This is a good question, and one which is important to holiday makers looking to visit Marbella, Fuengirola, Nerja, etc.  And I guess the answer is dependent on where you are coming from - if you are heading to Marbella from Finland in January and arrive on a nice sunny day you will probably thinks its hot!

1) When is it warm enough to sit outside a restaurant in shorts and a t-shirt, or wear a bikini on the beach?

When can I sit outside on an evening?

When is it warm enough to swim in the outdoor unheated pools?

When can I swim in the Mediterranean sea?

Do I need heating on the Costa del Sol?

When do I need the Air Conditioning?

Does it rain on the Costa del Sol?

The Marbella Town hall has announced a star studded line up for a range of music concerts to be held during the summer of 2012.  George Benson and Hugh Laurie have been announced as two of the stars who will be playing at the Marbella Starlite Festival this summer.  

The festival, which will take place at the open air La Cantera venue, an old quarry built into the La Concha Mountain at the top of Nagueles, will feature numerous music concerts, running from the 13^th July until 14^th August 2012.

Key dates are:

July 16^th – Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp

July 27^th – Christopher Cross

July 29^th – High Laurie plays Blues and Jazz

August 2^nd – Miguel Bose

August 3rd - Rosario, Lolita y Antonio Carmona

August 4^th – Starlite Gala

August 10^th – Julio Iglesias

August 11^th – Raphael

August 14^th – Estopa

Visitors will be able to enjoy superb food from El Bulli Catering, run by Paco Roncero, a protégé of Spain’s most famous chef Ferran Adria, owner of the now closed El Bulli, the 5 times winner of the world best restaurant award. 

Just a quick post to remind visitors to Marbella and the Costa del Sol that the MotoGP is taking place this weekend up at Jerez.  Its a great opportunity to witness not only the worlds fastest motorcyclists in action, but also a truly magnificent Spanish event.  The Spaniards are fanatical about their bike racing, and there is a good chance Spanish riders will win all three classes in the races on Sunday.  Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa should both be fighting for the win in the main MotoGP Category on the new for 2012 1000cc bikes, having come 1st and 2nd respectively in the first race of the season last month in Qatar, and Marc Marquez will be right up their in the Moto2 race.  And in the new Moto3 category for 250cc four stroke singles, which replaces the old 125cc two stroke category Maverick Viñales (now there's a boy named to race!) is leading after the first round.

Just a quick blog to inform readers that Marbella's nearest water park, Parque Aquatico Mijas (the waterpark just off the main N340 Costa road in the centre of Fuengirola) will be opening its gates on 30th April this year for the 2012 summer season.  

One for the diaries of speed freaks on, or visiting the Costa del Sol, at the end of June this year.  Spanish radio station Spectrum FM and the Spanish Newspaper Euro Weekly News are promoting the Almeria Festival of Speed.  This event, which is free to enter, will be held at the stunning Circuit of Almeria.  Near both Guadix and Tabernas, the circuit itself is in a great location.  

An incredible new zip wire has been opened in Marbella, taking adrenalin seeking Costa del Sol visitors from the top of the dramatic La Concha mountain, which towers over Marbella at a height of 1200m, right the way down to Puerto Banus at sea level.  A 1200m drop.

The La Concha Banus Expressway is a full 9km zip wire, which could be the longest in the world, and reaches speeds of between 80 and 120kmh, depending on the weight and width of the riders.  Riders are allowed to double up to share the cost if they wish although there is a limit of 3 riders per run.

The latest addition to the many unusual things to do in Marbella, the La Concha Banus Expressway was designed by the local architect Juan Ago Relifasd.  The attraction has taken 13 years to get through the myriad of Spanish Red Tape, with numerous hurdles to get over, to get to the stage of opening this morning. 

Residents living on the posh Marbella housing estate Sierra Blanca raised numerous complaints, including amazingly the possibilities of riders dropping their ice creams into their heated swimming pools during the ride.  As a result no food and drinks are allowed.

To begin with riders will need to take a 3 hour hike to the top of La Concha, before taking the 7 minute ride back down.  Unfortunately they will then need to walk back up to the top to return their harnesses.  Spanish Health and Safety officers have raised concerns that this will lead to most riders opting not to bother with the optional safety harnesses. 

The fact that the safety harnesses are optional was another major concern for the resident of Sierra Blanca, who were concerned about the possibility of their pools being used as targets for drunk Brits, trying to ‘outdo’ their mates Magalluf Balconing videos on YouTube.  The Zip Wire owners state this is very unlikely, and given the height of the zip wire it’s very unlikely they would hit their targets even if they try.  Pointing out the drunk Brits attempting this would be more likely to hit the scrub area behind Swans School.  Some old mattresses have been put out in this area just in case.

The owner, Arab oil billionaire, Yuv Bin Adweera Vienalaf, says if the zip wire proves popular they are looking to put in place a cable car or escalator up to the start point, with the hope of attracting more Americans to take the ride.

And they are not stopping with this new attraction, he tells us they are negotiating with land owners in the Sierra Blanca Country Club on the Istan Road, with the hope of opening up a new water slide from the top of the la Concha into Istan Lake, known locally as La Concepcion Reservoir.  And if this goes well there is the possibility of a rope bridge to Gibraltar.

The first rider down during one of the test runs, Steve Smith said it was “Well worth the climb – Well Ard, Isn’t this zip wire thing brilliant! Cracking views, although it was a bit hairy going over Sierra Blanca as there was a bit of flak in the air, but otherwise brill.  Where do I put this harness?, wot?, up there?, your joking, no, bloomin ell’.

