The leisure port’s proximity to the historic and monumental center of the city is one more incentive to the stopover at this port. Cádiz has a lot to offer culturally, but it also offers fun and spectacular cuisine with its seafood and fish. The Bay of Cádiz is one of the most suitable places for sailing, comprising a large area of water open to the west that closes the castle island of San Sebastián to the east, the outer bastion of the eighteen defenses of the Bay of Cádiz. It is ideal for all kinds of water sports.

Valle Romano, in Estepona, is an outstanding 18-hole course, fitted out to play host to the most demanding and prestigious tournaments. Its design guarantees the enjoyment of amateur golfers, while being transformed into a challenging circuit for professionals. This is a course which, more than being designed, has been devised to ensure that one day it will become a legend

Valle Romano, in Estepona, is an outstanding 18-hole course, fitted out to play host to the most demanding and prestigious tournaments. Its design guarantees the enjoyment of amateur golfers, while being transformed into a challenging circuit for professionals. This is a course which, more than being designed, has been devised to ensure that one day it will become a legend.

Monte Mayor Golf closed in 2011. It had opened in 1989 and was designed by José Cancedo. This was a fantastic and challenging golf course known as one of the most spectacular on the Costa del Sol. Closed in 2011

Tramores Golf is the third course at Villa Padierna Golf Club. This course is part of the luxury development surrounding the Villa Padierna Hotel. With a length of 3,486 metres, it is one of the few par-63 courses on the Costa del Sol. Some call it a practice course. It is certainly fast and entertaining to those that play it.    There are some creative designs such as a bunker in the middle of a green. Men and Womens handicap of 48 is the course requirement.

The course, which was inaugurated in 2008, is situated within the Marbella Club Golf Resort and has already attracted many tournaments. Play short on the 1st hole towards the green as the land drops away sharply behind, and as for the 3rd, the green is set on an island edged by black slate so aim for dead centre. On the 4th the dogleg fairway sweeps down to the right to reveal the green sitting on a peninsula. Take care driving off from the 9th tee not to go too much to the left, otherwise the ball will find one of the fairway bunkers.

We all know that our pets are as much a part of our family as our parents, our spouses, and our children and frequently, they are the less of a cause for aggravation or concern. However, when they are sick or involved in an accident, pets can become a great preoccupation. Veterinary bills can be an unwanted surprise that can cause a great deal of stress within the family. That is why the concept of Pet Insurance has become a popular way to hedge against emergency veterinary costs.

Spain is well known for its bullfights, which inspire both admiration and disgust from visitors. Less well-publicised abroad are the general conditions in which pets and domesticated animals are kept in this country.

Some standard pet supplies are available at all major commercial centres, such as Carrefour and Al Campo, in Andalucia, as well as at many supermarkets. Here you will find both dry and canned foods for cats and dogs as well as bird and fish food as well as a variety of accessories for all pets in these categories. However, to find high quality and/or specialised items, you will need to find a pet store or veterinary clinic. Only in these establishments will you find medication for worming your pet, for example.

70 km - 1 hour An interesting drive from Granada down to the Cosst at Motril. It is now motorway most of the way and takes about one hour.

This little railway station, a few km from the town, is located in a district know as Puente Romana is close the A-7 and A-381 interchange.

Itinerary: Almeria - Tabernas - Almeria - (Day trip) Or continue to Guadix - Granada. If you're a fan of Wild West movies, or you have children in your group, then this outing is perfect for you. Take the A92 north out of Almeria, then turn off to the right on the N340 towards Mini Hollywood.

Itinerary: Almeria - Cabo de Gata - San Jose - beaches - Rodalquilar - . Leave Almeria on the N344, heading east. Then take the small road towards the town of Cabo de Gata, and carry on as far as the road goes, past the salt flats on your left. You will reach Faro de Gata, the lighthouse - enjoy the open sea views. Head back along the same road, taking the right turn to Ruescas, then right again - you're driving behind Cabo de Gata, as the cape itself is a national park.

Itinerary: Granada - Lanjaron - Orgiva - Trevelez - Yegen - Granada - (1 week).

From Granada, take the N-323 south, climbing up into the mountains and turning off to the left (A348) to Lanjaron.

Itinerary: Granada - Sierra Nevada - (Day trip or 2-3 days)

From Granada, take the A395 heading south east, which winds through the foothills towards Pradollano at 2712m. This town sits on Velleta, Spain's second-highest mountain. Hikers will enjoy the Sierra Nevada with its challenging peaks and beautiful senderos (paths), while winter-time visitors will want to get their skis or snowboard on in Solynieve, the ski resort.

Itinerary: Jerez - Sanlucar - Doñana - Cadiz - Jerez - Or continue to White Towns, Medina Sidonia, Tarifa and Costa de la Luz (Day trip - 2 weeks)

Itinerary: Jerez - Sanlucar - Doñana - Cadiz - Jerez - Or continue to White Towns, Medina Sidonia, Tarifa and Costa de la Luz - (Day trip - two weeks)

Itinerary: Seville - Cordoba - Madinat Al-Zahra - Granada - (2 to 7 days)

Leave Seville heading east on the A4 to Cordoba city, you can stop off at Almodovar del Rio to see its magnificent castle, perched on a hilltop overlooking the river.

Itinerary: - Seville - Monasterio La Cartuja - Sierra de Aracena - Rio Tinto - Punta Umbria - Huelva - (2 days)

In Seville, go to the Isla Cartuja and see the Monasterio de Santa Maria de las Cuevas, with its old ceramics factory built by Charles Pickford. The factory is long out of use, but the tall brick chimneys are one of Seville's most famous landmarks, and the gardens and courtyards are shady and peaceful after the bustle of the city.

'Pavo Navideño' or Christmas Turkey, try this recipe for a christmas turkey in Andalucia. Whilst the Andalucia tradition is Seafood at christmas, turkey is becoming popular and is posible to purchase at surermarkets and larger butchers.

The Blue flag awards have grown remarkably since their beginings in France in the mid 80's. The requirements for certification have also widened. Most coatal municipalities in Andalucia sumbit an application in the autumn of the previous year, receive an inspection visit and commit not just to clean bathing water but public showers, life-guards, signage and environmental awareness programmes. It has become necessary for town halls to carefully select their potential Blue Flag beaches for infrastructure investment ahead of the Blue Flag application. The successful applications are listed on the four 'costas' pages linked below. Unsuccesful aplication are not disclosed.