There is something quite fun about visiting the local markets and boot sales with friends or family in the lovely weather, and you will see just about everything from fresh produce to furniture, clothes and jewellery for sale. So while you are on holiday on the Costa del Sol, take a day to browse the authentic markets, enjoy some R&R and find some Spanish souvenirs to remember.

If you rent long term on the Costa del Sol, there may be bits and pieces you need like various household items, garden furniture, and decorative items which can be found new at markets for excellent prices compared to shops. Markets can also be a great place to buy unusual, nice gifts for family and friends without breaking the bank.

Here are some of the markets and car boot sales held regularly from Estepona to Marbella:

• Estepona Marina market – In the port every Sunday from 10:00-14:00pm. The market sells fresh fruit and vegetables and also has stalls selling general goods including gifts, leather, shoes, sunglasses, music, jewellery, souvenirs, arts & crafts.

• Estepona Town market – Avenida Juan Carlos every Wednesday from 10:00-14:00pm. Traditional Spanish market selling clothes, food, and household wares.

• San Pedro street market – Held near the Central Plaza every Thursday from 9:00-14.00pm. A great place to bag a bargain.

• Benahavis street market – Avda.de Andalucía every Tuesday from 10:00-14:00pm. Selling fresh produce, clothes, jewellery and household items.

• Benahavis Car Boot Sale – La Hermita Park every Sunday from 10:00-14:00pm. Buyers and sellers of second hand goods. Home grown and home-made welcome.

• Nueva Andalucia street market – Located near the bullring every Saturday from 9:00-14:00pm. Another great market for bargain hunters.

• Marbella weekly market – At the Recinto Ferial de Arroyo Primero in the Las Albarizas area from 9:00-14:00pm. Selling flowers, clothes, household items, shoes, handbags and jewellery.

• Marbella Artesan market – Plaza de Naranjos/Orange Square from 10:00-15:00pm. Selling handmade soaps, jewellery, crafts, clothes, rocks and crystals.

• Marbella Medieval market – Los Candiles (Old Town) every Friday from 17:00-22:00pm. Selling a range of items from spices, paintings, crafts, clothing, and antiques.

Homerentalontheweb.com offers a wide range of holiday rental properties on the Costa del Sol, you can view our catalogue and make reservations for your 2012 holiday on our website.

Spain has always been a popular holiday destination and since the hit UK television series ‘Benidorm’ and ‘The Only Way is Essex’, it seems even more Brits are choosing Spain for their holidays.

Covering a wide range of holiday experiences from sun breaks to ski trips, Spain really does have it all and it’s easy to see why it has become a firm favourite for many families.

Airline companies are making it even easier to travel to Spain by reducing ticket prices and adding more flights, this is great news for the tourism industry aswell and for holiday makers looking for a bargain. Self-catering holiday homes in Spain are becoming increasingly popular with families and groups due to their excellent value for money compared with typical hotel prices.

With the extensive road system with hardly any traffic compared to the UK, plus the modern public transport network it’s now easier than ever to travel around Spain and explore its many attractions. Beautiful and steeped in history, there are many wonders to be discovered if you are looking for something more than a traditional beach break.

You can find a great variety of self-catering properties available for holidays in Spain on our website.

In Gibraltar town you can enjoy tax free shopping at many high street names such as Marks and Spencer, Top Shop and many more. Cigarettes and alcohol are also tax free so if you are staying in self-catering accommodation in Spain, you may want to stock up for your holiday. (Please be aware of the limit on bringing tax free cigarettes back into Spain).

If you make your way to the top of the Gibraltar rock you will have a chance to meet the famous monkeys who live there, and discover some of the country’s rich history.

Airlines currently flying into the new Gibraltar terminal are:

Monarch – Flying from Manchester or Luton

Easyjet – Flying from Liverpool or Gatwick

BA – Flying from Heathrow

If you are looking for self-catering  properties on the Costa del Sol, you can see our current list of  available properties on our website. For more information you can call our office on 0208 123 5853

HomeCareOnTheWeb have put together an excellent guide to Christmas in Spain to give you plenty of ideas and inspiration on things to do. Most people prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation in Spain over Christmas so they can stock up their fridge and cupboards with all their favourite food and drinks and make a traditional Christmas lunch. If you didn’t fancy cooking though, there are plenty of nice restaurants serving a lovely Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Take a look at our free download guide to Christmas in Spain.

