SPAIN...FOOD, WINE, MUSIC AND ART - TORREMOLINOS
- By Tomas San Jose
- Published 10/26/2008
Tomas San Jose
Previous Nationality: Spain. Attended Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tn.- Met and married a beautiful Southern Belle in 1952. Still together. Drafted during the Korean War; active duty with 1st Cav.Div. earning my U.S. Citizenship.Have a Memphis born daughter,a great son-in-law and two granddauhters, our pride and joy. Living in a small town just north of Memphis - Retired - we are enjoying the peace, quiet, and good neighbors we are lucky to have.
TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN.
If you are a fan of James A. Michener, and read his novel "The Drifters", you may recall Britta Bjordahl, the young girl escaping from the gloom, darkness and cold of her northern Norway home, and in her quest for the bright and sunny places she dreamed about, finds herself on The Costa del Sol in southern Spain, specifically in Torremolinos in the early 1970's.
Even then, Torremolinos was a very popular tourist destination for Scandinavian and other European youngsters, who waned to et away and enjoy he sun, surf and warmth of the Mediterranean coast.- Today, if anything, tourism has increased. As the Europeans, many Americans find their way here; it is a noisy, fast paced 24 hours a day resort with about six miles of sandy beaches and a variety of water sports. Packed with restaurants and bars, Torremolinos is a very lively place, specially in high season, with a very high voltage night-life. A good place to start your evening: any of the many bars in "Calle San Miguel, or in one of the restaurants on the Promenade.
The menus offer good dishes such as fish and chips, steak and pasta. However, some excellent Spanish seafood restaurants can be found in the fishermen's district of
La Carihuela, which has been relatively undisturbed and has retained Andalusian charm.
There is a noticeable large gay community, centered on "La Nogalera", where the clubs vary from mainstream
to drag bars. Exotic shows area feature here, and are popular with both, gay and straight visitors.
Playamar and Bajondillo are the two largest and most popular beaches. The Promenade, inviting, offers a place where to spend some quality time. An excursion worth taking, includes a visit to "El Ranchito", where you'll see a wonderful, skillfully performed, equestrian ballet, choreographed to music with beautiful horses and their riders.
MALAGA.
At only sixteen miles east of Torremolinos, Malaga with its 500,000 habitants is the second largest city in Andalusia, and capital of the Province. Famous for its raisins and excellent wines, also happens to be the hometown of actor Antonio Banderas. Malaga's Cathedral at the Plaza de La Catedral, is one of the outstanding buildings of the city. The construction started in 1528 on the place of a Malaga Mosque, and stopped for lack of money. Even at this time, the southern tower of the church is not completed. Locals call it "The Manquita" (Manquita being an endearing term/nick-name for a female with a missing hand).
One. if not the most famous sons of the city, is Pablo Picasso. His house at the Plaza de La Merced 15, is home to the Picasso Foundation. A better known and larger
museum is at the Palacio de Buenavista, at Calle San Agustin. A visit to Malaga's most famous painter's museum should be in your "Things to do in Malaga" list.
Many pleasant and interesting towns and places on the Costa del Sol are easily from this well located and wonderful city.
If you are a fan of James A. Michener, and read his novel "The Drifters", you may recall Britta Bjordahl, the young girl escaping from the gloom, darkness and cold of her northern Norway home, and in her quest for the bright and sunny places she dreamed about, finds herself on The Costa del Sol in southern Spain, specifically in Torremolinos in the early 1970's.
Even then, Torremolinos was a very popular tourist destination for Scandinavian and other European youngsters, who waned to et away and enjoy he sun, surf and warmth of the Mediterranean coast.- Today, if anything, tourism has increased. As the Europeans, many Americans find their way here; it is a noisy, fast paced 24 hours a day resort with about six miles of sandy beaches and a variety of water sports. Packed with restaurants and bars, Torremolinos is a very lively place, specially in high season, with a very high voltage night-life. A good place to start your evening: any of the many bars in "Calle San Miguel, or in one of the restaurants on the Promenade.
The menus offer good dishes such as fish and chips, steak and pasta. However, some excellent Spanish seafood restaurants can be found in the fishermen's district of
La Carihuela, which has been relatively undisturbed and has retained Andalusian charm.
There is a noticeable large gay community, centered on "La Nogalera", where the clubs vary from mainstream
Playamar and Bajondillo are the two largest and most popular beaches. The Promenade, inviting, offers a place where to spend some quality time. An excursion worth taking, includes a visit to "El Ranchito", where you'll see a wonderful, skillfully performed, equestrian ballet, choreographed to music with beautiful horses and their riders.
MALAGA.
At only sixteen miles east of Torremolinos, Malaga with its 500,000 habitants is the second largest city in Andalusia, and capital of the Province. Famous for its raisins and excellent wines, also happens to be the hometown of actor Antonio Banderas. Malaga's Cathedral at the Plaza de La Catedral, is one of the outstanding buildings of the city. The construction started in 1528 on the place of a Malaga Mosque, and stopped for lack of money. Even at this time, the southern tower of the church is not completed. Locals call it "The Manquita" (Manquita being an endearing term/nick-name for a female with a missing hand).
One. if not the most famous sons of the city, is Pablo Picasso. His house at the Plaza de La Merced 15, is home to the Picasso Foundation. A better known and larger
museum is at the Palacio de Buenavista, at Calle San Agustin. A visit to Malaga's most famous painter's museum should be in your "Things to do in Malaga" list.
Many pleasant and interesting towns and places on the Costa del Sol are easily from this well located and wonderful city.
