Destination AndalucĂa! by Andrew Forbes
Contents •
Introduction.......................................................................................................................
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Team Xtreme Destinations:
Marbella, Costa del Sol.........................................................................................
Tarifa......................................................................................................................
Granada.................................................................................................................
Ronda.....................................................................................................................
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The Next Step...................................................................................................................
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Introduction Thanks for taking the time to contact us and request further information; and welcome to Team Xtreme and our ‘Destination Andalucía!’ guide. We’re specialists in group adventure holidays and corporate events in Andalucía, Spain, that are packed with exhilarating activities that will make you feel energised and inspired. This short guide will give you a flavour of what to expect when you visit Andalucía. All our activities are based here in southern Spain, as we believe it is one of Europe’s most spectacular regions, and really easy to get to – it’s just a few hours from all major European cities. Andalucía has a superb all-year-round Mediterranean climate, the best in Europe, and outstanding natural parks, so you are assured a terrific outdoor adventure break. We’ve divided the guide into four main sections, focusing on the main areas where we offer our world-class activities; Marbella, Tarifa, Granada & Ronda.
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MARBELLA, PUERTO BANUS & COSTA DEL SOL
Marbella, Puerto Banús & Costa del Sol Marbella, once a small Andalucían fishing village, was transformed some 40 or 50 years ago into a playground for the rich and famous. The luxurious resort town is the heart of the Costa del Sol, surrounded by the dramatic Sierra Blanca mountain range and stunning countryside. The town is served by Malaga’s international ‘Picasso’ airport, the capital of the Costa del Sol, which has direct air routes to most cities in Europe. What’s more it’s easy to arrive at all our adventure activity destinations, thanks to the superb road and motorway network. In fact, if you heading here to enjoy our adventure experiences, it might be worth considering spending a day in Malaga – there’s so much more there than the brand new airport. There are great bars, clubs, restaurants and loads of culture too. Remember, Picasso was born here, and it’s home to the stunning Picasso Museum. Art was never so cool – the staff even wear Armani! Check out this website: www2.museopicassomalaga.org If you head to Marbella you’ll experience a seductive mix of old world charm and some serious bling! Much of Old Town remains intact, with its narrow streets filled with small shops and quaint restaurants. Meanwhile, Puerto Banus remains one of Europe’s hotspots for spotting celebrities! What better way to spend an afternoon that sipping mojitos, over looking the super-yachts, and watching the beautiful people.
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MARBELLA, PUERTO BANUS & COSTA DEL SOL
Team Xtreme activities near Marbella At Team Xtreme, we’ve evaluated and selected the most breathtaking outdoor adventure activities. They are suitable for different ages and abilities and all are provided by experienced and qualified professionals in their respective fields, so you’re guaranteed to have the best possible experience. Marbella is a great place to make your base, as we offer so many adventures close by or within an hour’s drive of the this stunning Mediterranean resort, in locations such as Mijas, Manilva etc.
Team Xtreme Activities near Marbella include:
• Trekking • Mountain Biking • Caving • Climbing • Paintball • Canyoning • Scuba Diving • Kayaking • Helicopter Flights • Quad Biking • Power Boating • 4 x 4 Tour • Mixed Martial Arts
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MARBELLA, PUERTO BANUS & COSTA DEL SOL
Eating Marbella and Puerto Banús have a fantastic selection of eateries to suit all budgets and styles from traditional Spanish ventas (like a bar or pub) to contemporary gastronomic destination restaurants. You can choose the bling and glamour of the port; the charm and intimacy of old town; or be a local and eat in one of the local bars. Tapas are the what the Spanish eat and are a fun and social way to spend an evening after a great day out with Team Xtreme!
