main Nerja Beach Holidays main website.

Nerja Rain is needed after riverbed clean-up annouced

The second phase of the plan is to clean and clear the riverbeds of the Río Seco and the Barranco del Puerto ravine.

Nerja rain? That’s not something the tourist would hope for! However; the Nerja Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) people will be hoping for plenty this autumn; why?

This short article from our friends in the Sur in English will explain.

Nerja rain will be most welcome

In the hope that the arrival of autumn will bring rain to the Axarquía, Nerja town hall has announced that it will carry out the second phase of a plan to clean and clear the riverbeds of the Río Seco and the Barranco del Puerto ravine.

“In addition to the cleaning, pruning and repair work recently carried out in a section of the Río Seco, we are going to carry out a new action in the rest of the riverbed up to the border with Frigiliana, as well as in the Barranco del Puerto ravine”, explained Javier Rodríguez, councillor for the environment.

See more of this report from Sur in English

Malaga Weather on average

The area of Malaga has a warm Mediterranean climate, which characteristically means long, hot, dry summers and very mild, sometimes rainy winters. Malaga enjoys about 3000 sunshine hours per year.

I’ve lived in the Malaga province for almost 21 years. You can take it from me, the weather in the autumn and winter can be very unpredictable. I have seen bitterly cold winters that are dry and, warm winters that are soaking wet.

My own location is to the north of Nerja and, a bit higher up, so, we get slightly different weather. Our rural location depends on getting “the right weather”. To us, this means rain in October and November is welcome. Rain in December and January not so much. This is due to the olive harvest.

Rain is either a friend or an enemy, sometimes both. But, for the people working on the Nerja clean-up project, the rain will be a godsend.

Fear not though; if you are on vacation during the autumn in Nerja, you still get beautiful days of sunshine. You can check this out from this weather website.

Apartments for rent in Plaza de España Nerja Town Center

Apartments Gran Plaza – Right in the heart of Nerja and close to the Balcòn de Europa and Tutti-Frutti Square

Gran Plaza Nerja — Gran Plaza; The place to be when there is a fiesta to be had

The location is excellent; the apartment is next to the entrance to the Plaza, at the car park entrance end. This is great as you have the car parking underground and the entrance is a great place to catch a taxi if you are off out and about in Nerja.

Apartment Gran Plaza

The front of the apartments are white and grey painted with traditional rejas (ornamental bars on the windows) and Juliet balconies. Modern built but still retaining traditional Spanish features.

The apartment itself is ultra-modern. In the kitchen area, there is a black granite kitchen top and white fixtures and fittings. A fridge /freezer, coffee machine and microwave along with the necessary pots, pans, dishes and cutlery complete the kitchen. There is a small dining table as well.

The bathroom, like the rest of the apartment, is very modern. There is a WC, wash-basin and shower with a glass screen. Also, a hair dryer is provided. A large window allows for natural daylight.

The lounge area has a large sofa/bed a coffee table and an excellent TV with many great channels. Again, the coffee table and TV stand/drawers are white and modern. There is an Internet connection which was good.

The bedroom is a good size with a very comfortable double bed. Bedside lamps and an open wardrobe stand complete the bedroom. The doors to the bedroom and the bathroom are the hidden sliding doors type.

The apartment is very clean, comfortable and well situated. There is the added bonus of a roof-top pool and seating area.

Plaza de España Apartments

Plaza de España is a large square or ‘plaza’ surrounded by shops, offices, hotels and apartments. The Plaza is situated just off the Balcòn de Europa and close to the church of El Salvador next to Tutti Frutti square. There is an entrance via the Town Hall arch and the other end via the underground parking entrance.

During the festive holidays, such as Christmas and New Year there are bouncy castles, Santa cabins and other festive paraphernalia dotted around Plaza de España. The bars/cafes and restaurants are busy and very lively.

Your stay could include takeaway Indian and Chinese meals as well as a fantastic breakfast just outside the plaza. Taxis to the restaurants are quick and easy to catch and, in general, your break should be hassle-free and happy.

