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Sotogrande is well located for a wide range of activities that cater for all tastes and ages. We list some of the main ones below, we also keep guide books and other information in the apartment.
Places of interest "los pueblos blancos" the gleaming white villages of Casares, Gaucin and others are set high in the hills and are well worth a visit, the narrow streets twist and turn between white-washed houses where bright cascades of vivid geraniums spill from tubs and window boxes. Ronda is a "must", spectacular views from the bridge spanning the gorge and a quaint Moorish quarter to investigate.
The great Andalucian cities of Seville, Cordoba and Grenada can each be visited in a day although it might be better to stay overnight to appreciate all they have to offer. If you want to spend your British pounds visit Gibraltar but don't drive in as the queues to cross over the border can be horrendous - worse than the M25!
A trip up on the cable car is fun but the walk down can be slippery. All the well-known shops are in town and there are pleasant places to eat on the waterfront. Why not take the hydrofoil over the straits of Gibraltar to Morocco and browse the souks and drink mint tea at a pavement cafe.
Equestrian - There are horses to be hired at three local stables,
the most prestigious being at the San Roque hotel. For
spectators visit the Royal Andalucian school of equestrian
art in Jerez or watch one of the many polo matches played
in Sotogrande.
Golf - Sotogrande
has a host of superb courses. 108 holes over four of
the best European golf courses: Almenara, Real
Club de Golf Sotogrande, La Canada and the world
famous Valderrama, the venue for the 1997 Ryder
Cup and the American Express World Stroke Play Championships
1999 & 2000. Valderrama is right opposite
our apartment and the courses of San Roque, Sotogrande and Almenara are within 5 minutes drive plus
many more within 15 minutes. For the novice, there is
a driving range and 3 hole course at Almenara. You may find these links useful.
Tennis - There
are two centres just 5 minutes away where conventional
and paddle tennis are available - there are two rackets
for each type in the apartment.
Festivals - Given
any excuse the Spaniards love to celebrate. Almost every
community seems to have its own fair. At Easter there
is the Semana Santa, celebrated in most towns with impressive
processions. Most towns also have a festival for their
patron saint. The April fiera in Seville and the September
one in Jerez are fantastic week long events well worth
visiting just to see the ladies in their flamenco dresses
seated on the backs of impeccably groomed horses ridden
by flamboyantly attired young men. All the local towns,
including Gibraltar, celebrate the three kings on the twelfth
night.
Skiing - The magnificent snow capped mountains of the Sierra
Nevada are just 3 hours drive away and provide great
skiing from December to April. Our advice is to visit
mid-week as the weekends can get very busy.
Sailing - Try
your hand with a hobycat or charter a skippered or
bare boat yacht for a sail or fishing trip - check out
what is on offer down at the Sotogrande marina.
Health & Beauty - The
Almenara elysium is the most fantastic spa and hydro
where you can pamper yourself and take a range of treatments.
The Almenara serves fantastic breakfasts and the views
when lunching on the terrace are worth a visit.
Wining & Dining - Spain
is a country where eating out is a way of life. Sotogrande
has a wide range of restaurants catering for all tastes
and pockets. Discover the best of Andalucian robust
cooking spiced with the flavours of Morocco, dine in
style at the elegant French restaurant or eat Chinese.
On a pleasent evening we often stroll around the marina
and stop off at a lively bar for some tapas and a glass
or two of rioja. The local supermarket is well stocked
and there is an English butcher in the vicinity to provide
all you need for eating at home.
Bird Watching, Flora & Fauna - The
national park of Grazalema, 2 hours drive away, is one
of the most beautiful places for nature lovers to visit
and explore. Wander through the forest trails and picnic
amongst the flowers.
Kite Sailing - This
is the latest water sport that makes windsurfing very
much a poor second. Admittedly, we haven't tried it
but it's quite a spectacular sport. The "in place"
for participants and onlookers is just down the coast
at Tarifa where the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans
meet.
Cycling - The
area around Sotogrande provides both on and off road
opportunities in beautiful scenery with everything from
the coastal plain to the hilly interior. If you don't
like the idea of cycling uphill why not put your bikes
on the train and travel up towards Ronda and then free
wheel most of the way down.
Wine Lovers - If
you drink sherry you must visit Jerez de la Frontera.
There are organised trips and tastings around the bodegas
with household names of Harveys and Domecq.
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