If you are staying at a Casares Del Sol Villa on the Costa Del Sol you might like to try to visit the area of Manilva. Better known as a municipality, containing Manilva, Sabinillas, El Castillo, Hondacavada and El Puerto de la Duquesa, it runs parallel to| the coast. It is a very rural area and in the 16th century vineyards dominated the landscape. Nowadays lots more vegetables and fruit are grown. Steeped in history its location near to Straits of Gibralter has meant that practically every invasion has passed through. As was commonplace wherever they went it is was the Romans who left most evidence of their presence.
To name but a couple Roman influences in the area are the Roman villa of Sabinillas, the ruins of what apparently was a tower on the El Hacho hill, and some ceramics at Haza del Casareño.
Today Manilva is a vibrant developing resort full of typical Spanish charm but developing quite rapidly to cater for the tourist. There is an abundance of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and pockets.
The area has many excellent golf courses, Finca Cortesin, home of the Volvo Masters commencing 2009 is right next door to Casares Del Sol, with Casaes Golf just over the road and Duquesa Golf and Country Club, Estapona Golf Club and Donna Julia Golf club being all being between 5 and 10 minutes away form the complex.
Built in 1767 is Duquesa Castle, which is well worthy of a quick tour. It was constructed during the reign of Carlos III. Named after Duquesa de Arcos, wife of D. Luís Cristóbal Ponce de León, master of the lands in Casares. The castle was constructed on existing foundations laid down in Roman times with sloping walls on the outside of which there are loopholes for riflemen. For defence the fortress had a battery of 4 x 24. The castle’s garrison consisted of 25 infantry, 10 cavalry and 10 artillerymen plus their respective officers. During the early years of the 19th century, at the time of the Peninsular War, the castle was taken and held by the French for a time, and was manned by 50 French troops who used the Castle to control the main coastal road.
Near by, Las Palmeras is a brand new development, which is located in an elevated position at the rear of Calahonda giving wonderful views over rural areas to the sea. There are a wide varieties of different types and sizes of rental apartments available in Las Palmeras. These range from 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apartments (sleeping 6 persons), to 3 bed roomed penthouses. There are a number of swimming pools to use. The apartments are of a very generous proportion being approx 110sm internally and having balconies of 42.5sm.
There are plenty of suitable Costa Del Sol Apartments in which to stay to tour the area, select from Casaras, Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Benahavis or Benalmadena.
Planning your next family vacation? Dreading spending ten hours in the car followed by five days dragging your kids to the beach, the hotel pool and a local restaurant that doesn’t offer a children’s menu?
If you’re looking for a vacation that will show both you and the kids a good time, cruising could be it.
To learn about the benefits and drawbacks of family cruise vacations, keep reading to find out the best tips for planning your first or next family cruise.
Why a Family Cruise Vacation?
Because so many cruise ships are targeted directly toward families, you’re getting a fully packaged vacation in a safe and contained environment.
There are daily, scheduled activities for the children along with parental getaways that both allow you to enjoy time with your children and also have your own private vacation.
Most cruise lines either offer “day camp” options with regularly scheduled, on-board activities or supervised day care facilities. Because your children are on a boat with you and under the care of a well-screened and professionally-supervised staff, you can rest a little easier.
Isn’t it Expensive?
Cruising can be expensive, but most family cruise destinations typically cost about $500-$1000 per person per week. Add up the cost of all the hotels, meals, souvenirs and mileage that your last vacation cost you and compare it to that figure. You’ll quickly see that a cruise vacation budgets in at about the same rate as a full, family vacation.
How do I a Book a “Family” Cruise?
Most cruise lines offer family-specific or family-friendly cruises that are geared specifically toward families with children. Ideally, you want to choose one of these rather than, say, a Senior’s cruise or a Single’s cruise.
Cruise lines like Disney or Norwegian also offer themed ships with full youth programs that are targeted to specific age groups from toddlers to teens. Again, this affords you the chance to take a break and enjoy the pool on your own.
