The traditional pueblo blanco (white village) of Zuheros is one of the best examples of the traditional Spanish villages that can be seen right across Andalucia.

Located on the edge of the Sierra Subbetica Natural Park this beautiful little village attracts a number artists and country lovers due to its location.

The history of the village has been traced back to pre-Roman times and relics from this era have been discovered in the nearby Las Cuervas de la Murcielagos.

The village itself has some wonderful attractions including a museum which houses all the relics found in the area from the pre-roman and Roman times. The museum is located opposite the castle that is one of the most important buildings in the history of the village.

The castle was originally constructed by the moors during their occupation of the village in the 10^th century and was then re-fortified by the Christian´s in the 14^th century

Located opposite to the castle is the church, named after the patron saint of the village The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, was constructed in the sixteenth century but highly modified in 1696 and was finally completed in 1795 with the addition of the with the bell tower.

Another fascinating building in the village is Las Balanchares, the chesses factory which produces a tasty cheese made from goats cheese. The Cheese is made from the milk that comes from the goats from the Sierras. It is possible to purchase the cheese direct from the factory.

Walking is one of the most popular activities in the area and there are a few good hotels in the area. One of the best is the Zuhayra (Tel: 957 694693). You can also hire bikes from the hotel and there is a fascinating walking and cycling route that was converted from the old railway

4km from the village is The Cueva de los Murciélagos (the cave of bats)., Nearly 100 bodies were found, some of them positioned in a semi-circle around a woman decorated with sea-shells, some of them in a semi-mummified state. It was deduced that the cave was a burial chamber of an important chief who had wanted his servants and friends with then in death as well as life. Details of the Cave can be found on the website www.cuevadelosmurcielagos.com

Important fiestas during the year include the festival in honor of La Virgen de los Remedios, the patron saint of the village which takes place around the 15^th August each year . The day is filled with all sorts of activites which include games and contests for the youngsters, such as “cucañas” (Botija filled with various gifts that children have to break with their eyes covered)

Another very important festival takes place on the 14^th September in honor of Jesus Nazareno where the villages take part in a the Mass and procession which takes place

Also in September there is a cheese fair that tales place each year . This is one of the most important cheese fairs of the year and is now into its fifth year. More information can be obtained from the town hall in the village.

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Located in the westernmost part of the province of Málaga, where it borders the the province of Cádiz you can find the beautiful Andalucian village of Cortes de la Frontera. In the area you will find the stunning Los Alcornocales (170,000 hectares) and Sierra de Grazalema (50,000 hectares) Nature Parks which makes this village a wonderful place to visit.

The landscape surrounding the village is covered in large forests of cork oaks which add to the magnificent setting for this village

The village dates back to the twelfth and eleventh centuries B. C., when the Phoenicians arrived in this area . There were also Tartessians who had already established themselves in the area

Theere is still evidence of these ancient cultures to be found in the area as well as evidence of the Roman and Moorish eras.

It was however in the seventeenth century. where the modern village began life and it was during this period that the village began its cork industry which is still central ro the village economy even today
The village itself has three three centres of population,a rather uncommon occurance in Andalucia.

The the main population centre, is Cortes de la Frontera and there is also El Colmenar and La Cañada or Estación de Cortes

In the village you will find some stunning buildings and monuments like the parish church and the Cortes the Casa Consistorial or Town Hall which was constructed in the village under orders from Carlos III

Other notable buildings include the Nuestra Señora del Rosario church which dates from the late eighteenth century and can be found in the centre of the village

An interesting building is the Casa de los Valdenebros (Los Valdenebros house), also known as the Casa de las Tetitas (Las Tetitas house), which was owned by a soldier who received a noble title and dates from 1763 One of the most interesting features of this building is a subterranean passage that connects with the old Valdenebros chapel, which has a façade somewhere between baroque and Mudéjar that was built in 1760.

The village is also home to Tthe largest bullring in the Highlands except for that of Ronda .It dates from 1894 and was restored in 1921. It is a very impressive bullring which is almost 30 metres across, The village has such a large bullring due to the intensive livestock industry in Cortes.

There are also two older structures in the village which include the Casa de Piedra (Stone House) whichdates from the sixth and seventh centuries., it was built by the primitive method of excavating into a huge rock, a truly remarkable task considering the time On the other hand the

The thirteenth century Torre del Paso (El Paso tower) was erected to watch over the Gaucín-Ubrique road through the El Espino pass.

