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. lebron 18 says:

    I would like to show my thanks to this writer for rescuing me from this particular issue. After surfing around through the search engines and obtaining tips which were not beneficial, I assumed my entire life was done. Existing devoid of the approaches to the issues you have sorted out all through your good short post is a crucial case, as well as the ones which might have badly damaged my entire career if I had not encountered your web blog. Your primary natural talent and kindness in handling every item was important. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a thing like this. I am able to at this time look ahead to my future. Thanks for your time so much for this specialized and result oriented help. I won’t think twice to recommend your site to anybody who needs to have guidelines about this topic.

  2. I wanted to construct a simple remark to say thanks to you for these superb ideas you are giving at this website. My particularly long internet look up has at the end of the day been rewarded with reliable ideas to write about with my close friends. I would tell you that many of us website visitors actually are really fortunate to live in a magnificent place with so many special individuals with interesting tips and hints. I feel rather lucky to have encountered the web site and look forward to tons of more amazing times reading here. Thanks a lot once more for a lot of things.

  3. hi says:

    Fabulous, what a weblog it is! This weblog presents helpful information to us, keep it up.|

  4. moncler coat says:

    I wish to express my thanks to you just for bailing me out of this particular scenario. Just after looking out throughout the online world and obtaining things which were not beneficial, I thought my life was gone. Existing devoid of the answers to the issues you’ve resolved through the posting is a crucial case, as well as ones which might have badly affected my career if I hadn’t come across your web blog. Your capability and kindness in dealing with almost everything was excellent. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not come upon such a thing like this. I’m able to at this point relish my future. Thanks for your time so much for the high quality and result oriented guide. I won’t hesitate to refer your web blog to any individual who ought to have support on this subject matter.

  5. Thank you for all your effort on this site. Betty really loves conducting investigation and it’s really simple to grasp why. A number of us know all of the lively ways you offer informative guidance via this web blog and therefore strongly encourage contribution from people on that concern so my child is in fact learning so much. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You have been doing a useful job.

  6. kobe 11 says:

    A lot of thanks for your whole hard work on this website. My aunt enjoys doing internet research and it is easy to see why. We learn all about the lively way you produce priceless techniques through your web blog and increase contribution from website visitors on the area of interest so our child is truly becoming educated a lot of things. Have fun with the remaining portion of the year. You have been carrying out a pretty cool job.

  7. bape hoodie says:

    I definitely wanted to send a quick comment to be able to appreciate you for all of the fantastic tips and hints you are posting at this website. My incredibly long internet search has at the end of the day been recognized with awesome suggestions to talk about with my relatives. I would repeat that many of us website visitors actually are undeniably blessed to be in a fine network with many awesome individuals with very beneficial principles. I feel truly fortunate to have seen your entire site and look forward to plenty of more amazing times reading here. Thanks a lot once more for all the details.

  8. yeezy 350 says:

    I would like to express thanks to you just for bailing me out of this particular instance. As a result of surfing through the internet and coming across concepts that were not pleasant, I believed my life was well over. Living devoid of the solutions to the difficulties you have sorted out through your good write-up is a crucial case, and the kind that could have adversely affected my career if I had not encountered your website. Your own skills and kindness in handling a lot of stuff was valuable. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t encountered such a stuff like this. I can also now look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for this impressive and result oriented help. I won’t think twice to recommend your web page to anyone who needs to have counselling on this subject matter.

  9. I am also commenting to make you know what a excellent discovery my friend’s daughter obtained reading yuor web blog. She realized many pieces, not to mention what it is like to have a marvelous coaching style to let folks quite simply know a variety of problematic subject matter. You really exceeded visitors’ expectations. Thank you for imparting those informative, trustworthy, educational and as well as fun guidance on the topic to Emily.

  10. Thanks for all your labor on this site. Debby enjoys getting into investigation and it’s obvious why. Most of us hear all of the compelling ways you render very helpful tips and hints on your web site and therefore inspire participation from the others about this topic then our own girl is undoubtedly understanding a whole lot. Have fun with the rest of the year. You’re the one doing a powerful job.

  11. I have to convey my affection for your kind-heartedness supporting those people that really want guidance on in this content. Your special dedication to passing the solution throughout turned out to be amazingly valuable and has regularly allowed most people much like me to arrive at their ambitions. Your valuable instruction indicates a lot a person like me and additionally to my fellow workers. Many thanks; from each one of us.

  12. My wife and i were delighted Edward could do his homework out of the ideas he received from your blog. It’s not at all simplistic to simply find yourself giving out methods that the others have been making money from. We really know we’ve got you to appreciate for that. All the illustrations you made, the simple website navigation, the friendships you give support to create – it’s mostly unbelievable, and it’s making our son and the family imagine that the content is brilliant, and that is particularly vital. Thanks for all!

  13. I would like to express my thanks to the writer for bailing me out of this circumstance. Right after searching through the world-wide-web and obtaining opinions which were not pleasant, I figured my life was gone. Living minus the answers to the issues you have resolved as a result of this blog post is a critical case, and those that would have in a wrong way affected my career if I hadn’t come across your blog post. The ability and kindness in dealing with every item was tremendous. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a point like this. I’m able to at this moment look forward to my future. Thank you so much for this impressive and amazing guide. I will not hesitate to endorse the website to anybody who would like guide about this problem.

  14. I truly wanted to develop a brief comment to be able to say thanks to you for those superb facts you are writing at this website. My extensive internet research has finally been recognized with brilliant facts to go over with my family members. I ‘d claim that we visitors actually are rather lucky to exist in a fantastic website with many lovely individuals with beneficial plans. I feel extremely blessed to have encountered your website page and look forward to tons of more fun times reading here. Thanks once more for a lot of things.