Here are a few favourite places in Marbella Old Town worth checking out Taberna la Niña del Pisto, Casco Antiguo (old Town) Taberna la Niña del Pisto is from a well known family Cordoba that dates back some 140 years. You can find this relative newcomer to the old town scene, in the narrow street, calle San Lázaro. Taberna la Niña del Pisto is in a newly renovated space in an old building, offering charm with its traditional decor, framed prints and photos and ironwork lamps. Enjoy classic tapas like ensaladilla rusa as well as specialities from Cordoba, including their superb salmorejo (this is a cold soup of garlic, olive oil and tomato like gazpacho, but differs in texture and flavour as amongst other things it has more bread in it – it’s topped with Iberian ham and boiled egg) as well as a fresh cod dish served with the bar’s signature dish called ‘pisto’, a sort of ratatouille. Service is swift and friendly, and the dishes are clearly freshly prepared in house. The wine and beer list is excellent, with a selection of the normal brands as well as artisan beers. Taberna la Niña del Pisto C/. San Lázaro, local 2, Casco Antiguo (Old Town), Marbella Tel: +34 633 32 00 22 www.casaelpisto.com
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MARBELLA, PUERTO BANUS & COSTA DEL SOL
La Musa Restaurante Casco Antiguo (old Town) Just steps away from the tourist honey pot of ‘Plaza de los Naranjos’ in Marbella’s picturesque old town, you can discover a tranquil and elegant place, where personal service and, tasty, innovative dishes are the order of the day. Restaurant La Musa, remains one of old town’s best kept secrets. You’ve got cool club tunes in the ground floor bar, and if you climb the steep stairs to the first floor, you’ll enter a stylish, intimate space where you can spend a relaxing evening with a menu of innovative, contemporary tapas, with great wines. The diminutive plate of foie gras with goats’ cheese foam is superb, and to satisfy a sweet tooth, order the baklava, Middle Eastern style cakes with a modern, European twist. The owner, Karim Benmansour, is from North Africa and his wife is from Latin America, creating a passionate fusion of flavours and styles in the restaurant that makes it a pleasant change from the standard tourist haunts just a few metres away. La Musa Restaurante C/ Pasaje 5, Casco Antiguo (Old Town), Marbella Tel: +34 952 779 356 www.lamusamarbella.com
The Beach House Restaurant We also love eating on the beach. All along the coast there are informal and relaxed beach bars called ‘chiringuitos’, where you can just kick back and chill with a beer or a sundowner cocktail. If you want something a little more fancy, why not try a favourite... The Beach House Restaurant Urb. Coto de los Dolores Carril del Relojero, Elviria 29604 Marbella Tel: +34 952 83 94 58 www.marbellabeachhouse.com White table linens, live music and a great menu make every night a special occasion.
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MARBELLA, PUERTO BANUS & COSTA DEL SOL
Other stuff to do Old Town Marbella and Puerto Banús come alive at night. During the warmth of the evening, it’s a pleasure to bar hop, from traditional bodegas serving tasty Andalucían tapas; to the high design of the latest chill-out and disco bars and night clubs. And don’t forget the Costa del Sol and Marbella in particular has some of the best beach clubs in Europe; from the iconic Nikki Beach, to the stunning Ocean Club or the exclusive Suite del Mar at the Puente Romano. Or maybe you prefer a charming old Finca, like Finca Besaya, playing the best chilled tunes in town, serving the best cocktails.