• Amazonia Adventure Park – Peter Andre recently took his family to this new adventure park in Marbella and had a great time with the kids. Amazonia has the longest zip line in Andalucia, and plenty of activities for everyone to join in. Price start from €16 euro for children and €20 for adults.
• Ice Skating Benalmadena – Great fun for the whole family to try, this ice rink also has a swimming pool, gym, and many health treatments so you could really make a day of it!
• Skiing and snowboarding at Sierra Nevada – Only 2 hours’ drive from Marbella, you will find the skiing resort of Sierra Nevada. They welcome people of all ages and levels, and equipment is available for rent if needed. There are not many places you can ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon, so this is a great advantage to people who want variety.
• English cinema – If the rain happens to fall, there are some fun things to do inside aswell like see a movie! There are various cinemas in the Marbella area but only a few show English films. The popular new release ‘Tower Heist’ is now out in cinemas here and can be viewed at  Cinema Gran Marbella until Thurs Nov 17^th.
• Cooking classes – Learn some new skills while on holiday and impress your friends when you return by learning how to make Paella, Sushi, Tapas, Thai food and more! There are various cooking classes around the area, so there’s bound to be one you fancy attending!
• Other indoor activities – The Plaza Mayor Commercial and Leisure centre, close to Malaga airport offers a variety of activities all under one roof such as; lots of shopping, bowling, gym, heated pool, restaurants, bars, and the  kids’ corner.

Flights to Malaga airport are generally cheaper this time of year however try to book as early as possible before the prices go up and availability goes down for Christmas flights.

If you would like to find your ideal holiday rental on the Costa del Sol, you can find our full list of available properties here.

If you’d like to do some exploring during your stay, there are some great options for day trips here in Southern Spain and you could end up seeing and experiencing a lot more than you would have imagined. Here are three exciting things to do for the day, all of which are easily accessible from the Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar – The famous rock is around 1 hour drive from Malaga airport and is very popular with expats due to the tax-free shopping. Everything from the latest designer fashion to big high street names, plus lots of boutiques can be found on the main street along with small local shops, bars and restaurants. Whether you want to buy souvenirs for friends and family, a new outfit, or some tax-free alcohol, Gibraltar is great value for money. English sterling is also accepted here, although any change given is likely to be in Euros. It’s not all about the shopping mind you, you can explore the caves used during the war, climb the famous rock or take a trip in a cable car. While you’re there, you should have a chance to meet the locals – the semi wild bunch of Barbary monkeys, who will steel your ice cream if you don’t hold on tight!

Morocco – It’s amazing that we can visit this North African gem in just one day from the Costa del Sol by ferry. The exciting experience begins in the Moroccan city of Tangier, where you can take a stroll around the various markets and browse the local shops, paying a visit to the snake charmer on the way. Lunch can be enjoyed in a traditional Moroccan restaurant trying the local delicacies and there are even opportunities to see traditional Berber dancers and other performances. After a nice day taking in the sights and traditions, you may want to take the weight off your feet and ride a camel instead which is always an option here and gives you a chance to see the real magic of Morocco. There are many companies offering day tours if exploring Tangier alone seems a little daunting and if you have more time to spend you can visit the fascinating city of Marrakesh or the Atlas Mountains.

Tarifa – Tarifa is the most Southerly point in Spain where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, making it Europe’s windsurfing capital. Mainly people come from all over to take advantage of the sea and high winds for all different water sports including the very popular kite surfing. Unfortunately though, if you would rather sunbathe on the sand than be blown around on a surf board, Tarifa’s beaches probably won’t offer the best conditions for that. Although the beach is a magnet for all water sport enthusiasts, unless you want sandy sarnies and goodness knows what else, you may want to go whale and dolphin watching instead!

To view our list of available holiday homes in the Costa del Sol visit our website.

Click here for more information on day trips and things to do on the Costa del Sol this November.