If you don’t want to pay for parking, there is a free car park before the last bridge at the entrance to Nerja. This is a short walk away from Plaza de España.

You can book Apartmentos Gran Plaza and many other villas, apartments and townhouses from the Nerja Beach Holidays website.

Check out this and other great 1 bedroom Nerja apartments from the Nerja Beach Holidays website.

Winter Holidays 2022/23 in Nerja Costa del Sol Spain

BOOK NOW! WINTER HOLIDAYS IN NERJA 2022/23 – it’s never too early to book

Winter Holidays 2022/23. It is never too early to book your winter holidays. OK, it’s coming to the end of August, you may have already had your summer holidays, you may even be waiting to go on your break. Nonetheless; planning your next break is a great way to banish those end-of-summer blues.

Nerja is a very popular location all year round. Often, if you leave your plans too late, you may not get the apartment, villa or location you really want.

Nerja Holiday Villas and Apartments 2022/23

Nerja Beach Holidays are focused on providing bespoke self-catering Holiday rentals and property management services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction in Nerja, Spain (Costa del Sol).

We offer a selection of exceptional holiday apartments, villas and townhouses available to let in Nerja at the best possible prices, backed by a level of service and attention to detail.

Our aim is to provide you with stress-free holiday rentals. Nerja Beach Holidays are open 365 days a year. We speak Spanish, English and French. We can help you choose the perfect accommodation that suits your needs.

Nerja Beach Holidays offers a virtual tour experience so that you can visit your future holiday accommodation yourself in 360 degrees. Your winter Holidays 2022/23 with us are guaranteed to be happy ones.

Nerja on the Costa del Sol

Nerja is a resort town along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, tops a promontory with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains.

Below it lies sandy beaches and cliffside coves. Cueva de Nerja, a nearby cavern with unusual stalactites and stalagmites, hosts popular summertime concerts. This popular tourist attraction is also known for its palaeolithic paintings, viewable by guided tour. More

There is so much to see and do in and around Nerja, you will have a fantastic holiday. Book now and get yourself one of our wonderful apartments, townhouses or villas.

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Please check out the main Nerja Beach Holidays website. If you need any help or have any questions, we are always happy to help. Have a great New Year, wherever you are.

Marbella on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain – Purto Banus is close by

Use your time in Nerja to visit other locations along the Costa del Sol – Marbella and Puerto Banus are a must

Where is Marbella?

Marbella is a city and resort area in southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, part of the Andalusia region. The Sierra Blanca Mountains are the backdrop to 27 km of sandy Mediterranean beaches, villas, hotels, and golf courses.

West of Marbella town, the Golden Mile of prestigious nightclubs and coastal estates leads to Puerto Banús marina, filled with luxury yachts, and surrounded by upmarket boutiques and bars. Wikipedia

What is so special about ‘Marbs’?
The weather is a major factor. The Costa del Sol enjoys 320 days of sunlight throughout the year and an average temperature of 19°C.

This is due to its micro-weather, given that Marbella is surrounded by the warm Mediterranean and the Sierra Blanca mountains, which protects it from harsher meteorological conditions. Winters in Marbella are very mild and bright, while summers are warm and dry. January will get an average of 16.4ºC and December 19.5ºC

Sun Sea and Sand

Another great reason for living, working or having a vacation in Marbella is the three ‘S’s: Sun, Sea and Sand. Marbella has more than 27 Km of golden sandy beaches. These beautiful beaches stretch from San Pedro de Alcántara (west) to Calahonda (east).

Some of the very best of these beaches are;

Playa del Alicante.
Playa de Artola.
Bounty Beach.
Playa Nagüeles.
Playa de Puerto Banus.
Cabopino Beach.
Playa de la Fontanilla.
Playa Hermosa.
Playa de Artola.
Check out this great blog and find out more about the Marbella and Costa del Sol coastline. 25 reasons…

Marbella Old Town

According to our friends at Google: The quaint Old Town is home to Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, flower-draped balconies, and narrow, winding streets.