Opening hours are 9-5, but they will tend to vary a little without notice, so riders are advised to contact the operator prior to hiking La Concha.

Jerez de la Frontera is always a great place for a day trip from Marbella, and if you make the most of visiting by taking one of the many great famous Jerez Sherry Tours, maybe an overnight stay would be well advised!

But May is an especially great time to visit, as this is the month in which Jerez is home to the famous Feria de los Caballos (Horse Fair). In many ways the Jerez Horse Feria, is much like any other great Spanish Feria (pretty much every Spanish town and village holds an annual feria, during which the whole population will get together for a huge a multi-day party, with fun for all ages). But the Jerez is especially interesting to those with an interest in all things horses.

The feria ground, just outside the main centre of Jerez is divided in two, with a huge fun fair at one end, and the Casetas at the other end of the feria ground. The Casetas end of the feria ground feria ground, is arranged around a great big cross shaped road system. This is superb for the 1,000’s of horses and magnificent horses and carriages, to parade through the feria. With their riders decked out magnificently in traditional dress it is a stunning spectacle, even for non-horse enthusiasts.

The feria is free to attend, and has a different character day and night (and the feria will run well into the early hours each morning with lots of singing, dancing and drinking!).

The Casetas, which are small bars and restaurants run by the many small groups and clubs of the town, are usually open to all and visitors are welcome to enter and join in the fun.

And the Jerez climate in May is usually superb for making the most of the outdoor and indoor fun. Jerez is about a 90 minute drive from Marbella, head west up the toll road towards Algeciras / Cadiz and then head north up the superb and scenic A381 road to Jerez just before you get to Algeciras.

The 2012 Jerez Horse Fair takes place from the 7th to the 13th May. Get along and enjoy it - of if you are not here in May take a trip any time to enjoy the many great things to do in Jerez!

Real horse enthusiasts may want to take a really special horseback trip. Ride Andalucia offers guests a multi day ride, which takes in the fair. The first part of this tour takes riders through beautiful old forests, between the cork trees, over a rocky pass between valleys as the group follows tracks and trails around the famous white village of Gaucin. Then on day 5 guests are taken to the Feria de Caballo in Jerez to enjoy the sights and sounds and spectacular shows of this famous festival. This tour includes five nights accommodation in three different small locations of great character.

Great news for karting fans in the area, a new karting circuit is currently being constructed at the Hipodromo Costa del Sol (the horse racing track in between Fuengirola and La Cala de Mijas). 

Details are a little sketchy at the moment, according to the website the new kart circuit will be opening in April, although a sign at the side of the circuit says May.  If it is going to go where I think it is, on a large plot of land to the left of the entrance which is being built up, I think this may be an optimistic target!  No tarmac has yet hit the gound!

We will keep you up to date with progress, but it is a very welcome new facility.  Fuengirola had a great little Karting club and track, called Karting Mijas which was located on the Coin Road.  It was a shame when this closed down about 5 years back.  The new Fuengirola Karting track will be a great addition to the many great things to do in Fuengirola.

For those that can't wait try Funny Beach for karting in Marbella, or for a more serious track, which is a fair drive our from Marbella try karting in Campillos.

More news and pictures when we get it!

Looking for somewhere great to stay in the Marbella area? Here’s two great suggestions to meet the needs of differing luxury accommodation seekers' budgets.

Option 1 - Large Luxury Contemporary Villa inbetween Marbella and Istan

If you are looking for a really spectacular luxury villa to rent in Marbella, I would suggest the amazing Lakeside Villa. This huge 549m2 built, 5 en suite bedroomed, villa is located a 10 minute drive up the mountain from Marbella towards Istan.

Lakeside Villa has an additional 350m2 of spectacular terraces overlooking its 17,000m2 plot, Istan Lake, the surrounding mountains, Puerto Banus, the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the north Africa coast.

With its own private infinity pool, and a luxurious range of facilities including a cinema room, it is a superb location to relax.

In terms of local activities this villa is a short drive to Marbella, the beaches, Puerto Banus and has superb hiking, biking and kayaking right on its door step. Take a look at the huge range of things to do in Istan, the pretty whitewashed villa a few KM up the road.

Prices for this villa, which sleeps 10 people, currently range from 5,000 to 10,000 euros per week.

Option 2 - Cabopino Penthouse Apartment

For those with smaller budgets, but still looking for the luxury and upmarket side of the Costa del Sol, we recommend Cavallino, a luxury penthouse Cabopino rental apartment. 

Cabopino, just 8km east of the centre of Marbella, is often described at the Costa del Sol’s best kept secret. A small intimate marina, surrounded by great restaurants, with three fantastic beaches, Cabopino is a lovely place to spend your break. The Cavallino apartment is a ten minute walk from the marina, beaches and gold course.

Less than 10 years old, yet just refurbished to ensure it remains an elegant top choice, this spacious 132m2, 2 en suite bedroom apartment, has great sea views from its amazing 124m2 terraces. The terraces wrap around the apartment giving all day sun.

In terms of activities, look at the things to do in Cabopino. Within a few 100m of the apartment you have boat trips, water sports, dolphin watching trips, jet skiing, golf, a little further afield the new Marbella treetop park and all of the hundreds of great activities in nearby Marbella and Fuengirola.

Prices for this apartment, which sleeps 6 people, currently range from £395 to £895 euros per week.

 

I have been lucky enough to spend time at both of these places, and would highly recommend them.