The day’s events will take place within San Pedro town around the areas of Market Square, Church Square and the Square of Lovers. There will plenty of events and activities to entertain the children and a range of casitas (Large tents) which sell food and drink throughout the day and evening, so it’s a great time to try Spanish wine and some tasty tapas. There are also fireworks during the day and a parade through the town to celebrate the Patron Saint of San Pedro.

Traditionally, Spanish ferias will last well into the night, and Feria de San Pedro is no exception. After dark there will be live music, discos, food and drink stalls, dancers, firework displays, and some exhilarating fair-ground rides for the whole family.

Entry is free, and this Thursday 20th October from 6pm onwards kids get 50% off all rides and attractions so it’s a great time to visit. San Pedro is easy to get to by car or bus, and you can view the map here.

If you haven’t got your holiday accommodation booked yet, take a look at our selection of holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol, or you can visit our website for full list of holiday rental properties available in Spain, France, Greece and Italy.

The extra seats and additional flights will be added to the more popular routes like Spain and Cyprus. This is great news for holiday makers as it means even more affordable holidays to some of the most stunning destinations.

These days, people are always looking for new ways to save money and it seems self-catering holiday accommodation is a great way to do this without missing out on a holiday this year. After September the prices of holiday rental homes will go down along with the general prices in tourist areas, this means that taking that holiday is now even more affordable and the weather is still great.

With Monarch making it a whole lot cheaper to get to the popular sunshine destinations, you can relax knowing you didn’t break the bank on flights. If you decide to rent a self-catering property for your holiday, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much money you could save compared to booking a hotel.

Take advantage of Monarch’s great offers and book yourself that much-needed break. Heres why self-catering in Spain or Cyprus could be the option for you;

• Cheaper to rent for families and groups
• Private space and pool
• You can load up the fridge at a great price with all your favourite things
• Own laundry washing facilities
• You can invite guests back
• Family friendly living space

All in all a cheaper way to holiday!

Visit our website to view our current list of holiday rental properties in Spain and Cyprus.

The author, Nigel Tisdall highlights the city’s attractions, culture and history, and we wonder why we have never spent much time there before. The majority of Brits who arrive in Malaga will go straight on to another destination without seeing much of the city and what it has to offer.

Malaga is very well-connected with public transport, and an ideal place to go for the whole family. This cultural city is the last part of the South Coast that is still totally Spanish, and although you won’t see very many English, the locals are friendly, and you will find an amazing choice of traditional Spanish pleasures such as food & drink, art, culture, and so much more.

For anyone who would like to explore the welcoming city of Malaga, but would still like to enjoy the beaches, water parks and more relaxed atmosphere while on holiday, we would recommend self catering in places like Torremolinos, Benalmadena, or Fuengirola, then you can visit Malaga when you like. These are all very popular holiday destinations, cheaper accommodation, and easy to get to and from Malaga by train.

Here are a couple of holiday rental properties available in Fuengirola and Benalmadena.

Two Bed Penthouse Apartment Fuengirola – €574 per week.

This well-appointed two bedroom apartment is ideally located five minutes’ drive from the beach, and only a 10 minute walk to the train station. Includes all main facilities such as TV and DVD player etc, and the price also includes cleaning, linen hire and utilities.

Two Bed apartment Benalmadena – €247 per week.

This lovely two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is nicely decorated/furnished and is situated in one of the most sought after and secure complexes in Benalmadena. Malaga airport is only 15 minutes drive, and the coast is 1km. This apartment offers a large shared swimming pool and comes with all the main facilities.

You can view our full list of holiday rental properties in Spain by visiting our website.

Vayanda.com is an active travel guide to Andalucía, and the team there know all about where to go, and what to do in the area. The free travel guide shows you some great places to go for snorkelling, diving, walking, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, windsurfing, kite surfing, hiking, biking and so much more.

Be inspired to visit places you may never have thought of, or even heard of before, and experience once in a lifetime activities. This guide features some amazing things too see and do in areas such as Tarifa, Grazalema, Huelva, Jaen, and Nerja.

Spain is a superb year round destination and if you’re looking for a base to explore the sights of Andalucia, the Costa del Sol can be a great option. We have a great range of holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol, please give us a call if you have any specific requirements. UK – 0208 123 5853 or Spain – 952 83 95 95

Click here to download your free guide to the top ten places to visit in Andalucia