When booking a full family cruise, you may want to consider a travel agent. Often, they’re able to discuss ship amenities, past client reviews and possible discounts.
However, if you’re searching alone and online, try reading past traveler reviews of each individual ship. This will provide you a clearer indication of the ship’s facilities and accommodations than the cruise line’s promotional website.
Things to Consider Before Departure
Make sure everyone in your family has their passport, travel health insurance and extra medication. Keep all of your documents in a safe and secure place with one person.
If you considering a winter escape over these cold, wet months to get away from our short days and long nights, then you may be wanting to get away to somewhere with a bit of sun, sea views and probably neither too far away for travelling nor too expensive.
An escape to some far flung tropical retrerat might be the preserve of the rich, but what can the rest of us mere mortals do for a winter holiday? Where is near by, sunny and pleasant to go to?
Well, in my opinion, the Canary Islands fit this description nicely. The islands that make up this group benefit from superb weather for 12 months of the year. Their climate is typically warm in the winter, whilst not always too hot in the summer, when some of the Mediterranean islands can become unbearable. And very few days of rain per year, around the tourist destinations!
Tenerife is possibly the best well known of the Canary Islands and not only is it the biggest, but it is also the most populated of all of Spain’s islands. It is very easy for find Villas in Tenerife with private pools for hire and flights from the UK to the island are easy to come by. It offers several tourist resorts, including the ever popular Playa de las Americas, which is lively with plenty of night life chances[to experience. Other popular tourist destinations in Tenerife include Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes, home of the massive sheer cliff faces, dropping vertically into the Atlantic Ocean!
Another very popular location within the Canary Islands is Lanzarote. Of all of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is the one that is nearest to mainland Africa and can be affected by a cooling wind at times. Although in summer, this can be very welcoming. In my experience, Lanzarote has been a bit cooler than Tenerife during the summer months.
As with Tenerife, there are plenty of Private Villas in Lanazrote to choose from and book and with flights to the capital city of Arrecife taking around only 4.5 hours from the UK, it is a worth while out of season holiday spot. Two of its main resorts are Puerto Del Carmen and Costa Teguise, both pleasant resorts and neither too far from the airport. Costa Blanca is a little further away, at a guess taking up to 30 to 45 minutes to get there from the airport. The entire island is a lot more compact than Tenerife and it is simple to drive around the whole island in a day, allowing time to stop off and enjoy various scenic spots.
If you are looking for a winter break and don’t want to fly too far from the UK, then the Canary Islands are an ideal location to consider. Have a look at them and see which of the islands appeal to you.
Olvera is often announced as the ‘best of the white towns’. With a population of 1200 it is larger than the majority of pueblos. Olvera is really in Cadiz Province but if staying at a Apartment in Casares it is reachable for a very special day out.
The pueblo has the traditional Spanish much loved white washed houses, steep narrow streets, churches and castle. It has more than enough for the holiday visitor. Visit in August and the visitor will be welcomed to the local fair which is renowned for being the most lavish in the region. It lasts for some 5 nights, carrying on until approximately 5am, singing and dancing, side shows, stalls – it has the lot! In the daytime the visitor can expect to be treated to football matches, clay-pigeon contests and novice bullfights to name but a few.
How Olvera came to be so named is a bit of a mystery. Some say it is very simply to do with the number of olive trees in the area. Giving perhaps some credence to this theory is the fact olive oil is one of the area’s main agricultural exports. Indeed it might be that simple but others say it is to do with its Arabic history when it was called ‘Wupira’. The castle was part of Granada’s line of defence. In 1327 the pueblo was conquered by Alfonso XI.
Wherever it got its name from the pueblo is most certainly steeped in history and there has been a pueblo in its location for some 12 thousand years.
In 1983 Olvera was declared officially to be of Artistic and Historical buildings. This is a far cry however from the 1800s when the pueblo was the home of outlaws and murderers! Being such a good place to take refuge from the law a famous regional saying emerged into folklore ‘Kill your man and flee to Olvera!’ Thankfully those days have long gone.
