Snobbery about the Costa del Sol [Archive] - Notes from Spain and Spanish Forum

Andalucian Traveller

25th May 2008, 04:20 PM

MrMark

25th May 2008, 04:49 PM

An interesting point. I think Benidorm probably gets more stick on this than the Costa del Sol, but I take your point. I've always hated the expression "the real Spain", as to me a Spanish stock broker working in Nuevos Ministerios or a Zara executive (or indeed a pickpocket operating near Sol) is as "real" as anything else in Spain. I think what puts off some people (including myself) from certain resorts is that they try too hard to cater to their audience. They often end up "just like the UK" with the sun, but with ugly tower blocks to boot. Having said that, it's up to the individual where they spend their hard-earned cash, and many 1000s of holidaymakers go back time and time again to the Costa del Sol. The Spanish costas do tend to be very convenient, and holiday makers know they're going to have a decent level of accommodation, British-style food and entertainment at night, and places for the kids to play in the day-time.
One point you mention is that the resorts on the Costa del Sol are "fairly cheap". Maybe, but they're in a long war of attrition if this is their only selling point (people can fly to Bulgaria, Turkey or even Goa if they want cheaper prices). I remember the early 90s (which seems similar to the situation now) when UK tourism to Spain went down dramatically as a result of an economic turndown. The Spanish had to remedy the situation with a series of measures (investing in infrastructure and facilities, cracking down on crime, keeping pressure on prices, attracting tourists from new countries). Even then they were fortunate in benefitting from the Balkans breakup wars (people who were starting to go on holiday to Yugoslavia settled back to Spain).
I think that if (as predicted) tougher economic times are upon us, that it's going to be very difficult for the Costa del Sol to maintain current levels of visitor numbers. Price will be a major factor I think, because when all's said and done, it's only a couple of hours flight from the UK with sunny weather and good facilities - and that's what a lot of holidaymakers are after.

Perro Callejero

25th May 2008, 05:45 PM

Why are so many people snobbish (not necessarily on this forum) about the Costa del Sol. OK, it's not the 'real Spain' but then again what does that mean - most people's idea of the real Spain is a probably a bunch of cliches that are 50 years out of date.

The Costa del Sol is a great destination if you want an undemanding holiday in the sun that's fairly cheap and easy to get to. Is there anything wrong with that?

Eh, there might be some unfounded bias against the Costa del Sol, but when I was there I found most of what I had heard to be true. That's the only reason I have those opinions about it: I tried it out with an open mind, and it was more or less what people had said it would be.

The entire time I heard hardly any Spanish, but instead a huge mixture of about every other language possible...except Spanish. While that in itself is not a bad thing, it was not what I wanted from Spain: that is, everything Spanish.

I did not find the Costa cheap. Rather, everywhere I went it seems that prices were jacked up because of the high concentration of foreigners who were willing to pay.

It was noisy and crowded with many, many, many tourists.
The beach was dirty and smelled bad and had a lot of trash floating in the water.

Basically, I was simply not impressed. Maybe I just hit it at a bad time, and I would certainly be willing to try it again, but I found my time in San Sebastian much more enjoyable.

While its heavy Basque influence may not be the "true Spanish experience" you speak of, its beautiful (and clean) North Atlantic beaches are wonderful, and you'll hear a lot more Spanish than you will on the Costa del Sol. There are tourists, but they are right there amongst the locals, and I found the town much more charming.

Just my opinion.

omeyas

25th May 2008, 05:59 PM

I don't think snobbery comes into it at all. I'm certainly no snob, not got anything to be snobbish about, ex council house kid, but I think it is an awful place, and avoid it like the plague. It caters for a need, if you want to be slabbed out on a beach surrounded by thousands of other Brits, eat "english" food, stay in some awful tower blocks, then it's for you, but it ain't for me! :) In a way, I'm glad these places exist, then the sort of people that enjoy that type of holiday can all stay in the same places. But each to their own, like Benidorm, it keeps many thousands of people happy, so that can't be bad thing. Equally, there is no way I would want to holiday in Blackpool either.

