HOLIDAY HOMES IN MARBELLA

LOCATION & GENERAL INFORMATION

Self-catering rental properties in Marbella Town Centre.

OUR PROPERTIES RANGE FROM STUDIO APARTMENTS, WHICH ACCOMMODATE TWO ADULTS AND A SMALL CHILD, UP TO FOUR BEDROOM APARTMENTS, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10 PEOPLE.  THESE ARE SUITABLE FOR COUPLES SHARING WITH CHILDREN OR EVEN GOLFING PARTIES

MOST OF OUR PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED ON OR CLOSE TO THE BEACH, WITH LOCAL AMENITIES OF: BARS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS ON YOUR DOORSTEP.  THE PRICE OF ACCOMMODATION DEPENDS ON THE TIME OF YEAR. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US FOR  MORE INFORMATION.COTS AND HIGHCHAIRS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.  OUR WEB SITE ONLY SHOWS A FEW SAMPLE OF OUR AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PARQUE MARBELLA COMPLEX.

Has two large pools and a children's pool surrounded by beautiful gardens and spacious sun-bathing areas . Situated behind the Parque de la Constitucion. (A lovely park with tropical gardens, theatre, children's play area & cafe bar) Parque Marbella is an Oasis in the centre of Marbella and it is just a hundred yards from the beautiful marble paseo and Marbella's beaches, where you can relax and unwind in one of the many beach bars and restaurants which stretch from Marbella to Puerto Banus or simply enjoy the day on the sand.  The bars and restaurants cater for all tastes and pockets. The complex itself has 24 hour security. You will also find plenty of fine shops, boutiques, taxis and public transport within yards. The old town, with its cobbled streets and traditional Spanish buildings and plazas is just a few minutes away.

SKOL COMPLEX.

The Skol Apartments are located on the sea front in the heart of Marbella. The complex has two outdoor pools and a childrens pool, surrounded by tropical gardens. There are sun beds around the grounds and also a snack bar/restaurant in the actual complex. Shops and supermarkets are virtually on the doorstep, one of the advantages with parties traveling with small children is that there is no motor traffic between the gardens and the beach as there is a path with gated door leading straight onto the "Paseo Maritimo" Promanade.

A BIT OF GENERAL INFORMATION ON MARBELLA.

The general architecture of the town has an unusual mixture of Moorish-Mediterranean style settings. Its origins date back to 1600 BC, it was founded by the Romans on the Augustus Way " Via Augusta" originally being named as  "Salduba".

In the year of 711 the moors, invaded and conquered nearly the whole of the Iberian peninsula. Under the rein of the Moors Marbella was renamed from "Salduba" to "Marbi-la" becoming a very prosperous and upper class town. And then built  in accordance with the Mediterranean - Arab architecture, consisting of many narrow winding streets, and protected by the castle-walls which are still well preserved in the old part of the town centre known as the "Casco Antigua" 

In the year 1485, the Catholic Kings re-conquered the town, and redesigned its architectural planning by building larger houses, adding  churches and widening  the streets giving the place a more Castilian look. It is thought at this time the town was given its present day name of Marbella meaning " Beautiful Sea".

Throughout the centuries Marbella has been converted and modernised  from a small white fisherman's village, into the magnificent town that it is today, offering its visitors and residents the taste of Andalusia with narrow streets and flower filled balconies, rustic buildings and  pretty squares with delightful fountains and tropical trees.

The main urban areas covered under the Marbella district are, Marbella city centre, San Pedro de Alcantara, Puerto Banus, Nueva Andalucia and Las Chapas.

LOCAL FIESTA & CARNIVALS

There are many local bank holidays which usually fall on the day of a patron Saint, also please note that over the Easter period you will find the shops and banks close from Maundy Thursday (day before good Friday) till Easter Monday which in Spain is not a public holiday.

Marbella and the Costa del Sol has an intense calendar of celebrations, throughout the whole year.

The Three wise men's of the Orient parade is celebrated all around Spain, where there are processions and floats that roll down the Main high streets, bearing sweets for the younger viewers, is customary in Spain for the Spanish children to receive their Christmas presents on this day January the 6th, however over the past few years more and more Spanish family's are tending to bend there traditional rules and let the children have their presents on Christmas Day 25th of December like the rest of the European communities.

Between the months of February and March carnival is celebrated this is an important occasion for every town, the city organizes competitions of processions, street bands and carnival displays. You could called it a mini Mardigras.

The most important event in Andalucia is probably the Easter period (Semana Santa). This event is celebrated by carrying religious icons around  the streets heading to and from the local Churche. It is an extremely dramatic event and, as the Spanish celebrate their passion for Christ, you will even come across many of the procession bare -foot as they thank Christ for something that may have lightened  their lives. Each night of the Easter week many go out wearing hooded masks  and this event is celebrated by everyone from babes in arms to the very elderly.

In spring another pretty procession is that of the Corpus Christi, with natural flower carpets being laid in its pathway, small alters and balconies are decorated with beautiful flowers in bloom.

The summer Marbella fair which falls on the 11th of  June, the day of the local Patron Saint San Bernabe,  lasts for about a week and is when the locals really let their hair down. Lady's of all ages are dressed in beautiful sevillana dresses and you will find people dancing in the streets from first thing in the morning till the early hours of the following day. Horses are parked outside the local Spanish bars, around the town center and Sherry and Tapas flow freely. The whole town is decorated with no expenses spared with bunting and posters and  temporary bars and stands are set up in nearly ever corner. Just heading towards the outskirts of the town towards Malaga you will find the fair -ground with many attractions and "casetas" which are little tents or temporary  buildings where you can enjoy anything from drinks to a full meal and listen to well- known Spanish artists singing and dancing, or the typical Andalucian music. Some nights this can last around the clock. Also, on the first night of these celebrations , there is a wonderful firework on the beach front from around 10.30 pm. This signifies the commencement of the weeks celebrations.

The night of San Juan " Saint John" is held on the 23rd of June and is celebrated around Andalucia on the beaches with bonfires, fireworks and music. For good luck, the tradition is to dip your feet into the warm summer Mediterranean sea just after mid-night.

The prettiest procession of all is the Virgin del Carmen " Virgin Mary" on the 16th of July who is the Patron Saint of  sailors. This is when the little fishing boats, completely decorated with flowers, take to the water in their full glory displaying a statue of their Saint.

All Saints Day, which falls on November the 1st, is a day out for the whole family into the surrounding mountains, where the tradition is to roast chestnuts and sample all the local liquors.

And finally Christmas eve December the 24th known as "Nochebuena", is the time for family members to come together for a feast, starting the  celebrations for the Christmas period. In almost every home you will find the presents of a Nativity scene.

Marbellanet is registered with the English,Spanish & European tourist board in the company name Anntara Property Services Holiday and vacation rentals on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. anntaraproperty@hotmail.com.

Anntara Property Services.
Mobile (00 34) 649 307277, Tel: (00 34) 952900875
Alonso de Bazan, local 17, 29600 Marbella, Spain