According to David Brice of Golf International, Inc.

- Finca Cortesin is a sparkling addition to Spain's enviable collection of world-class courses.

- Proud host to The Volvo World Match Play Championship Finca Cortesin is now worthy of Ryder Cup consideration.

- Finca Cortesin offers a very serious challenge together with handsome good looks.

- Finca Cortesin's stunning design demands the attention of every visitor to the Costa del Sol.

- Finca Cortesin's plush boutique hotel deserves a sixth star for reaching new levels of pure luxury.

- Finca Cortesin Golf Course is just 3 years of age.

- With some 100 cunningly placed bunkers, combined with an intriguing abundance of risk-reward possibilities, this is a strategists dream that simply calls out to be played more than once.

- In a world where five stars has always been the top hotel ranking, this is one that could easily and unapologetically, be awarded a sixth.

- Set in Casares on Costa del Sol golf course haven in Spain.

Petanque is a game played all over the world and often associated with the beach. And many will know the game as boule. On first impressions it seems a simple game, as do many sports on first impressions, but skill is needed to win. Although its an ideal sport for all age groups whether they have played before or not.

Petanque is played on a rectangular area called a piste with boules to throw. Although many people play the game on any area of the beach or grassland. Casares beach has a petanque piste, part way between Casares beach car park and Sabinillas, and any one can play here. And there is another piste at Casares del Sol in PM4 gardens.

Its often thought of as a game in Mediterranean countries, France in particular, but is played all over the world and many UK villages have their own teams.

If you like Italian food, you'll like Don Giavannis Restaurant at Finca Cortesin Estate.

We walked up the road to the restaurant from Casares del Sol apartment one evening in August this year, just a 10 minute walk but its a shame there isn't a pavement as its very dark coming home later along the road. We weren't sure what sort of food or what price range it would be or whether we would be sitting alone in the restaurant. We shouldn't have worried on any of these points.

It was a glorious evening and we sat outside in the lovely courtyard with olive trees and fairy lights. There were about 10 tables of which there were about 6 being used so the atmosphere was great. The menu was Italian as you may guess from the name, with some more unusual Italian dishes, as well as classic pizzas and garlic bread.

Service was good and meal lovely, prices fine although portions not over generous. Recommend going to this restuarant and its lovely to be able to walk to eat at night and not worry about having a drink or two!

Yes I know I've posted about Casares Beach before, but for me, no holiday is complete unless you are close to a beach. The fresh sea air, sand through your toes and swish of the sea. I never feel like I've had a proper summer holiday if I cant spend time at the beach. So just 10 minutes walk down the hill from Casares del Sol Apartment or 10 minutes in the car and you have the beach to enjoy.

Check out Casares Beach Video  by clicking here and enjoy the music of Spain!

Casares beach (sometimes called Casares Costa beach) stretches for over 3 miles, a vast area of sandy beach, gentle slopeing sands so safe for bathing and rakes daily during the summer period. 

Most peoples first sighting of the beach is from the car park just off Casares roundabout, easy parking if you want to drive to the beach with all your gear, sunshade, balls, towels etc...... Next to the car park is one of the beach bars, chiringuitos, for drinks, snacks, meals or loungers and parasols. Go in either direction along the beach from here and in 5 minutes you will reach another beach bar.

Along this stretch of beach there are showers during peak times, volleyball and a boute (petanque court).

We first tried to eat at Roman Oasis in Manilva last April but arrived to a closed sign. But on seeing an advert for the restuarant again in July we tried again, this time successfully. It seems Roman Oasis is only open during the summer months May till October. And once inside its not surprising, because the whole dining area is set outside although some is undercover.

Straight forward to find although tucked away from the main drag. From Casares del Sol apartment go along the A7 towards Sabinillas, turn off the A7 at Lidl in Sabinillas untill the road goes under the toll road flyover - park on the road you have arrived. Going into the Roman Oasis is a bit like stepping into another world, a delightful and unusual setting to eat under the stars with its colonial setting and chintzy table clothes. 

The menu is buffet style with a fabulous spread starting with soup, onto cold buffet with seafood and meats, then hot barbeque and roast meats. And, of course, you can have seconds or more.

Dessert is extra and a striking part of the dessert menu is the reverse with 100+ different ports to choose from including one at 175euros per glass! But the meal it self is well priced for a lovely night out.