Edith

25th May 2008, 06:01 PM

madrid2008

25th May 2008, 08:00 PM

I agree with some of the previous points... the Costa has it's purpose, and it serves it well. I once had a great lads holiday in Benidorm, for 2 weeks we had a lot of fun, but would I want to live there? Not if you paid me.

Juanjo

26th May 2008, 10:09 AM

A one-hour drive from Playa del Inglés... where people don't address you in English or German, but in Spanish!

Edith is correct! Drive inland for half an hour or so from the "Tea-like-Mum-makes" 2km-wide strip of the Costa del Sol, avoiding the urbanizacions that are starting to spread inland like a rash, and you will find Spain proper.

Even better when you pick up a local book on "ventas" to eat in- good cheap local food, no English spoken and rarely "un guiri" in sight.

Juanjo

gary

26th May 2008, 10:27 AM

The problem is that the folk that run the places down expend their time whinging about the Costas instead of looking on the positive side. There is always something for the kids to do. When my family were growing up we had a number of holidays in Benidorm. I didnt much care for the lager and karaoke culture so I got off my backside and found something I did like about the place...

Here are a few of my findings (http://www.notesfromspain.com/2008/04/03/benidorm-walk-away-from-the-wild-side/)

eldeano

26th May 2008, 11:43 AM

I didnt much care for the lager and karaoke culture so I got off my backside and found something I did like about the place...

Did it involve walking down a narrow street and then turning into an even narrower street?

Elvis

26th May 2008, 12:02 PM

We went to Benidorm in 1976, there was a very good reason, we had worked all through that loooong hot summer and wanted a piece of it as leisure time.

So we drove to Cornwall from London on Sept 1st and of course it rained for the first time that year and it carried on raining for a week!:'( So we drove back to London and phoned our local travel agent, telling him we wanted to go somewhere sunny the next day.
After a few hours searching, he could only get us into Benidorm at such short notice.

We arrived there at 3am a day later, the hotel was overbooked (luckily) and still bouncing to the rythm of disco music.:mad:

We were taken to another hotel on the outskirts, with no music, just lovely peace and quiet. They told us we could move back to the original hotel a day later, but we politely declined, so the gave us a refund as well!:p

We did all the daft touristy things that we never normally do and had a wonderful time, but it was a one off.

We now live within an hours drive of the place, but wouldn't dream of going there for any reason, not even Sticky Vicky.;D
We stick to our mountain hideout and leave the Costas to those lonely souls who want to be in Blackpool with sunshine.

I know of the old town there and it probably still is an OK place to visit, many of our Spanish friends go there for short breaks, but when there's so much choice within a short driving distance, why bother?

gary

26th May 2008, 12:57 PM

Did it involve walking down a narrow street and then turning into an even narrower street?

Same principle ;D

omeyas

26th May 2008, 01:04 PM

We now live within an hours drive of the place, but wouldn't dream of going there for any reason, not even Sticky Vicky.;D
We stick to our mountain hideout and leave the Costas to those lonely souls who want to be in Blackpool with sunshine.

Pretty much agree with you. I don't have a problem with places like Benidorm, Torremolinos, Fuengirola etc, as I say, they cater for a need, and thousands love them, but I certainly don't think it's snobbish not to want to holiday there. We all have different ideas when it comes to holidays, I'm sure the people that love Costa del Sol would not enjoy my choice of holiday. I read a "Brits living in Spain" forum, and there, there is always controversy between those living on the coast, and those that prefer inland. I wouldn't say that those that chose the campo are snobs, just like holidays, different people have different ideas on where to live. Some prefer the nightlife, hustle and bustle of the coast, other opt for the more laid back style in the campo.

greytop

26th May 2008, 03:24 PM

... different people have different ideas on where to live. Some prefer the nightlife, hustle and bustle of the coast, other opt for the more laid back style in the campo.And some of us don't really know where we are ;)

zuri

26th May 2008, 07:08 PM

The problem isn`t the Costa Del Sol, its the people in it.

