Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Spanish village of Frigiliana is situated in the foothills of the Almijara mountain range, just 5km inland from the popular holiday destination of Nerja. It is also within an hours drive from the International airport at Malaga in southern Spain. Because airline companies now offer competitive flights to Malaga from many destinations around Europe, the opportunity to visit some of Spain’s most idyllic and charming villages has become easier than ever.
Frigiliana is one such village: a delight to explore, full of history and offers unbeatable Spanish charm. It has been voted one of the prettiest towns in the province of Malaga and it is easy to see why. It enjoys spectacular views of both the Almijara Mountains that form a beautiful backdrop to the village, and also the enclosed valley all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea.
The village has all the delights expected of a traditional Andalucia town with cobbled streets winding through white washed houses, decorated with vibrant colours from seasonal plants and flowers in bloom. With only around 2,000 permanent residents, Frigiliana is surprisingly blessed with many bars, restaurants and shops. The town centre is filled with small traditional townhouses, interspersed with idyllic shops selling textiles, rugs, leather goods, tiles, and local wines. There are also several excellent shops selling local pottery and ceramics, including decorative plates with distinctive Arab design.
There are also choice bars and restaurants to be found, some offering fantastic views of the mountains or the Costa del Sol, and some to relax and take in Spanish life. All offer traditional Andalucia cuisine and a fine selection of tapas. For anyone who has not tried Spanish local cuisine, a selection of tapas offers the opportunity to try several small dishes at an affordable price.
The surrounding countryside is also ideal to explore by foot, with the close river valley boasting fantastic views of the hillside scenery towering above, and a spectacular waterfall cascading down the rocks during the winter season. Slightly further along the valley can be found a seating area surrounded with trees, a flowing river and perhaps views of local wildlife.
The road from Nerja on the Costa leads straight into the heart of the town, and on approaching there are ample parking spaces all the way up to the village. There is a car park itself but the twenty of so spaces on offer never appear to be available. There is a large children’s play park and a street map displaying some of the more interesting attractions around the village.
Steeped in history with archaeological finds dating back to 3000BC, Frigiliana has been inhabited by many different civilisations including the Romans, Phoenicians and the Arabs. The Arab occupation has left the greatest impact on the village with much of the original Moorish architecture still apparent.
During the 16th Century there were many battles between the Moors and Christians in Andalucia, which culminated with the final expulsion of the Arabs with the battle of the Rock of Frigiliana in 1569. This historical rebellion between the local Moriscos in the village and surrounding area, and a Christian army led from Nerja was a particularly violent battle that is still remembered today. This fascinating story is depicted with twelve ceramic plaques posted on the corners of streets to be found within the village.
The Moorish influence is apparent throughout the town, and best enjoyed walking through the narrow cobbled passageways leading to the Mudejar district, one of the best-preserved areas of Moorish architectures in Andalucia.
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua was built in the 17th Century by Don Bernado de Godoy, and was restored in 1976. Built in the Renaissance style, many of the original frescos can still be seen throughout, and the church houses three 17th century paintings of excellent quality. The plaque outside the entrance tells the full story of the construction.
Other sites of interest include the former Granary that was built in 1767 and a 16th century Renaissance Palace that has now been turned into a molasses factory. Another example of the Moors occupation can be found at the very top of the town with the remains of a Moorish castle.
There are many festivals celebrated in Spain, and if you are lucky enough to be in the village during the festivities, you will see this sleepy Spanish town burst into life with celebrations involving the whole town and everyone lucky enough to be visiting. One of the best fiestas to experience is the Frigiliana bull-run. A smaller version than the one held in Pamplona, both in size of attractions and in size of bulls, but nonetheless no less exciting for those participating.
Frigiliana, like many of the towns in the Axarquía region, benefits from a microclimate that offers average temperatures of 18C, so even during the months of winter, temperatures are expected mild with many crisp, blue skies. With excellent views over the Axarquía region, and the slopes of the Almijara Nature Park, Frigiliana is an excellent place to visit, explore and finally to relax in one of the bars or restaurants to appreciate the scenery and culture of this beautiful region.
