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.

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

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

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!

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.

Although the village is very small there are still things to see in the village like the

Inmaculada Concepción church, built in the the sixteenth century which has a stunning example of a Latin cross floor plan with a wooden roof over the transept, and the exterior is noteworthy for its Mudéjar tower with semicircular arches on the bell level, which is covered by a hip roof.

On entering the church you can be seen an eighteenth century image of a Virgin of Sorrows and a polychrome wooden carving of San Pascual Bailón, which is a exceptional copy by Adrián Risueño of the original by Pedro de Mena.

One of the best reasons for visiting the village is to see the Valdecilla evergreen oak tree, which some refer to as “the mother of all evergreen oaks”. Which can be found not far from the village. It is a specimen that is unique to its species and has been cited in several botanical publications. It is more than 20 metres tall and more than three metres in diameter.

August is a good time to visit the village as between the 15^th and 20^th of the month the village holds a fiesta in honour of the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary). The celebrations are made up of diverse activities in which not only the resident villagers participate but also many ex locals who, , do not live in the village and take advantage of these days to visit with their friends and relatives.

During Semana Santa (Holy Week) the festivities begin on Palm Sunday with the traditional palms parade. And on Holy Thursday Jesús Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth) and the Virgen de la Soledad (Virgin of Solitude) parade through the streets. They go by separate routes and “meet” in the Plaza de Parauta, and on Good Friday the same Virgin again is borne in a procession, but this time behind the Entierro (Burial)..

The night of Holy Saturday sees a fantastic firework display and hunters fire their guns to announce Easter Sunday, the day that a “huerto” (bower) is installed on the edge of the village and in which is placed an image of the Child Jesus. At noon the Virgen del Rosario comes to meet the Child, while six rag- doll figures called Judases are burned.

There are many areas for walkers and hikers in the area around the village and you can get information about the area from the tourism office at the town hall in the village

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Plaza del Calvario, 30 (29421). Telephone: 952 181 028; Fax: 952 181 000

The Marquis and Marchioness’ comfortable economic situation and their commercial dealings abroad enabled them to collect and cultivate the most exotic of plant species from around the world. However, the botanical gardens did not earn a reputation throughout Europe for their beauty or exuberance, but for the magnificent collection of archaeological remains on display in the Loring Museum, a small, Doric-style building erected on the site of a Roman mosaic discovered in Cartama depicting the feats of Hercules.

After the death of the Marquis in 1911, La Concepcion passed into the hands of another rich family, the Echevarria-Echevarrietas, who subsequently extended the gardens, creating a number of new areas and adding to the vast collection of palms and trees. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, the garden’s heirs turned it over to the care of Mother Nature. In 1990, the entire estate (a total of 49 hectares, taking into account the historical garden as well as the surrounding agricultural and forest land) was purchased by Malaga City Council and the Municipal Botanical Trust was founded to run the estate. The construction of El Limonero reservoir divided the land into the declared green belt section and the La Concepcion Historical-Botanical Gardens. Once all necessary renovation work had been carried out, the gardens were opened to the public in 1994.
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The immense araucarias, palms, cycads, bamboos and vast range of flowers, give the garden a luxurious tropical feel about it. One of the highlights in spring is the flowering of the huge wisteria which clambers over the ironwork of an arbour next to the mansion. In summer, the shady walks with their pools, populated by water lilies, turtles and frogs, are a welcome break from the heat.

If time is limited, you can choose one of five different routes:

- The Jewels of La Concepcion route usually takes about an hour and a half and is easy to follow thanks to the 34 tiles which mark out the way. The footbridges, cascades, enormous trees, the beautiful house, ponds, huge creepers, the Doric-style Museum, and the delightful viewpoint are all to be enjoyed along this route.

- The Themed Gardens route leads to different areas of specific groups of plants which are notable either for their special botanical characteristics or for their usage. On show are a group of primitive plants, a display of African flora, collections of bamboos, citrus trees, palm trees and Malaga vines.

- On the Around the World route, plants come from all five continents beginning with an American hackberry, a magnolia and a white ash, and then going on to a group of floss silk trees and jacarandas. Asia is represented by white mulberries and a beautiful ginkgo. Acacias, Australian pines, and false aralias are also just a few of the plant species that can be found.