Nearby to the village you will find La Sauceda and the Las Buitreras gorge, which are located adjoining the El Colmenar neighbourhood,

La Sauceda is fully equipped for camping,

Las Buitreras on the other hand is more difficult of access but is worth the effort so that you can enjoy an astonishing spectacle: the channel of the River Guadiaro confined between walls more than 100 metres high.

For those interested in the Roman era, the traces of the town of Saepona are just 28 kilometres away and the ruins of Cortes el Viejo (Old Cortes), is located only two kilometres from the village i overlooking a long stretch of the River Guadiaro.

The area is very popular with walkers and hikers and there are many many routes to choose from, there are three that experts in this sport especially recommend.

One starts from the village and goes towards Llanos de Líbar. It is two hours long and the going is easy.

The route from La Sauceda to Peñón del Buitre (Vulture Rock) is of medium difficulty. The trail goes through heavily wooded areas and the estimated duration is two hours.

The trail from La Sauceda to Pico del Aljibe (El Aljibe peak) is also of medium difficulty but longer (four hours). In this area the forest is very dense and there is a risk of getting lost, so reasonable precautions are recommended to prevent any mishap.

Information on these and many more can be obtained from the tourist information in the town hall.

Between the 23^rd to 27^th of August the village holds a fiesta in honor of the patron saint San Roque and San Sebastián, with a programme that includes competitions, dances, a livestock fair and most importantly the release of the “toro del aguardiente” (bull of brandy), one of this locality’s most popular traditions.

The fiesta in honor of the Virgen del Rosario, patron saint of Cortes, is celebrated in early July and the Horse Pilgrimage a few days later.

The El Colmenar neighbourhood holds its patron saint fiestas in the last week of July and La Cañada observes its own, in the first week in August, so it can be seen that the summer is prodigious in festivities in this municipality

It is well worth the visit to this area which is some of the most beautiful landscapes in Andalucia

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Plaza Carlos III, 1 (29380). Telephone: +34 952 154 000; Fax: +34 952 154 342

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If you are looking for a great place to take the children this summer then you should head for the town of Alnuñécar in the Andalucian province of Granada

Located on the stunning Velilla Beach in Alnuñécar, Granada is the a wonderful attraction that provides fun for all the family

Aquatropic is a splendid water park which covers a 18,000 sq meter area right on the coast, with the Mediterranean on one side and the Velilla promenade on the other

The water park has some facinating rides that cater for all ages

Waterfall Lake: A lake which has a revolving current built around the centre piece of a waterfall. A great place to relax and let the current take you.

Kamikace:A thrilling water slide for those looking for a rush of adrenaline.

Wavebreaker: Wave pool providing fun for all

Rings Rapids: Ride down the fast moving rapids in a inflatable ring

Hydrotube:Another ride for the thrill seekers.

Soft Runs: A aquatic slalom which provides fun for all

Blackhole: The Star attraction. This ride has flashing interior lights which add to the experience as you decend the ride in two or three person rings

Rapids:For the lovers of speedm this ride is a belnd of crazy straights and bends

Children’s Lake: For the little children the park has a specialist area where your children can play safely while you look on . The area has been a renovated pool and six slides.

The park grounds are beautiful with trees providing the shade from the summer sun.The pools are filled with purified sea water which gives a marine atmosphere to the park.

It is even possible to get a good massage at the park. and for your safety and piece of mind there is a dedicated team of professional life guards on duty

Other services at the park include a childrens park with mascot and entertainer, cloakroom, a selection of restaurants and snack bars where you can get a selection of different foods or if you prefer you can eat your own home-prepared picnics in the picnic areas. First Aid Posts,

It is also possible to hire sunbeds for the day and there is also beach vollyball courts available to hire

There is also a disco on the site which opens at 19.30. More details available from the park.

TARIFFS - OFFERS - RENTALS
TICKET OFFICE OPENING HOURS (11:00 - 19:00 h. - June-September)
ADULTS 11 €
CHILDREN ( Height 1,20 m.) 7 €
CHILDREN UNDER 3 FREE
OVER 65′S 4 €
SPECIAL OFFERS

FAMILY TICKET (Parents + 2 children/ 1 child free) 29 €
AFTERNOON REDUCTION OF 40% (after 15′00h) ..
ADULTS 7 €
CHILDREN 5 €

DISABLED PEOPLE GROUPS (MINIMUM 20 PERSONS) ..
ADULTS 6 €
CHILDREN 3 €

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SCHOOL, PRIVATE PARTIES, AND SEASON TICKETS (DETAILS FROM STAFF IN THE TICKET DESK) .
TWO-DAY TICKET ..
ADULTS 16.5 €
CHILDREN 10.5

