GIBRALTAR
With its long history and strong connection with Britain it would be a pity not to make the short trip.



A few words of advice before you go, firstly if you are going anytime during mid to high season leave your car on the Spanish side of the border and walk the short distance across. Once across take the open top bus to the town center. The Spanish are protesting at Britain's claim to Gib or is it Gib's claim to Britain? Anyway if you do drive across due to the go slow you will be looking at a 45 min-2 hour queue to get back into Spain.

If you do go make sure you take the guided bus tours these are available from the bottom of the rock near the cable car or most street corners in the town .

For your money (currently around £12.00) you get driven to the top stopping off in all the right places for photo opportunities. You should get a very good tour guide who will tell you the history of the Rock and will also stop to let you see the apes on the top. This tour normally includes a discounted ticket for the cable car ride, this tour normally takes a couple of hours.

Also whilst in Gibraltar take advantage of the tax free shopping but be aware that duty free allowances apply and the Spanish guards are very keen!

CASARES

A ten minute drive brings you to this unique Spanish village nestled in the hillside with it's white-painted houses and tiny streets. Casares has been inhabited for thousands of years by a myriad of civilisations, each leaving it's mark. Besides walking along the narrow, cobbled streets with their Moorish design, the Arab Castle at the top of the hill where the views are spectacular. Along the way, walk through the town square and get a taste of real Spain where women go about their business, cloaked in black shawls and men pass the time away socialising. Tiny village shops full of local produce hide round every corner with a scattering of small bars and cafes thrown in for good measure. Local pottery and leatherwork are very good buys. The town is almost untouched by tourism. Casares has it's own little museum with artefacts dating from the Roman times. The whole town is a photographer's paradise. In Roman times the town was of such importance that it had it's own mint and Roman baths which were ordered to be built by Caesar as a sign of gratitude to being cured of a skin complaint after bathing in the sulphurous waters in the locality. Numerous Roman ruins lie close by, including part of an aqua duct. A truly, sleepy village, locked in time. The local fiestas take place in the first two weeks of August and the Cristo fair takes place in September when the village comes alive.

ESTEPONA

Also a 10-minute drive from Duquesa Estepona with it's beautiful beach and promenade leading down to Estepona Port. This is very much a Spanish holiday town hosting Spanish rather than foreign tourists, although there has been a steady flow of other European tourist's escaping the tour company's and finding out for themselves just what they have been missing. The East Side of the town has a Carrefour Hyper Market. The best place to go for your shopping. Estepona Port hosts a street market on Sunday morning, which is well worth a visit.

Narrow whitewashed streets with tranquil squares and varied shops and bars invite you to take a stroll and pick up some souvenirs. Cross over to the lively promenade and enjoy the beautiful gardens or visit the marina, said to be the best-equipped in Europe, located at the Western end of town.

The harbour has some very good restaurants and the eighty fishing boats put to sea on a daily basis provide a stunning array of local fish dishes.

Market day is on Sunday in the Marina.

There are also numerous shopping centre to be explored and several visiting markets and with nearly two hundred restaurants, there is always something to do in Estepona.

SELWO NATIONALl PARK
10 minutes drive from Duquesa

20 minutes from Duquesa between Estepona and San Pedro, on the site originally assigned for Euro Disney, is an innovative Nature Park, unique in Europe that invites you to live a real adventure surrounded by nature. It has more than 100 hectares where you will enjoy its contrasting features, sometimes wild and sometimes blissful, and where animals of the five continents coexist in semi wild conditions

This is a fantastic day out for all ages. Cost is €15 approx per adult and €9 per child. The lower end of the park is where you can see the monkeys, crocodiles, farm animals etc. Then you pass through a huge aviary to the upper park where there are snack bars and restaurants. From here there are safari trucks that take you to the outer areas of the park to see the lions, tigers, elephants, bears, etc. Not to be missed. Allow a full day for Selwo. Tip for children in buggies: The terrain is very rough in parts so take the opportunity to hire one of the special kiddies buggies inside the park and bring your camera.

A comprehensive plan of the park is available free at the entrance with a suggested route to follow and ensure that you see everything.

The park is basically separated into five sections:

Gateway to Nature

Birds Canyon

Central Village

Route of the Savannah

Route of the Valleys

Apart from the walking sections, there are large open lorries, which take visitors from one section of the park to the other and allow an open view. There are some smaller enclosures for the monkeys and tropical birds, but all are well tended and it was great to see no signs of stress so often associated with typical town zoos. The park has a breeding programme which is apparently very successful and they are planning specialised learning weekends with onsite accommodation. There are bars and restaurants (open for meals from 12.00) which offer everything from snacks to three course meals. We found the prices to be surprisingly reasonable. Also, several gift shops offer a range of souvenirs, books and gift items for all ages.

PARQUE ACUATICO MIJAS
40 minutes drive from Duquesa

This large water park is a bit further away but good for the day out. Situated on the N340 just behind Fuengirola. They don't come much bigger than this one several pools and large slides as well as entertainment for all the family.

Open May - September from 10.00 - 1800

PRADO WORLD
10 minutes drive from Duquesa

Just outside Estepona on the N340 is this smaller water park with various water slides, wave machine that also offers other entertainment such as mini golf, roller skating, trampolines and shooting gallery to name but a few.

Opens daily throughout the summer from 10.am

TIVOLI WORLD

Situated at the bottom of the cable car off the N340 at Benalmadena about 45 minutes from Duquesa

This is a very good night out for all the family, basically it is an amusement park with all sorts of rides for all age groups but it also offers many live shows which are free to watch once inside. It's not expensive by anyone's standard you have to pay a small entrance fee and if you want to you can by wrist bands for the rides and then go on as many times as you like or you can just pay for the rides you want. You will also find a good selection of very cheap restaurants to choose from.

Opens around 4pm and stays open until very late.

MARBELLA / PUERTO BANUS
20 minutes drive from Duquesa

Marbella and Puerto Banus are the playgrounds of the rich and famous. Marbella is an older town with a long promenade and many restaurants and designer shops. Puerto Banus is a more modern resort based around a marina with many restaurants which tend to be quite pricey, however well worth a night out. Puerto Banus also has a very good Sea Life Center which is well worth a visit.

Cadiz - Seville - Granada - Tangier - Ronda are all within a couple of hours drive of the Marina

GOOD BEACHES INCLUDE
Playa El Cristo ,Estepona This beautiful cove has recently been improved with showers installed. It has two beach bars and parking. It has a family atmosphere and is a sun trap. Within walking distance from the marina and the town. One of the few beaches on this coast which faces west ensuring maximum hours of sunshine

San Pedro Long promenade makes it easy to find a space even on a summer Sunday. Numerous beach bars.

Puerto Banus Without doubt the place to be seen. If you are famous then there is no risk of not getting caught by the paparazzi. Good beach just to the east of the marina protected by a jetty. If you feel like treating yourself spend a day relaxing in the Marbella Club beach club. Arrive early as the front-line sun loungers go fast. Parking can be difficult.