These days the pueblo is seen by many to be of great religious significance. A monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus perched on a natural outcrop is the focus. Many a believer has crawled on hands and knees in pilgrimage. It is to do with the vow to the popular sanctuary of the Hermitage Church of “Nuestra Señora de los Remedios” (Our lady of the Remedies). The sanctuary is situated just over a mile from Olvera on the road to Torre Alháquime. This is a unique building and well worth the visit.
Also worth a visit is the Iglesia de la Encarnación church. One of the best small museums in the region is in fact hidden in the church.
A tourist attraction not to be missed if at all possible is the 38 km ruta verde. A disused railway line forms the route which links Olvera to Puerto Serrano. Very simply this is an incomplete railway line and is today seen as one of the best walking experiences in Andalucía.
There are plenty of suitable Villas in Costa Del Sol in which to stay to tour the area, choose from Caseras, Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Benahavis or Benalmadena.
When you are renting a Apartment in Casares Del Sol you might like to visit the pretty mountain villages running between the Rio Guardiaro and the its tributary the Genal. The Ronda to Algecciras road is well worth the trip for the white town addicts. Although the route boasts 15 pubelos blancos (white villages), most are in fact quite small, with places like Alpandeire shrinking over the last few years to just 200 or so inhabitants. The small towns such as Atajate and Benarraba speak of their Berber past. All these derive their living from chestnut farming.
The larger towns such as Montejaque and Benajan are most famous for their tinned pork products.
Perhaps worthy of a half or full day visit in its own right is one of Andalucia’s most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos, Arcos de la Frontera. Balanced on a rocky ridge, its whitewashed houses and stone castle walls stopping abruptly as a vertical cliff face plunges down to the fertile valley of the river Guadalete below.
The town enjoyed settlement in Neolithic, Bronze Age, Tartessian, Phoenician and Roman periods although it is reputed its time under the Moors was one of its most successful. A plentiful supply of fresh water and teh pueblo’s defensive position were the main attractions for the settlers.
Due to its exceptional architecture and impressive location 1962 saw the pueblo declared a historic-artistic monument. The original town is a maze of cobbled streets that lead up to the castle, the Castillo de los Arcos. From there one can see fantastic views over the town and the rolling plain below.
Nopw Arcos’s population circa 28,000 is split between the old town and the newer town. For the old town follow Cuesta Belén up the hill. In the centre of the old town is the cobbled Plaza de Cabildo. There is a good viewpoint, but watch out as there is a 500 foot high foot drop!
One of the memorable images of the pueblo is Calle Maldonaldo and Calla Cuna, both are lined with lovely buildings built by the 18th-century wealthy citizens and covered by traditional Spanish grilled windows.
The pueblo enjoys its culinary history and Tapas bars can be found in the old town huddled around the central Callejón de las Monjas. An excellent example is the cave-like bar Meson El Patio. If celebrating a birthday try perhaps El Convento on Marques de Torresoto, a 17th-century palace. For the best views in Arcos have a drink on the terrace at Parador on Plaza del Cabildo.
Arcos benefits from the Guadalete river which is lined with orange and olive groves. If you want a swim in hot weather visit the reservoir, the Lago de Arcos, part a protected area.
There are plenty of suitable Apartments in Costa Del Sol in which to stay to tour the area, choose from Casaras, Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Benahavis or Benalmadena.
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When you are renting a Villa in Casares Del Sol you might like to visit the beautiful mountain village of Gaucin. Those staying in Casares villas or apartments highly recommend a scenic tour of both Casares and GaucinGaucin and Casares[/spin] to compare the contrast between the two.
Gaucin commands sweeping views of the Rif Mountains of Africa and Gibraltar. The village is a literally a painter’s palette containing amongst its colours vivid red poppies, yellow mimosa, and wild orchids depending on the time of year you visit.
