There are in fact some of the best courses in the world. If sightseeing is part of your agenda then this wonderful area has much to offer. Within a short distance are major cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny-whitewashed villages clinging to the mountainsides. Not far from the crowded beaches are true Spanish villages such as Casares, Ronda, Manilva and Sabinillas, all locked in time. Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there are few places that do not understand English.

White villages
One doesn't have to step back far from the golden sands, into the foothills to see some of the most beautiful white villages in the world. Villages such as Casares, Manilva and Mijas sit high on the mountain with houses standing like little white boxes, glued to the slopes. This is the Costa del Sol that most tourists miss and these little villages are tiny pieces of paradise that have been by-passed by the holiday boom. Most have retained their Andalucian charm and every day passes the same as the last. If one can handle the summer heat on a short trek into the hills then the views over the towns and on to the sea are worthy of anyone's photograph album and fully justify the pain.

Living on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is the area in Spain with the highest concentration of foreign residents. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners have made this their home or have purchased a holiday home here. This has enabled the area to develop a perfect multi-national infrastructure; including international schools and a massive English speaking community. Many foreigners make this their home because they feel 'safe'. There is no problem with languages and they will never be far from people in similar circumstances. There is a limited amount of work, however, this will largely depend on your skills and having a command of the Spanish language will certainly help in your quest for work.
Work on the Costa del Sol is largely related to the tourism industry and the services required by the large number of ex-pats who live here. Many of the current residents have already established their own companies; some succeed and some fail.

Areas along the Costa del Sol

Estepona
With an overall population of 37,000, the 'old town', as it is known, is a bustling and atmospheric centre.
Estepona is one of the few coastal towns that have succeeded in maintaining its pueblo charm and character, despite the onslaught of tourism.

While other resorts grew chiefly from tourism, Estepona's wealth was based on farming and fishing. Most inhabitants still farm a strip of land in their spare time. Rings outside town houses are used to tether mules and donkeys when they return with produce from the fields. Grass mats are laid through the sitting room and the beasts are led to back yard stables. Each evening, while bars, clubs and restaurants swing into action, the homeward procession of animals reminds Estepona of her roots. A statue of a farmer and fisherman on the promenade pays tribute to the men who gave the town prosperity.

Craftsmen still stitch the bright trappings for donkeys and mules. Others produce basketwork, woodwork, wrought ironwork, lacework and embroidery.
It is worth seeing the bustling co-operative society around five pm when fruits and vegetables are being auctioned for market next day. Here, the Ministry of Agriculture runs an Agrarian Extension where experiments are being carried out on the growth of tropical fruits in the area. Anyone may go for free expert advice on gardening.

Outside the Co-operative is the start of the mountain road, which will eventually join Estepona with Ronda. To date, it climbs 15 km's through beautiful pinewoods, hunting reserves and past bubbling springs to Peñas Blanca at 980 metres. From here a firm, wide track continues 4.5 km's to a refuge just below the 1.500 metre peak of the Sierra Bermeja - the Red Ginger Mountain, rich in iron oxide. On the north-facing slopes grow 9.000 of the beautiful and rare Abies Pinsapo silver fir trees, now under protection of Icona,

Spain's Institute for the Conservation of Nature. Estepona and two other spots in the Serrania de Ronda are the only places in the world where they can be found. The oldest trees are estimated to be around 300 years. Icona has made a walk through the pines and built the refuge where visitors may barbecue or picnic. At weekends, excellent local food is served.

Fuente De Piedra
The village of Fuente de Piedra (with a population of approximately 2,000) is close to the Natural Park and lake. Fuente de Piedra is famous for this beautiful lake, which has been described as a 'Natural Paradise'.
The village itself is typically Andaluz with its whitewashed houses with wrought iron protecting the balconies. As well as a few impressive houses built for noblemen of the past, there is also the palace of the Marques of Fuente de Piedra, which dates back to the 19th century and is built in the neoclassic style.
There is only one church - that of the 'Virgen de las Virtudes' - the patron saint of the village. It was built in 1891 in the neo-mudéjar style and has an interesting main façade, with a rather gothic like stain glass window over the main entrance.