Most i`ve met don`t give a four x for Spain or the Spanish, there there because

1)Cheap Flight
2)Cheap hotels.
3)Sun, all day long.
4)Cheap fags and booze.
5)Cheap British food.

Take away those factor`s and the Costa Del Sol would return to Spain.

And speak to most Spaniards there happy the brits in the Costa Del Sol stay in the beach, the last thing Spain wants is a certain kind of tourist traveling around Spain.

Yesterday i was watching the faces of Malaga airport checkin staff when a group of 20 guys to drunk to fly, arrived at the airport hoping to head back to Manchester.

Maybe they spent the trip touring Spanish culture, I hope they didn`t sing the songs i heard, but judging the state they were in i doubt they did.

Elvis

27th May 2008, 08:54 AM

And some of us don't really know where we are ;)You are Stephen de Pego and I claim my 10€ reward.:p

omeyas

27th May 2008, 09:17 AM

And some of us don't really know where we are ;)

Decrease the vino intake, Greytop, all will become clear!!!!:)

Elvis

27th May 2008, 09:31 AM

The problem isn't the Costa Del Sol, it's the people in it.

Most I've met don't give a four x for Spain or the Spanish, they're there because

1)Cheap Flight
2)Cheap hotels.
3)Sun, all day long.
4)Cheap fags and booze.
5)Cheap British food.

Take away those factors and the Costa Del Sol would return to Spain.

And speak to most Spaniards, they're happy the brits in the Costa Del Sol stay on the beach, the last thing Spain wants is a certain kind of tourist travelling around Spain.

Yesterday I was watching the faces of Malaga airport check-in staff when a group of 20 guys too drunk to fly, arrived at the airport hoping to head back to Manchester.

Maybe they spent the trip touring Spanish culture, I hope they didn't sing the songs I heard, but judging the state they were in I doubt they did.It's necessary (or not) to wonder why and how this all came about?
Who promoted it in the first place, Brits, Germans or the Spanish themselves?
Are the Spanish now getting payback for their father's greed?

Have they learned anything even now?

We have a serious water shortage problem in this part of Spain that stretches from the Mar Menor to Barcelona, but more golf courses are still being planned!:confused:
_________________

I worked for KLM at Heathrow in 1965, we serviced 3 Iberia Caravelles that plied their trade between Malaga, Valencia and London, about 3 time each per day. That was only around 700 travellers per day.
The passengers returned with their large stuffed donkeys, wine flasks and sombreros, but I haven't a clue as to flight costs, I was a lowly baggage loader.

Torremolinos, Marbella and Benidorm were the most popular resorts back then, Fuengirola, Benalmadena Costa and Torrevieja were still quiet little fishing villages.

Mrs E went on holiday to Lloret de Mar on a package deal in 1966, she flew with a friend by British Caledonian to Perpignan and on to Lloret by coach.

I did it the hard way in 1963 on the hitchhiker's thumb, not as a tourist, but ostensibly looking for work that wasn't available, otherwise I might have been living here a lot longer by now.
I remember passing through Barcelona and thinking it was only a small town, which I suppose it was in those days, compared to london.

NB: My first ever paella in Madrid in 63 was inedible!!!

maradona

27th May 2008, 04:36 PM

zuri

28th May 2008, 05:03 PM

Well anybody up on the news in the Costa Del Sol will be aware that due to sand being washed back to the sea the Junta De Andulucia has come up with a cunning plan.

THERE GOING TO PLACE UNTREATED EARTH FROM THE DIGGING OF THE METRO SYSTEM ONTO THE BEACHES.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

www.surinenglish.com/20080520/news/costasol-malaga/malaga-beaches-earth-while-200805201406.html (http://www/surinenglish.com/20080520/news/costasol-malaga/malaga-beaches-earth-while-200805201406.html)

Along with sand from the local river beds.

