On the coast if Marbella, 20 beaches spread over 20km. The city is the pearl of Coasta del Sol and the only place in the beach from where hot air balloon pleasure flights depart. The ancient fishing settlement with 90000 inhabitants was famous for its iron, lead and graphite mines in the 19th century. Its old town spreads in the shadow of the old Arabic fortress. The city center is still bordered by the walls leading to the castle and two battlemented watchtowers stand near the church. In places, the searing sand of beaches alternate with shade giving pine groves. Though it’s difficult for north and central Europeans to understand, perhaps because they want to squeeze every minute out of their vacation, it’s worth following the southern custom of siesta. The Spanish not only leave their work places at the hottest time of the day but also the beach if they’re there. The hottest section of the day, mostly between 2 and 5p.m. is for resting. It’s true, the demographists stated that most of the Spanish children are conceived at this time. What is the night for then? It’s for living social life.
The siesta is also partially the preparation for this. Hispanics not only like feasts but balls, dancing, evenings of entertainment and great dinners. Young women wear colorful frilly clothes lifting skirts, young men in shiny boots, tight black pants and flat hats. Boot heels patter, castanets click, dark female eyelashes flutter. Guitar music and the painful drawn out singing, the cante holdo sound, the full scale of emotions lies in flamenco, from the zest for life to despair, from jealousy to love, from mourning to cheer. Though flamenco also includes learned choreography, there’s a lot of improvisation in it. And if presented by good dancers, it can be a real experience. If possible don’t miss it when in Spain.
Motorized traffic is prohibited on the narrow streets of Marbella city center but they wouldn’t have enough room anyway. Besides, it’s only possible to really explore the city on foot, taking in all the small details. The winding tangle of tiny narrow streets opening in to each other forms a labyrinth of small snow white houses with lattice windows, rod iron balconies, and flower decorations. The detail is beautiful. The rod iron lamps, the gateways, the small statues and recesses. The tile decorations and the sign boards of shops. There are fountains on the small squares, the colorful flowery bushes run up the walls of houses. The streets and squares are covered with ornate cobblestones. However much we should wind among the ornate wealthy and more modest middle class zones, our way finally leads back to the square of oranges.
We can imagine how hot it is here in the summer months if canopies are spanned over the streets and squares. The old squares name, the plaza del ayuntamiento was also apt since the city hall built in the 14th century stands here so the new day, Plaza del Naranjos is fitting since the square is full of lush orange trees. The round fruits practically smile at us from among the dark green leaves. The whole square serves as the terrace of the surrounding restaurants, one of which has received guests for five centuries already. The square is busy all the time. One can have breakfast, lunch or dinner here or just relax with a coffee or an orange juice. The bustle is especially big at fiesta time. The Spanish love to celebrate, be it a religious or secular occasion.
To truly know Marbella, you have to have also been in the modern area beside the old town. Of course, we’re not thinking of concrete council estate running towards the inside of the land. Those are unimaginative, just like everywhere else in the world but the coast wise hotels, shopping centers and apartment houses give architects an opportunity to prove that modern architecture is also able to show something beautiful and interesting. Investors didn’t scrimp with money here, and guests also spend a lot. The standard is obvious with Roll Royces, Ferraris, Porches, Jaguars and Harley Davidsons lined up next to each other in the port promenade.
This is a special world. The citadel of luxury and elegance. In other words, Spain presents how the rich and beautiful spend their holiday in color, on wide screen and in three dimensions. The Spanish born American film star, Antonio Banderas visits his luxury apartment in Marbella during a break in filming. He’s not the only world star here. Millionaire bankers and businessmen like to spend their holidays here too. They can afford palaces, mansions, castles or former monasteries, by outsourcing the restoration of art relics, the government got rid of the considerable costs of renovation and continuous maintenance thus gaining a sizable income. Guests gladly pay for the unparalleled atmosphere that is practically ingrained in the walls. Just imagine a candlelight dinner on a damask tablecloth with silver in a dungeon or a monastic refectory.
The next day, the destination is new ports, new cities, new adventures. Some Parador Hotels give a very significant offpeak price discount. Moreover, we can even buy real estate in Spain with very favorable conditions. The overwhelming majority of seashore apartments and villas fall into the hands of foreign owners in a way that they spend here just one or two months a year. While the realty goes for rent the rest of the year. The rent is enough to cover the loan installments. Buyers are tempted here with favorable loan facilities and low interest. The result is clearly visible.