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Archive for the ‘costa del sol’ Category
Simon’s Family Holiday to Manilva
Hi, I’m the Webdesigner for this very blog! I’ve been working for P&V for some time now, and recently had the chance to take my wife and 2 year old son to the Terrazas Costa del Sol Resort.
For those of you considering the P&V resort at Manilva Costa del Sol, my first reaction would be go for it! and here’s why…
The apartment itself was very spacious, we had a 2 bed with balcony, there were 2 good sized bedrooms with huge wardrobes and dressing table, the master bedroom had an ensuite bigger than our own bathroom at home, tiled from floor to ceiling with a bath, shower toilet and beday. Needless to say, as the resort is brand new the apartment was spotless. There was a second bathroom with shower next to the bedroom. The main living room again was big with a nice kitchen area with everything we needed. Looking back at the P&V website the photographs of the apartments are exactly what we got, it really is that nice.
The courtyard right out side our door.
The view from our balcony
The views from our balcony were amazing, from the resort’s vantage point on the hill side, we could see right down the coast toward the imposing Rock of Gibraltar. The resort is on quite a large plot, divided into apartment buildings, each building is designed in a different way, so there is a really nice flow to the place, with fountains and courtyards dotted throughout. Due to it’s position on the hillside, a refreshing wind often breezes in. It was early season when we visited and the temperatures across Spain were unusually cool, however the courtyard right outside our apartment was a great sun trap, and the perfect place for Isaac, our 2 year old, to build a toy town under the shade of the palm trees.
A peaceful moment by the pool
The Rock of Gibraltar
Later in the week the weather picked up, the winds dropped and we ventured into the pool. Set in the middle of the complex with the bar and restaurant nearby, it too enjoyed the amazing views and garden surroundings.
Our view with Gibraltar in the distance
The Gardens
Having previously been used to holidaying as a couple, my wife and I would normally shy away from ‘Child Friendly’ accommodation seeking a bit of peace and quiet. Isaac is now 2 and a half, and piece and quite is a rare commodity, but in my opinion the Terrazas Costa del Sol manages to keep things mellow for the adults, while amusing the children with free clubs, out door games and play area. Each evening the entertainment staff put on a mini disco for the kids and what ever they pay those guys, it’s not enough! They were so enthusiastic, it’s all our son talked about each day.
The kitchen has everything you need for a family!
You do need a car to get out and about, as the resort is about half a mile up the hill side, but quite frankly, to get the best from the Terrazas Costa del Sol, you should treat it as a great base from which to explore. Gibraltar is a 20 minute drive and Estaponia about the same, we left this place thinking there is much more to discover, whilst I’m now keen to see what PV’s other destinations are like, I’ll always be happy to return to Manilva.
Estaponia Old Town, v.nice!
Me and two Monkeys
On top of the Rock!
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week break in Manilva start from only €400 for a studio apartment sleeping four at Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol in October 2010.
P&V: Insider guide to family holidays on the Costa Del Sol!
This week, our blog comes from Nick Vowles who has recently returned from the Costa Del Sol
“I’m the web marketing manager for www.pv-holidays.com in the UK and Ireland. We’ve just opened some brand new P&V holiday apartment residences on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. So I thought it was time to roadtest them with the family.
New holiday accommodation on the Costa del Sol
P&V has 2 new holiday residences on the Costa del Sol; Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Holiday Village in Manilva and the Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf Resort Estepona. As we are now a family of 4 with a 2 year old and a 6 month year old we plumped for the Holiday Village in Manilva.
Location
The Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Holida Village is located on the Gibraltar side of Manilva. Its well sign-posted off the A7. If you are travelling on the motorway don’t get off at the Manilva exit like we did, but go onto the next exit and then get onto the A7 headed back to Malaga. The site itself is located on a hill with fantastic views of the sea and the Rock of Gibraltar.