SEVEN-DAY TICKET ..
ADULTS 33 €
CHILDREN 21 €

ADMISION TO PARK AND DISCO ..
TWO-DAY TICKET 35 €
SEVEN-DAY TICKET 75 €

RENTALS AND SERVICES
SUNBEDS 2.5 €
SAFE DEPOSIT BOX (6 €. deposit) 3 €

SWIMMING RING (6 € deposit) ALL DAY ..
1 SWIMMING RING 5 €
2 SWIMMING RING 6 €
3 SWIMMING RING 7 €
SWIMMING RING (6 € deposit) AFTER 3 PM ..

1 SWIMMING RING 4 €
2 SWIMMING RING 5 €
3 SWIMMING RING 6 €
MASSAGE - Price Available From the Staff
BEACH-VOLLEYBALL COURT 2 €
CHILD PARK 3 €

Aquatropic is a great place to visit for the day or even more than once on your holiday.

To book your tickets visit the park website

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With a population of approximately 2,000, Ojén is one of the closest white villages to the coast, and remains relatively unspoilt. Situated only ten minutes from Marbella, with excellent road access, this traditional village clings to the hillside above the valley of the Rio Real.

The name ´Ojén´ is derived from the Arabic word, hoxán, which means a bitter or rough place. The Moors established a settlement here, and the village survived the Christian embargo on Moors living too close to the sea after the reconquest.

At an altitude of 650 feet, most of the houses boast fabulous views down to Marbella and the Mediterranean in the distance, and the village is hemmed in by the surrounding mountains. This may give us a clue as to why the Moors stayed so long – both mountain ranges have been known as rich sources of nickel, iron and lead for many centuries. Mineral wealth in this area put it at the forefront during the Spanish industrial revolution during the 19th century.

We last visited Ojén earlier this year, and we decided to stay the night at the Hosteria Don José, at the top of the village. We had visited here before with friends who lived in the village, and remembered fondly the warm welcome we received from the owner, Isabel. This is a traditional family run hostal, and the owners live on the top floor. There are only 6 rooms here, all with heating and some with terrace. The rustic interiors are very attractive and great emphasis is put on comfort and hospitality. The dining room offers a fabulous buffet breakfast, and the upper bedrooms boast great views down to the coast. Isabel is Spanish, and is an artist and a poet, in addition to owning the hostal. She speaks fluent English, French and some German, and makes everyone feel welcome. A double room is only €60 and within easy walking distance of the restaurants in the village (although it is a steep climb on the way back).
For further information or reservation at the Hosteria Don José, you can contact Isabel on: 0034 952 881147. E-mail: reservations@lahosteriadedonjose.com Website: www.lahosteriadedonjose.com

There is not much left of the old Moorish castle, and it is hardly worth the trek up to see it, but there are plenty of other attractions in Ojén. The old part of the village is made up of cobbled streets which seem to get narrower the further you explore. Drinking fountains are conveniently situated in the streets, and there are plenty of bars and cafés to stop off at.

The Church of La Encarnación is well worth a visit. The impressive 16th century church was built over an old mosque, and the original minaret now forms part of the church spire and bell tower. The interior boasts a single nave with a beautifully decorated timber ceiling.

Ojén was once famous for something a little stronger than water. The production of the anise liqueur, aguardiente, which many Spaniards take each day with their morning coffee, once played a major part in the town’s economy. The Malaga Wine Museum is now situated at the old site of the aguardiente distillers, and is open to visitors every dary in Summer from 11am-3pm and 6pm-10pm and Winter from 11am-3pm and 4pm-8pm. Telephone: 0034 95 288 1453 for more information.

We had dinner at the Bodega de Ojen, which is situated on the main C/Carrera which runs through the village. We were seated on the attractive terrace area and enjoyed a feast of Castilian dishes, plus a superb bottle of Gran Viña Sol from the impressive wine list. There are always a selection of special dishes on the menu here, which you may not find anywhere else. We chose the starter of tomato, anchovy and buffalo mozzarella salad with fresh mint and house dressing, plus a warm goat´s cheese tart with sundried tomatoes and fresh chives.

