A to Z Reasons to

Move to Malaga

By Lisa SadleirMoveToMalaga.com

A is for AIRPORTAccessibility!Malaga’s International Airport is a modern state of the art terminal that is being continually improved and updated. It is the fourth busiest airport in Spain after Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. It offers flight to over 70 destinations worldwide with passenger numbers in 2011 close to 13 million.

B is for BEACHES

The extensive beaches on the Costa del Sol, their diversity and climate have transformed the region into the best holiday destination. Enjoy them in the summer and almost all the year round! Malaga boasts more than 160km of coastline with a multiplicity of beaches. Malaga is proud to be home to many blue flag beaches.

C is for CHIRINGUITOS

Malaga’s coastal region is simply littered with beach bars of all types. The most traditional and the most frequented by both tourists and residents alike are the little chiringuitos which traditionally serve locally caught fish and seafood. The image of sardines being cooked in a sand filled fishing boat is a popular image of this region.

D is for DONKEY TAXISIn Mijas, in the early 60s, visitors to the village asked if they could photograph the workers travelling home on their donkeys and have a ride themselves. This soon became a regular occurrence and the donkey taxi was born. Donkey-Taxis are today an institution in Mijas and one of its main tourist attractions.

E is for EDUCATIONWhether you are looking for a state run Spanish, or a private International school for your children, you have plenty to choose from. A vast array of education options exist from pre- school nurseries, primary, junior, secondary and further education. (Read more about International Schools in Málaga here).

F is for FERIA & FLAMENCOMálaga is home to flamenco and fería. Every village and town in the province enjoys ferias throughout the year. The main Málaga Capital fería takes place each year in the month of August. If you have not experienced the Feria de Málaga, be sure to add it to the top of your “to do” list! Flamenco is performed by young and old, male and female. Flamenco is passion!

G is for GOLF

Spain has a huge number of golf courses, approximately 500, more than 70 of which are in Andalucia. What is more, the Costa del Sol is home to the highest concentration of greens and fairways to be found, not only in Spain but, in the whole of Europe. Not without reason has the Costa del Sol, with the finest golf facilities in Europe, become known as the Costa del Golf. It´s simply a golfers paradise! The 160 kilometre stretch of coastline, from Nerja in the east to Manilva in the west, is home to over 50 golf courses all of which are ideal locations in which to enjoy this popular sport. Add the fabulous year round climate and it's most definitely golfing heaven.

H is for HOLIDAYSWhere better to spend your holidays!The Costa del Sol in Malaga is one of Spain’s most popular holiday destination for a multitude of nationalities. It is a great place to own a holiday home whether it be for your own use or as a source of income.

I is for INTERNATIONAL

Due to the diversity of nationalities who live and also visit the Malaga province, there is a very international and cosmopolitan feel to many areas. This applies predominantly to coastal areas however there are many inland towns and villages that are also inhabited by a high percentage of non-Spanish citizens.

J is for JAMÓNJamon Serrano, Jamon Iberico ... Spanish cured ham.

It is a local delicacy and a common starter or tapa.

Which is your favourite type of jamón?

K is for KIDSWhat does Malaga have to offer for children? It is a child’s paradise!Here´s just a few options to look out for: Water parks, Tivoli world, Crocodile Park, Selwo Adventure safari parks, Selwo Marina, SeaLife Benalmadena, Museums, numerous outdoor free parks inc Parque La Batería, Parque la Paloma ….

L is for LIFESTYLE

The NUMBER ONE reason for moving to Malaga!

M is for MONTES DE MALAGAMontes de Málaga Natural Park is located near the capital of the Costa del Sol and can be said to serve as a "green lung" for the city. This park encompasses a mid-mountain landscape of gentle topography, criss crossed by small valleys populated with extensive pine forests. It offers a range of outdoor activities and some amazing food. Look out for the famous “plato de los montes”! (Image http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/)

N is for NIGHTLIFE

The province of Málaga and the Costa del Sol have one of the most thriving nightlife nationwide. From beach bars and restaurants, bars, or pubs to nightclubs. Malaga offers both traditional and exclusive establishments. The towns come alive at night.