Accommodation
We booked a 2 bedroom apartment which was perfect for our needs. The apartments are nicely designed and spacious with massive terraces to enjoy the views and the weather. Most terraces are well shaded. Ours had great views of the pool, sea, and surrounding countryside. Plus it gave our toddlers lots to look at during dinner times and its easier to clean up the subsequent mess outside. Given we had one who was just starting solids and another who was potty training this was great news for Mum and Dad!
The 2 bedroom apartment had 2 bathrooms and all the necessary cooking equipment including dishwasher, microwave and hob. It also had aircon which was great to cool down the apartments before bedtime. The two sofas were comfy and had nice big cushions – perfect for building sofa tunnels for Fred, our 2 year old. There was a TV in the apartment but only with Spanish channels – not that it bothered Fred. Mum and Dad were happy with the views, music and a chance to read a few pages of our books.
Residence
The Terrazas Costa del Sol Holiday village is brand new. As a result all the staff were incredibly friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. The pool and surrounding garden are beautiful and there’s both a kiddie pool and play area in the grounds. There’s a lovely air-conditioned restaurant which does a buffet breakfast between 8 and 10 in the morning and evenings. And there is also a poolside snack bar which is open between 10 and 10. We used this quite a lot, it does a nice selection of well priced meals which can be adapted for the little ones. Fred loved the Spag Bol. At 5 Euros so did Mum and Dad, especially as Dad got to finish off the huge portion.
Though there are supermarkets quite closeby they are opening up a mini-market on site. It should be open by July. In terms of supermarkets head either way from the residence on the A7 and you will soon come across a number of supermarkets which are well sign-posted. The closest is called Eroski. The best is the Carrefour which is the Marbella side of Estepona. Though most are closed on Sundays the reception team helpfully advised us that there is a supermarket open 24-7 at Estepona port.
Children’s activities
There are separate children’s clubs for age ranges from 3 – 18 which operate from 10 to 12 in the morning and 4 till 6 in the afternoon. Though Fred is only 2 they were happy for us to accompany him to the club, and he loved it, particularly the play house and the trampoline. The organisers are really friendly, enthusiastic and speak excellent English.
One of the big events each night is the mini-disco at 9.30pm. We would have loved to get our little ones involved but they are just a little too young – maybe next year! This year we let the kids sleep while we watched from the balcony over a bottle of Rioja!
There are also lots of activities for the adults, one of the most popular being aqua aerobics which we all joined in!
In terms of informal activities both Fred and Mum and Dad met lots of other parents and their toddlers around the kiddie pool. Because there are people from lots of different countries it has quite a cosmopolitan feel – Fred made great friends with a little French girl called Matilde!
Beach
One of the real plus points is the beach closeby. There is a regular shuttle in the morning and afternoon but we chose to take the car to give us a bit more flexibility. I cannot rave about this beach enough – it was amazing. Locally its known as ‘rock beach’ so its not a sandy beach, but because the pebbles are quite small (we come from Brighton) Fred didn’t mind it at all.
And of course, no sand anywhere means no sand everywhere! It was really easy to keep Fred entertained on the beach. There are lots of rocks alongside the coast so lots of rock pools to explore plus little mini sea pools to play in. P&V provide free parasols and deckchairs plus a great drink and snack bar with table service.
It can get a bit windy on the hill, so on these days we headed for the beach which wasn’t so bad.
Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf
While in the area we dropped by the Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf. It’s a great residence for those wanting to be a bit closer to Estepona and Marbella. Being an aparthotel it’s a bit more like a 4* hotel, with spa, indoor pool, gym and a huge restaurant. The rooms are really stylish and the pool area is just as good as the Costa del Sol Holiday Village. There is also a children’s club on site and Fred loved the cute little play area and pool.
Surrounding Area
There’s a huge amount to do in the area but you definitely need a car to explore. We had numerous outings to Estepona which has a lovely sandy beach and lots of restaurants plus an amazing outdoor play area for children on the front. Fred loved this and the toy bus opposite which must have been his highlight of th
e holiday. Closer by is Sabinillas, which also has a lovely sandy beach and a selection of restaurants on the front. Marbella and Porte Banus aren’t far away either.
