Best and Worst: Marbella

May 27th, 2010 by admin Leave a reply »

As our trip winds to a close, I will put together a brief list of the things we liked best and worst of each city we have visited. First up: Marbella.

Yes Mom, I remembered sunscreen

Worst: Gnats, Beach Construction and hucksters

Marbella, a lovely little town on the Costa del Sol, really had a lot going for it. That being said, there were a few things we could really do without. First up, like any beach town, there was an ample supply of gnats, flies, and other bugs that picked up steam at dusk. The army of swallows that darted about overhead was not quite sufficient to keep us un-bitten, so the bugs constitute half of the worst of Marbella.

The other half would be the beach construction that was taking place during our stay. Giant earth movers and backhoes went back and forth, beeping and revving their engines. The noise often blotted out the sound of the waves, which is a big no-no in my book. It did keep the families and kids off of that beach though, since access to the ocean was cut off (only sunbathing on the back half of the beach was available. I do prefer my beach without kids, when possible. While there were no children flinging sand on us, there was a steady stream of Nigerian men hocking fake purses/sunglasses/watches, and Asian women pestering you to get a massage. While these were a minor annoyance (and frequently departed with a shake of the head), a few tried the hard sell and had to be sent on their way with a show of conviction.

Best: Service People, Zozoi, Relaxation

The shopkeepers, bartenders, hotel workers, and other service personnel in Marbella were by far the best that we have met in any of our travels so far. They were friendly to a fault, and really seemed to be in the service industry for the right reasons. Special recognition goes out to Ben at the hotel La Villa Marbella, and Mustafa at Bar7.

Being a tourist destination, Marbella’s restaurants were more able to break free from the traditional Spanish (read: dull) palette. Ben at the hotel recommended Zozoi, an eclectic fusion restaurant serving a mostly foreign clientele. We went and had the appetizer sampler for 2, which (along with the pizza bread) was enough food to preclude us from ordering main courses. The next day, we realized that we wanted to try the mains though, so we made a reservation and went back for seconds (so to speak). The entrees did not disappoint, and my rosemary and honey crusted rack of lamb was particularly good. Overall, the food was bursting with flavor, and the service staff was very friendly.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the the relaxed lifestyle of Marbella. Starting with the late breakfast our hotel provides (available from 9 am to 1 pm!); continuing to the ample, sandy beaches (bathing suit tops optional, if you’re into that); winding back to the hotel through cute touristy shops and friendly bars; and finishing with a late dinner as the sun sets. Each day was pretty much perfect for relaxation, and our usual tendency to try and pack the days full of adventure was not a concern. If you are doing Marbella, I would recommend doing it at the end of your trip, so that you can bring that relaxation back with you.

My wife is a truly inspiring photographer

Advertisement

65,771 comments

  1. supreme says:

    I would like to express my affection for your generosity for those people that really want help on the subject matter. Your special dedication to passing the solution all-around ended up being pretty interesting and have specifically encouraged most people much like me to achieve their desired goals. Your personal useful tips and hints implies so much a person like me and still more to my peers. Thanks a lot; from all of us.

  2. birkin bag says:

    My spouse and i ended up being satisfied Chris managed to complete his web research through the precious recommendations he received out of the web site. It is now and again perplexing to just possibly be freely giving facts which a number of people have been making money from. And we all do know we’ve got the writer to give thanks to because of that. The most important explanations you made, the straightforward website navigation, the relationships you will aid to foster – it’s mostly astounding, and it is letting our son and the family recognize that this matter is awesome, and that’s truly indispensable. Many thanks for the whole thing!

  3. longchamp says:

    I just wanted to construct a quick remark to be able to say thanks to you for these splendid recommendations you are giving out on this website. My time intensive internet investigation has finally been rewarded with good content to talk about with my great friends. I ‘d tell you that most of us website visitors are very lucky to live in a magnificent site with so many outstanding individuals with beneficial tips. I feel very much fortunate to have used the web page and look forward to many more brilliant moments reading here. Thanks once again for a lot of things.

  4. I have to show my appreciation for your kind-heartedness supporting those individuals that need help with this important study. Your special dedication to getting the solution throughout appears to be certainly helpful and has without exception empowered guys just like me to achieve their desired goals. This important facts implies a whole lot a person like me and additionally to my peers. Best wishes; from everyone of us.

  5. Sfero says:

    Hi there, I discovered your blog via Google even as looking for a related topic, your web site came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  6. I in addition to my buddies happened to be digesting the best strategies on the blog and then the sudden I got a horrible suspicion I had not thanked you for those secrets. Most of the young boys were consequently warmed to see them and now have in fact been tapping into them. We appreciate you genuinely considerably thoughtful and then for considering this form of beneficial things millions of individuals are really desirous to know about. Our own honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you earlier.