Being not heavily populated with only around 2000 inhabitants you won’t be overrun by the locals at its busiest. The village was once a major Roman settlement. Its castle, Castillo del Aguila (meaning Eagle’s Castle due to its lofty position) Watch carefully and you may well find eagles circling above, while smaller kestrels regularly nest in the walls of the mediaeval convent.
The Romans settled in Gaucin as they found it the easiest place to access the Ronda mountain range from the sea to penetrate to the heart of the region. The Roman road, Camino de Gibraltar, is still used, and in parts amazingly the original stones are intact. Gaucín was in fact a resting place for soldiers after the battle between Julius Caesar and the sons of Pompey.
Gaucin is constructed around a maze of narrow twisting streets and was once a haven for brandy and tobacco smugglers who travelled the area. Up until recently a visit was like stepping back in time as the majority of houses had no running water and one light bulb.
Gaucin actually predates the Roman period. Step back in time by visiting the Cave and see the prehistoric Cave paintings. Ancient Iberian ceramics have been found in the castle’s water deposit. The Phoenicians established gold mines on the nearby Sierra Bermeja and probably controlled Gaucín during their hegemony in the region.
In 714 AD Tarik the Moor invaded Spain through Gibraltar using the Roman roads and Gaucin was the scene of many a long and bloody battle. King Henry IV finally liberated Gaucín in 1457.
The British took Gibraltar in 1704 and the local priest, fearing that Gaucín would be ramsacked, hid church treasures, but the British didn’t arrive. By the end of the century many British Gibraltarians were coming to the Gaucín to spend the summers in the cool mountains.
In 1808 the French invaded Gaucín during the Napoleonic Wars. Seven hundred brave guerrillas tried unsuccessfully to defend the castle. Gaucin subsequently became very poor and many local men became Banoleros, (bandits) ,Bandoleros (bandits) and contrabandistas (sellers of smuggled goods) providing inspiration for Prosper Merimée´s novel that was adapted by Bizet into the opera Carmen. There is supposed to be evidence to prove that Gaucín, not Ronda was the setting for the Bandolero Act III.
One of the most popular festivals of the year is the ‘ toro de cuerda’ (bull on a cord.). On Easter Sunday two bulls, one at 10 a.m. and one at 4 p.m., are loosed to run through the town, chased by the valiant. Much drinking, feasting and hilarity follows.
There are plenty of suitable Apartments in Costa Del Sol in which to stay to tour the area, choose from Caseras, Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Benahavis or Benalmadena.
Calahonda, which is sited on the Spanish Costa Del Sol, has grown into a mecca for the European tourist trade over recent years. It is now so large one could easily mistake it for a town in its own right. Being such a size it is everything that a town has to offer. There are a wide variety of Villas in Calahonda to choose from and much to see and do on a break away.
The council for Calahonda have put much thought and energy into lifestyle for its inhabitants and tourists alike. For example there are at least ten different golf courses to choose from within a small radius. One can also sample from a excellent selection of local water activities and there are a variety of tennis courts and a fitness centre for those who want something a little more active.
One of the jewels in Calahonda’s crown is Puerto Cabopino its very own port, which is very small and very charming. Next to the port there is also a glorious beach. There are several restaurants and cafes in the port which makes it a beautiful place to sit and relax and while away the hours relaxing and soaking up the sun and the general feel of the place.
The majority of the Calahonda bars are situated in the multi-storey commercial centre, El Zoco. As for restaurants, Calahonda boasts at least 45 restaurants and cafeterias to choose from. You need to stay a while to sample plenty of them!
If you are visiting Calahonda, we can recommend holidaying in Las Palmeras and there are a wide choice of Las Palmeras Villas to choose from.