In Barcelona, Valencia etc there using sand dredged from the sea bed.

The stupid morons who run Malaga area don`t seem to grasp the concept that tourism in that region is important, the increase in Airport capacity, whilst 10 yrs too late, but now being completed is increasing tourism and immigration.

So now not only does the Sewage now get pumped into the sea because the sanitation plants are too small, the beaches are now going to resemble a war zone of crap.

Why anybody would want to live on the Costa Del Sol is beyond me.

I`m glad I left.:cool:

Edith

28th May 2008, 05:13 PM

I would not say it is not the realy spain, I would just say its a kip!! :D

On a side note: I have always wondered why people who seem to shun all ultraviolet light for the rest of the year choose to expose themselves to the Mediterranean sun for two weeks or so every summer, getting burned all over like lobsters. The pallor of their skin (and the bright red color which they develop within a day or two) never ceases to amaze me! ;D

Surely, they must be the archetypical guiris, like the men clad in socks and sandals! (yes, many of them are Dutch, too!)

Greboicus

28th May 2008, 07:07 PM

Turning it around in a way, why would anyone want to go there when there is so much unspoilt and beautiful countryside around. I have driven "that" road on more than one occasion and maybe it is just me but it seemed the most unSpanish place (with the exception of Benidorm which I also drove through once) that i had ever seen, in fact so crowded was it that it felt like being back in Blighty.
Having said that I paid my first visit to Malaga last year and thought it was a fantastic place and eating sardines cooked fresh from the sea on the Malagueta was a memory I will always treasure, along with the cinema on the beach, an utterly impossible idea here in Britain.
I cannot help but think to myself that as long as all these people stick together it leaves huge tracts of the country for those of us who actually want to interact with the Spanish whilst we are there.

pedroenespana

2nd June 2008, 03:27 PM

Well there you have your answer Andalucian Traveler. From the response to your question, the Costa del Sol is obviously suffering from an image problem. The beer swilling, sausage & chip eating, satelite tv watching, lobster coloured guiri is alive and well on the resorts of the costa, but you can also find him or her in many other parts of the world, or if you live in the UK, down at the local town centre on a friday & saturday night, admitidly a paler version. And just because I don't share their idea of fun doesn't mean I begrudge them their two weeks in the sun. There is another side to the Costa del Sol. For every fish & chip shop there are many more tapas bars and spanish restaurants. Plenty of uncrowded, unspoilt beaches and natural parks (as opposed to water ones) which are amazing. Each town along the coast is different and has its own charachter. Go to Torre del Mar in August for example and you will
struggle to hear any other language than Spanish. Many a good word has been spoken in this forum about Malaga, is that not part of the Costa del Sol? Yes their are a lot of problems but look beyond the stereotypical image and you will be rewarded.

omeyas

2nd June 2008, 04:39 PM

Plenty of uncrowded, unspoilt beaches and natural parks (as opposed to water ones) which are amazing. My personal opinion is that the beaches are very disappointing along the CDS, Costa de la Luz has far more excellent sandy beaches. All too frequently the beaches get washed away, and have to be replaced, and lately it is "sand" from the river beds that is being used, and it's not particularly nice. I wondered where all the flowers had gone by Ayo's on Burriana (I see you are in Nerja)and I was told everything was washed away. Last month we walked along Torrox promenade, and parts of that beach look like an industrial site, it's like builder's rubble there.

Go to Torre del Mar in August for example and you will
struggle to hear any other language than SpanishCome back a bit to Torrox, and it'll be German you hear, all the year around.:D

Elvis

2nd June 2008, 05:56 PM

zuri

2nd June 2008, 07:46 PM

There's no point blaming anyone other than mother nature for washed away beaches, she's the ruler of this planet.

We've had a lot of earth tremors recently, one measured 2.9 on the Richter Scale and the epicentre was within a few metres of our house.:eek:

But what can you do?