Sleeping Our hotel booking service will get you some of the best rates at the hundreds of hotels across the coast. Whether you are looking for great value or maybe 5 star luxury, you’re sure to find it on the Costa del Sol. We love Marbella’s old town for genuine hospitality. Check out these suggestions: Hotel Claude www.hotelclaudemarbella.com The Townhouse www.townhouse.nu
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What better way to chill after an adrenalin-packed day with Team Xtreme than being in Marbella. Nikki Beach - www.nikkibeach.com Ocean Club - www.oceanclub.es
Suite & Suite del Mar - www.puenteromano.com Finca Besaya - www.fincabesaya.com
TARIFA
Tarifa If you think you know the coast of Southern Spain, then think again; nothing is going to prepare you for the water sports paradise of Tarifa! We take our adventure activities seriously and in our mind, there’s no where better to experience the ocean than here on the amazing Costa de la Luz. A virgin, unspoilt coastline of dunes, pine forests and mountains is the perfect playground for water sport enthusiasts, and because Africa is just 14 kilometres away, this channels the wind through the strait and creates an increase of over 25%, so it’s the best place for wind surfing, sailing, kite surfing and more! The town of Tarifa is an ancient port and fishing village, with a superb chilled vibe. It’s relaxed, friendly and in summer time, a magnet for world-class competitions and water sport festivals. If you have time, it’s really worth heading up the coast a little more and checking out the mountain top village of Vejer de la Frontera. It’s a typical, whitewashed village dating back to the Arab occupation of Southern Spain in the first millennium AD, with amazing views and some knock-out boutique hotels, great bars and lots of restaurants.
Team Xtreme Activities near Tarifa Coast At Team Xtreme, we believe that our adventure activities in Tarifa are going to blow you away! Take a look at just some of what is on offer.
Team Xtreme Activities near Tarifa include: • Kite Surfing • Surfing • Wind Surfing You’ll get superb, professional tuition, all the equipment you need, and all in a super-chilled environment that going to make you not want to leave!
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TARIFA
Eating The port of Tarifa is the main hub for places to eat and drink, but the road that leads out along the coast is also a great place to find some hip hotels and cool bars.
Restaurant Pachamama - Grill Pachamama is about 3km outside of Tarifa towards Cadiz, on the main road. Look out for the huge, striking stone sculptures outside. This is probably the best barbecue restaurant in Tarifa, and if you like steaks then you are going to love the excellent imported Argentinean steaks. The ambience is typical of the area, with a fab garden with chill out huts where you can relax those aching muscles after a great day out on the water with Team Xtreme. At weekends and in the summer you’re in for a treat as there are live bands too! Restaurant Pachamama - Grill N340 road, km 81, 11380 Tarifa, Cadiz Tel. +34 956 685 362
The Souk - Upscale Bar The Souk is the cool address in town; upscale, yet relaxed and friendly. With Africa little more than a stone’s throw away, you will enjoy great Moroccan style food, including classics like cous cous, tajines, fallafel & hummus. Plus there is a fusion menu with Indian and Asian inspired plates. There’s a chill out lounge with WiFi to complement the restaurant.
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The Souk - Upscale Bar Calle Mar Tireno, 11, 11380 Tarifa, Cadiz Tel. 956 627 065
TARIFA
Other stuff to do Just relaxing on the beach or in one of the beachside bars or hotels is enough to make you feel as if you been on vacation for weeks. The views are stunning, with the aquamarine sea, and the mountains of Morocco beyond! Clubs and bars in Tarifa make for as lively nightlife, whilst the countryside is great for nature lovers. The ambiance and style of this area is so relaxed you’re sure to make new friends too! For a tasty bite to eat, or for cocktails and great music, we always go to Arte y Vida. Hotel Arte y Vida www.hotelartevidatarifa.com
