The Treasures of Mediterranean Cuisine
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GASTRONOMY A diet based on delicious fresh produce Costa del Sol PAGE 8 November 2008 Where the sun always shines II COSTA DEL SOL WORLD TRAVEL MARKET NOVEMBER 2008 SUR IN ENGLISH SUR IN ENGLISH NOVEMBER 2008 COSTA DEL SOL WORLD TRAVEL MARKET III TOURISM Spoiled for choice Guides to planning your holiday Salvador Pendón President of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board NCE upon a time, people chose to holiday on the Costa del Sol Obecause of the sunshine and its beautiful beaches. That hasn’t changed, as can be seen from the numbers of tanned bodies on the “A combination of sandy shores of Malaga province almost all year round, but nowadays the Coast of the Sun has a great deal more to offer and it is a popular destination for people seeking holidays of all different types. The Costa del Sol Tourist Board is keen to make the region’s attractions tourist attractions ” known, and provides a wealth of information at its headquarters in Plaza del Siglo in the centre of Mala- ga city. There is a tourist informa- tion point within this three-storey building, but those who like to plan The Costa del Sol’s success as a Costa del Sol, the area’s woodlands Sol a high class destination. Nobody of attractions of all types. Where in advance or who are merely check- holiday destination is due to a and landscapes, the capital city of would argue that other holiday else can you find sunshine and ing out the attractions of the Costa combination of differentiating Malaga and its historic and cultural areas may have even better beaches beach tourism at the same time as del Sol as a holiday destination factors which make it a unique heritage, which its competitors or natural parks or archaeological the opportunity to learn languages? should visit the tourist board’s web- destination, a tourist destination of cannot emulate, the innumerable remains, or gastronomy, or historic Where else has so many golf courses site, www.visitacostadelsol.com. quality. It is important for a holiday but barely exploited possibilities for monuments or climate or leisure and leisure ports, and also so many There, you can see what makes this area to be able to offer a wide range active tourism, our range of golf facilities, but we can state conference facilities? Where else region so perfect for a holiday and of attractions and in this context we courses and other sporting unequivocally that if the Costa del can offer health tourism, download information on the differ- must point out the large number of activities, our leisure ports, theme Sol maintains its position as a gastronomic tourism, cultural and ent options available. Whether you high quality hotels and other parks, festivals, and so on. All those leader in international tourism it is equestrian tourism? And on top of are thinking of a full scale vacation establishments which exist on the contribute to making the Costa del because of its unique combination or a short break, coming on business or to play sport, wanting to learn People who Spanish, see the works of Picasso or just chill out on a beach of golden come here sand this website will provide infor- mation about everything you want to several times know. The tourist board has pro- duced a series of useful colour guides SUN AND SAND. Beach holidays are still popular on the Costa del Sol/ SUR on themes such as beaches, shop- then want to ping, art, folklore, gastronomy, wine and olive oil, golf, marinas, excur- live here sions, museums, and health and beauty, and these include maps, opening times and how much it costs all this we have to add almost to visit historical buildings. There unique qualities such as the best are over twenty such guides, and climate in Europe, the hospitality of these can also be downloaded from the people of Malaga province, and the website. our special way of life. These three The Costa del Sol has something factors, added to all the others, for everybody, and a look at the mean that somebody who comes to tourist board website demonstrates the Costa del Sol will want to come that this region can meet any back to the Costa del Sol, and when requirement. It is a great help in they have been several times they planning a holiday. The climate lends will want to live here. Obviously, itself to sports and outdoor activities, not everything is perfect. Some and enthusiasts will be amazed at the things need to be worked on, such choice on offer, from golf to excur- as our reliance on the British and sions on horseback, from paragliding German markets, and we have to to paintball, from hiking to sailing, keep moving forward as a tourist and from windsurfing to skiing. Cul- destination. We need to attract ture vultures will find their fill of gal- tourists with increased spending leries, theatres and concert halls, power. We must learn to consider ancient churches, castles and quality more important than palaces. Then there’s gastronomy, quantity. The number of tourists whether it’s avante-garde in award- who choose this area is continuing winning restaurants or traditional to rise, golf tourism is growing, and specialist dishes cooked in small bars hotel occupancy continues to be normally known only to locals. good. The Costa del Sol is If you want beaches, www.visita- maintaining its position as one of costadelsol.com will tell you all about the world’s best holiday them. Also spa centres, beauty treat- destinations, and tourism is so ments, holiday facilities for senior important to our local economy that citizens, flamenco, rural tourism, we will never stop working to try to and luxury hotels, and much, much SALVADOR PENDÓN. President of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board. make it as perfect as possible. more. INLAND. The guides and website have information about rural areas IV COSTA DEL SOL WORLD TRAVEL MARKET NOVEMBER 2008 SUR IN ENGLISH SUR IN ENGLISH NOVEMBER 2008 COSTA DEL SOL WORLD TRAVEL MARKET V ATTRACTIONS The area’s No chance theme parks and water parks will of getting keep everybody bored happy Boats and cable car A boat trip is an enjoyable way to travel from one place to another, and these run from Benalmádena to The Costa del Sol Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Admire the views of the Costa del Sol from the sea, then stop off and explore one of these resorts before taking the leisurely journey back to has attractions Benalmádena. While you’re doing so, cast a glance up at the mountain behind the town, and plan another interesting and altogether spectacular trip, this time by cable to suit all ages car. The cable car runs from Arroyo de la Miel to the highest point on the Malaga coast, almost 800 metres above sea level. The journey takes and tastes 15 minutes and the views are incredible. You might think these alone are worth the trip, but once you arrive at the top there is even HEY are the words which different species. A guided tour more fun in store. Donkey rides are guaranteed to cause takes two hours and is educational along the mountain paths, discord on any family as well as fun. For animal lovers, exhibitions of dressage by beautiful Tholiday: “I’m bored!” It’s no Fuengirola Zoo is a good place to Spanish horses, and a bird of prey fun, trying to sight-see with grumpy visit, and for those who are more sanctuary where you can watch a children trailing behind you, but interested in extinct species a visit display of their flying and hunting you don’t necessarily want to spend to Tivoli World attraction park in skills. all day, every day on the beach even Arroyo de la Miel will be a popular Caves and ruins if that is your children’s idea of option. There, you will find life-size heaven. The key to a successful replicas of dinosaurs in their You don’t have to be a potholer to family holiday is to choose a Jurassic park, and can enjoy a fun explore all the caves on the Costa destination which has something to afternoon on the fairground rides, del Sol. Many of them are open to interest everybody in the group, watching musical shows, or the public and are easy to walk young, elderly or in-between. The tucking into a delicious meal in one around. The unforgettable Nerja Costa del Sol is one of the prime of the themed bars or restaurants. Cave, for example, dates back 40,000 destinations in the world for family Oh, and Dad and Grandad will years and is a glorious specimen holidays, and this isn’t surprising undoubtedly insist on seeing the which is also the venue for an when you look at the extensive largest miniature model train in DOLPHINS. Children can also swim with sea lions at Selwo Marina/ SUR International Music and Dance attractions on offer. Let’s take a Europe while they’re there. The Festival every summer. La Cala del look at a few ideas to keep the Costa del Sol also has several water Moral, just east of Malaga city, is children happy... parks, with some of the biggest and the home of Treasure Cave, the only The Costa del Sol has several best rides in Europe. The Mijas marine cave in Europe which can theme parks, all of them easily Acuatic Park in Mijas Costa boasts be visited, and Cueva La Pileta, accessible and guaranteed to a wave pool, kamikaze slide, water close to the inland village of interest youngsters and adults aike.