Inspiring Experiences
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Inspiring Experiences & Bespoke Adventures “As I put my uniform on, and I see the crest of the crossed Keys, I realise that each My Costa del Sol action I carry out as a concierge can determine the experience a guest has with us… and I wish to make that experience the best it can possibly be.” What are your favourite things to do? Perfect Place in Costa del Sol I enjoy nature and being outside. I find nature in all its grandeur in two places of our region: the endless beaches of golden sand in Conil. Favourite Restaurant Restaurant Ventas. This restaurant is a return to conscious consumption, sustainability and deceleration. With a delicious taste, recipes have been passed from generation to generation. Cultural Costa del Sol “Picasso Museum” is a real oasis in the very centre of Málaga – with it you will find art, culture, cafés and shops for every kind of taste. I especially love the atmosphere during the daytime, when everyone is sitting outside. Best Landscape Views. Almost feels like a short holiday – a visit to Ronda, one of our local mountains. Apart from the fantastic views above a gorge (El Tajo) that separates the city’s new town from its old town, it is the environment that makes this place so special. Outside the city, surrounded by vineyards. A highlight is a visit to the bodega, where we make our hotel’s house wine. Juan Fuentes Head Concierge 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCOVER ANDALUCIA 5 BESPOKE EXPERIENCES 11 ACTIVE ANDALUCIA 13 ART IN ANDALUCIA 14 ANDALUCIA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD 17 NIGHT LIFE 23 GOLF ANYONE? 24 Take the fast lane! Click on the section you wish to go directly 3 4 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA There is no place on earth similar to Andalucia. This land where mountain meets the sea is home to endless landscapes, from lush mountains to warm valleys, pristine coasts or very charming villages. From powerful bulls running freely in the “dehesas”, or bull farms, to the vibrant steps of a flamenco dancer at the alluring sound of a Spanish guitar in the courtyard of a traditional Moorish house, your senses will awake to a voyage like no other. 5 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA Estepona A traditional fishing village where most of our staff reside. It has retained the best of the Andalusian culture and is most famous for its charming port and streets bursting with flowers. The highlights are its wide choice of local restaurants and the city Orchidarium, home to over 1,500 plant specimens. Distance from the Hotel: 2 kms Travelling time: 5 minutes 6 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA Marbella & Puerto Banús A former fishing village and once the playground of Europe’s royalty, Marbella is today a world-famous destination. In Puerto Banús, the Marina and the fashion shops are unmissable and form part of the atmosphere. In Marbella, this vibrant town’s highlights are definitely the promenade with its pleasant beaches, the cobbled and narrow streets in the oldtown that seem to be taken from a fairy tale, and, of course, its nightlife Distance from the Hotel: 20 kms Travelling time: 25 minutes 7 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA Ronda A must-stop in the Grand Tour of the nobleman of the XVII and XIX centuries, Ronda is superbly described by writer Orson Welles: “A man does not belong to the place where he was born, but where he chooses to die.” Known as the “city in the sky” or the “birthplace of bullfighting”, Ronda starts with a spectacular drive through the mountains and when it ends you will have fallen in love with its culture, landscapes, vineyards and Moorish influences. Distance from the Hotel: 64 kms Travelling time: 1 hour 8 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA Málaga The Picasso Effect has gripped Málaga, and there are now numerous art galleries to visit: Museo de Picasso, Centre Pompidou Málaga, Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, and even a Museo de Vino! Málaga’s history dates back more than 2,800 years and it was under Arab rule for eight centuries. You can still walk the ancient walled city of the Alcazaba. Málaga is worthy of a visit: from its food to its culture, it’s a charming, warm-hearted city waiting to be explored! Distance from the Hotel: 86 kms Travelling time: 1 hour Córdoba Once the capital of the celebrated Al Andalus, now a UNESCO Heritage site, Córdoba is a proud and genteel city. Visiting the Mezquita takes you on a time traveller’s journey from Al Andalus to Christianity, if you can time your visit for spring and tour Los Patios de Córdoba. Distance from the Hotel: 234 kms Travelling time: 2.3 hours Granada Granada is a cultural highlight that should not be missed. The name of