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Declared a National Monument in 1931, the imposing castle dominates the town’s skyline. Its construction began in 1506 by order of Pedro Fajardo, named Marquis of Los Vélez by the Catholic Monarchs

Andalucia has much to offer in the way of rural tourism. The striking landscapes of its natural parks occupy 17% of the region´s land, and even outside these protected areas, vast expanses of unspoilt mountains, forests and rivers make for a wonderful exploratory visit. For families, this can be an ideal getaway, and a more active alternative to a beach holiday.

All three drinks have their roots in Spain, with brandy being produced throughout the country, anis particularly popular in Catalonia, and pacharán originating in Navarre and the Basque Country.

Markets (mercados) are a common sight in towns and villages throughout Costa del Sol are an essential part of local life largely unaffected by competition from supermarkets and hypermarkets. They are colourful, noisy and entertaining and an experience not to be missed, whether you plan to buy anything or not.

The earliest record we have of Cástaras comes from a text by the Almerian al-Udri (1003–1085), who lists the name 'Yûz' Qāšturiš' alongside a series of other place names in La Alpujarra.

The small town of Alora is situated 40 kms north of Málaga by the road to Antequera and just 12 km south of El Chorro. From a distance, it is a typical pueblo blanco; a whitewashed village nestled between three rocky spurs topped by the ruins of a magnificent castle which has an interesting history.

In the Spanish education system, children can start nursery (guarderia, known popularly as guarde) at 4 months, and they can stay up to three years, when they move onto Infantil school. Some areas, particularly in larger towns and cities, and especially on the Costa del Sol, have bilingual or international schools which offer nursery facilities as well as infantil.

This chapel is built on the site of a former hermitage which was destroyed in 1998 due to some urban expansion works carried out on the street. Located on Calle Carrichete.

Located in Sotogrande the Trocadero Sotogrande Beach Club boasts beautiful green lawns typical of the area and sun loungers placed steps away from the beach. Buffet lunches are on offer and it is a favourite meeting place for the Sotogrande set while they enjoy many facilities.

Many visitors to Spain have never seen a quince ( membrillo) fruit growing. The quince is a fragrant, yellow fruit that resembles a cross between an apple and a pear, Katie shares the recipe

Puerto de la Duquesa is one of the Costa del Sol's marinas that is enjoyed by sailors and tourists alike. Located one hour's drive from the airport of Malaga and 45 minutes form Gibraltar airport. La Duquesa seems like a thousand miles away from the throng of the holiday resorts.

The art museum has been open since August 2004 and was donated to the town by José Antonio Jiménez Tovar.

This small town roughly halfway between Málaga and Antequera is rightly proud of its name. It derives from the Moorish al-megia or al-mexía, 'the pretty one', a reference to its position in the foothills of the Sierra del Hacho, in the shadow of the Sancti Petri peak.

Formerly the home of the Administrador del Marqués, the building dates back to the eighteenth century and was refurbished as a church at the end of the nineteenth century.

Massive in the USA, where their recordings often sell platinum, the Gypsy Kings are probably the most popular, and populist, nuevo flamenco band in the world. Famed for their 1987 hit, 'Bamboleo', they bring a distinctive French influence from their origins in the gypsy culture around Arles, Montpelier, where Spain's roma legacy overlaps the border of France.

Recommended: Best Of, Gypsy Kings, Tierra Gitana

Back in the 1990s, Seville's more louche inhabitants, along with certain controlled substances, populated the Alameda, which lies to the north of the centre. Now it's home to trendy bars, vegetarian restaurants, and those all-in-one bar-gallery-stores that were first hip in Soho, New York, about 40 years ago. You'll find sushi and Asian-fusion restaurants here, while yoga and pilates studios abound. It's also hugely popular with families, and the playgrounds are heaving in the afternoons and evenings, and late into the night in the steaming-hot summer.

Popular festivals in Murtas are Fiestas de la Santa Cruz, Corpus Christi, Semana Cultural, Fiestas de San Miguel and Fiestas de San Fernando.

Antequera has numerous bars here are some of the most interesting.

Every year, Estepona celebrates its long fishing tradition with its own Virgen del Carmen festival on July 16. The event comprises several days of magnificent Catholic display and civic festivities.