Andalusia — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Costa del Sol, Spain

For those searching for a vacation that encompasses beautiful views of nature, vivacious cultural hotspots, and a taste of life in the "Old World," there is no better place to look than Spain. Steeped in exciting history, amazing mountain and coastal views, and ancient traditions that have stemmed into the modern world, every part of Spain offers visitors a new way to truly "viva la vida" – live life to the fullest.

One of the most beautiful, up-and-coming parts of Spain is the incredible Costa del Sol, a long stretch of coastal villages sitting along the Mediterranean Sea. What originally started out as a few quiet fishing villages has emerged into one of the most prominent international vacation spots in Europe. With fantastic beaches stretching for miles overlooked by mountain villages with panoramic views, the Costa del Sol is truly a vacationer's dream.

In addition to amazing sights and white-sand beaches, the Costa del Sol offers a variety of cultural and artistic venues. The Museo Picasso in Málaga is devoted solely to the artwork of Spain's most famous artist, Pablo Picasso. The museum is set in a magnificent 16th century palace. In the city of Marabella, visitors can spend a day exploring the "Old Quarter." Designed during the Arabic era, this unique section of the city still models its original layout. Though quite unconventional, it gives visitors a feel for what life was like growing up in this small village. The quarter also features beautiful plazas and an ancient castle. Those fascinated by culture and history can also spend a leisurely afternoon in the ancient city of Ronda in the mountains of Málaga. This historic town has been delcared a cultural asset of Spain and holds not only culture and history, but breathtaking views of the valleys below.

For anyone wanting the true Spanish experience, Costa del Sol offers a number of exciting bullrings, such as the historic Plazas de los Toros in the towns of Antequera and Mijas, as well as fabulous venues for flamenco performances in almost every city along the coast. Concerts are offered nightly in the Teatro Lírico Andaluz and La Viñuela Hotel. Futbol games occur in abundance in Málaga and Marbella, and golf and water sports are available in almost every village along the shoreline.

No visit to Spain is complete without samling the local cuisine. The area is home to dozens of centuries-old wineries that are open for touring and tasting. Tasty tapas and delicious soups feature fresh-caught seafood and delightful Spanish spices, as well as some Moroccan flavor. Local desserts include the classic Andalucian almond biscuit and traditional Spanish flan. The flavors of Costa del Sol are sure to be appetizing to any palette.

Whether your vacation interests lie in exploring history, experiencing culture, or just relaxing on the beach, Costa del Sol, Spain, is an ideal holiday location. Come see all that this lovely corner of the world has to offer. You may find that you never want to leave!

Andalusia, Spain

Andalusia is one of Spain’s autonomous communities located in the southern portion of the country. Andalusia is an excellent vacation destination for anyone regardless of their areas of interest. This region has a rich history, including a long period where there was a large Muslim population in this region. As a result, Andalusia is home to some of the most extraordinary architecture in all of Spain, including historic mosques and cathedrals. Andalusia is also the place to go for those interested in learning about flamenco culture in Spain.

Andalusia is composed of eight provinces, including Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Malaga, Cadiz, and others. Because Andalusia is in the southern part of the country, there are many options for beach visits. The best time to visit Andalusia is in the spring and early summer between April and July and again in the fall in September and October. These months provide optimal temperatures for traveling throughout the region without being too hot or too cold.

One of the main attractions in Andalusia is the Alhambra in Granada. This is the site of an old Moorish fortress. Although the site was originally used for military purposes, it has become an icon of Moorish occupation in Granada for hundreds of years. Today, the Alhambra is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Many visitors to Andalusia also come to see the famous flamenco music and dance of this region. Flamenco comes in several different forms, and locals will tell you that there is a “true flamenco” behind all of the tourist shows. The search for this “true flamenco,” a seductive dance to rhythmic music, occupies people of all ages in Andalusia.

Andalusia is also home to a number of beautiful cathedrals, many of which have been built on top of old mosques. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, for instance, dates back to the 8th century, when its construction began under the Umayyad Caliphate. The mosque was probably built on top of an even older Visigoth site. The mosque is an elaborate work of art and architecture. Historically, this mosque served as one of the most important sites for Muslims in Cordoba as a site of prayer. During the Reconquest, in which King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Moors and Jews from Spain, the Great Mosque was converted into a Catholic church. Today, the site is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and it attracts thousands of visitors each year. There are still debates in Spain today about who has the right to worship in the Great Mosque because of its complicated history.

Andalusia remains the second most popular region for tourism in Spain. The rich culture and intricate history brings people from all over the world to explore this great region. Traveling in Andalusia is a great way to learn about Spanish history and the Arab influence that still has an impact on life in Spain today.

Costa del Sol, Spain

Andalusia, Spain

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