Just Returned From Andalucia
 

Just got back from a 10-day trip to Andalucia. Spent some time in Seville, Jaen, Granada, and Mijas (Costa del Sol). Seville and Jaen most enjoyable. If I can give one word of advice to anybody visiting the Costa del Sol...avoid it. The Lonely Planet needs to update its description of Fuengirola (city on the coast a short drive from Mijas); Lonely Planet dubbed it a "Fishing Village." It may have been a fishing village when the the finishing touches were being put on the Alhambra (get your tix way in advance), but it is now a case study in urban sprawl. I drove into the town once to get to the beach, and couldn't get out fast enough. The beach at Puerta Banus (approx. 35 mins west) is worth a trip. All vendors and restaurants are equipped to deal with credit cards, so carrying a lot of cash is unncessary. However, I felt that having some cash gave me the ability to haggle on the price of souvenirs; they are everywhere, so it is a buyer's market.

You make a good point. So many of the seaside towns are described as 'fishing villages' where the only similarity nowadays is perhaps the smell. Sure, sure, many do have a few small craft that still put out to sea, but compared to the number of truck-and-multiple- trailers disguised as choo-choo trains, they are massively in the minority.

But most of all I agree that the travel industry should stop gilding the lily. "Fishing village" now means a seaside town that has undergone rapid tourist expansion. "Charmingly tranquil off-season" means as dead as a dodo for 9 months of the year. "A car is recommended to enjoy this area" means - this place is truly waaaay out in the boondocks, miles from anywhere.

Or how about these:
"Parking can sometimes be a problem"
"In mid-season the roads become busier"
"There have been reports of some pick-pocketing incidents in Barcelona"
"A raincoat might be useful in autumn (fall)"

Anyone have their favorities?

Peter

Excellent reply, Peter. Euphemisms abound and cutting through them can be difficult.

Loved your reply but can never think of comments when I need to. Anyway, describing Fuengirola as a fishing village is a travesty. It is a large resort. I have been going to the Costa del Sol since the late sixties and I still ove it even though it has become very touristy and very crowded. Why? Well, there are still lots of nice small restaurants and bars. You can still sit in a restaurant a few feet from the Mediterranean and eat fish. besides, we have a lot of friends there and that is what travelling is all bout.
We rent our apartment in Torremolinos for two months and when things get tiresome we grab a glass of Rioja and watch the sun set on the sea.

Raydotman - I have to agree with you on this. We love Costa delSol. We have gone there six times and plan on going again in 2004. I guess it all depends on what people like. If you like a lot of people, a lot of restaurants, beach, huge nightlife, shopping, and then the chance to get away from it all during the day and visit the small white villages....then Costa del Sol is the place to stay. You get the best of both worlds in one trip!

Hi Donnabee,
I have just written away to see if we can rent an apartment in Torremolinos for 2 months starting January 15th. We are trying for the Playamar Apartments. Perhaps we will see you there. Are you travelling on your own or through a travel company. I ask because a lot of our friends have been travelling with Grand Circle Tours for years and they stay at the Bajondillo.

Two months?! I am jealous! We won't be going until August. Malaga has their big festival the 3rd week of August. We usually go with a group of friends and do it on our own (no tour group). The last 3 times we were there, we rented a 3 bedroom villa in Estepona. This time, we might just stay at the Marbella Marriott. I like having my room and bathroom cleaned daily....: )