The food was delicious, and the service friendly and efficient. My friends were particularly hungry, and plumped for a chilled almond and garlic soup before the main course, which was superb. We then ordered a fresh seafood casserole which was baked in the oven and served piping hot to the table. Brown rice and peas were served with this, and proved to be the ideal accompaniment. The sauce was light and cheesy, and reminded me of a thermidor sauce which is normally flashed with brandy to taste. The dessert options were interesting, and mostly home made. After such a feast, we could only manage a strawberry mousse and a a crème catalan between us – but they were both perfect. For further information and/or reservation telephone: +34 952 881581.

Ojén is not the most beautiful of the mountain villages, nor the most historic, but it has a certain character which draws visitors from far and wide. Coupled with excellent road access and a host of good restaurants and bars, Ojén is well worth a visit!

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Puerto Banus is famous for its fabulous bars, clubs and restaurants, but one that stands out from the crowd is O´Grady´s Irish Bar. This amazing Port, where O’Grady’s has a prime location just behind Luis Vuitton, is the hub of Puerto Banus’s thriving pub and club nightlife. Offering simply the best of everything, in a breathtakingly beautiful Mediterranean setting, Puerto Banus, with its impressive marina, offers visitors something out of the ordinary.

Situated second line from the marina, this large, welcoming pub is one of the best fun bars I have been to in years. Having opened ten years ago, the O´Grady Bars were the first of their kind to open in this area, and have gone from strength to strength ever since those early days.

In a port packed with celebrities, O´Grady´s caters to all tastes and requirements, and boasts the best pint of guinness in Spain. Both bars are fully air conditioned, and all major sporting events are covered on 10 plasma screens. Delicious sandwiches and snacks are served day and night from the famous O´Briens sandwich bar, and service with a smile is always guaranteed.

O´Grady´s enjoys a prime location in Puerto Banus, close to a shopping mall, cinemas , some of the best restaurants on the Costa del Sol and even a casino. And as the bar opens until very late, fun seekers often flock here after dinner.

Last time we ventured down here we had a fabulous Italian meal at Papardelle, beside the big boats, before strolling round to O´Grady´s. The atmosphere here is superb and the music even better. The staff get involved heavily in the entertainment and we were treated to a floor show from the bar staff as the music got louder. As one of my friend´s teenagers commented: ´O´Grady´s is always pumping.´ Now I haven´t got a teenage dictionary in front of me, but I get the gist!

Being Puerto Banus, a great selection of champagne is offered on the wine list, in addition to a fabulous cocktail range, and shots galore.
Stags, Hens and Birthdays
Another speciality at O´Grady´s are the party nights and corporate events. They are geared to cater for birthday parties, Stag and Hen nights, and any special private parties. Many revellers fly in from the UK and other parts of Europe to enjoy Hen and Stag weekends at O´Grady´s, and nobody leaves disappointed – hungover, yes but disappointed, no.

By prior arrangement, Stags and Hens are met on arrival by a personal barman, who will seat the party at their private tables. Free champagne is also included and a V.I.P area available if requested. A personal photographer will also be assigned to the party for the evening to catch their memorable, and not so memorable moments. Strippers can also be arranged at extra cost, which can result in some hilarious photos! (Not all of which the Stags and Hens take home to show the prospective hubby or wife).
Not for the faint hearted, drinking games are also included later on, and partygoers can compete with the bar staff for boozy prizes. Caution – the squashed frog shots are lethal!

The hassle of arranging celebrations and parties in another country, can take away some of the enjoyment for the organiser. O´Grady´s will arrange everything for you well in advance, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourself.

Golfers Galore
When it comes to golf, the management and staff at O´Grady´s are somthing of experts on the subject. Having catered for thousands of golfers over the past ten years, every type of golf party can be arranged, and the best advice given on local courses, green fees, directions etc.,
The famous Golf Valley, siuated only two miles away in Nueva Andalucia, boasts some of the best golf courses in Spain, and O´Grady´s can also recommend a number of hotels to stay in close by, plus information about top restaurants and leisure activities in the area.
Golf parties often hire the VIP room at O´Grady´, which is fully air conditioned with two pool tables and live sports coverage. This room is available during the day and evening for hire and the staff will be happy to arrange for you to see the facilities before booking.

It is easy to get baffled by the amazing array of entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars and restaurants in Puerto Banus, but we find that, even when we decide to visit a few different bars after dinner, inevitably we stay in O´Grady´s. The music, entertainment and atmosphere is the best you will find in this part of Spain.
For more information, go to: www.ogradysirishpub.com. You can book parties from the site, or simply request more information, or simply pop in for a chat.

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