Arrived in Marbella

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Don't forget Mijas and the donkey rides. I got some great pictures of my wife sitting on her ass riding around town

The Balcony of Europe is also worth a day trip.

Art

Before riding on any of the donkeys at Mijas check out their condition. Attempts have been made to improve their treatment over the past couple of years but problems are still being reported.

By 'Balcony of Europe' I guess you are talking about the town of Nerja.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Angela, I am so happy that you like your resort and the area too. You have so much more to see and do and you will love it.

I hope that the weather will stay good for you during your vacation. Spain is such a beautiful country and so is Italy and Paris. You deserve this vacation and so does your hubby.


[MARQUEE-RIGHT][SIGN] Enjoy! Enjoy!! Enjoy!!! [/SIGN][/MARQUEE-RIGHT]

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

He knew that we had already booked the tour for Playa Andalusia. He came anyway, and brought us a very nice bottle of wine. He was actaully very helpful. Gave us maps and answered any questions that we had. It's nice to know that if we need anything, we have a particular person to contact.

I'm sure that they're trying to get us to purchase, but still, it's nice knowing he's there for us.

Of course he will want you to take the timeshare presentation at the Marriott Playa Andalusia.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Don't forget Mijas and the donkey rides. I got some great pictures of my wife sitting on her ass riding around town

We also enjoyed the day tour from the resort to the Alhambra. After we did it, we realized that it really would have been a long day if we had done the driving.

The Balcony of Europe is also worth a day trip.

Art

I actually have this on my list. I'd love to see the 'Balcony of 'Europe' but, I'm not sold on the donkey's.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Thanks all for the best wishes, and recommendations!!! We are really having a wonderful time.

Today we went to Ronda, which is one of the larger, white village towns, in the area. The children were receiving communion, and the town was very busy. After the children had received communion, they walked in procession with their families, to a beautiful park, which was located, a block from the church. We followed them into the park, to see what was happening. There were about 12 large murals that had been made from assorted flowers, placed on the ground. We are not sure what they represented, but the families all went to the murals, took pictures, and eventually, took bunches of the flowers from the murals with them, before they departed. It was quite a site.

We then went to the oldest bull ring, in all of Spain. Fortunately, there was no fight taking place. We walked around the ring, and went to the museum. Interesting.

The town had an old and much newer section. Although, both would be considered old, by our standards. We walked through it all, and ate lunch in a really nice restaurant. The food was delicious, and the people were all very charming. There were quite a few very impressive old bridges, in this town.

To get to Ronda, you need to drive up into the top of the mountain. The roads are extremely narrow, and winding. Meanwhile, there is nothing to speak of, to keep you from going right off the road, and falling 100's of feet. We were totally shocked, since no one had mentioned this to us. The locals didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, tho. They were driving around these ridiculous curves, like it was nothing. A few times, we had to find a spot to pull over, in order to let someone go by us.

The scenery was breathtaking, and I probably would have taken more pictures, if I wasn’t paralyzed with fear.

On one of these winding mountains roads, we come around a steep curve, and have to stop short because the road was suddenly filled with goats, being led by a herdsman. I don’t know how we didn’t hit any of them. After I calmed down, I got out of the car, took some pictures, and tried to talk to the herdsmen. Unfortunately, he didn’t speak English.

Before heading back, we drove through a number of other small towns, stopping occasionally to look around, and take some pictures.

We just got back from dinner at Christina’s, a nice restaurant right on the beach, that a few different people had recommended. . The food was excellent, and the view, and ocean breeze was great. We had a fun day.

We’re back in the room, and just realized that we are going to miss the final episode of the Sopranos. Oh well, hopefully, someone will have it taped.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Today we went to Ronda, There were quite a few very impressive old brides, in this town.

Were they all marrying much younger men? Or is that just one of the funniest typo's I've read for a long time?

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Sounds like you are having a great trip. Hope you have a safe return to the States.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Were they all marrying much younger men? Or is that just one of the funniest typo's I've read for a long time?

Oops....typo. I better go fix it.........It's been a long day.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Arcos

Angela,

Take time to ENJOY. You don't have time to enjoy all.

That being said, I'd like to suggest you pass right through Ronda and go another 60 miles to Arcos (Arcos de la Frontera) to get untouched Spanish culture, something different and more authentic.

Tourists generally go to Granada, Córdoba, Seville, or the Costa del Sol. Costa del Sol is delightful, but a bad example of Southern Spain.

Pick up a tourist brochure on the white towns at a tourist office, use your map, and go on an adventure. Go explore the white hill villages in the interior of Andalucía.

The back roads between Ronda and Arcos are spiked with plenty of interesting hill towns. You won't have time for them.

Take night clothes so that if you enjoy too long, you may spend a night if necessary in Arcos. Ronda can be toured on your return trek.

