Although unmistakably a pueblo blanco, Jimena de la Frontera is in many ways not so typical of the villages that cling to mountain-edges in the southwest Serranía de Ronda. Firstly, it does follow the trend of being built on safe high ground that rises steeply towards a castle-topped hill, but although they’re undulating the surroundings of Jimena are not exactly precipitous – and it doesn’t require a hair-raising drive to get here. For those who love the calm, quaint and typically Andalusian atmosphere of a white village, but don’t relish seesawing through roadrunner territory, it is an ideal combination.

In fact, reaching this pretty little town is part of the pleasure, as you follow gentle gradients through green valleys and attractive farmland before you reach this white dot on the edge of the mighty Alcornocales nature reserve. The first point of contact is Estación Jimena, the younger cousin of the original village and the product of an industrialising age. Established on flat land at the end of the 19th century, it developed around the railway station, surrounded by agriculture and agri-business.

The real thing
With its steep, cobbled streets, intimate squares and amazing array of charming little houses and churches, Jimena de la Frontera is compact but pretty. Its atmosphere is authentically rural, this being a truly agricultural area, so although there are plenty of little inns and hotels Jimena is not the kind of place where busloads of camera-wielding tourists are offloaded on a regular basis. For visitors, though, it’s a pleasure to pick your way through a delightful array of alleyways, steps and terraced allotments that back on to sweet little cottages.

A small number of foreigners have started doing them up to live in, but generally it is those who enjoy Andalusian life the authentic way who come to settle in these parts. What attracts them is that Jimena is still wonderfully free of Irish theme bars and McDonalds. This is a place where you see kids kicking a ball in a square as old men gather to chat, ladies stop to gossip while on some domestic errand, and entire families congregate on the terrace of a local restaurant.

Still largely agrarian and in many ways more traditional than other white villages, Jimena de la Frontera is popular for all the right reasons – not least of which is the beautiful open scenery of the Alcornocales, with its rare pinsapo trees, endless cork and pine groves and beautiful valleys, gorges and mountain peaks. It is within this setting that visitors come from far to pick sought-after varieties of wild mushrooms in guided tours. Another popular activity is deer spotting during the rutting season in autumn, when groups of villagers and visitors picnic in the country in the hope of catching sight of the mighty stags or hearing their distinctive call. Just the kind of eccentricity you’d expect from a village in the midst of a natural paradise.

The spread of properties in this peaceful, and in parts gated residential area, range from brand new to rustic, from very large and opulent to more modest proportions, and from ultramodern architectural styling to more traditional looks. The tranquil streets are low on traffic but lead directly to a local commercial centre that includes a supermarket, a small collection of shops and offices, and some restaurants and cafés. An iconic part of this centre is the German bakery, which has become a reference point in the area, while there are also two health and rackets clubs that offer tennis, padel tennis, swimming pools, gym, pilates and café/restaurants, as well as providing a social hub for the area.

The latter is also the case at the Marbella Golf Club, whose stylish clubhouse features a fine dining restaurant with lovely views over the course, a pro shop, golf academy, elegant lounge areas and facilities for conferencing, launches and social functions. Nearby are also the courses of Santa Clara Golf and Greenlife Golf, the latter of which houses the very highly rated gourmet restaurant El Lago.

A larger shopping centre can be found at Elviria, a few kilometres eastwards, with a liberal sprinkling of restaurants, cafés, lounge bars, and also beach clubs in between. The famous Nikki Beach forms the beach club of the five-star Don Carlos Hotel, but you can also opt for a more down to earth experience at the many chiringuitos (beach cabana bars) that dot the coast here. This area is favoured with some of the best sandy beaches in the Marbella area, and though primarily a laid-back sun-soaked suburb with its focus set firmly on the sea, El Rosario also has a very good spread of schools, clinics and other professional services on its doorstep. These include The English International College, the German School and the Costa del Sol Hospital – all within a few kilometres.

Though offering suburban peace, tranquillity and privacy with open views of the sea and surrounding mountains, this area east of Marbella is also conveniently close to the heart of town and all its services and diversions – making El Rosario one of the classic Marbella-style suburban areas.