Plaza de Los Naranjos draws visitors with its orange trees, 15th-century Ermita de Santiago church, and restaurants with terraces, serving traditional dishes like gazpacho and meatballs.

Avenida del Mar is a long, narrow plaza dotted with palm trees and bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí.

Puerto Banùs

Puerto José Banús, more commonly known simply as Puerto Banús, is a marina located in the area of Nueva Andalucía, to the southwest of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol.

It was built in May 1970 by José Banús, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex. Purto Banùs is famous for its great nightlife. Along with Marbella and Torremolinosos, Puerto Banùs is a magnate for the part people.

Marbella has a fantastic Marinas

A playground for the rich and famous would not be complete without having a fantastic place to “park your boat”. If it’s celebrity spotting you like, or, you enjoy looking at expensive seacraft, then these marinas are for you.

Marbella has to be amongst the liveliest coastal stretches anywhere in the world with its two major marinas, Puerto Banus and Puerto Marbella catering for everyone from the nautical novice to the super-rich and famous.

What else is there in Marbella?

There are beautiful parks and places to sit and people-watch. The shopping is world famous and, of course, it is the in-place for the VIP. Soccer stars, actors, politicians, oil magnates and every other type of well-heeled and super-famous person to be seen. It is the des-res, the in-place or Shangri-la of the southern coast of Spain.

There are many more reasons why Marbella and the surrounding areas are great places to live, work or take a holiday. Here is a link to a great blog that lists the 25 reasons to visit Marbella. Some I have already covered but, there are others that may be of great interest to you.

Check out our Nerja apartments while you are here.

Best Things To Do In Nerja Spain – Nerja Holiday Ideas

What are the best things to do in Nerja? It all rather depends on how many times you have visited this fantastic coastal town.

Burriana Beach. It is a fantastic day out for the family or just the two of us. Burriana Beach has it all; sun, sea, sand and plenty of great places to eat and great shops as well. Nerja has many beaches, all of which are lovely in their own particular way.

Nerja also has a magnificent church of El Salvador, just off the Balcon de Europa. El Salvador church is beautiful inside and out and I would strongly suggest you have your camera handy, the statues, paintings and other ornaments are beautiful.

The Balcon de Europa (Balcony of Europe) is another favourite Nerja stop-off for us. I do enjoy sitting outside the hotel restaurants, ice cream and a drink and watching people walking up and down this outcrop of rock, enjoying just being there.

Best things to do Nerja according to…

TripAdvisor.com. We think everyone has read at least one review o the TripAdvisor website.

As far as we are aware, most people won’t book a vacation until they have read up on the reviews that are posted on TripAdvisor. It is a great source of information, both good and bad.

There is a posting on this site for ‘Best things to do in Nerja’ The page lists things to do or see in and around the town of Nerja and along the Costa del Sol.

Some are standard selections; Balcon de Europa, Nerja Caves, Church of El Salvador and so on. Others such as Nerja Diving gets rave reviews as does X-Bike Nerja. Check out the TripAdvisor website for more ideas.

Our advice to anyone coming to stay in Nerja with Nerja Beach Holidays is this; do your homework and research Nerja before you arrive.

Self-Catering Villas and Apartments

Having a self-catering villa, townhouse or apartment in the town allows you the freedom of movement that you don’t get with hotels or resorts. There is no itinerary to tie you down to mealtimes and so on.

Explore Nerja and the many great towns, villages and tourist attractions further afield. Some places leap to mind in an instance, such as the Alhambra Palace and Ski slopes of Granada ad the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Malaga City, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella and other great places are along the coast. Historically famous towns and cities such as Antequera, Ronda and Cordoba are within comfortable driving distance.

There are Water Parks, zoos, Galleries, golf courses and much more besides. For many people the favourites are the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Antequera for its great monuments and Ronda for its history and place in modern culture. After all, the place was a backdrop for Hemingway’s novel ‘For whom the bell tolls.