Grin and bear it!;)

I thought about claiming a reduction in council tax, but we only pay 24€ per annum.:p

Well in the Costa Del Sol there putting the debris from the building of Malagas underground tunnels untreated onto the beaches, whereas other regions are dredging the sea beds.

I`d rater spend more cash on council tax for nice clean beaches, thanks.

I got rid of council tax, but I have friends in Spain who pay more in community tax per month, than they did council tax in the UK.

My parents in law in Bilbao pay community at a high rate than I did in council tax, they prefered the UK system as even in Bilbao they complain of council services.

Elvis

2nd June 2008, 07:58 PM

I well remeber 1963, waking up after a night under the promenade to be confronted by a Guardia Civil, who saluted, bade us buenos dias and walked on.

We ran down the beach and into the sea, but came out smelling of raw sewage, with nowhere to shower it off.

Untreated debris would have been welcomed at that time!:p

zuri

3rd June 2008, 04:13 PM

I well remeber 1963, waking up after a night under the promenade to be confronted by a Guardia Civil, who saluted, bade us buenos dias and walked on.

My old man got a right royal bollocking and a night in the Guardia for being on the sand, at night time, that was 66.

Although he was probably very drunk as well.

In those days it was illegal to be on the sand at night time.

I`m sopprised they saluted you, it was also illegal to sleep in the streets in those days.

They should also bring back the law about being inaprpriatly dressed on the beach and undressing.

Get rid of the gambas.;)

pedroenespana

3rd June 2008, 04:38 PM

[quote=omeyas;52315] Costa de la Luz has far more excellent sandy beaches.

I agree with you on that although the relentless wind can grind you down after a while. Great for wind/kite surfing though.

I wondered where all the flowers had gone by Ayo's on Burriana (I see you are in Nerja)and I was told everything was washed away.

There was a really bad storm along that part of the coast last year and they are only now recovering.

Last month we walked along Torrox promenade, and parts of that beach look like an industrial site, it's like builder's rubble there.

I have to say that Torrox is not a favourite of mine even at the best of times. The purpose built costa towns such as Torrox & Torre which lie a few kilometers away from the old towns seem to lack a bit of soul.

Elvis

3rd June 2008, 05:03 PM

:p In 63, guiris were very thin on the ground and this young Guardia had probably never seen one before.

We didn't sleep on the 'beach' as such, we slept under the overhanging promenade, come walkway above.;)

That same day, we got on a bus in Barça and I was smoking, a policia local boarded the bus and wrote a ticket, handed it to me and began demanding a 50 ptas multa!:confused:

The story could continue, but I'm sure I've told it before, so anyone interested, please request the next instalment.:p

Edit: Gambas hadn't been seen at that point!

omeyas

3rd June 2008, 05:44 PM

I agree with you on that although the relentless wind can grind you down after a while. Great for wind/kite surfing though.Not sure if it still has, but Tarifa used to have one of the highest suicide rates in Spain
Until the early 1980s, Tarifa, the most southern tip of Europe, was just another unknown Andalusian coastal village. Its only claim to fame was the unremitting wind that gave the town its abnormally high suicide rates
We have walked along Playa Valdevaqueros and it has been perfect, no wind, done the same walk a few days later, and we could hardly stand up, you literally got sand blasted! But as you say, great for wind surfers. The photo in my sig was taken just below the lighthouse that Ben shot at Trafalgar.

There was a really bad storm along that part of the coast last year and they are only now recovering.Was that the one that devastated Almuñecar? I saw rhe results, with a huge concrete bridge washed away, and all the beach with it. What a mess!

I have to say that Torrox is not a favourite of mine even at the best of times. The purpose built costa towns such as Torrox & Torre which lie a few kilometers away from the old towns seem to lack a bit of soul.Agree, I don´t much like any part of that coast, they are pretty soulless places. Looking very tired and dirty.

pedroenespana

4th June 2008, 10:15 AM

Was that the one that devastated Almuñecar? I saw rhe results, with a huge concrete bridge washed away, and all the beach with it. What a mess!