Covering a total area of just over 200km2, the Sierra de las Nieves National Park extends northwards from Marbella towards Ronda, and forms one of the most untouched parts of the mountainous interior that is known collectively as the Serranía de Ronda. Essentially this is a rugged, mountainous region cut by deep valleys and dressed with the cover of forest. It is probably because of its inaccessibility that this particular area has been largely sheltered from human activity, be it modern development or even earlier agricultural settlement. Indeed, with the exception of some lonely hovels and isolated pastoralists this was a largely uninhabited paradise where nature and wildlife could thrive – and continue to do so today.

A land of highwaymen
Those who lived here eked out a tough existence, but the harsh terrain and shortage of prying eyes also made the Sierra de las Nieves a perfect hideaway for the Bandoleros, the highwaymen that roamed large parts of Andalucía in the 19th century. Knowing that the Guardia Civil could not venture into this region easily, it became one of their favoured hideouts, and a base from which they planned their raids and the tormenting of the authorities in which they so delighted. Even here the idea of settling down in villages and cottages was too dangerous for these mountain men, so they searched for the large caves that gave them not only shelter but were also practically invisible to outsiders.

In that sense the Sierra de las Nieves seems to have been made for these erstwhile bandits, for it is dotted with an abundance of caves and potholes – including some of the largest and deepest in all of Europe. Even if the king’s forces could make their way unnoticed into the steeply angled landscape, they would still find it hard to encounter the bandoleros, much less surprise them. Add to this an abundance of game and small plots that can easily be hidden within thick forest, and you have the makings of paradise for a hardy people whose main wish was to remain out of the reach of human civilisation.

A natural preserve
It is these conditions that have made the Sierra de las Nieves a safe abode for small groups of people all the way back to the Stone Age. Artefacts from that era have been found in the system of caves, indicating that early man was as much attracted by the rough shelter and abundant game as the later bandoleros, but on the whole it is fair to say that this is one of the most untouched regions on the European mainland. It’s tendency to be snow-capped, so close to the balmy Mediterranean coastline, is explained by altitudes that reach 1909 metres at Mount Torrecilla, the highest peak in the natural park. Not only is the air thinner and colder at this altitude, but the mountains also form part of the chain that acts as a barrier sheltering Marbella and the coastline from the cold winds that blow from the interior plains of Spain.

In winter this often leads to spectacular snow-covered scenery that you would not believe existed so close to the swimming pools and palm trees of the Costa del Sol. In summer, the mountain belt also keeps the dry, hot air from the interior out, yet these conditions – combined with the lack of human interference – are just right for a wide variety of fauna and flora. Indigenous trees such as the pine, fir, ash, chestnut, wild olive, cork oak and juniper, dominate a countryside that is home to mountain goats, muflon, doe deer, mongoose, badgers and also a rich variety of birdlife that includes eagles, vultures and the royal owl. Declared a National Hunting Reserve in 1970 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1995, the Sierra de las Nieves is as pristine a natural environment as you are likely to find in Europe, complete with thriving indigenous fauna and flora, as well as low-key recreational activities such as horse-riding, mountaineering and potholing for those with a penchant for nature’s bounty.

One of the jewels in the crown is the Museo Automovilistico de Málaga, the automobile museum opened in September last year. Although not situated in the city centre, where most of Málaga’s cultural venues can be found, the museum is housed in the beautiful former tobacco factory, with its classical façade and almost palatial stature. Long neglected, the ‘Tabacalera’ has been restored to its former glory and is once again an attraction in its own right, set close to the seaside boulevard that runs along the beach from the port to the centre of town.

Inland from here is a lively and interesting suburb called Huelin, so you won’t be hard-put to find a café, tapas bar or sun-soaked terrace nearby, or indeed a beach bar, if you plan to make a day of it. Occupying the left wing of the imposing tobacco factory, the museum impresses as soon as you enter it, displaying vehicular artwork in the form of car lights mounted on a chassis to resemble a classic car or some outlandish contraption. Lovers of the real thing will also not be disappointed, for the museum’s collection of almost 90 cars covers the very dawn of the motor car right up to the present day.

Built around the private collection of a Portuguese gentleman João Manuel Magalhães, who added to an initial collection started by his father, the museum’s Panhard Levasseurs, Rolls Royces, Mercedes, Auto Unions, Delahayes, Ferraris, Isotta Fraschinis and Packards, to name a few, are all in immaculate condition. Beautifully presented, this is already more than enough to get the heart of any car lover or nostalgic historian fluttering, but the Málaga car museum is somewhat unusual in how stylishly it depicts the various eras in which the vehicles were conceived and used, employing art, fashion and historical annotations in settings that not only take you on a journey through the past century and a quarter, but actually make you feel like you’re there.