- The Viewpoint Route takes us among typical Mediterranean vegetation, and features a number of rest areas that offer panoramic views of both the historical garden and the city of Malaga. This route enables us to enjoy views of the crowns of the trees and to appreciate the contrast between subtropical plants of the garden and indigenous flora.

- The Forest Route runs along the highest pathway in La Concepcion, crossing the whole estate from north to south. It affords magnificent views of the whole garden and the surrounding area, with the Montes de Malaga Natural Park and the San Jose estate just opposite and the city of Malaga as a backdrop. Typical Mediterranean flora predominates throughout this walk.

Getting there:
The botanic garden is situated on the Carretera de las Pedrizas (CN 331) at km 166 which is on the way out of Malaga heading for Antequera. There is a bus service (No. 61) on weekends and holidays from the Alameda Principal in central Malaga (Ciudad Jardin line).

Opening hours:
Opens 9:30
Closes:
At 20:30 from 1st of April to the 30th of September
At 17:30 from 1st of October to the 31st of March
No visitors are admitted after an hour and a half before closing.
The Gardens are closed on Mondays, the 25th of December and the 1st of January.

Telephone: +34 95 225 21 48

There is a guide service (fee paid apart from entrance charge), but the Garden can be visited without a guide, too. There are three types of guided tour that last between a little more than an hour and four hours.

Entrance charges:
Adults 4€ each
Groups of 20 or more adults 3€ each
Children from 6 to 16 years 2€ each
Retired and Seniors 2€ each
Groups of 20 or more children 1€ each
Groups of 20 or more seniors 1€ each

There is evidence surrounding the village that shows that there were settlements here during Neolithic times but it was during the Roman era that the town began to really grow. It is located one of the main routes from Malaga to Ronda and the most important remains in and around the village come from this era.

Like many of the villages and towns in Andalucia, the moors left their mark on the village and many of the impressive structures that can be found in the village today date from the Moorish times. The moors are also reasonable for the name of the village naming it Csar Bonaira (Palace of Bonaira), which the Christians changed into Casarabonela when they took control of the village in the 16^th century

Thearchitecture of the village shows a wonderful blend of Moorish and Christian influences , the streets are narrow and maze like which is the traditional Moorish style while many of the buildings are a mix of Arabic and Christian in style

One of the most impressive buildings in the village is the Santiago Church, which was built by the Christians in the 16^th Century on the site of a mosque. It is a stunning example of late gothic style >The church is worth a visit for its impressive interior and especially the altarpiece which was built by Rafael Ruiz Liébana. The Choir room is also well worth the visit. and the church also houses a wonderful painted wooden carving from the eighteenth century of the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary,. The Church is located at the highest point of the village.

In front of the Church you will find the ruins of the Arabic castle that the moors built on the site of the original Roman Fortress. There is still part of the four towers and sections of the wall here and due to its location it provides a great vantage point to view the village and the surrounding countryside

Other places of interest include the Veracruz hermitage which houses the Virgen de los Rondales which is decorated with gesso artwork and past that you will find the Molino de los Mizos (Los Mizos mill), a traditional nineteenth century oil mill that still has all its gear and tools

Not far from the actual village you can visit an ancient medieval village archaeological site known as Los Villares. The spring in the Fuente Quebrada Cave, the La Yesera cave, the little El Chorredón waterfall and the La Jácara chasm are natural spaces that are well worth a visit

The last week of July is a great time to visit the village as this is when they hold fair in The fair in the last week of July in honor of Santiago Apóstol (the Apostle Saint James) .The local people decorate the village streets and partake in verbenas (traditional street parties) and various performances, both popular and traditional,

On the 7^th October the village holds The Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary) pilgrimage

Early May (3 May) sees the fiesta of La Cruz (the Cross).

The Virgen de los Rondeles festivities are special, having been designated a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia, and this takes place on the 12^th December

The Virgen de los Rondeles festivities (12 December) are obviously special, having been designated a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia,.

Tourist Information: Tourist Office, Calle Real, 5 (29566). Telephone: 952 456 067

Just 13km from Marbella and Estepona, Happy Divers Marbella is open all year – March to November from 9.30am to 7pm and from December to February – Sunday to Friday – 10am-6pm. The centre is located away from the noisy tourist areas, and offers a friendly, informal atmosphere, where the emphasis is placed on individual service and attention. Unlike many diving centres on the coast, scuba equipment only has to be carried around 30 metres to pool and boat.