Thats the one !

switch007

4th June 2008, 06:33 PM

Vaya.. nunca he estado en el Costa del Sol y no tengo planes de ir allí. Quizá es que soy inglés y conozco a la clase de gente que quedarse y tomar vacaciones allí.. Soy un poco consentido (stuck up? lol) en cuanto a tomando vacaciones donde están los ingleses. Prefiero disfrutar la país autentico, no una ciudad llena de turistas ingleses y alemanas...He oído que Málaga es muy precioso (algunos lugares.. jaja) pero, hasta la fecha, de Andalucía solo yo he ido a Granada.

He hablado con mucho españoles y se puedo decir que no se gusten las turistas en la Costa del Sol!

De hecho.. estoy seguro que es un lugar precioso .. es una lástima que unas turistas no valorar lo que España puede ofrecerse. (Mucho más que sangria, paella y sol!) Pues, si ese es solo lo que quieren ... ;D

Andalucian Traveller

5th June 2008, 11:09 AM

There is another side to the Costa del Sol. For every fish & chip shop there are many more tapas bars and spanish restaurants. Plenty of uncrowded, unspoilt beaches and natural parks (as opposed to water ones) which are amazing. Each town along the coast is different and has its own charachter. Go to Torre del Mar in August for example and you will struggle to hear any other language than Spanish. Many a good word has been spoken in this forum about Malaga, is that not part of the Costa del Sol? Yes their are a lot of problems but look beyond the stereotypical image and you will be rewarded.

Very well said Pedroespana. It's not like there are drunken Brits wearing Union Jack shorts on every corner as some of the travel guides would have you believe. Even in places like Benalmadena there are parts where it feels quite Spanish. You just have to take the time to go and look.

omeyas

5th June 2008, 11:58 AM

Even in places like Benalmadena there are parts where it feels quite Spanish.Only parts? It´s in Spain, it should feel Spanish all over. I agree there are always places where the Spanish have to eat and drink, even in Benalmádena, but it´s still difficult to avoid the mainly guiri areas.

You just have to take the time to go and look.Why should you need to spend time looking for something Spanish in a Spanish town? You obviously like it, but I think a quick straw poll here would say that the vast majority don´t. I see you have a business promoting these areas, and I wish you luck, but I for one would never consider staying there. I´m sure you´ll do fine though, it obviously suits a lot of Brits.

Andalucian Traveller

5th June 2008, 12:18 PM

Why should you need to spend time looking for something Spanish in a Spanish town? You obviously like it, but I think a quick straw poll here would say that the vast majority don´t. I see you have a business promoting these areas, and I wish you luck, but I for one would never consider staying there. I´m sure you´ll do fine though, it obviously suits a lot of Brits.

But now we are going back to the issue of how do you define Spanishness (if there is such a word!). If you take England as an example, which parts of the country feel English? A country pub next to a village green. Or perhaps a small picturesque harbour in Devon. The curry mile in Manchester, does that feel English? Or what about a council estate in Dagenham? I think MrMark made the same point very eloquently in his earlier post.

I am not trying to start a popularity contest, if you don't like it fine, no-one is forced to come to the Costa del Sol.

And yes, you are right, it does suit a lot of Brits, but also the Irish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Germans, French and Spanish. But then again, it is very easy to stereotype things.

pedroenespana

5th June 2008, 02:56 PM

Soy un poco consentido

estoy de acuerdo contigo ;)

ArualyEgroj

5th June 2008, 08:39 PM

a guy in London told me "i have bin in spain" and i asked to him " did you liked it" he told me "i dont know i just remember the measure of the drinks"...
and other guy told me that he sused to live in Mallorca 5 years and the only thing he culd say to me was "oula amigou"...5 years living in Spain and thats all, i mean if the spanish people of Costa del sol and these kind of places now wants mmmmm "more cultural turists" sorry because thats what they have buying making the "agosto"

switch007

5th June 2008, 09:09 PM

Bit of light relief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAaaAVJr9zg ;)

"You just have to take the time to go and look."