Las Palmeras is a brand new development, which is sited in an elevated position at the rear of Calahonda giving wonderful views over rural areas to the sea. There are a wide varieties of different types and sizes of rental villas available in Las Palmeras. These range from 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apartments (sleeping 6 persons), to 3 bed roomed penthouses. There are a number of swimming pools for use. The apartments are of a very generous proportion being approx 110sm internally and having balconies of 42.5sm.
If you want to stay away from a hire car whilst on holiday you can instead try out the mini land train which runs down into Calahonda and back at a small cost. If you have children they will love the experience and the excitement of this sort of mini tour.
Calahonda is 30 minutes from Malaga Airport and most budget airlines will get you there from the major UK airports in no more than a couple of hours. Weather wise, expect sunshine 12 months of the year. It will rain in winter but there is much to do and so much to see whenever you visit.
Malaga province is perhaps best known for its whitewashed towns, but climb higher to find the more traditional and pretty ones. In the hills you will find delightful pueblos. Some bear the name of ‘Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos’, and number up to 60 in total.
For a short tour take in Casares, going via Manilva on the MA 539, the Gaucin road. Or from Bahia Casares and past the complex of Casares Del Sol . Casares rises dramatically from a gorge. The view from the top of the village looking over the houses is breathtaking and is deservedly one of the most photographed villages in Spain!
On the steep approach road you will see viewpoints from where in the right conditions you can see peregrine falcons and kestrels soaring on thermals.
Casares is steeped in history and has Roman and Moorish influences. At the top is a Moorish Fort. The museum, albeit small is well worth visiting. Look for the metal gate in the churchyard from where captive soldiers from the Spanish civil war were reputedly thrown unceremoniously into the gorge.
From the peak of Casares one can see the loft heights of the Sierra Bermeja and in the opposite direction the valley of the Rio Genal.
Casares is best approached by foot heading down from the top of the village by the Restaurant La Terraza. The food and wine is excellent, but expect to pay tourist prices. Park your car either by a bar or at the car park on the bend, (you will see the Casares dust cart parked there) and climb down one of the footpaths that lead into the village.
On the way down wonder at the way the locals have adapted. For example they have left bench seats out with the ‘down slope’ legs cut short so that one sits level whilst resting!
Stop awhile in the main square, Plaza de España. Visit the statue of Blas Infante, named to commemorate the Andalucía Nationalist Leader executed at the start of the civil war by Franco’s rebels. His birthplace in Calle Carrera now serves as a museum and tourist office.
Although steep, climb to the old fortress (the base of the walls are Moorish but above head height is dated after 1500), and Iglesia de la Encarnación church 1400 feet above sea level for dramatic views. The church built in 1505, last used in 1845 and damaged in the Civil war 1936-39 is presently being lovingly restored
To get there follow the narrow road adjacent to the Virgin del Rosario chapel. Visit on a clear day and you may well be rewarded with a view of the African coast and Gibraltar.
Adjacent to the church is the Hermitage of Vera Cruz with its domed alcove which may have been an altar room. Look for the bullet holes! During the civil war captured enemies were thrown to their deaths. Look out across the gorge looking right of Restaurant la Teraza, a simple iron cross marks and remembers yet another civil hurling site.
Throughout the summer months Casares hosts outdoor entertainment which is completely free of charge. In the last two years we have spent delightful time with friends watching Argentian and Russian dance troupes. Look in the local papers or ask at the tourist office. The village is lit all night in coloured lights and makes for a wonderful backdrop.
On the Gaucin road you will see approximately one and a half kilometres away from a small track through farm land. This was once the main route to Jimena and San Martin. Drive slowly over bumps and you will eventually come across ruined sections of wall which are the remains of the Iberian and Roman town of Lacipo. Founded in the 2nd century BC its wealth was built on live oil, but sadly it declined in 2nd century AD.
There are plenty of suitable Villas in Costa Del Sol in which to stay to tour the area, choose a Casares Sel Sol Villa, Calahonda, Mijas Costa, Benahavis or Benalmadena.
