Costa Del Sol on Spain's Southern Coast - a Great Starting Point for Day Trips

Of all the exciting destinations that I have had the privilege to visit, it is always the Costa del Sol on Spain's southern coast that I find myself returning to again and again. The reason is simple. I know of no destination from which one can make so many day trip excursions to such a variety of totally different environments. Within a couple of hours drive northeast of Malaga, you can visit the exciting ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada; Granada is a wonderful experience as it has fabulous resort locations and historic sites.

I chose Malaga as my starting point as this is the Costa del Sol's main international airport. You are only 20 minutes from Marbella and the Spanish Rivera where I usually make my base. Driving along the Mediterranean coast south of Marbella within the hour you are at the boarder crossing to the famous Rock of Gibraltar. Don't forget your passport - you are leaving Spain and entering a British enclave. As tiny as this little British possession is you'll want to return to explore, its hard to see it all in one visit. You can catch a cable car to the top of the rock and enjoy the mischievous company of the infamous Apes whose eventual departure it is said will herald Britain's departure from the Rock! My wife refers to them as monkeys, which is why I suspect one of them ran off with her hand bag!

The 'rock' as it is affectionately known is a maze of tunnels and fortifications used by the British dating back to Napoleon's days. The ancient graveyard at the base of the rock is well worth a visit.

You can actually attend live concerts inside the 'rock'!

Leaving Gibraltar and traveling south you arrive at Algeciras , a Spanish sea port where you can hop on a hydrofoil and be in Tangiers 50 minutes later.

Though Tangiers is in Morocco, North Africa, it is a comfortable day trip from the Costa del Sol! By coach or chauffer driven Mercedes you can see the sights and visit the casbah for a great Moroccan lunch and some fantastic bargain shopping before jumping aboard your hydrofoil for your return journey.

Next day follow A-387 north to the tiny village of Mijas, where you can experience the only square Bull Ring in Spain! And by the way some fantastic dining during the day or in the evening. This is a shoppers paradise also! My best Spanish arts and crafts I purchased in Mijas!