It all starts with the early contraptions of the Victorian era, moves on to the increasingly pretty Renaults, Daimlers and Panhards of the Belle Epoque, and then enters the dynamism and turmoil of 20s and 30s Art Deco, when some of the most beautiful designs were crafted by the likes of Rolls Royce, Duesenberg, Bugatti and Mercedes. Displayed as the works of art that they are, these beauties will have you gasping, but note that amongst them are also more notoriously famous vehicles, such as the Mercedes 540K used by Heinrich Himmler and the Lancia Italia favoured by Mussolini.

This placing of the cars within the context of their times is a particular success of the museum, embellished by posters, artwork, occasional furniture pieces and props such as classic skis, luggage and golf clubs, and even a fashion and luxury hat display that is a fine collection of its own, boasting pieces by all the greats of the day, including Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga.

From the aristocrats, tycoons, gangsters and dictators of the 1930s you move into the post-war era, and a new revolution in design and technology. Slowly the Delages and Armstrong Siddeleys fade into the background, making way for a new generation of Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, Aston Martins, Jaguars and Ferraris that were to become the objects of desire in the 1950s and 1960s. From the gloom of war you step into an era of Dolce Vita, a highpoint in design and good living, before the charming design follies of 70s Buicks and Cadillacs bring back a nostalgic note of their own, and before you know it you’re looking at the cars of a modern era that bring you right up to the present moment.

Among the wackier of these are a ‘Flower Power’ Rolls Royce from 1966, inspired by the famous roller of John Lennon, a crazy Excalibur replica sports car such as the ones owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, and a 1985 Swarovsky Rolls Royce covered in the kind of bling that would have many a rapper or wag drooling with delight. The tour concludes with a collection of exotic cars and prototypes from throughout the automobile’s history, set alongside a wonderful collection of art in the form of engine blocks masterfully painted to resemble ceramics, steel and a variety of other materials and artistic styles. Before you leave, stop to admire the modern-day hotrods and racing cars designed and made by the skilled team of engineers who also maintain the 90-odd vehicles with such care and attention.

Although it features one of the most important private collections of classic cars in the world, the Málaga car museum is an experience that will appeal to an audience far beyond just those who love cars, fine design and masterful craftsmanship.

Open Tuesday to Sunday (10am to 7pm). Normal tickets €6, €3 for seniors over 65 and children under 6, and €4,50 for students

http://www.museoautomovilmalaga.com/

Somewhat tucked to one side at the beginning of the Golden Mile, the museum, which houses a surprisingly prominent collection of art, actually forms part of a series of four museums in Uruguay, Chile, Israel and Spain. The first, at the resort town of Punta del Este in Uruguay, was opened in 1987, followed by a museum in Santiago de Chile in 1992, another in Caesarea, Israel, a year later, with the Ralli Museum in Marbella following in 2000. Since then, a classical art museum was opened in Caesarea in 2007, completing a series of what were the first multi-country art museums in the world.

Another fascinating part of the Ralli museums is that they were founded on a very altruistic principle, namely the desire to bring the quality of Latin American and Spanish painters to the attention of the world, and in so doing spread the textural, tonal and emotional impact of these works, which interpret cultural, political, historical and intrinsically human topics in a variety of styles and mediums. Together, the Ralli museums around the world offer 12,000m2 of exhibit space filled with works by the greatest Argentinean, Uruguayan, Chilean, Columbian, Venezuelan, Mexican and Central American artists, as well as a selection of American and European painters and sculptors that includes none other than Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.

Founded around the principle that art should bring colour, light and happiness into people’s lives, as well as link people across the globe, the Ralli museums are run by a non-profit foundation that continues to add pieces to what is already the world’s greatest collection of Latin American art. Immaculate, and impressive, Marbella’s very own Ralli Museum does not charge you for the pleasure of slipping out of the everyday world and entering into a dimension of colour, light, forms, textures and peace that can be anything you want it to be; from thought-provoking and intense to calming, soothing and simply beautiful.

www.rallimuseums.org

The second-most important thing for economies and investors alike is stability. The first is naturally growth potential, but even a bountiful cherry tree cannot grow on quicksand, so the underlying subsoil for any real growth has to be stability.