The Happy Divers Marbella and IDC College is the highest rated PADI dive centre in Spain, and the first ever National Geographic Dive Centre in Spain. It also became a Scubapro S.E.A Diving Centre in 1997, and is one of only 210 Scubapro recommended centres in the world. Divers are taught from beginners to instructor level and beyond, and the equipment is maintained regularly by trained staff.
All of the staff are multi-lingual, and all instructional courses are offered in English, Spanish, German and French.

Facilities include: a fully stocked shop with equipment and accessories, offices, classrooms, workshops and even a chiringuito where wet suits, fins and diver´s equipment can be stored.

Aprés Diving
The diver´s bar is situated in front of the dive centre where divers can share experiences or simply relax in this beautiful setting.

Dive Boat
The dive boat, named Happy Divers Marbella, is 6m long and carries up to 16 divers and their equipment. Equipped with sonar and GPS, the boat can also comfortably reach dive sites which are further away.

Beginner´s Course
Instructional courses follow the guidelines of PADI & NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.The first skills of every beginners course will be done in one of the hotel`s pools - no matter whether it is an introductory- or a full instructional course, which concludes with an international recognized certificate. Beginners practice everything important for their safety under water and learn to handle the dive equipment.
PADI courses are available from beginners to instructor level.

Advanced Divers
Offers for advanced divers are also available throughout the year, plus speciality courses such as medical and safety. Details of these can be found on the company´s website: www.happy-divers-marbella.com

Dive Sites
The dive sites are from between 5 and 30 minutes from the centre by boat or car. There are currently 20 sites, 10 for boat dives and 10 for shore dives, and these are spread over 50km of coastline. Easy shallow water dives to more demanding deep dives for experienced divers are offered. Different characters of the sites include rocky, underwater landscape, reefs, wrecks and a rich marine life including seahorses, spider crabs, sunfish, dolphins and groupers. As the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, divers are guaranteed to see rich plant and marine life from both oceans – making this one of the most impressive dive areas in Spain.

Prices
Prices for a single dive start from €30 including equipment, and there are many packages available, including day excursions, wreck dives and economy dive packages.

Diving for Kids
Children have to be only 8 years old to discover the secrets of the underwater world on their own. 6 special equipments for children are available.

The manager of Happy Divers Marbella, Peter Deth, is very experienced in scuba diving with children. He studied pedagogics and managed children-animation and scuba diving for children for 3 years in a German dive club. From experience it is known that children should not be younger then 8 years old or they could have difficulties to manage the snorkels and/ or the special mouthpieces for child regulators. 8 year olds can join the PADI programs “Bubblemaker” and “SealTeam”.

When they are 10 years old children can follow the PADI Junior Programs “PADI Junior Scuba Diver” and/ or “PADI Open Water Diver”. Happy Divers Marbella also offers a range of programmes for advanced dive kids.
If they already have a certificate on the beginners level, have some dive experience and are at least 12 years old, they can take the PADI courses, which include Junior Adventure Diver, Junior Advanced Open Water Diver and Junior Rescue Diver. There is also the offer of the exclusive National Geographic Course.

How to find us
Coming from Málaga direction; take the N 340 coast road towards Cadiz/ Algeciras and continue all the way around Marbella, then through the town of San Pedro de Alcántara. At the end of San Pedro there is a large white arch spanning the road with the words Marbella/ San Pedro. Approximately 1 km after this arch you will find the exit signposted ‘Benahavis’. Take this exit and you will come to a roundabout where on your right hand side is a petrol service station. Turn to the left at this roundabout and go under the N 340 road to the other side and towards the sea. After you have gone under the main road continue for about 200 m until you see the word STOP painted on the road. Turn to your left (water tower) follow this road and the signposts for ‘Atalaya Park Hotel’. On the hotel premises you find us at the beach.

Coming from Estepona direction; take the N 340 road towards Málaga/ Marbella. After about 10 km there is on your left hand side a shopping center and shortly after a red and blue house “the bed & sofa centre”.
Approximately 1 km past this red and blue house there is a sign for ‘Benahavis 250 m’. At this point on the right hand side is the ‘Unicaja’ bank in a white building with green windows and the exit for ‘Isdabe’. Take this exit, go under an arch with the word ‘Isdabe’, and then immediately turn left. Continue across another road and on for about 200 metres, at which point you must follow the road around to the right. It will be signposted for ‘Atalaya Park Hotel’. On the hotel premises you find us at the beach.