Granada is synonymous with Alhambra, the legendary fortress that dominates the city with its gorgeous tiled courtyards, once a palace that was home to the last Muslim kings before their expulsion. The classic view of the Alhambra silhouetted against the snow-capped Sierra Nevada is a stunning sight, and don’t forget to try the city’s famous tapas. Distance from the Hotel: 202 kms Travelling time: 2 hours 9 DISCOVER ANDALUCIA Tarifa Kite surfing paradise, long golden sandy beaches and a relaxed, happy atmosphere. With a boho-chic look, Tarifa has become one of Cadiz’s most popular holiday destinations for thrill-seeking water sports fans. Check out the cool chiringuitos and beachside hotels. Distance from the Hotel: 80 kms Travelling time: 1 hour White Villages of Andalucia Andalucia is famous for its pretty “sugar cube” white houses, so why not hire a car? Our concierge recommends the following as must-sees: El Gastor, Zahara de la Sierra, Olvera and Sentil del las Bodegas. Dine with the locals in a venta, and try the traditional dishes of the village. Ask our concierge for tips on where to eat. Jerez Famous for two things, its Sherry and some of the world’s most beautiful horses. Visit the famous Royal Equestrian School to see the ‘dancing horses’, enjoy a taste of Jerez in a bodega, then settle down for a lunch at a traditional Venta, this is the real Andalucia at its finest. Distance from the Hotel: 146 kms Travelling time: 1.5 hours 10 BESPOKE EXPERIENCES Voyage creators – At Kempinski Hotel Bahia we love travel and our idea of travel is very precise. It’s all about tailor-made experiences – it’s very personal to each one – and in this section, we aim only to take you off the beaten track, and to inspire you to design the holiday of a lifetime when you stay at our hotel. 11 BESPOKE EXPERIENCES Bull Farm in Ronda You cannot fail to be enchanted by Ronda, capital of the route of the Pueblos Blancos (White Villages). On dramatic cliffs and while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, you may visit the farm of a local bullfighter. Here, you will enjoy a privileged insider’s look into the ancient tradition of bull- breeding, as well as a close-up view of life in an unparalleled rural setting. This impressive farm always captivates our guests. See our concierge for details. Address: Reservatauro Ronda - 1 hour & 10 minutes, 73 km. The Art of Málaga, the Picasso Effect Devoted to the most influential artist of the XX Century we invite you to visit the Picasso museum and explore Málaga through the eyes of the artist, in the city in which he was born. The exhibition narrative starts with the artists formative years and continue with the great stylistic and thematic moments of his career – cubism, the Mediterranean, portraiture – and ends with his reinterpretation of great masters. Flamenco experience Hosted in El Tablao de Ana Maria Flamenco experience in Marbella, for the true taste of Flamenco a dance of passion, history and talent that flows through Andalusians… Address: Plaza Santo Cristo, 4, 29609 Marbella 12 ACTIVE ANDALUCIA Horse riding Discover the beauty of Andalucia from the saddle. Take to the mountains, dip down into valleys and wind along river beds, under the deep blue sky. Spanish horses are renowned all over the world for their pleasant and noble temperament, allow us to arrange your day out that will leave you feeling even more in love with Andalucia. Cuadra Finca Siesta de los Rubios - Estepona 10 minutes Ojén eco reserve Discover the flora and fauna of Andalucia, go deer watching, or spot a Spanish Ibex, delicately tiptoeing through the mountains. This nature reserve, is a unique experience and a perfect example of the rich biodiversity of Mediterranean flora. Ojén Eco Reserve - Guided Tour - Ojén 30 minutes Exploring military history of Gibraltar Steeped in military history due to its location as a natural fortress. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the Rock via guide who is historically educated on the rocks military history and who also have access to points where the general public and other tour guides are not allowed. Blands Group Battlefield Tours - Guided Tour - Gibraltar 1 hour Sailing From the luxury of a yacht, see Andalucia from a different point of view. With an abundance of wildlife you will possibly see, dolphins or even whales, Eco educational tours are also available. Veleros Turisticos Estepona - Estepona 20 minutes 13 ART IN ANDALUCIA ‘The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls’ - Pablo Picasso. Málaga is fast becoming as cosmopolitan city with an abundance of Art Galleries and Museums to enjoy. 14 ART IN ANDALUCIA Museo Picasso Málaga Malaga is Picasso‘s birthplace. The museum displays a wide variety of paintings, sketches, sculptures and engravings, all dating from different periods of Picasso‘s work.