For decades this is what set the developed nations apart from the so-called Third World, where a combination of rampant corruption, political strife and the frail state of the rule of law conspired to keep economies stagnant and too dangerous to invest in. Thanks to a large private sector failure in the form of the financial services blow-up of 2008 and a public sector crisis that seems on a course of its own, our once-cherished stability has become suddenly eroded to the core.

If nothing else, it reveals just how vulnerable our state of prosperity and security is, as well as emphasising the already existing global shift towards the newly emerging economies, but the current state of affairs should also serve as a wake-up call to all of us in the First World that many of our ways – both personal and in the realms of public finances – are unsustainable. As we clamber to regain a sure footing we are also coming up to a crossroads with some difficult choices to be made.

Is all of this restricted to the Euro Zone? In spite of the fact that this once-heralded and now much-maligned currency union at the heart of Europe absorbs virtually all of the negative news (and credit ratings) at the moment, you need only look at the main indicators to see that other developed countries such as the UK, the US and Japan are in equally perilous waters. For all that the spotlights have been fixed on the Continent, the pound has performed as weakly as the euro, and it is only recently that the US dollar seems to be performing a little better.

And yet it is the Euro Zone that bears the brunt of the apocalyptic prophecies and credit rating attacks – the latter by esteemed rating agencies that were implicated in the financial meltdown of 2008. The fact that the Euro Zone houses some of the best-performing economies in the developed world is largely cancelled out by the fact that it also houses some of the most bankrupt. In other words, Europe’s vulnerable southern flank is in danger of dragging its healthier northern part down with it, but to what extent? Is the euro really in danger of failing, and even if it does, what are the tangible consequences likely to be?

What complicates the matter is that there are so many different scenarios. Germany could lead the stronger economies of Northern Europe out of the euro or into a separate EU block. Greece, or perhaps even all of the Southern European countries, could leave the euro and revert to heavily devalued currencies, the euro could disappear altogether or it might be saved intact. Each of these has pros and cons within the current climate of damage control, but one thing that seems totally unthinkable is for a complete meltdown of the European Union as a whole. Why? Because a Europe faced with currency collapse and political disorder would quickly descend into a run on the banks, financial and economic paralysis, and ultimately to civil war on the streets.

This will not be allowed to happen. Although our veneer of security and prosperity has been shown to be rather thin, Europe is still far too powerful and important an economic and political block to have to suffer the above doomsday scenario. Even if the after-shocks of a complete or partial break-up of the Euro Zone would not be quite as scary as all that, the cost to the average citizen would still run into the thousands per person. Even the moderate scenario is therefore not acceptable to Europe’s political elite, so if worst comes to worse the European Central Bank will be activated to do what has so far kept other countries out of the limelight – pump money into the economy.

What does it mean for investors?

One way or another 2012 will be a decisive year, but with gold prices peaking and the commodity unable to absorb all the required flight of capital from traditional sources such as the stock market without out-pricing itself, real estate is re-establishing itself as a valuable store of wealth for the mid to longer term. Property values have dropped significantly since their highs in 2007, and might have a little further to go over the next few months, but on the whole they have now reached realistically low levels at which prices will again start to level out in the short term.

This means that there are many good opportunities to choose from, both as an end-user or investor with a view to mid- to longer-term capital growth. With its price levels readjusted, bricks and mortar is again a solid bulwark against depreciation of currency and stock market shares. Add to this the poorer prospects for income through entrepreneurial investment and any potential opportunity cost is pretty marginal too. In other words: in an uncertain market with essentially solid underpinnings real estate offers a safeguard against the depreciation we see around us.

The original centre of tourism in southern Andalucía in the years before the Costa del Sol was born, Malaga captures the true essence of a Mediterranean city. This is especially true in summer, but you would be very wrong to think that the ancient port has nothing to offer during the autumnal Andalusian winter.

So off we set to see the city’s famed Christmas lights for ourselves, picturing the impressive long Alameda Principal covered in a festive glow. The actual spectacle, as we emerged from the undergound car park just as dusk set in, surpassed our expectations. Malaga deserves a national reputation for its Christmas lighting, for the brightly coloured decorations did indeed stretch all along the Alameda – and off along the various streets and pedestrian areas in the shape of a sparkling star.