Contact: Peter Deth, Atalaya Park Hotel, Ctra. De Cadiz, Km 168.5, 29680, Estepona, Malaga. Tel: 0034 952 889 000. Mobile: 0034 609571920. Fax: 0034 952 887 633. Website: www.happy-divers-marbella.com

If they have already a certificate on the beginners level, have some dive experience and are 12 years old they can take the PADI courses: “Junior Adventure Diver”, “Junior Advanced Open Water Diver” and “Junior Rescue Diver”. There is also an offer on the exclusive National Geographic Course.

This year’s 8th asparagus festival of Sierra de Yeguas was a resounding success. It was held in the main square on what must have been the warmest day of the year so far. A perfect day, with a gentle cooling breeze.

From the brightly coloured bunting strung out over the streets to the bouncy castle at the top end of the square, the scene was set for a rollickingly good bit of Spanish fun! People had come from far and wide to sample the free asparagus tortilla (omelette), of which there was fortunately a seemingly endless supply. You just bought a beer, and the tortillas and bread just kept coming. Wonderful!

Round the paella stall though, it was serious stuff. Over by the town hall massive paellas were being cooked. People were calling out to the hardworking cooks and there was such a frenzied counting out of plastic plates, such a high-speed dishing up! A forest of frantically waving hands were grabbing out to snatch the plates of paella as fast as they came, like there was no tomorrow. A kind of mass hysteria overtook the crowd in their eagerness for a plate of free paella! But what fun it all was. Needless to say, we were part of that frenetic crowd. And in the end we were rewarded with not one, but TWO servings of paella! Bring it on!

After this a leisurely stroll round the varied stalls set up in the square proved more relaxing. There was a wide range of produce on offer. Many of the stalls were selling local cheeses (goat and sheep cheese), and ‘charcuterie’ meats of the region. There were plenty of divine cheeses to sample, as well as local sausage. A bunch of local asparagus of uncertain weight for one euro was a ‘must’, and a wedge of goat’s cheese.

Great! Now I can make my own asparagus tortilla plus a few eggs of course, and throw in a bit of that fabulous cheese! But no, that cheese really has to be savoured in thin slices with a bit of fresh bread and a glass of good wine to really appreciate it at its best.

We were intrigued by the ‘Zurrapa’-a spread made of chorizo and FAT to spread on your bread at breakfast, instead of marmalade! Rather some one else than me!…though I’m sure it must be delicious, for it seems to be extremely popular. We were left speechless by the slabs of pig fat for sale, and fat with maybe just one, or if you were lucky even two streaks of bacon somewhere in the middle! Helps to make a fabulous soup they said. Well, actually it does, I’ve tried it. In soup made by a Spanish person not me, you understand! It’s a good old fashioned ingredient. In any case it’s only some of the younger generation who are starting to get obese these days on fast food they say, rather than on traditional fare like this. Isn’t it?

Aside from the fat though, (food for thought) we found that you could buy local organic olive oil, leather jewellery, handbags, scarves and all manner of colourful junk for the kids. We were fascinated by the ceramics and stained glass stall. But the highlight for us was the stall where live birds were on display, including owls and falcons. I loved the owls. Big-eyed and solemn they regarded us with regal disdain, turning their heads right round at an incredible 90 degrees as they did so! Big unblinking yellow eyes and green eyes like a cat. Wonderful! Shivery! Try and stroke one if you dare. If you’re gentle you will be tolerated. But if you’re not then watch out, they’ll have you in a flash!

If you felt like a dance after all this excitement, a band was playing and a troupe of local folk musicians added to the ambience, strolling around the area playing traditional tunes. It would have been quite easy to join in the dancing, but maybe our British reserve made us hesitate. A few more beers and we might have done!

The whole event started at 1.00 pm and a couple of hours later every café and bar, and every stall was thronged with people, many of them like us from neighbouring towns and villages. By 4.00 pm though, things were just beginning to wind down. We sat casually on a wall in the warm spring sunshine enjoying our last drink, and looking up at the church spire and the colourful bunting over our heads. What a picture it made, and what a delightful afternoon we had enjoyed.

The Festival of Asparagus (or Espárrago) of Sierra de Yeguas takes place once a year towards the end of April. Make a date in your diary for next year!