O is for OLIVES & OLIVE OILOlive groves line many a road in the Malaga province. Unlike the bitter olives tasted in some other countries, Spanish olives, particularly the manzanilla variety are juicy and even sweet.Iberian olives are usually cured and eaten, often after being pitted, stuffed (with pickled pimento, anchovies, or other fillings) and packed in brine in jars or tins. And of course, almost everything is cooked in olive oil!

P is for PROXIMITY

The excellent location of the Málaga Province and Costa del Sol, plus the effective road infrastructure make it easy to access them by air, by road, by sea or by rail. Málaga’s size, the road infrastructure and modern vehicles make the province easily accessible from different Spanish locations. Málaga Airport is located 8 miles from the city centre and is well connected with the Costa del Sol.

Q is for QUITAPEÑAS BODEGA

Home to one of the most ancient wines of Spain. Although a relatively new DO compared with the many other wine regions of Spain, Malaga produces the distinctively flavoured wines such as Moscatel, Malaga Dulce, Malaga PX, Vegasol and Vegasur. Visit the bodegas website for more details visit this website: www.quitapenas.es

R is for RECREATION

The province of Malaga offers a multitude of recreational activities to suit all ages and interests. Water sports, golf, ice skating, inland rural activities, water parks, theme parks, animal rescue centres, bars, restaurants, shops. Whatever your favourite past time, you will be almost certainly able to find it here.

S is for SIERRA NEVADA

Ok we are cheating a bit here as the Sierra Nevada is actually in Granada! However, it is only a 2 hour drive from Malaga and so is a popular option for day trips or weekends away.It is also possible to ski on the snow and swim in the sea on the same day!Details about Sierra Nevada here: http://sierranevada.es/

T is for TAPAS & TINTO DE VERANOTapas are a wonderful Spanish tradition and can be found in many bars in Malaga. Tapas are small plates of food that are a great way to test the local specialities.

Tinto de verano is a refreshing summer drink. A mix of red wine and lemonade poured over ice and topped with a slice of lemon. Beware of drinking too many in the sun!

U is for UNIVERSITYMálaga University (UMA) is a public institution which promotes outstanding research and teaching within the European Higher Education Area. The institution follows an educational model to promote competitive, quality teaching which is employment-oriented and accredited in Europe. Its vigor and growth over recent years have resulted in it becoming a reference point for universities in Spain. University School of Nursing (Provincial). Plaza Hospital Civil. s/n, 29009, Malaga (Spain).

www.uma.es

V is for VILLAGESFamous for its whitewashed villages, (pueblos blancos), scattered around the province, this is where you can experience the “real Spain of old”.In contrast to the modern and cosmopolitan coastline areas, the white washed villages of Malaga maintain their cultures and traditions.

W is for WEATHER

One of the reasons why the Costa del Sol has become a world-class travel destination is the Mediterranean climate: mild all year round with an average temperature of 18º C. In the summer, temperatures rise to 25º C to 30º C, whereas in winter they rarely go below 14º C during the day.

X … Marks the Spot!

X marks Malaga as the spot to move to! (and if you want another substitute for the letter X: Xavier Dupre designed the Malaga font)

MoveToMalaga.com

Y is for YURTSGlamping (glamorous camping) is a growing global phenomenon that combines camping with the luxury and amenities of a home or hotel. Also called boutique camping, luxury camping, posh camping or comfy camping, glamping allows travelers to experience nature without the hassle of finding camp space, carrying their tents, and erecting and taking down their own tents. Lodgings at a glamping sites include structures such as yurts, tipis, pods, bell tents, safari tents, tent cabins, and tree houses. Check out GoGlamping.com

Z is for ZOOBioparc Fuengirola champions a new model of zoo based on respect for nature and the preservation of natural species, a model which has already established itself as a flagship for Europe. What Bioparc Fuengirola represents is a different concept of zoo. A zoological park where animals live side-by-side, recreating their natural habitat and so fostering their development at all levels. For more information: http://www.bioparcfuengirola.es/en

So, what are you waiting for?

Contact : Lisa Sadleir

www.familylifeinspain.comwww.movetomalaga.com

Tel: +34 608 840 692