The elevated view from the cruise ships docked in the harbour must be quite something, but it’s truly memorable from ground level as well, offering a dazzling perspective of colour all along the length of palm-lined boulevards and shopping streets. Look left and you see golden lights disappearing into the distance; look right, and its red and blue that frames the view towards the large roundabout near the bullring. Up ahead, elegant lavender and white lights up the Calle Marques de Larios, one of the prettiest and most stylish shopping streets in Andalucía. In between is a giant Belen, or nativity scene, made of plants and flowers.

The Malaga vibe

It may not be snowing, but the happy bustle all around you puts you in the festive mood all the same. Shoppers mix with commuters and those simply out to meet friends in bars and cafés, in that typically Spanish way. Working our way through the busy pavements we headed along the western side of the Alameda towards a rather unique venue. Like most Spanish cities and towns, Malaga has no shortage of quaint and trendy cafés and tapas bars, but the Antigua Casa de Guardia is a little more authentic than most.

Founded over a century-and-a-half ago, it has remained largely unchanged ever since, becoming a cherished icon of the city. Step inside and you immediately get a sense of what the past looked like, with all the old stone tiling, wall detailing and woodwork still intact. The bar is somehow lower than what we’re used to today, with a slate top on which the barmen records your tab and works out your bill – which is very reasonable by the way.

Popular with tourists but still predominantly frequented by locals, the Casa de Guardia is a unique spot in a world of passing décor trends and shopfitting fads. The air is thick with an authentic ambience, but in true Malagueño style there isn’t a reverent hush but rather a lively hum. Don’t expect a drinks rack behind the bar – here you choose your tipple from a wide selection of local Malaga Dulce wines, each contained within one of the large barrels stacked upon one-another against the wall. One of the most charming features is the old clerk’s office, a wooden structure a little like an old railway station ticket booth.

Following your nose

Suitably warmed, you venture out into the streets behind the Alameda, where the moving life of the city plays before your eyes again. Here, trendy and authentic old shops coexist in an attractive harmony that adds heart and charm to Malaga’s old centre. You could really follow your nose in any direction and enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere before you stumble upon an inviting tapas bar or restaurant, but we crossed the elegant Calle Marques de Larios and headed in the general direction of the cathedral en route to another of the city’s classic venues: El Pimpi.

Just an entrance in one of the many charming streets in Malaga’s historic centre, El Pimpi leads you by way of a courtyard into a lively bar in classic Andalusian style to a choice of several dining rooms. I say dining rooms, but they have the atmosphere of a tapas bar, not so much a restaurant. As a much-loved classic, El Pimpi is popular and therefore tends to be busy, so you count yourself lucky to settle around a table and be able to take in the décor and atmosphere as you pick from the menu. Authentic and true to its origins, El Pimpi sticks to classic Andalusian snacks and tapas, with a special focus on fish and seafood.

Accompanied by a glass of fino, wine or beer they are a delight, for El Pimpi does what it does very well. The waiters, likewise, are friendly and efficient, and the waitresses even dressed in traditional Andalusian gear. The authenticity of the place ensures it never feels like a tourist trap, something that is underpinned by its popularity among locals. They aren’t alone, as a glance at the signed pictures on the wall at the bar attests to. Scanning among the many Spanish celebrities and members of the country’s high society you will also find international actors, authors and politicians, among them Tony Blair.

If you have more time available, Malaga offers so much more to explore and experience, but an evening trip is pleasantly rounded off with a stroll past the tastefully lit grand cathedral, whose imposing scale and architecture remind shoppers and revellers of the true origins and meaning of this festivity that is often overshadowed by its more commercial interpretation. By now the commuters have been entirely replaced with shoppers and those out on the town, creating an atmosphere that is festive and lively yet never intimidating as you wander past packed cafés and restaurants. The weather was so clement that many sat outside – a style of Christmas unique to this corner of Europe.

Malaga’s lights are kept up until after Reyes on 6^th January.

While the ‘State of the International Luxury Real Estate Market’ report recently released by Christie’s International Real Estate also confirms that there has been a bit of a move away from ostentation and extravagance in recent times, with some streamlining their property portfolios, the recent evidence suggests that there is still a lot of movement in the luxury to super-luxury segments.