But there’s no need to take my word for it. Apart from receiving many regional awards, it earned its most cherished prize in 1982, with 1st place for beautification in the whole of Spain from the ministry of tourism.
Steve Greenwood has lived on the Costa del Sol for 3 years and has ran with the Frigiliana bulls. You are invited to visit Holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol for Frigiliana holiday apartments, places to visit and things to do in Spain. Ideal Rentals (www.idealrentals4u.com) offers holiday information on all the regions of Spain including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Torrox on the Costa del Sol, Spain
It’s hard to spot Torrox on a map of Spain, even when you know roughly where you’re meant to be looking. This is because with a population of just a few thousand people, it’s never going to make a big impact on any map, but if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday on the Costa del Sol and a taste of some authentic Andalucia life, it may just be the destination of choice.
Torrox is found in the Spanish region of Andalucia located just 5km from the popular holiday resort of Nerja, and only 40km from the International airport at Malaga, making it ideally placed for travel around the region. The Sierra Nevada skiing resort near Granada can be reached within a 2-hour drive, as can the Rock of Gibraltar for those interested in visiting this wonderful corner of British history.
Torrox is split between Torrox Costa that lies on the Mediterranean coast and the inland village Torrox Pueblo located just 3km inland. Over the years both have been slowly migrating towards each other with the appearance of new properties and developments that follow the meandering road that connects the two. Both are quite different with the holiday attractions they offer, but together they provide the holiday visitor a good choice between beach activities and village life.
Torrox Pueblo is a whitewashed village that clings to the hillside like snow precariously hanging from a tree branch. It is how you would imagine a typical Andalucia village to be. Townhouses adorned with a dazzling array of flowering plants that follow narrow, winding streets with very few street names attached which if you’re not careful, will have you going round in circles trying to find your way back to where you started.
Much of the Pueblo has been carved with the influence of the Moorish occupation whose arrival in the 7th century brought with them new ways of agriculture, irrigation and land terracing which is still in existence today. Many of the Spanish still work the land producing many of the vegetables and exotic fruits you can find for sale outside the many small shops dotted throughout the village.
Around the village on various street corners can be found illustrated ceramic tiles depicting events of the Moorish occupation of the town. These are best found by taking the Almanzor Walk that begins from the Plaza de la Constitution and follows a route through the village taking in the main historical buildings. These include the baroque church of the Incarnacion, church of San Roque and chapel of Nuestra Senora de las Nieves, Mudejar in style and originating from the 16th century.
Details of the walk can be obtained from the small Tourist Information Office that can be found on Calle Baja, located just off the main square. Opening times are quite limited even during high season, but the best time to try is between 11am and 2pm midweek.
Life in Torrox Pueblo centres around the main Plaza de la Constitucion. The square is lined with vibrant orange trees and centred with an attractive water fountain. The sweet smell of Orange and relaxing sounds from the fountain add to the ambiance and tranquillity of the location. There is also a fine choice of bars and restaurants to choose from and some tasty local cuisine. By ordering a selection of tapas you have the opportunity to sample a wide range of local dishes at an excellent price. Life in the village is slow and relaxed and best appreciated here with good company.
Torrox Costa on the other hand offers a fine promenade lined with a good selection of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops that overlook a golden sandy beach. The only time it gets excessively busy here is during the month of August when it feels like all of Andalucia has come to the Costa to escape the fierce heat experienced further inland.
There are water activities available during the high season for those interested, and during the warm Summer evenings many stalls appear along the promenade selling a variety of goods including leather, textiles and ceramics.
Temperatures in Torrox soar during July, August and September to a very sticky 40C and more. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather with fantastic temperatures in the high 20s, remarkably consistent sunny days and a cool breeze that refreshes the air. Winter brings mostly sunny days which are fantastic for relaxing in a café bar looking over the Mediterranean Sea, but it does get remarkably chilly when the sun sets around 6pm. Snow never falls on the Costa del Sol. The closest you’ll get are the snow-tipped mountains of the Alpujara mountain range that provides a breathtaking backdrop to Torrox Pueblo as viewed from the Costa del Sol. It is no surprise Torrox has been voted as having the best climate in Europe.