  7. supreme says:

    I wanted to put you a little bit of remark so as to give many thanks yet again on your pleasing views you’ve provided on this website. It is simply surprisingly open-handed with people like you to allow without restraint all that many people could have advertised as an e-book in making some cash on their own, even more so considering that you might have done it in the event you desired. These smart ideas also served like the easy way to understand that other individuals have a similar interest really like my own to learn a lot more with regard to this issue. I believe there are thousands of more pleasant moments up front for individuals who scan through your website.

  8. I must point out my passion for your kindness for those individuals that require assistance with this matter. Your very own commitment to getting the message all through had been quite effective and have truly made somebody like me to attain their pursuits. Your entire invaluable recommendations entails this much a person like me and even further to my office workers. Best wishes; from everyone of us.

  9. I have to show appreciation to you just for bailing me out of such a challenge. Just after browsing throughout the search engines and coming across tricks which were not beneficial, I figured my life was done. Existing minus the strategies to the difficulties you’ve solved by means of this guide is a serious case, as well as ones that would have badly damaged my entire career if I had not noticed your web page. The skills and kindness in taking care of all the details was precious. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a stuff like this. I am able to at this moment relish my future. Thanks for your time very much for the impressive and sensible guide. I won’t be reluctant to refer the website to any person who ought to have tips about this subject.

  10. air jordan says:

    I must express my passion for your kind-heartedness giving support to men who really need help on that subject matter. Your real dedication to getting the message across turned out to be particularly interesting and has in most cases permitted individuals like me to attain their dreams. Your entire insightful information entails so much to me and additionally to my mates. Many thanks; from all of us.

  11. I am glad for writing to let you know of the fantastic discovery my friend’s princess found studying your blog. She came to understand a good number of details, including what it is like to have an amazing helping spirit to let most people easily know some grueling subject matter. You undoubtedly exceeded my expectations. Thank you for presenting these useful, trustworthy, explanatory and even fun thoughts on that topic to Janet.

  12. supreme says:

    I wish to point out my love for your kindness for women who require help on your subject. Your very own dedication to passing the message all through became quite helpful and has usually made professionals just like me to attain their aims. Your entire valuable tips and hints entails a lot to me and a whole lot more to my mates. Many thanks; from all of us.

  13. lebron 18 says:

    My spouse and i have been absolutely comfortable Jordan managed to deal with his survey because of the ideas he made from your very own blog. It is now and again perplexing to just happen to be giving freely hints that most people have been selling. Therefore we take into account we have the writer to thank for that. The type of explanations you’ve made, the easy website navigation, the relationships your site make it easier to engender – it is most astounding, and it’s really facilitating our son and us believe that this issue is awesome, which is certainly exceedingly important. Many thanks for everything!

  14. bape hoodie says:

    I’m writing to let you know what a fabulous encounter our child went through checking your web site. She figured out several issues, which included what it is like to have an awesome helping nature to make the mediocre ones clearly know just exactly specific specialized subject areas. You actually did more than my desires. Many thanks for supplying those essential, healthy, informative and in addition unique thoughts on this topic to Julie.

  15. I want to express my respect for your kindness in support of persons who have the need for assistance with this important topic. Your personal dedication to getting the message around appears to be astonishingly interesting and have in every case permitted those much like me to arrive at their ambitions. Your amazing invaluable tips and hints entails this much to me and substantially more to my mates. Warm regards; from everyone of us.

  16. I simply needed to thank you very much again. I do not know the things I would’ve implemented in the absence of the entire secrets documented by you regarding my question. It has been the terrifying dilemma for me personally, but considering your well-written technique you dealt with that forced me to jump with contentment. I will be grateful for this information as well as trust you find out what a great job you’re accomplishing instructing the mediocre ones thru a site. Most probably you haven’t met all of us.

  17. I intended to send you this bit of remark just to say thanks a lot again for those unique advice you have shown above. It was simply pretty generous of people like you giving unhampered all that many people could possibly have supplied for an ebook to get some bucks for their own end, chiefly seeing that you could have done it in case you wanted. These techniques likewise acted as a easy way to be certain that most people have similar eagerness like my very own to realize way more in regard to this condition. I believe there are several more fun instances ahead for many who look into your blog.

  18. yeezy says:

    Thanks for each of your effort on this website. My mom enjoys working on internet research and it’s easy to see why. My partner and i learn all relating to the lively method you give very useful solutions through this web site and increase participation from people on the topic and our own daughter has always been studying a whole lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the new year. You are performing a wonderful job.

  19. moncler says:

    Thank you so much for giving everyone remarkably pleasant chance to read articles and blog posts from here. It is often very beneficial and also full of amusement for me and my office fellow workers to visit your web site minimum three times weekly to learn the new guidance you have. And indeed, we’re actually pleased for the great creative ideas you serve. Some 4 points on this page are in reality the most beneficial we have ever had.

  20. Stewart says:

    Hi there friends, its fantastic paragraph regarding cultureand
    completely explained, keep it up all the time.