More information
All the information on both residences can be found on www.pv-holidays.com. We are running an amazing deal for UK and Irish residents at the moment where you can get at least 22% off all dates and residences and up to 45% off selected properties and dates.
At Pierre & Vacances Terrazes Costa del Sol prices start from 315 Euros a week for a 1 bedroom apartment and from 370 Euros a week for 2 bedroom apartments.
At Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf residence prices start from 372 Euros a week for a 1 bedroom apartment and 435 Euros a week for 2 bedroom apartments.
Costa less: family fun in the Costa del Sol!
Spain’s Costa del Sol’s got the lot – Sun, Sea, Surf and Sangria. And if there’s one more Big S that should be added, it’s got to be Savings.
Recently, across Europe the Euro exchange rate hasn’t been doing us Brits many favours, but the good news is that it’s still possible to enjoy an affordable Spanish holiday without it breaking the bank.
The trick is to swap a resort hotel for a self-catering apartment. Good restaurants and cafes are plentiful in this part of Spain and there are many cheap but charming no-frills options too. So if you don’t want to cook, you don’t have to. And if you do, there are lots of good supermarkets around. Either way, self-catering in Spain will make your holiday Euro go a lot further.
Where to go
Head for Manilva or Estepona or even Marbella, and you can’t go wrong.
In addition to great self-catering apartments by the sea, they offer all that’s best about a fun-filled, sun soaked Spanish holiday for the whole family.
Make the most of Manilva
The charming village of Manilva combines a backdrop of mountains and vineyards. Within half-an-hour you can be shopping in Marbella or Puerto Banus, walking in beautiful mountain scenery in the Sierra Bermeja or visiting the wildlife park at Selwo.
But with nearly five miles of golden sands, most people come for the beach.
Beach activities include swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing and fishing, and it’s a super playground where young children can paddle and build those all-important castles of sand.
Away from the beach, there are picturesque fishing harbours, including the exceptionally beautiful one at Castilo. Here, you can eat the day’s catch fresh from the nets and get a real taste of Spanish cuisine.
And further inland you can play golf on some spectacular courses, or explore the wild natural beauty of the Andalusian landscape, either on foot or horseback.
Estepona – where life’s a beach
With more than 20 kilometres of beaches, the area around Estepona is another hit with families and couples alike.
The most popular is La Rada, which sprawls to the east of the marina. You’ll also find tiny, tucked-away coves and – if you dare to bare – a nudist beach. And when you need a little refreshment, there are plenty of lively watering holes and restaurants right on the sand.
Marbella, a millionaire’s playground
You don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy Spain’s answer to Monte Carlo. It costs nothing to walk the Paseo Maritimo, a spectacular 6km- long boardwalk that hugs the coast.
Or explore the quiet streets of the old town. They’re far too narrow for the Ferraris and Porsches. Stop at a pavement café and, for the price of an iced coffee, watch the world go by. You may even spot a celeb or two.
And if you fancy a little flamenco – at Flamenco Ana Maria in the Old Town the price of a ticket includes a free drink.
Costa del Golf
The Costa del Sol has more golf clubs than you can swing a seven iron at. So you’re sure to find something that fits your standard and your pocket. Many have special offers like free golf buggies included in the green fees.
At the other end of the scale is Los Flamingos’ golf course near Marbella, which offers top notch facilities for serious ball players.
Back in time
Round and about you’ll see many a sign of the region’s old and rich history. In its time, it has been invaded by the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors who have all left their marks on the landscape with interesting buildings and monuments.
Where to eat
In Manilva, The Parapiros is an Italian family-run restaurant in the plaza de La Fuente. It serves Italian cuisine and pizzas with great service and even greater prices.