As the sun light fades so the fairy lights light up the trees, building and area in the hidden part of the Costa del Sol. Say hello to the parrots, bilingual, who will talk back in english or spanish. A lovely evening.

Going to the gym whilst on holiday is a key part of their total holiday, whether to keep up their normal exercise or to have an 'exercise purge' whilst away from their normal everyday distractions.

Their are several options near the Casares del Sol Apartment. For a proper gym there are 3 gyms within 2 km, Finca Cortesin  Spa with gym just 500m away with an ice room to use after a work out. Or 1 km to Duchessa Hotel and Spa with hydro therapy pools afterwards. Or 2 km to Albayatt Spa with hydrotherapy pool.

Of course you don't have to walk around much on a Costa del Sol holiday before you come across a public gym. The Spanish Government has put a lot of money into prevention and correction of teh huge obesity problem in Spain, particularly in the under 20 year olds. And public gyms have been built in many towns, including the small white towns in teh hills to encourage Spanish people to take more exercise.

Here is a typical public gym on Sabinillas sea front, with 8 or 10 pieces of gym equipment to use free of charge. It always seems a shame that whenever we have walked by, these gyms are not used by more, but maybe thats because we've walked past at the wrong time of day!

Where to have your holiday whether in Spain or any other country, depends on what you are looking for? Close to the mountains, close to cities, close to night life, close to beach whether remote or urban. Everyone has their person view which may change during the year and from year to year.

Many people choose Spain firstly because of guaranteed sun and hot weather. Most people think of Spain holiday rentals as the built up areas of Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca which developed rapidly in the 1970's. But step away from these areas on the Costa del Sol to find some holiday rental gems in Spain.

Mountains and hills creep close to the beach areas across much of the Costa del Sol, so many villages and towns have part in the mountains and part at the beach side, such as Casares in the hills and Casares Costa by the beach. 

Casares del Sol Apartments at Casares Costa have the beach just 700m infront and mountains in the background. The view walking along the beach is sometimes surreal with mountains so close to the beach. So for a quieter area of the Costa del Sol which is still easily accessible and close to many of teh main facilities many people want on holiday, days out to Marbella, Puerto Banus, Gibraltar, Morocco, Wild life park, water park etc. but yet quiet and relaxing..........Casares del Sol could be your perfect Spain holiday rentals.

What is a villa? What is an apartment?
The definition of a villa varies from 'a larger than average up market house' to a 'single story dwelling' to a 'house rented to holiday makers'. Whilst an apartment is a 'set of rooms making up one dwelling' or ' a suite of rooms on a building housing several other sets of rooms'.Both terms are freely used for the holiday market - and given these definitions the Casares del Sol properties could be called apartments or villas. 

Casares del Sol are mostly 2 bedroom apartments with some 3 bedroom apartments. Bedrooms seperate to living areas is a big bonus with holiday accomodation, you don't have to pack away a pull out bed every morning or make up te bed every night. As well as the bedrooms there is an open plan living cum dining room, a good sized galley kitchen and seperate utility area with washing machine, plus a family bathroom, ensuite bathroom and, of course, a terrace. 

Many terraces in Southern Spain are built facing west because the Spanish prefer to be shielded from the heat of the day. And many of the apartments at Casares del Sol have west facing terraces, but some are south facing to catch the late morning, afternoon and early evening sun. The terraces are a good size for dining alfresco or lounging in the sun.

An added bonus at the Casares villa apartments is the surroundings, spacious gardens totally surrounding the apartments, well looked after and well planted gardens with neatly cut lawns and trees to provide shady areas so you can enjoy your holiday outside and inside. Plus spacious sun bathing terrace surrounding the lgenerously sized swimming pool which is cleaned daily and crystal clear.  

One of the big problems with being in a hot country, is the cars getting roasting hot. At Casares villa apartments there is underground parking for a cool car plus stairs or lift to the apartment. All in all, a lovely holiday destination to stay in at Casares villa apartments.

A hotel holiday in Costa del Sol sounds like bliss, the thought of being waited on hand and foot for a whole week or even a fortnight. No cooking, no washing up, no cleaning. But you are restricted in your private space, normally to just one bedroom.

If you prefer more private space, you either have to hire a get a whole suite of rooms in a hotel, which tests the credit card. Or a less costly option is to rent an apartment so you all have your own space and a more relaxed holiday.