Like all along the Costa del Sol, Torrox is a town constantly changing with the arrival of more and more tourists each year and a constant flow of English people wanting to find a better life outside of England. For such a small town so difficult to find on a map, it is certainly attracting a lot of attention.
Steve Greenwood has lived in Torrox on the Costa del Sol for 3 years. You are invited to visit Holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol for holiday accommodation, places to visit and things to do in Spain. Ideal Rentals (www.idealrentals4u.com) offers holiday information on all the regions of Spain including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Ayia Napa The Party Capital Of Cyprus
Ayia Napa or Agia Napa as the Greek more accurately translates is one place every Cyprus holiday maker should visit. Not may I add just for its fantastic night life, great bars and restaurants. But just because it is a great town and thriving holiday resort too. The beaches are absolutely fabulous with miles of soft golden sand lapped by the warn clear Mediterranean ocean making them perfect for sun worshipers and bathers alike.
There is a bustling harbor just off the main promenade which is fronted by some great restaurants and bars where you can relax with a cool beer whist watching pleasure craft arrive. The Ayia Napa harbor is also home to a sizable fleet of small fishing boats and if you are around in the mornings you could even pick up some fresh fish for dinner. Then again you are on holiday so what the hell, let the restaurant do the cooking. The boat trips out of the harbor are very reasonably priced so be sure to book a nice relaxing cruise up the coast which usually includes lunch and a stop off for a swim. If you are feeling a little more adventurous there is a fabulous catamaran with full sail or even of all things a yellow submarine. No I am not joking, you can get a great view of the local sea life from this semi submersable and they don't charge an arm and a leg either.
Be sure to visit Nisi beach which is about 2 miles along the coast from the Ayia Napa harbor area. You can either hop on the bus or take a leisurely walk. The route along the main road is lined with shops and bars so there is plenty of opportunity to stop off for a relaxing drink or a quick snack. Then there is the scenic route along the brand new coastal path with plenty of quaint bars to quench your thirst along the way. The Nisi beach area is almost a resort in itself with a beautiful golden beach fronted by dozens of bars, restaurants and shops. This is where the younger generation seem to gravitate and there is a bungee jump and lots of water sports available. Another great event that is hosted regularly here is the foam party. Held in a kind of discotheque marque with sides that gets pumped full of foam it's great fun for all age groups.
I have got to tell you about the Ayia Napa water park. It is awsome! This water park has won several major European awards for safety and is one of the biggest and best in Europe. The staff at waterworld are superb and amongst the most helpful I have ever come across. The park is spotless, professionall and very well managed The water slides are amazing and will provide an exhausting day out for young or old alike. There is something for every age group from toddlers to hardened water park freaks. You can just relax on the lazy river or take on the bottom clenching drop of the terrifying Kamikaze water slide. For pure thrills and spills for all the family take a trip down the "drop to Atlantis" and be sure that there is someone at the bottom to capture your expression on camara. Even at the age of fifty plus I still rise to the challenge of trying every slide in the park at least once during the day.
Lets not forget of course that Ayia Napa is first and foremost renown for its fantastic nightlife. All the famous clubs are there such as the ministry of sound and seignior frogs. Check out "the square" which is home to most of the top clubs and party until dawn then treat yourself to breakfast in one of the many cafe bars in the area. No trip to Cyprus would be complete without a visit to Ayia Napa even if its just to the water park or a day at the beach so happy holidays and enjoy Cyprus.
Kevin Moore owns and runs the Information Cyprus web site. Information Cyprus is the number one online resource for cyprus holidays, travel and Cyprus property purchase links. To find out more about the beautiful island of Cyprus, Cyprus holidays or buying property in Cyprus just visit the web site at InfoCyprus
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