For something special in Estepona, there’s La Menorah restaurant, situated in Ctra. de Cádiz, where Chef Paco specializes in Basque and Spanish dishes. And the lively town centre is packed with pubs and bars.
For dinner with a free show, head to El Tintero restaurant In Cartama, near Marbella, Here, waiters don’t take your o
rder; they shout out asking if there are any takers for the dishes they have on offer instead.
A feast of festivals
The Spanish love to party and with over 3,000 festivals happening every year throughout the Costa del Sol you’re sure not to miss out.
Women wear mantillas and high combs, while the men sport cropped jackets and ride strutting horses, and music plays and the wine flows. Visitors are welcome to join in and best of all – festivals are free.
Getting there
Many low-cost airlines fly from the UK to Malaga throughout the summer. Prices depend on when you book, the earlier the cheaper. Ryanair fares can start from as little as £50 return.
Where to stay
Self-catering holiday specialist, PV-Holidays.com, has two hot offers for Spain. The Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Holiday Village in Manilva features fully equipped self-catering apartments with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol and the rock of Gibraltar.
Developed around a main square with patios, fountains and palm trees, the village offers many leisure activities including a swimming pool and kids clubs for 3-18 year olds.
Located less than an hour’s drive from Malaga airport, the property features a large infinity pool, private beach area with tapas bar, fitness clubs, kids playground and bike rental. Prices start from £375 for seven nights in a one-bedroom apartment sleeping four people.
The Pierre & Vacances Caledonia Golf Resort residence in Estepona is a new holiday destination for summer 2009, located just 25km from Marbella on the Costa del Sol. All 301 apartments are spacious, comfortable and equipped with air-conditioning, a balcony and a fully fitted kitchen area.
The property is set around a large swimming pool and is close to ‘Los Flamingos’ golf course, as well as the luxurious marinas of Puerto Banus, just 12km away. Free recreational activities are provided for adults and children throughout the day and the beach is only 1.5km away. Prices start from 420 Euros for seven nights in a studio apartment sleeping two people.
PV-Holidays: Celebrate and Easter with a difference in Costa Del Sol!
If you’ve taken up jogging to fight the winter flab, why not up the ante by pitching your go faster trainers – and your wits – against the bulls in ol’ Andalucia this Easter?
If you’re always up for a challenge and fancy some Spanish culture of the bovine kind, along with your next fix of sun, sea and sangria, make your way to the magical whitewashed village of Gaucin.
This small Andalucian village, perched 626 metres above sea level, not only has glorious sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa, but celebrates Easter Sunday with a real bang.
The annual bull-run, the Toro de Cuerda, has put this little hilltop gem on the map with tourists flocking in every year to join the locals as they race – and shriek – their way through the streets.
The hot date: 12th April 2009
The event: You’ll get two chances to run with the bulls on the big day as the village organisers release one bull in the morning and another in the afternoon. All cars and other vehicles are removed from the streets but unsurprisingly mayhem always ensues, which means all participators join the throng at their own risk.
The cost: Joining the bull-run event is free! Even better, you’ve got till Easter to get slick and lithe – and save up for your post run celebrations in Gaucin’s finest watering holes.
The wider attractions: While little Gaucin might not have much to keep you for a longer stay, the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol are just a 30-minute drive away. So when you’ve had your adrenalin rush, head to Spain’s popular holiday coast, where you’ll also find great golf courses and spas.
The bed: If you decide to make your Easter holiday base in the Costa del Sol, you’ll find a wide choice of accommodation from self-catering apartments to luxury hotels.
Among the best low-cost new openings for 2009, is the Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Holiday Village in Manilva.
This a brand new holiday destination offers fully equipped self-catering apartments with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol and the rock of Gibraltar.
Located less than an hour’s drive from Malaga airport, the holiday village features a large infinity pool, private beach area with tapas bar, fitness clubs, kids playground and bike rental.
Prices start from £375 for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping four people.
And finally….If your Spanish is a sharp as your running ability, check out the official event website