The elliptical lake of 'Laguna de Fuente de Piedra' is the largest in the Iberian Peninsular at 2.5 wide and 6.5 kilometres long and is visited by the second largest colony of flamingos in Europe. The high ecological importance of this area is thanks to the geological characteristics as well as the flora and fauna to be found in the surroundings. The presence of halophytic plants (those adapted to a salt water habitat) is in abundance. Amongst many others, there are Saltwort, African Tamarisk, and Mediterranean brushwood.

In spring, thousands of flamingos fly in and take up residence, building nests on the small island on the lake, known as 'La Colonia' and by the end of April or beginning of May the flamingo chicks appear beside their parents to wade the shallow waters of the lake and learn to feed. Amongst the many other birds to be observed are bee-eaters, storks, avocets, coots, plovers and ducks.

The Natural Park of Fuente de Piedra is in a stunning setting and popular with all the family and especially bird watchers. You will find it on the most northern point of the Province of Malaga. It is easily to find by taking the A92, the main Malaga - Seville road. It is 443 meters above sea level and just 19 kilometers out of the town of Antequera.

Antequera
Located right in the centre of Andalucia. Set in a rich, fertile plain is the market town of Antequera. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and every generation, including the Romans have made their mark here. Some of the most important Roman Villa ruins have been discovered here. We stumbled across some being excavated at the top end of the town near the college. There are plenty of sights to be seen and it is known for its abundance of places of worship, more than anywhere else in Spain. The famous bullring is worth a look. Antequeras' main industry is not tourism, although this is growing, it is an important area for olive oil production. The whole area around the town is covered with olive trees. The town has always hoped to retain its individualism and image of true Spanish life. Malaga lies just 40km to the south, making Antequera an easy day out. Guided tours can be had around the museum, which is located in the heart of the monumental quarter, within the 18th C Ducal Palace.

It is truly a sleepy place except on the market day of Friday when the place comes alive with shoppers. The town is also a bustling agricultural centre that attracts farmers from the surrounding villages who come to stock up with all their requirements. Spectacular views can be had, over the sea plain to the south, dotted with wild olive trees. Head to the top of the town to find El Portichuelo, the College and the Alcazabar.

In the Giant's Arch (Arco de los Gigantes), see left, dating from 1585, there are various remains dating back to Roman times. Go through the arch to see the Royal College Church and the newly discovered Roman city. There is a wonderful bar and restaurant opposite the college.
The municipal museum is housed in the Palacio de Najera, a fine 18th century building. Within the museum are fine exhibits dating from Roman and pre-historic times, as well as a good selection of fine art. The bullring has recently been reconstructed.

Benalmadena
Just 19km from Malaga within Andalucia, lies the principality of Benalmadena which consists of three main areas. Benalmadena Pueblo (village) is located on the mountainside, an old, typical Andalucian village with steep, narrow streets and white-painted houses that retain a wealth of culture. The village has more than its share of attractions including museums, a castle, sports centre and a wide and varied selection of shops, bars and restaurants.

Arroyo de la Miel is a populated area between the mountains and the coast. This is where most of the area's population and businesses are located and it too has a wide range of attractions including a sports complex, bilingual library and the world famous theme park Tivoli World. This is also where the cable car to the mountain peak starts.

The third area is the most visited by tourists, Benalmadena Costa that sits next to Torremolinos. It has 9km of shoreline with beautiful beaches and tiny coves and a fully equipped marina for over 1,000 vessels. The marina is surrounded by apartments and offers sports such as diving and sailing. The marina boasts many international awards for design and functionality.
Benalmadena Costa also has it's own casino, nightclub and golf course. There is a garden of over 200,000 square metres, overlooking the sea. The La Paloma Park has a large lake, stocked with various water birds.
Next to the park is the feria ground where the flea market is held. In Benalmadena there is a booming hotel industry to which hundreds of thousands of tourists flock each year.