Of course the many people think the down side of renting an apartment is that there is no food 'on tap' and the holiday will end up as a none holiday because of cooking, washing up and cleaning. If you choose your location of apartment well, you can easily eat out every day, in a different resturant every day to sample lots of different styles of cooking and entertainment and hospitality.

My idea of a self catering holiday in Costa del Sol is an apartment that has these things:

• bedrooms that are not part of the lounge,
• full air conditioning in summer months (no a few fans do not count as air conditioning!),
• lots of hot water for baths and showers, 
• a clean big swimming pool close to the apartment,
• a terrace you can relax on,
• a lovely view from the terrace,
• close to lots of resturants and bars,
• close to clean beach,
• within 1hour of airport,
• close to lots of places of interest.

Just so happens I know just the place!
Casares del Sol apartment ticks all these boxes and more - they are an ideal location to enjoy the Costa del Sol area. 
So if you whether you want a beach holiday, a pool holiday, an activity holiday, a family holiday or even a golf holiday , take a look at the Casares del Sol apartments for Spain Holiday Rentals.

As a dog owner in the UK, I am used to my daily 'fix' of walking around the fields with our mad springer spaniel. And its always abit of a shock when we're on holiday and there is no dog to walk!

But of course there are lots of opportunities and places to walk in the Costa del Sol apartment area, you just have to look abit harder.

One of my favourite walks is the walk along the beach from Casares beach bar to Sabinillas and on to Duquesa and Castillo. Its about 4 miles of golden sand and walking bare foot along the sand can be bliss. Of course in the peak of summer the sand gets really hot, hot enough to burn bare feet so you have to be careful and all the more reason to splash along bare foot in the wash on the beach edge. If a walk along the sand is difficult, you can walk part of the way on the esplanades at the edge of the beach.

Walking aroung the lovely white villages of Costa del Sol is another favourite, with Casares white village very close to Casares del Sol Apartments. Wander around the tiny streets, climb to the highest point, take in the view.

Inland, its not so easy to get footpath maps, and many of the roads are not really designed for walkers, maybe its because of the heat they assume people don't want to walk. But the Manilva Town Hall has a programme of guided walks designed to develop walking and hiking in Manilva which not only improves fitness, but also raises awareness of the environment and provides an opportunity to improve your knowledge of the surrounding area. The activity also helps to maintain the rural roads and footpaths whilst providing an activity open to a wide range of people.

Transport is supplied for each walk and leaves at approximately 8.30 am. Pick up points are the Health Centre in Manilva (near the Las Viñas Sports Pavillion), the Castle in Castillo, and from the petrol station in Sabinillas. There is a charge of 4 euros per walk to cover accident insurance cover during the course of each activity. There is a maximum number of 50 places for each route. For more details and full calendar of events contact the Delegación de Medio Ambiente on (0034) 951 27 60 50 

Just 5 minutes from Casares del Sol apartment drive along the A7 towards Sotogrande. Built into the basement of the refurbished Hotel Golf La Duquesa is a Spa complete with thermal spa.

The Duquesa spa has a gym and all the normal treatments such as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing. But also what is called 'thermal club'. Thermal club is a circuit through a steam room, sauna, ice cave, vichy showers and jet pool to boost circulation. There are day passes and special offers for holiday makers.

So build a pamper afternoon into your holiday rental at Casares holiday apartment and take some time out and pamper yourself.

Estepona is just a few minutes drive from Casares del Sol apartments, along the A7. Estepona has sports, beach, nature and food - something for most people - map of Estepona here.

Stroll along the long esplanade next to the beach, this stretches the length of the town from the marina to Carrefour Estepona - maybe a mile. The marina has recently been upgraded and but not as glitzy as Puerto Banus further along the coast and not as accessible to view the boats. Walk from the marina through the fishermans units where you may see sardines drying in the sun onto the esplanade that runs alongside Avenue de Espana. You will meet runners and walkers along the esplanade and further along an outside multi gym, as seen on most of the seaside town sea fronts - Spains effort to get their obesity problem under control.

If you like shopping, visit the Estepona steet market held in Avenida Juan Carlos every Wednesday morning or the big Sunday Estapona market at the marina. You can buy cheap gifts, leather goods, jewellery, arts, crafts, whatever takes your fancey. Or sit and watch the buzz around the market., have cafe con leche by the quayside and people watch.