With its wealth of diverse locations and its impressive stock of top-end real estate, the USA still dominates any list of sales of distinction, Rhode Island and Georgia topping the charts just recently. Among the very healthy number of sales in this category were two by Lila Delman Real Estate in Rhode Island – a rare early 20th century estate overlooking Newport Bridge that now sold for only the fourth time in over a century, and a waterfront estate in Jamestown. Together, the two properties fetched almost $15 million, though perhaps even more impressive and high profile were the sales posted by Harry Norman Realtors in Georgia.

They consisted of a $10 million modern estate in the exclusive Buckhead district of Atlanta, and the purchase of a villa in Alpharetta Golf Community by R&B singer and producer, Ne-Yo and his fiancée Monyetta Shaw. Other recent sales to rock the boat include the $85 million paid for Candy Spelling’s Holmby Hills Estate in California by Petra Ecclestone. One of the grandest of Beverley Hills’ many grand properties, this 9,500m2 home is nothing short of a palace, but even so will vie with the historic value of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Ennis House, recently sold for an undisclosed but undoubtedly impressive sum.

Not to be outshone, Europe has been posting its important sales too, with Kensington Finest Properties International overseeing the purchase of the classic Son Blanc villa in Mallorca, and Wetag Consulting of Lugano, Switzerland, selling a stunning Lago Maggiore villa as it came on to the market. With Marbella following the same trend, it all goes to show that the high end of the property market continues to show good health.

Adding to that impression is another central feature of life at Los Flamingos, the luxurious Villa Padierna hotel. Opened less than ten years ago, it already has the established feel of a grand Mediterranean palace that has dominated its estate for many a generation – thanks in part to its opulent classic looks. A sumptuous five-star resort hotel complete with stately lounges, suites, restaurants, meeting rooms and some of the finest banqueting facilities in Marbella, the Villa Padierna also has an extensive spa area set around classical fountains and gardens.

Together with the hotel, the golf club forms the heart of Los Flamingos, offering all the services you’d expect from a professional golf club that hosts a full calendar of social, fundraising, corporate and also professional tournaments. The latter include the Daily Telegraph European Seniors Match Play Championships and the Open Femenino amongst others. Flanking this stylish open course are a series of plots, luxurious villas and modern apartments that straddle the low Colinas or hills of the area. Most of the villas are individually styled properties on large private grounds while the apartments range from contemporary to highly attractive modern classic or modern-Moorish interpretations.

Overlooking the course and its lake, as well as the surroundings with their sea and mountain outlines, they feature individual gated communities with communal gardens, swimming pools and in many cases indoor pools and gym facilities – offering typical Marbella comforts in a setting inspired by Tuscany.

Fast forward a few years and a whole new generation of fans has sprung up, encouraged by local golf clubs keen to extend their appeal to women and younger players, and the rise and rise of youthful champions like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Over a comparatively short period of time golf changed from a pastime enjoyed by a select few to a far more egalitarian sport, just as likely to attract the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the well-heeled professionals who had once regarded the golf club as their private territory.

Spain’s love affair with golf is now well established, and the country not only produces some of the world’s best players (the late, great Seve Ballesteros and the flamboyant Miguel Angel Jimenez being just two examples), it also has some of the finest courses.

Andalucía’s warm climate makes it an especially suitable place for outdoor sport and the Costa del Sol, in particular, has earned itself an international reputation as one of the leading centres of golf in the world. The choice of courses is remarkable in such a comparatively small area, offering variety of course and setting, combined with easy accessibility from across Europe.

One of the high points of the Costa del Sol’s golfing history came in 1997, when the beautiful Valderrama course was chosen as the venue for that year’s Ryder Cup tournament. Thousands of spectators, who travelled from all parts of Europe and the USA to witness this historic clash, were captivated by this part of Spain and later became regular visitors to the region, returning to play its many first class courses or even to live within such a golfer’s paradise.

If Valderrama represents the Costa del Sol’s golfing apex (as many believe) this is by no means the only top quality course on the coast. In recent years Finca Cortesín – a relative newcomer – has already hosted important tournaments, while more well established courses like San Roque, Las Brisas, Guadalmina and La Quinta are home to both international professional and local amateur competitions throughout the season.

It has been established that property close to a golf course is highly prized, and not just among golf enthusiasts. Recent estimates posit that the numbers of players taking up golf in Europe, the Middle East and Africa has risen by five per cent every year over the past two decades, making it one of the world’s fastest growing sports and ensuring that the golf courses of the Costa del Sol will be drawing the crowds for years to come.