Beaches, art and leisure on the Costa del Sol

The perfect setting for leisure and relaxation where you can enjoy wide open beaches with warm waters, modern hotel facilities and exclusive golf courses, not forgetting the passion for life to be found in its towns and in its people. Forget your daily routine and spend a few magical days in one of the world’s most prized tourist destinations.
Sun and sand are, without doubt, the trademarks that have made the coast of Malaga province into the ideal destination for more than eight million tourists who come to this privileged part of Andalusia every year. Initially attracted by its exceptional climate (the average annual temperature is about 18ºC), visitors to the Costa del Sol end up being seduced by its attractive towns and villages, many with quiet coves, kilometres of clean sand, unusual natural settings and the Mediterranean sea, perfect for swimming and all sorts of water sports. Any spot on the Malaga coast is perfect to enjoy the good weather, peace and quiet, cool streets and squares, friendly local people and delicious flavours of the finest fish in a variety of dishes – an essential ingredient in the light, exquisite local cuisine.
The life of leisure and luxury also stand out on the Costa del Sol. Towns like Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Marbella, Mijas and Estepona are important centres for shopping, culture and business, as well as being some of international high society’s favourite destinations. Casinos, concerts, museums, fiestas, theatres, water parks and theme parks are just some of the leisure activities on offer by day, while by night the fun continues when the bars, discos and nightclubs open. The Costa del Sol’s setting is also perfect for a wide range of open-air sports and contact with nature. If there is one dominant sport in Malaga province, however, it is golf. The Costa del Sol is a Mecca for thousands of enthusiasts. There are almost fifty courses to be found over a relatively small area – in places like Marbella, Malaga, Estepona, Guadiaro, San Pedro de Alcántara, Alhaurín de la Torre, Artola, Mijas and Puerto Banús.
The perfect way to relax and tone up the body is in one of the many new spas and hydrotherapy centres that have appeared recently along the Malaga coast offering sauna, massage, Turkish baths and jacuzzi. There are two traditional spa-centres in the province. They can be found in-land at Carratraca and Tolox, with good access from the coast. The Costa del Sol, like all of Spain, has a wealth of art and history to enjoy. Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga and the city has just opened a new museum dedicated to this universal artist. It also has historic buildings and monuments like the Cathedral, Moorish “Alcazaba” (Fortress) as well as its old town, full of palaces and stately town houses. It is also well worth visiting nearby towns such as Antequera, Ronda, Marbella and Nerja whose beautiful, mysterious pre-historic caves are not to be missed. It is definitely worth taking time out from your relaxation by the sea to discover the historic/artistic heritage of this welcoming region, worthy of being one of the world’s prime tourist destinations.

How To: Planning a Spectacular 50th Anniversary Party

We just celebrated my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary and it turned out to be the party of the year. Not only was it a grander affair than their wedding, but it was incredible to see the hundreds of people there who played such special roles in the lives of my grandparents. I couldn’t believe how many friends they had made over the years. Although I volunteered to take on the forbidding task of planning the event, lucky for me I wasn’t alone in the process.
If an anniversary celebration is coming your way, take heed to the bits of advice I put together after all was said and done. The day turned out spectacular, better than we could have ever imagined and surprisingly with very little stress.
1. Don’t fool yourself. Hire a caterer. This was, by far, the smartest decision ever made. Yes, it does cost more than preparing the food yourself, but realize that you’re paying someone to take it off your list of things to do. After the menu is decided upon, you can sit back and count on your caterer to take care of business the day of. Our Utah caterer not only created some of the most delectable foods ever to touch my palate, but brought with them an elegant and confident attitude that shaped the evening into a beautiful celebration.
2. Music. Music. Music. These days, DJs are almost a thing of the past. Find yourself an iPod and a sound system and you’re good to go for the evening. We put together a playlist of all the classic romantic artists as well as a few of the more contemporary ones: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Junior, etc. Music can do a great job of creating the romantic and elegant environment you are hoping to bring to the party.
3. Be creative when it comes to location. We decided to hold the anniversary celebration in an old restored mansion that a friend of ours owns. It is a beautiful estate, located a few miles out in the country, surrounded by lush vineyards. We served hors d'oeuvres outside and then ushered everyone inside for the sit down, candle lit dinner.
4. Map out the night of events beforehand. One of the most simple things to do, and can save you the most time, is to map out the timing of events beforehand. Set approximate times for hors d’oeuvres, dinner, toasts, cake, and dancing. If you have a general schedule of events and times, you are more likely to feel less stress the night of because those in charge will know what’s happening and when.
5. Have fun with the cake. This is an anniversary, not a wedding. The traditional white cake, although still appropriate and forever classic, isn’t a must in this situation. Your caterer might have the capability to design the cake for you, but if not, they will definitely be able to give you a reputable reference. Try using fresh fruit or flowers with vivid color to bring a sophisticated elegance to the cake.
6. Don’t forget to have fun. Once the night has begun, try to relax and have fun. Even if something isn’t just as you had hoped, roll with the punches and have a good time. Chances are you’ll be the only one who had a clue something was wrong.