Casares del Sol Holiday in Costa del Sol, Spain

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.

There seem to alot of local festivals on the Costa del Sol and if you are staying at the Casares del Sol self catering apartments you should find out whether there are any festivals in the Manilva area. Spain has many festivals and Andalucia has many festivals and the local area has festivals - so altogether there are quite a few holiday days.

Ones that are really good to see in the Manilva area are:

23 June - Noches de San Juan - It's the old pagan midsummer celebration which has been 'Christianified'  - many locals regard this as the start of summer.

A huge tableau like seem in the picture here - taken 2005 in Sabinillas - is constructed on the beach in Sabinillas a few days before the event. This is a work of art and an different theme every year and around midnight, the whole thing is set alight. It is customary to walk into the sea to wash away any bad luck as it burns.

There are also fireworks on the beach in Sabinillas, live music and dancing until the early hours of the morning.

16 July - Virgen del Carmen - when the fishing boats in Sabinillas and Duquesa are decorated with images of the Virgen and set out to sea to sail up and down the Manilva coast. The launch of the boats in Sabinillas can be a little difficult if the sea happens to be rough. When the boats return to shore the images of the Virgen are returned to their place of honour in the churches of Sabinillas and Castillo Duquesa.

We have at last found where to buy an oven shelf for our Casares del Sol holiday apartment, after looking in endless Spanish shops over the last 18 months. 

Why ever do the Spanish supply and fit a oven with no shelves? Its a mystery to us. And one shop where I asked about them, suggested I had to buy a new oven! Luckily another furniture shop very close to Casares del Sol was very helpful and sent me straight to a little shop in Sabinillas that sells parts for machines and adjustable oven shelves. Go to the bus stop just off Sabinillas roundabout and then head straight down towards the sea and you will come to the shop - sorry haven't got its name.

So at last we can use our oven if we fancy a night in - even if its just for a couple of pizzas!