  21. Lacy says:

    This post is invaluable. When can I find out more?

  22. Alex says:

    Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate
    you taking the time and effort to put this information together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  23. kd 12 says:

    Needed to send you a little remark to help thank you so much as before regarding the precious ideas you have discussed at this time. It’s simply incredibly open-handed of people like you giving openly exactly what a few people could possibly have offered for sale as an ebook to earn some bucks for their own end, particularly considering that you could have done it in case you wanted. These inspiring ideas additionally worked to become a great way to comprehend other individuals have a similar eagerness much like mine to find out somewhat more on the subject of this condition. I am sure there are numerous more pleasurable moments ahead for many who scan your website.

  24. off white says:

    I must show some appreciation to this writer for rescuing me from this type of dilemma. After looking out through the the web and finding ideas which were not helpful, I figured my entire life was over. Being alive minus the strategies to the issues you’ve solved as a result of your main article is a critical case, as well as the kind which could have adversely damaged my career if I had not encountered your site. The talents and kindness in maneuvering almost everything was very useful. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a stuff like this. I can also at this moment look forward to my future. Thank you very much for the skilled and result oriented guide. I will not be reluctant to refer your blog to any individual who should receive care about this issue.

  25. moncler says:

    Thank you a lot for providing individuals with an extraordinarily superb chance to read in detail from this site. It can be so brilliant and also jam-packed with a great time for me personally and my office co-workers to search your website a minimum of thrice in a week to study the new tips you have got. And of course, we are always happy for the extraordinary opinions served by you. Selected 2 areas in this post are basically the most suitable I have had.

  26. I precisely had to thank you very much yet again. I am not sure the things that I would’ve carried out in the absence of these recommendations shown by you over that field. This has been an absolute depressing matter in my circumstances, however , taking note of this expert strategy you processed that forced me to cry with happiness. I’m thankful for this service as well as trust you realize what a powerful job you have been carrying out educating the rest thru your web blog. I am sure you’ve never come across any of us.

  27. I as well as my buddies ended up checking out the best information and facts located on your web page and immediately came up with an awful suspicion I had not thanked the website owner for those tips. Most of the men became so joyful to learn them and have without a doubt been making the most of these things. Appreciate your really being simply helpful and also for deciding on this form of awesome useful guides millions of individuals are really wanting to learn about. Our honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to sooner.

  28. Maritza says:

    I used to be able to find good advice from your blog posts.

  29. nike kyrie 5 says:

    I in addition to my friends have been reviewing the nice procedures found on your web blog while at once I got a horrible suspicion I never thanked the web blog owner for those techniques. The guys were definitely for that reason glad to read them and have in effect seriously been making the most of them. We appreciate you indeed being indeed helpful and then for obtaining some really good information millions of individuals are really eager to be informed on. My honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.

  30. I just wanted to write down a simple comment to be able to express gratitude to you for some of the superb ways you are posting at this site. My prolonged internet research has now been paid with high-quality facts to talk about with my good friends. I ‘d state that that most of us website visitors are unquestionably fortunate to be in a really good place with very many lovely professionals with very beneficial techniques. I feel somewhat blessed to have discovered the webpages and look forward to tons of more entertaining minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once more for all the details.

  31. curry shoes says:

    I wish to convey my admiration for your generosity supporting women who require assistance with this idea. Your real commitment to getting the solution all through came to be really beneficial and has surely helped girls like me to attain their goals. Your personal warm and friendly publication means a great deal to me and still more to my mates. Warm regards; from each one of us.

  32. I intended to send you one little observation just to say thanks a lot yet again over the amazing solutions you have contributed in this article. It was surprisingly generous of you to allow freely all that a number of people could have distributed as an electronic book in making some profit for their own end, even more so given that you could have done it if you desired. These thoughts in addition worked like a good way to recognize that many people have a similar zeal much like my personal own to find out whole lot more regarding this issue. I’m sure there are lots of more pleasurable occasions ahead for those who browse through your blog post.

  33. kd 12 shoes says:

    I really wanted to write a brief message in order to thank you for these stunning hints you are sharing at this website. My rather long internet lookup has at the end of the day been rewarded with awesome content to share with my co-workers. I would state that that many of us readers actually are very lucky to live in a fantastic community with very many outstanding people with very helpful methods. I feel very much lucky to have seen your entire weblog and look forward to some more amazing times reading here. Thanks once again for a lot of things.

  34. I was just telling my friend about that.

  35. Sfero says:

    It is really a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing

  36. bape hoodie says:

    I precisely needed to appreciate you once more. I do not know the things I would’ve accomplished without the entire secrets shared by you directly on my theme. This has been a hard situation in my circumstances, but seeing the professional mode you resolved it took me to leap over joy. Extremely happy for this work and as well , sincerely hope you comprehend what a powerful job you are accomplishing educating other individuals via your website. Most likely you have never encountered any of us.

Trackbacks /
Pingbacks

  1. child porn