Costa del Sol Christmas wonderland
Sunrise over a Spainish Christmas
Monday, 01, Dec 2008 12:00
If you fancy escaping the cold, grey British winter this Christmas and jetting off to sunnier climes without breaking the bank Spain's Costa del Sol is a great choice.
Southern Spain is a truly magical place to be at Christmas and the New Year.
Apart from almost guaranteed sunshine, there's a whole host of entertainment and activities on offer for the whole family:
On offer are cinemas showing Christmas blockbusters in English, pantomimes at an English-speaking theatre, Christmas shopping at some of the best malls in Spain and even skiing in Sierra Nevada which is just two hours away by car.
Bowling, golf, tennis, hiking, cycling, canyoning, quad biking, 4x4 off-roading are all also on offer, along with carol concerts and the traditional colourful Spanish Christmas parades.
What to do
Unlike many other winter sun destinations, there are many things to do and places to take the kids on the Costa del Sol during the festive season.
Selwo Aventura is one of Spain's best safari parks where you can observe more than 2,000 different creatures from all five continents roaming freely in large open spaces similar to their natural habitat.
Selwo Marina, meanwhile, is a voyage of discovery through the different aquatic regions of the 'New World' of South America - dolphins and sea-lions swim the warm waters of the Caribbean; exotic birds fly through the Amazon and, thanks to Andalucia's only ice-filled 'Penguin-arium', penguins do their thing in the South Pole.
For those who love speed, adrenaline and vertigo, Funny Beach in Marbella has a go-karting track where up to eight budding Lewis Hamiltons can race head-to-head, plus trampolines, video games, electric bikes, children's rides, a restaurant serving kiddie-friendly fare, and the beach out front is one of the best you'll find in Marbella with sun beds for rent so mums and dads can relax and catch some well-deserved winter sun.
And of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional British Panto.
This year, the Salon Varieties theatre in Fuengirola is putting on Robinson Crusoe in English. But if you prefer your Christmas entertainment on the silver screen, there are a number of cine multiplexes up and down the coast showing all the latest blockbusters in English.
Many British visitors to Spain are surprised to learn that although Santa Claus is popular with Spanish kids, it's the Three Kings celebration, or 'Los Reyes Magos' on January 6th that really counts, when all Spanish children receive their presents.
As part of the festival, on the evening of January 5th, Spanish towns grind to a standstill to hold a parade throughout the town, in which local men dress up as the Three Kings and ride about town on floats in a procession, scattering sweets to the kids.
It's fun to watch whether you have children or not, and is a chance to see Spain in full celebration mode. (Remember to take an empty bag with you to collect all the sweets!).
How to get there
What's more, the Costa del Sol is just two hours from the UK and there are many low-cost airlines flying daily from UK airports to Málaga and Gibraltar. These include bmibaby and easyJet.
Where to eat
If the idea of cooking on holiday doesn't appeal, there are a myriad of top quality restaurants the length and breadth of the coast serving traditional Christmas and New Year's Eve fare.
Aroma in Fuengirola, for example, offers great service and a traditional seven-course Christmas Day menu with all the trimmings, wine and crackers (with half price menu for kids), as well as dinner and live music on New Year's Eve.
Sloane's in Elviria is also serving a traditional four-course Christmas lunch, plus a New Year's Eve menu with all the wine and party goodies you could possibly imagine.
Val Paraiso in Mijas serves traditional Christmas Dinner on December 25th and celebrates New Year's Eve with dinner and a fantastic fireworks display.
Where to stay
There's also a wide selection of different types of accommodation on offer - from hotels, to private villas and luxury apartments. Thanks to the current economic climate there are some great deals to be had over the festive season.
If you are looking for a 'home from home' holiday with the family, self-catering will be the best option. There are shops selling all the traditional ingredients you'd need to prepare your own Christmas dinner.
Plus, satellite TV is widely available too, so you can still watch your favourite Christmas TV. Unlike a normal British Christmas, you can work off that Christmas lunch with a walk on the beach or exploring Marbella's beautiful Old Town.
Holiday Rental on the Web is an English-run company based on the Costa del Sol, offering a selection of fully-managed luxury self-catering holiday rental accommodation all along the Costa del Sol.
On offer are a range of villas, some with heated pools, as well as luxury apartments located beachside or on a golf course, all within easy reach of good restaurants, bars and shopping.
Until 24th December, the organisation is also offering a special credit-crunch beating discount winter and Christmas sun deal which means for each seven nights booked, guests receive one free.
Chris O'Toole