More Photos

Just escaping the grey skies of England on a cold November morning was enough to raise a broad grin on my face as we ascended into the blue. But there were two more reasons to be cheerful on this flight south to Spain's sunshine coast (Costa del Sol) - my first trip back to the renowned resort of Marbella in almost two decades and the mouth-watering prospect of joining almost 1000 of my colleagues from around the world at Travel Counsellors Annual Conference - it's biggest ever!

The sun shone brightly on arrival at Malaga Airport with the promise of more of the same for the duration of our stay. Marvellous. The airport is a hive of activity with major expansion of its facilities well underway but we were efficiently marshalled to the awaiting fleet of coaches taking us the 60kms along to resort.

Having lived and worked in Marbella in the 1980's I was eager and excited to return to my old haunts and although the coastal highway is now dualled and much busier these days, the landmarks along the way were much as I remembered, as was the town itself. But like many visitors to the area, I chose to stay out at 'the port' - Puerto Banus, which is located some 5kms west of town.

Puerto Banus has always been the place to see super-yachts and super-rich and nothing has changed in that regard. Of course it has not been immune to financial fallout (some vacant shops and bars bear testament) but its still a magical place to visit - day or night. We (my wife making her first visit to the region) did both.

The boats are big and beautiful, as are the prices in the ports boutiques and many of the eateries and watering holes so it's wise to check the menus first! We checked out the live music (which was excellent) at Old Joys and, of course, Sinatras Bar, which has changed not a jot in twenty years. Great fun and well worth the investment. A number of colleagues let it all hang out for a great party night at Linekers Bar (it even has its own Bookmakers!).

Of course the region has always attracted the rich and famous - and still does, but Marbella and its environs are renowned for more than just Puerto Banus and the party-crazy set - much more. With scores of first class golf courses, sumptuous spa hotels, a wealth of wellness clinics, restaurants to lose your wallet and your waist for and of course, sun, sun sun! It also nestles on the southern fringes of my favourite province of Spain -Andalucia. And with much improved road networks across the hinterland, the city's of Granada, Cordoba and Seville form a glorious 'golden triangle' of destinations ideal for a multi-centre trip. Start or end your journey in Marbella and add Jerez (home of Sherry) to the mix and take in the Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) along the way and you have yourself one of the world's great self-drive tours. I've made the journey a dozen times now so know the area intimately and have been happy to put together itineraries for my customers in the knowledge they will have a wonderful experience.

Time to explore on this trip was limited but our conference schedule still managed to take in 5 hotel visits -
Guadalpin Banus, Don Carlos, Los Monteros, Westin La Quinta Golf and the very special and intimate Rio Real. A quality and contrasting range of superb accommodations. It also provided the opportunity to enjoy fine food and entertainment at Olivia Valere's amazing Babylonia Palace nightspot, gala dinner at the Marbella Exhibition and Conference Centre and elegant Old Town eateries. Quite a weekend!

So the trip was a tour de force and reminded my why I loved Marbella the first time around. Against tough competition from other established and emerging destinations, I am confident this sophisticated special place will retain its reputation and deliver memorable experiences to visitors for generations to come. Go sample its pleasures soon.