No, I just find out where foreign tourists flock to the beaches like ants to splodge of jam, draw a 50km circle around it avoid it like plague. Except for Valencia, theres not much I want to see on the southern and eastern coasts. But thats mainly because I'm not too interested in lying on the beach ;)

I would apologise for the behaviour of the Brits but I know they aren't sorry in the slightest. But the fact remains you built Benidorm for a reason. You needed tourism.

richardksa

5th June 2008, 11:01 PM

Then there was this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqXGjMLkj2w&feature=related)typical family on their hols in Spain.

switch007

5th June 2008, 11:15 PM

Do you have that in an english version? :D

zuri

6th June 2008, 02:27 PM

Bravo channel now have "Costa Del Sol Street Crime" program.

http://www.bravo.co.uk/costa/

Elvis

6th June 2008, 05:15 PM

zuri

6th June 2008, 06:55 PM

Zuri, that programme is old hat, we watched a few of them a while ago and it doesn't even feature in their current programme list!

http://www.bravo.co.uk/ontv/index.html

Is there a new series that we haven't heard about yet?

I have no idea how old it is, just pointing out the Costa Del Sol was used.

I`m in Spain and don`t receive UK TV, I watched it last year when visiting my parents back in the UK.

Elvis

6th June 2008, 08:26 PM

So your idea of 'now' is last year?

MrMark

6th June 2008, 09:26 PM

So your idea of 'now' is last year?

He's a Time Lord (from Doctor Who). The idea of 'now' is relative.

Elvis

6th June 2008, 09:28 PM

Doctor who?:confused:

zuri

7th June 2008, 01:29 PM

So your idea of 'now' is last year?

On this link i provided its states "Costa Del Sol Street crime Special weekdays 9pm"

http://www.bravo.co.uk/costa/

I read that and assumed its still on UK tv weeknights.

Sorry if I assumed it to still be running on tv NOW.

Would you two like me to pass you somemore straws or would you like to grab some later. ;)

Legazpi

7th June 2008, 02:59 PM

I think I'm a bit snobbish about all the Spanish beaches I have visited. Admittedly, living in Madrid means I haven't seen as many as I'd have liked. However my problem is that I got spoiled as a kid by going to the Cote D'Azur in the south of France every summer. There you'll find miles of isolated beaches and coves, crystal clear waters, backed by hilly pine forests, and the odd vineyard. Also the French know how to protect their countryside, and the majority of the development is low rise, unobtrusive, and in harmony with its environment.

In Spain I have so far visited Conil, Tarifa, Marbella, Malaga, Nerja, Alicante, Javea, Valencia, Tarifa, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Santander, LLanes, and Gijon. While the north coast beaches can be beautiful in the same way that much of the Atlantic coast is beautiful, from Portugal right up to Scotland, I have yet to find anything on the Spanish Mediterranean coast that can compare to southern France. I have been told that parts of the Costa Brava and Mallorca are stunning, but I have yet to explore those areas. The Costa de Luz was pleasant enough, but I don't go for vast expanses of sand that much - I prefer isolated coves, etc.

If anyone can prove me wrong, or point me in the right direction, I'd be most grateful!

In the mean time it looks like I'll continue living in Spain, but going to France for my beach holidays!

zuri

7th June 2008, 04:40 PM

In the mean time it looks like I'll continue living in Spain, but going to France for my beach holidays!

I live 30 meters from the beach and when I arrived in the town which has few expats from any country I was supprised how dirty the locals were on the beach.

I`ve seen many plastic bags floating in the water, huge amounts of butt ends from the smokers, dog poo etc etc.

Everyday you see owners allowing there butt kissers to poo on the oasis`s right next to the signs telling them to keep there fury flee balls off the grass and the beach.

The worse places for butt ends are around the bed areas, as the sand cleaning machines cannot enter those area`s, yet the owners who charge 5 euros a day can`t be bothered to clean around the area.

Although I live here, we go out of Andalucia and Spain for holidays.