Sleeping The town of Tarifa is packed with interesting B & Bs, small hotels and fancy boutique joints. We particularly love the style of Hotel La Sacristia. Hotel La Sacristia La Sacristia San Donato, 8, 1380 Tarifa Tel: + 34 956 681 759 www.lasacristia.net But if you want to step out of your room or private bungalow, barefoot and run into the sea, then you need to head out of town and stay in one of the hotels on the N340 road that hugs the coast. With simple bungalows, and plenty of room for your kit, we really like Hotel Dos Mares. Hotel Dos Mares www.gmares.com/dosmares If you get the chance to head up to the village of Vejer, then you can choose from simple B & Bs, right up to Boutique hotels with every little luxurious touch. For a great location, and good balance of price and quality we like La Casa del Califa. Hotel La Casa del Califa. Plaza de EspaĂąa, 16, Vejer de la Frontera Tel: +34 956 447 730 www.lacasadelcalifa.com
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GRANADA
Granada Granada capital has always been a favourite amongst Spanish and foreign visitors thanks to its combination of a fascinating, ancient city, a lively modern centre and the winter sports and summer activities that can be enjoyed on the neighbouring Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city is easy to get to by air and road and is well served by Andalucía’s motorway network that links it directly with the region’s capital, Seville in the west, Malaga and its major international airport in the south and Madrid in the north. Granada’s airport (Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén) is continuing to expand services to international destinations. In addition, Granada will soon be on Spain’s high speed, bullet train (AVE) making it even more accessible. The stunning Sierra Nevada makes Granada a perfect, all year round destination. Winter is obviously very popular for our Team Xtreme winter sport adventure activities; but spring and summer are amazing times to enjoy the natural environment and the charming villages of the Alpujarras, where are there is a strong alternative health, yoga and meditation culture. We can’t talk about Granada without of course mentioning the Alhambra, one of Europe’s most visited sites. The ancient Arabic palaces reflect the fact that Granada was one of the last Arab strong holds before the Christians completed their re conquest of the Iberian peninsula in 15th Century. When Seville and Cordoba were conquered by the Christians in the 13th Century, these Arab communities moved to Granada, swelling its wealth and prestige for over 200 years more.
Team Xtreme Activities near Granada Team Xtreme Activities near Granada include:
• Skiing • Dogsledge • Snowboarding • Snowshoeing • Ice Climbing
You’ll get superb, professional tuition, all the equipment you need in a friendly, energetic environment.
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GRANADA
Eating There are three main areas to consider when thinking about Granada. You’ve got the lively winter and summer sports base on the Sierra Nevada, with its bars, clubs and restaurants very much catering for the active and energetic crowd. Then in the city, there’s the old town, the extraordinary Albaicin quarter, full of narrow streets, with cafes, flamenco caves, traditional restaurants and some very cool bars. Finally there is the new town, very much a place where locals hang out. There are two huge vintage cinemas in this part of town that have been converted into a bar and a nightclub - sensational atmosphere! So, you will be spoilt for choice.
Tapas Granada is famous for tapas as this is the region where they originated. So if you are in the city you must head for the pedestrian Calle Navas (near the Town Hall, in the centre of the city) for a drink and tapas. In Granada you automatically get a free tapas with every drink you order – this is how it used to be in Spain. To sell alcohol the bar had to sell a snack and bars started to compete and interesting and inventive tapas were born.
Fogón de Galicia This busy tapas bar on Calle Navas is typical of how eating and drinking in this town works. Drinks are smaller; if you order beer, you won’t get a pint! More like a small glass, but it also comes with a tapas. When you order your first drink, the barman shouts “primero” to the kitchen and you get your first tapas. With your second drink he shouts “Segundo” and the quality and size of the tapas increases, and so on. So if you have a quite a few drinks, you going to get some great tapas! In all bars, you can also order your own choice of tapas and larger dishes from a menu, without ordering drinks each time! Fogón de Galicia Calle Navas, 29 Granada Tel: +34 958 22 68 36
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GRANADA
Other stuff to do Of course, a trip to Granada is all about the great Team Xtreme sports and activities, but if possible it is worth visiting the Alhambra, if only to walk around the amazing gardens. The Alhambra www.alhambra-patronato.es