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a novel by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940. It tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to a republican guerrilla unit during the Spanish Civil War.

The famous actor and writer, Orson Welles was another who fell in love with Ronda. And, like Hemingway, he is honoured with a plaque and a street named after him. The ashes of Orson Wells are buried beneath a Linden tree in Ronda on a bullfighting ranch owned by his close friend, Antonio Dornez.

Hire a Car to get the best out of your Nerja holiday

If you are hiring a vehicle, you are in for a great holiday in Andalucia. There is so much to see and do. Two weeks was never enough time. Then again, there are people who like to just chill out.

In which case, a villa, townhouse or apartment from Nerja Beach Holidays will fit the bill to perfection.
I would be interested to hear what you enjoyed most about Nerja, the Costa del Sol or Andalucia, on your visit.

What is a Rallador de Ceramica or Spanish Grating Plate?

Sometimes life grates on you

I’ve been looking for a rallador de Ceramica for some time now; actually, for a long time. As ridiculous as it may seem, even after two decades of living in the Malaga area of Andalucia, I never got to buy one. Honestly!

What is a Rallador de Ceramica?

The rallador is a fantastic device that Spaniards use to grate garlic, tomatoes, ginger, cucumber and just about anything else.

A traditional Andalucian breakfast is a Mollette con Tomate, a powdered bread bun, toasted and then spread with tomato, garlic or olive oil. There are some people, like me, for instance, that have all three.

The rallador is a ceramic plate or bowl that has a serrated centre on which you rub or grate garlic, tomatoes, ginger et al.

It is a simple but practical device that also looks good in the kitchen.

Searching for the ceramic grater

You really do have to take my word that I have tried for years to get hold of a ceramic grater. Even my trips into the Malaga mountains. I tried in such out-of-the-way places as Soportújar and Pampaneira.

Other places nearer to home, such as Vinuela and Velez Malaga were also fruitless.

These two villages had plenty of artisan craft and pottery but not one had the grater. Nerja was another place that proved to be a non-starter. I was very surprised as Nerja is a great place for tourists and you would have thought this particular item would be a great seller. But, no!

I was not alone – there were other grater-less Brits

Rummaging around on the social media platforms, such as Facebook opened my eyes to the fact that I was not alone in my search. There were other people who were also searching for this wonderful bit of pottery but, to no avail. It was cold comfort. Everyone was asking the same questions and, we all got the same answer.

Success! I actually found some Ralladors de Ceramicas!

The great thing about living in and around the Malaga area of Andalucia is that there is plenty to see and do. We decided to leave our base in the campo (countryside) close to the Andalucia white village or “Pueblo Blanco” of Villanueva del Trabuco and headed to the coast.

We had decided on a day out at Plaza Mayor, a sizable open-air shopping spot with a wide selection of apparel stores, including global brands, restaurants, shops, bars and a cinema. We wanted to watch BELFAST, a new film recently released. Also, we wanted to have a nice meal beforehand.

The meal and the film, I will save for another post.

To cut a long story short: between the meal and the film, we had some time to kill. We decided to do a bit of shopping and so headed towards o0ne of the many malls at Plaza Mayor.

Sat in the middle of the walkway outside the Mercadona store was a ceramics stall. My eyes popped when I saw, not just a few, but, hundreds of ralladors, all different shapes and sizes.

They ranged in price, from quite cheap to a major purchase. However; if you bought more than one item, you got a discount on both. Happily, I purchased a plate and a bowl. For 15€ (this was after a 2€ discount) I had, at last, got what I had been searching for.

This may seem like a paltry purchase, after all, there was all manner of shops I had been in, at the Plaza Mayor, including one that sold Japanese Sushi knives at 500€ a pop (yes! I’m a bit of a foodie) but, after so many years, its practical and emotional value was priceless.

Speaking to the lady who sold me these items, she told me they have a shop in Malaga city, close to the Hard Rock Cafe.

So, if you are looking for a rallador or two, you know where to go.