The marina is one of the favourite spots for lunch, with a huge range of local and international cuisine to choose from. Local dishes include local fresh fish and paella.

Or wander into the old part of Estepona with old churches and streets.

Enjoy some pampering whilst you are on holiday - several places to go but here I'll mention the Albyatt Country Club Spa, address CN 340, Km 149,2, Avda. de Costa Galera 34, Estepona, Spain. Just 5 minutes from Casares del Sol apartments, turn up the A7 towards Estapona, turn left at Christian roundabout.

A mediterranean style resort. Lovely clean spa. Well equipped with thermal dynamic multi water jet circuit, swimming pools inside and out, steam rooms and sauna, Roman bath and Japanese foot bath. There are also Asian themed rooms for an extensive range of health and beauty treatments, many holistic treatments such as chocolate therapy, wine therapy, volcanic stone massages.

If you are looking for a workout, there is a Fitness centre and aerobic room. The Albyat offers various individual treatments or pampering packages, some particularly good deals can be bought online.

On a sunny day you can spend a pleasant afternoon at the Roman baths in the Hediona valley, just behind Manilva. Just off the Rio Manilva road and hidden away down a rough track under the toll road bridge and not 'fancy' in any way. But on a warm day you will find lots of people enjoying the baths.

The water is high in sulphur, particularly during the summer months, making it cloudy, milky in colour. The river starts in the Sierra Utrera and enters the sea at Casares beach.

The roman baths are a lovely quiet spot, but can be busy at the weekends. People smear the sulphur rich mud all over their bodies, dry off in the sun then dip into the underground cvern baths built by the Romans, and very cool even on a hot day.

The baths are in the municipaity of Casares although technically closer to Manilva. One of the things to do in Costa del Sol - simple, cheap and fun.

Puerto Banus is not far from the Casares del Sol apartment area - between Estapona and Marbella and approx 30 minutes drive. Puerto Banus, also known as 'The Port', is renowned as the home of the rich and famous - Ferraris, Bentleys, Lotus are easily seen driving around. It is a very pleasant day out if you like looking at smart boats or smart shops or sitting watching the bustling marina world go by. Drive straight into the port, parking in one of the well signed car parks near the centre. We always go to the marina area and walk up and down the jettys looking at the fabulous boats, names, where they are licenced, and watch the whole industry that revolves around the boat world. Cafees and bars surround the marina, so a great place to sit and watch teh world go by -  but the prices can be steep.

Then the shops, Puerto Banus designer shops galore, 5000euro bags in the windows such as Dolce and Gabbana, D & G, Chloe, Hermes, Jimmy Choe and lots more. There are also more modest shops including El Corte Ingles department store and across the road from here is the thriving market square opposite.

At last a new revised date for 2009 Volvo World Match play Championship at Finca Cortesin Golf Resort, Casares. The original date in September clashed with European Tour fixtures.

The new dates for the Championships were announced at a press conference at Finca Cortesin at the end of March, are the 29th October to 1st November subject to a final confirmation by The European Tour.

We were at Casares del Sol apartment over Easter and many people had told us to make sure we were in the centre of Sabinillas on the evening of Good Friday to see the procession.We had no idea what time it would start so went into Sabinillas to eat and waited.

Around 11pm people started gathering on the East side of Sabinillas and the procession started soon after with around a hundred people taking part including a brass band and 2 hand carried floats. And when the procession started moving, many of the local people joined in and walked down the street.

It was quite a sight and quite moving to see the energy of the proceedings - including all ages.

So if there is a fiesta on when you visit the Costa del Sol - make a point of seeing how the Spanish celebrate - see festival dates in Manilva area.

Hurray, hurray!!
Breaking news.....we all know that cranes on the skyline in Spain and Costa del Sol are common place. But the good news for Casares del Sol is that the cranes around the aparthotel development behind Casares del Sol are now down.  They were dismantled in the last few weeks - leaving a lovely crane free skyline for the Casares del Sol self catering apartments and their holiday makers.

For years now, it has been an issue with myself and others - not only can some golf courses on Costa del Sol be costly to play the course (although well worth it!) but they also charge an extra 30 euros plus for a buggy, even though on some of the hilly courses a buggy is essential.

At last some courses are now including buggies in their pricing - long overdue and very welcome - one of the golf courses very local to Casares del Sol apartment is Dona Julia and this now includes buggies and long may it continue.