  15. I wanted to send a brief message to express gratitude to you for some of the stunning tricks you are giving out at this site. My prolonged internet investigation has at the end been recognized with incredibly good details to write about with my family and friends. I ‘d state that that most of us readers are truly lucky to dwell in a superb place with so many awesome professionals with helpful pointers. I feel rather blessed to have used the web site and look forward to really more pleasurable times reading here. Thank you again for all the details.

  16. I want to show some thanks to you for rescuing me from this circumstance. Just after searching throughout the search engines and finding advice which were not productive, I thought my life was over. Being alive minus the strategies to the difficulties you have solved through the site is a crucial case, and the kind which could have in a wrong way affected my career if I hadn’t come across your website. Your good competence and kindness in touching all areas was tremendous. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a subject like this. I’m able to now look forward to my future. Thanks a lot very much for this professional and amazing help. I will not think twice to suggest your web site to any individual who will need support about this situation.

  17. kyrie 7 says:

    I am glad for writing to let you be aware of what a helpful experience my wife’s daughter encountered browsing your site. She discovered many details, not to mention what it is like to possess a great coaching character to have the rest just know precisely a variety of tricky subject areas. You really surpassed our own expected results. Many thanks for imparting such valuable, trusted, explanatory and even easy guidance on your topic to Kate.

  18. I happen to be commenting to make you know of the excellent discovery our daughter found studying your web site. She even learned several things, which included how it is like to have a very effective helping heart to have the others very easily comprehend some problematic things. You really did more than our expected results. I appreciate you for distributing these useful, healthy, educational and even fun guidance on this topic to Evelyn.

  19. kd13 says:

    Needed to post you one very little remark to finally give thanks once again for your personal beautiful advice you have featured on this website. It was so unbelievably open-handed of you to deliver unhampered just what most people might have advertised as an e book to get some profit on their own, especially seeing that you could have tried it in the event you wanted. Those pointers additionally served as a good way to know that other individuals have the identical fervor the same as my own to see many more concerning this matter. I think there are millions of more pleasurable opportunities ahead for people who discover your site.

  20. I enjoy you because of all of your labor on this web site. My mother takes pleasure in engaging in investigation and it’s easy to see why. My partner and i notice all regarding the lively way you convey invaluable ideas on the web site and in addition encourage response from visitors on the issue plus our own daughter is without a doubt understanding a lot. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You’re carrying out a really great job.

  21. I wish to express my appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this particular crisis. As a result of looking throughout the the net and finding solutions which were not powerful, I figured my life was done. Living without the presence of answers to the issues you’ve resolved by way of your blog post is a crucial case, and the ones that could have in a wrong way damaged my entire career if I hadn’t noticed your site. Your main knowledge and kindness in touching all things was priceless. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come across such a point like this. I can also at this point look forward to my future. Thanks a lot so much for your reliable and results-oriented help. I won’t think twice to recommend your blog post to anybody who would need care on this matter.

  22. yeezy 350 says:

    I wanted to write you that tiny remark to give thanks the moment again for your personal beautiful methods you have featured above. It’s simply unbelievably open-handed with people like you to provide unhampered all a few individuals would have sold for an e-book to help make some dough for their own end, certainly given that you might well have tried it in the event you decided. Those good tips as well served to provide a great way to realize that the rest have the identical desire just as my very own to realize a good deal more with regard to this matter. I am certain there are thousands of more enjoyable opportunities ahead for those who find out your blog post.

  23. My wife and i got contented that Peter could finish off his survey while using the precious recommendations he got through the weblog. It’s not at all simplistic just to happen to be offering hints which often many people might have been making money from. Therefore we understand we now have you to give thanks to for that. The main illustrations you made, the simple web site navigation, the relationships you will aid to promote – it is many incredible, and it’s making our son and the family recognize that the article is entertaining, and that is highly essential. Thank you for all!

  24. Thanks so much for giving everyone remarkably remarkable possiblity to read critical reviews from this web site. It is often very enjoyable and packed with a good time for me personally and my office peers to search your web site at the least three times weekly to read the fresh issues you have. And of course, I am always motivated with all the cool strategies you serve. Selected 4 points in this post are indeed the most suitable we’ve ever had.

  25. off-white says:

    I and also my pals were checking out the great tactics found on the blog while unexpectedly came up with an awful suspicion I never thanked the blog owner for those techniques. All the women had been totally glad to learn all of them and have extremely been taking advantage of those things. Thanks for really being simply considerate and then for having some smart ideas most people are really desirous to know about. My very own honest regret for not expressing gratitude to earlier.

  26. curry shoes says:

    My husband and i ended up being thrilled John could deal with his basic research by way of the precious recommendations he got out of your blog. It’s not at all simplistic to just possibly be handing out tactics that many other folks might have been trying to sell. And we do understand we’ve got you to give thanks to for that. These illustrations you made, the straightforward website menu, the relationships you can help foster – it’s many fantastic, and it’s helping our son and us do think this concept is awesome, which is extremely vital. Thank you for everything!

  27. supreme says:

    Thank you a lot for giving everyone a very spectacular chance to read articles and blog posts from this web site. It is always so kind plus stuffed with amusement for me and my office colleagues to visit the blog on the least three times in a week to read through the fresh secrets you have got. And of course, we’re at all times fascinated with the superb tricks you give. Some 1 areas in this post are undoubtedly the simplest I have ever had.

  28. I and also my friends were looking through the great suggestions found on the website while suddenly I got a horrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. The men are already as a result stimulated to see all of them and already have simply been using those things. Many thanks for being very considerate and for deciding on varieties of brilliant topics most people are really needing to discover. My very own sincere apologies for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.