The old Arcos, on top of the hill is a fairy-tale old town. You don’t have time for the (newer) lower town. The old center is a labyrinthine wonderland, a photographer's feast. Park the car and viewpoint-hop through town. Feel the wind funnel through the narrow streets as cars inch around tight corners. Join the kids' soccer game on the churchyard patio.

I'll private message more if you (or anyone) are interested in detail on Arcos.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

I'm getting more and more sold on Spain... thanks angela, enjoy and keep posting if you have time. Sounds GREAT.
BTw -- Funny about the Choos.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I have never been to Spain or anywhere in Europe. I'm getting interested in both. I've always been afraid to drive on the wrong side of the road, language barriers, money, etc. So much to see in the US. I wish I could win the lotto!! I'd travel everywhere!! shaggy

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

I have never been to Spain or anywhere in Europe. I'm getting interested in both. I've always been afraid to drive on the wrong side of the road, language barriers, money, etc. shaggy

If you drove on the 'wrong side of the road' in Spain you would have reason to be afraid. They drive on the right, just like the USA Only the UK and Ireland drive on the left.
Money shouldn't be any great problem now either. The coins are different but throughout Europe the currencies break down in the same way as the $ with 100 smaller units e.g. cents, pence to the main unit.
You will find in the main tourist areas that many people speak a little English and even in areas where that isn't the case a lot of pointing and sign language will normally work

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Only the UK and Ireland drive on the left.

Yeh, what's wrong with you people ?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

This trip sounds fabulous. I'm glad you are giving us a quick summary when you can. Spain has been on my list for quite some time now.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

I'm posting this here for those wanting to go. For members already in Spain, it's a bit late to be of help this trip.

IMO much allure for “out of the way” places is found in the people and culture. Chat with the locals, even if it means sign language or drawing. The hotel and restaurant staff is fairly familiar with that. Remember, they deal with this often and remember Americans aren’t the only English-speaking people. Try to find fun in speaking Spanish terms, also.

If you decide to ride inland, this info may be interesting.
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...l-memoirs.html

Look here for more info and great photos of Arcos de la Frontera
Discover Spain's Premier Pueblo Blanco, Arcos de la Frontera

This is from Angela’s post on Cadiz from back in Nov.

Cadiz..........
122km (76 miles) S of Seville, 625km (388 miles) SW of Madrid, 32km (20 miles) SW of Jerez de la Frontera

At the end of a peninsula, Cádiz separates the Bay of Cádiz from the Atlantic. It was here that Columbus set out on his second and fourth voyages.

Cádiz (pronounced "cah-deeth") was founded, according to legend, by Hercules himself some 3,000 years ago. The seafaring Phoenicians settled here around 1100 B.C. and in 501 the conquering Carthaginians landed. They were followed by the Romans in 206 B.C. Cádiz was to see other conquerors, notably the Visigoths and the Muslims. The rule of the Moors came to an end in 1262 when King Alfonso X brought the port under the yoke of Spanish rule.

In 1587, Sir Francis Drake, whom Spaniards still refer to as a pirata, sailed into Cádiz and caused much damage in a raid. The attack of the British forces delayed the Armada. In 1596 Cádiz suffered its most devastating attack yet when combined Anglo and Dutch ships arrived at harbor to burn the city to the ground.

Cádiz bounced back and in the 1700s reached the zenith of its power and prestige -- enough so that it attracted Napoleon's greedy eye. French troops invaded and Cádiz became the capital of occupied Spain. In the 19th century, the loss of the American colonies, on which the prosperity of Cádiz depended, plunged the port into a long slumber, from which it only started to recover in the 1970s. Long a bastion of liberal thought and tolerance, Cádiz saw more bloodshed during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s when its townspeople fought -- but lost -- in their struggle against Franco's Fascists.

Today, this modern, bustling Atlantic port is a melting pot of Americans, Africans, and Europeans who are docking or passing through. The old quarter teems with local characters, little dives, and seaport alleys. The narrow cobblestone streets, which open onto charming small plazas, evoke an old city in North Africa. Despite its vibrancy and diverse influences, however, Cádiz isn't of major interest for most visitors. What the visitor confronts today is an industrial hub of activity with one of the busiest ports in Spain, dominated by its shipbuilding and naval dockyards. Cádiz is also a big fishing center, and also a major departure point for ships sailing to the Canary Islands, a Spanish possession. It is regrettable that many foreigners have yet to discover the charm of Old Cádiz.

When visitors, mostly Spanish, do flock to Cádiz, it is for the summer beaches and for the famous Carnaval in February, one of the most extravagant in Europe. Music fills the air from mandolins, tambourines, guitars, and even whistles. Seemingly everybody in town parades through the streets in costumes. Singing, dancing, and riotous street behavior characterize the event, which lasts all night long, ending when revelers flood the cafes for freshly cooked churros (like doughnut sticks), which they dunk into steaming hot cups of chocolate. The Cádiz carnival usually takes place during the second week of February.
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