EUROPE 2025 : MALAGA

Friday 26th and Saturday 27th September

After a coastal drive along the busiest stretches of the Costa del Sol, we cruised into Malaga mid-afternoon. It's a short Uber ride into downtown from our hotel. We are so pleasantly surprised  by the vibe and buzz in Malaga.

There are a lot of tourists but walking just a few hundred metres from the central action, we find way more local bars and restsurants.

On Saturday morning we decide to visit the Pompidou Museum. Nah! 

After a stroll on the waterfront and down to the city beach...

 We decide to try something a bit more local for lunch...

This is why we travel...we were last here in Pedregalejo in 2001...

We nabbed the last table at a beachside fish restaurant...

Delicious fish...

Washed down with a bottle of Albarino..Paco and Lola was the first Albarini we ever tasted..in the Rios Biaxos in 2008...

Then coffee and custard flan..topped with a Marie Biscuit! Outside SA the only time we've ever seen Marie biscuits was in the Latino stores in NJ.

We head back to tourist central to watch the Springboks trounce Argentina at The English Pub followed by tapas and wine in the balmy Med autumn weather.

  Next time this will be a longer visit!

EUROPE 2025 : MARBELLA

Thursday 25th September

The Costa Del Sol can be crowded, overdeveloped and inauthentic but it ticks the boxes if you want an all-inclusive week in the sun. And there are some lovely spots that defy this reputation. Marbella has a charming old town with narrow lanes, nice shopping and pleasant outdoor restaurants.

Central Boutique Hotel is tucked away  down a little alley but the beach is an easy stroll away.

Stephen and Vivienne had a chilly dip in the Med. Neil loves the Dali sculptures in Av. del Mar.

By chance tonight was the Fiesta del Espato. Skewers of sardines, grilled on an open fire of vine wood and served for free with bread and sliced tomatoes. The streets were packed but we got a prime outdoor table at a restaurant on the promenade right opposite the live band.

EUROPE 2025 : JEREZ, SPAIN

Wednesday 24th September

Crossing into Spain, we began our Andalusian roadtrip in Jerez de Frontera; the home of Sherry.

There's a lot more to sherry than Obies, of course. Trying to keep six people in two cars happy and on track has it's moments and in making a last minute online booking for a tour of Tio Pepe Sherry House, I got us onto a Spanish tour! Let's just say connectivity in wine cellars is dodgy at best and live google translate has a way to go!

The sherry was tasty in any language, though.

Hotel Palacio Corredera was lovely and well located.

Tabanco Las Banderillas had great tapas and drinks. Ola!

EUROPE 2025 : ST.LUZIA, ALGARVE

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 September

We said goodbye to Stephen and Vivienne for a few days. We drove to St. Luzia near Tavira on the Algarve to drop Andrew and Terry off at their home. Then we drove to Olhao to pick up our new travelmates, Larry and Jean. We drove up to Guia for the world famous peri peri chicken at Ramirez.

The chicken; spatchcocked, marinated in peri peri and cooked on open coals is an African import from Mozambique. Ramirez ( since 1964 ) is the original restaurant but now there are loads of chicken places in town. It's delicious and way better than Nandos!

Back in St. Luzia we settled into Casa do Mar on the riverfront.

Thanks Andrew,Terry and Wendy for hosting us. We all ate dinner at O'Mourao. The party has grown.

Family and friends. Locals and visitors. Happy times!

On Tuesday Neil and I took a rest day and I got admin done. We all caught up at dinner again; this time at Taberna Amaro. St. Luzia is a hidden gem. Next time we'll come for much longer!