Benalmadena's paseo maritimo is lined with small shops and bars and fronts a long, wide beach that is kept clean and has lifeguard service. Benalmadena is certainly an attraction for tourists, most of which come on package deals as is reflected in the number of high-rise hotels that line the seafront.

At night the award winning Benalmadena port is illuminated in spectacular style. Crystal clear waters are filled with huge fish that bubble to the surface if you feed them. The port is also home to many international events such as fishing tournaments and regattas.

Torrequebrada Golf
The Golf Course at Torrequebrada is less than 10 minutes from Benalmadena and is well known with Golfers playing on the Costa Del Sol.

Sierra Nevada Ski Resort
Many people only associate Spain with sand and sun and are surprised to find that Spain also offers a wide range of winter sports. Spain's number one location for winter sports, the Sierra Nevada is located just two hours away from the Costa del Sol. Located above Granada, it has the best snow and the longest season in the country. One can look forward to five months of snow. Sierra Nevada has 61km of ski slopes with 45 pistes and 6 off-piste routes. There are 2 cable cars, 12 chair lifts and 5 ski lifts. The ski resort is open from 9am to 5pm although you can ski at night at weekends and bank holidays. Night skiing was introduced in 1994 with lighting along the El Rio slope (3km/545 vertical drop).

If you have never been to Sierra Nevada because you haven't got the essential gear, then that's no longer a valid excuse for everything you need can be hired on a daily basis. If your excuse is that you can't ski then forget that too for there is no shortage of schools that will assist everyone from beginners to experts. Because the area has such a pulsating nightlife, the slopes tend to be less crowded between 9am and 11am and between 1pm and 3pm, presumably the time when the skiers are sleeping off the effects of the night before.

If you have never been to Sierra Nevada because you haven't got the essential gear, then that's no longer a valid excuse for everything you need can be hired on a daily basis. If your excuse is that you can't ski then forget that too for there is no shortage of schools that will assist everyone from beginners to experts. Because the area has such a pulsating nightlife, the slopes tend to be less crowded between 9am and 11am and between 1pm and 3pm, presumably the time when the skiers are sleeping off the effects of the night before.
Over recent years the resort has turned to technology to extend the season by investing in artificial snow machines and now the resort has 16 of them that generate snow round the clock. The resort has the best-groomed snow in Europe. With the resort being just 30 minutes away from the city of Granada, nowhere else in the world can you be playing golf in the sun then within such a short time, be skiing or snow-boarding at a top resort.

Pradollano - The resort village
Sierra Nevada’s village area has been greatly enhanced thanks to the construction of new alpine-style buildings. One of the village’s most important features is the four-storey underground parking complex with a capacity of 2,880 vehicles.

The village offers a variety of services including quality hotels in a range of categories, which include jacuzzi, squash, workout areas, sauna and indoor swimming pools.

There are also shops, nightclubs, pubs and bars, discotheques etc. There is a new medical centre, child day-care centre, banks with ATM´s, supermarkets, sports and fashion boutiques, gift shops, magazine and newspaper kiosks, ski rental, photo-developing services, hairdressers, car rental, taxi service and a pharmacy.
The road to the resort is narrow and winding and as you get within a mile of the resort, snow begins to appear on the ground and the air turns cold. Be prepared for traffic jams at the top, especially at peak times. Even the coaches go to the top, which does appear to cause problems. We found the best place to park is the main underground park, good but expensive for long-term. From here it's easy to access the facilities. There are ample bars and restaurants, hotels and shops. Queues for the lifts were very long and the bars were all packed to capacity. The whole place pulsates with life and energy.
Most facilities are located around the main Plaza. You can also catch the small tourist train here that takes you round the resort. If you take the lift from the main square, at various stages before the peak you will find bars and restaurants offering panoramic views and blazing sunshine reflecting off the slopes.
The Sierra Nevada is the place to be for a ski holiday or even on one of the many day trips from Granada.
The Sierra Nevada is also a beautiful place to visit out of season, when there is no snow. You will find it a peaceful place with plenty of hill walking routes. The air is clean and fresh and there are still a few cafes and bars open for refreshments. You will find ample free parking unlike during the ski season when it can become very crowded and busy