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No one can miss the point that the province of Malaga owes its international renown to its privileged combination of sand and sun. The Province benefits from a beautiful Mediterranean coastline stretching for some 160-kilometres, which hosts famous tourist Meccas such as Calahonda, San Pedro de Alcantara, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona and Soto Grande.
The extensive coastline plus its mild climate have made the Province one of the world’s top tourist destinations. It is reported that 108 million tourists have visited in the last 15 years.
Many of the millions of tourists who flock to Malaga province sadly frequently stray more than a few miles from the beach. However the area has a lot more to offer and has a long and chequered history.
The exploration of the Province should rightly start in Malaga. The International airport has regular flights from most major cities, and is located just 10 minutes from the centre and within 30 minutes by car from most other popular spots on the coast.
Originally Phoenician, the city of Malaga became one of the many Roman towns. In 1711 it fell to the Moors. It continued to lead a troubled life right up until 1931 when at the start of the civil war its left wing citizens burned Malaga’s churches.
Malaga’s historical ruins can be mainly found on the high ground at the eastern end of the city. First the Alcazaba, the Moorish palace, a maze of Moorish little gardens and courts and a partly exposed Roman theatre. The Alcazaba connects with the Gibralfaro Castle which has been restored. Rest a while at the Jardin–Botanico La Concepcion, a garden created one hundred and fifty years ago.
Malaga’s Plaza de Toros (bullring) is worth a visit from an historical perspective. Once 24 bulls and 96 horses perished in just 3 days, it is written.
Perhaps Malaga’s most prominent landmark is the Cathedral. Built between 1528 and 1782 it is still incomplete. If you want a break away from the traffic visit the English Cemetery, circa 1830. It was Spain’s first Protestant cemetery. Prior to that Malaga Protestants were buried on the beach below the high-water mark. It is told that bones were washed up on the beach and found at out at sea. A newspaper of the time reported that the local fishermen ‘were afraid that the heretics might infect the fish!’
One of Malaga’s most famous children has to be Pablo Picasso. The family home, situated on Plaza de la Merced has been lovingly restored and today is used as a study centre devoted to the artist. Visit the Museo Picasso, situated on Calle San Agustin opened with works donated by the artist’s daughter in law, Christine.
One of the areas’ famous exports before the 1870’s was Malaga wine. It was strong 18?, (typical wine is 11?), and made from sweet raisins. Sadly along with other European countries Spanish vines were destroyed by the phylloxera bug. If you are into wines go on a wine tour starting at Antiqua Casa Guardia where you will find 21 barrels can be sampled!
A huge programme has improved Malaga’s local city beaches and most locals flock to the city beaches and those to the east of the city such as El Palo and Runcion de la Victoria.
Inland Malaga Province has much to offer. Whitewashed villages, Gaucin and Casares being excellent examples. The mountain town of Ronda perched above the Tajo gorge is a ‘must see before you fly’.
Beginning December 17, 2008, Carnival will not be including a cruise fuel surcharge in their fees. Previously, Carnival charged as much as $15 per day. They will now be refunding those fuel surcharges through a ship board credit after the 17th.
In a statement on Thursday December 3rd, Carnival’s director of marketing, Bill Harber, said oil prices have dropped low enough for the company to lift the surcharges. “As the price of oil has dropped to $46 per barrel, it has now reached a level where we are able to suspend the fuel supplement,” Harber said.
They warned that if fuel prices rise again, they may start charging the fee again.
This should increase bookings, a good thing for Carnival. Many cruisers were quite upset when the cruise companies began placing fuel surcharges.
While Royal Caribbean passengers must still pay a daily $10 fuel surcharge for 2009, this fee will end starting in 2010. They also said that each quarter in 2009, they will examine the fuel conditions to determine whether to refund the charge.
Carnival’s elimination of the fuel surcharge will increase the pressure on Royal Caribbean to also drop their surcharges. I’d expect to see them make a move in the near future.
Lets all hope that oil prices stay down and we never see a cruise fuel surcharge ever again
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