Sleeping When enjoying our adventure experiences on the mountain, it makes sense to sleep up there. There are lots of options from the intimate, upscale ski-in/ski-out HG Maribel, to the mainstream Sol Meliรก Sierra Nevada Hotel. Meliรก Sierra Nevada Hotel - www.melia-sierra-nevada.com HG Maribel - www.grupohg.com In old town, one of the most romantic places to stay is in the Parador, as it is inside the Alhambra grounds, so you can wonder the gardens in the evenings when everyone else has left. Hotel Parador Granada Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada Tel: 00 34 958 221 440 www.parador.es Alternatively, why not try in one of the stylish boutique hotels, like the Hotel Ladron de Agua, the Hotel Casa Morisca or the stunning Palacio de los Patos. Hotel la Ladron de Agua - www.ladrondeagua.com Hotel Casa Morisca - www.hotelcasamorisca.com Hotel Palacio de los Patos - www.hospes.com
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RONDA
Ronda Taking the sweeping mountain road north from Marbella’s San Pedro Alcántara for about 45 minutes, you’ll reach the spectacular Serrania de Ronda mountains. At its heart lies the historic town of Ronda, perched above an awe-inspiring 130 metre deep gorge cut by the Guadalevin river. As one of Spain’s oldest, most historic cities, Ronda’s long history has been defined over the millennia by the Celts, Phoenicians, and Greeks and of course the Romans, who have left a lasting mark on this part on Andalucía. Andalucía was Islamic for almost a millennium and under the Moors, “Medina Runda” as it was known, became the provincial capital and there are still many Arabic monuments to see. But it’s not all old building and monuments; Ronda boasts one of Europe’s most spectacular private race tracks, used by the super rich. Team Xtreme gives you unprecedented access to these facilities! Afterwards, complete your visit to Ronda by enjoying some of the superb restaurants and buzzing bars, or the surrounding stunning, unspoilt natural environment.
Team Xtreme Activities near Ronda
Team Xtreme has chosen Ronda as a fitting, majestic setting for some exhilarating experiences.
Team Xtreme Activities near Ronda include:
• Paragliding • Sky Diving – one hour north near Seville • Hot Air Ballooning • Race Track • Go Karting
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RONDA
Eating Ronda is a sophisticated town, with Michelin starred restaurants, upscale tapas bars, as well as some relaxed and friendly bars where you can practice some Spanish!
Traga Tapas This relatively newcomer to the gastronomic scene in Ronda is typical of the new breed of upscale tapas bars in Andalucía. It’s from the people behind Tragbuches, the Michelin starred, fine dining restaurant in Ronda. The bar is small, modern and stylish and really is the perfect place to try Andalucían tapas - perfect for lunch or to start an evening out. The recipes are modern, presentation is clean and sophisticated. You’ll find a fine selection of wines and beers. Over all, a relaxing, friendly, lively location with a modern feel. Tragatapas, Calle Nueva, Tel : 952 878 640
Tragabuches
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If the high adrenalin racing on the Ronda race track has given you the taste for the lifestyle of a millionaire, then maybe you want to continue with the theme and eat in one of the town’s finest restaurants, Tragabuches, a Michelin starred restaurant near the bridge. Tragabuches , Calle José Aparicio, 1 Tel: +34 952 19 02 91 www.tragabuches.com
RONDA
Other stuff to do Exploring the narrow, ancient streets unveils fascinating sites at every turn. If however, you fancy little more than just relaxing or socialising, then check out some of the more lively bars in the new town, where the locals hang out. Ask for Pub Dulcinea, or Bar El Templo, or just bar hop and discover your own favourites. Often there’s live music.
Sleeping Ronda is very well served by a range of hotels from the national Parador in the heart of the town, to inexpensive B & Bs to unusual Boutique properties. Hotel Enfrente Arte www.enfrentearte.com Hotel Polo www.hotelpolo.net Hotel Parador www.parador.es Hotel Acinipo www.hotelacinipo.com Hotel Montelirio www.hotelmontelirio.com Hotel Alavera de los BaĂąos www.alaveradelosbanos.com Hotel la Fuente Higuera www.hotellafuente.com Hotel El Juncal www.eljuncal.com
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The Next Step Contact Details: Office:
Marbella - Malaga - SPAIN
Phone:
(+34) 952 902 070
Mon - Fri: 08.00 - 14.00 From UK: (+44) 203 411 1815
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Fax:
(+34) 952 827 104
Mobile:
(+34) 676 022 237
Email:
info@teamxtreme.es
www.teamxtreme.es