Usually, the ill-informed scoff that the South

Usually, the ill-informed scoff that the South of spain - located to the left and correct of Malaga (Andaluca's second city) - it is not "Real Spain".

Take a look at not forget that this is the Spain instant part of then Hispania Ulterior instant the birth place of Hadrian in addition to governed by Julius Ceasar tutorial venetian blinds sunshine coast which nearly 2000 years ago was basically extensively colonised by the Romans, who else built thermal baths at Manilva, a basilica on the beach for San Pedro de Alcantara plus villas with magnificent mosaics throughout Rio Verde (Marbella). How much more "Real" do you want to get!

This is the a part of Spain that I know best but I am not blind to the above development of poorly designed apartment obstructs thrown up over the last ten years; some of which, let's be honest, have irreparably bruised regions of this beautiful region.

Nor am I defense to the observation that the influx involving expats, who have chosen to make their home here, has led, by way of example, to the arrival of the dubious delights of the UK's "Iceland" and Germany's "Lidl" grocery stores, curiously aimed at satisfying an insatiable appetite for anything "from home". A notion that I always locate rather endearingly confusing as I can not recall being in the UK and hankering after a frozen Eccles Cake!

In some rather snobbish way the South of spain is seen as falling short. Whether this is because it's regarded by the readers of Vogue as quite as "cool" as its French Mediterranean cousin, the Cote d'Azur, or because it isn't perceived as delivering the "age" of Italy's Amalfi coast, no one has but been able to explain to me. Having the requisite depth of history - being of sufficient age - to have Sunday supplement elegance is simply no longer sufficient. What matters is the endorsement of a style guru whose taste barometer is no doubt as faulty as his functions editor's patience.

Yes, but are these types of the real concerns of those who topple the Costa del Sol. I am as curious as the next man, to understand the prejudice and the perceived shortcomings of this jewel of the Spanish Costas and happy to speak in its defence.

Inside the 1970's it was given the cheeky and most pejorative moniker as the "Costa del Crime". Coined back then when the lack of an extradition treaty between your UK and Spain meant that it absolutely was regarded as a safe haven for gangland members fleeing the UK police. Accurate they came and drenched ourselves in cheap booze and sunshine but I am told many came back home "for a nice cuppa tea" when the delights paled.

Let's keep in mind that prejudice, the exclusive preserve of no particular era, experienced some vintage years in the late 1950's and early 1970's with Enoch Powell's "Rivers of Blood" and even "Love Thy Neighbour" as their nadir.

This gingham table clothed see of Spain, with recollections regarding Dictatorship, Donkeys and Thursday night Paellas - accompanied by flamenco using Raul and Carmen - has become as out dated as those pictures of white Seat 600 automobiles on the dusty "Englishman's Graveyard" seaside road, the N340.

The advice that the Spain as depicted throughout "South from Granada" or "Driving Over Lemons"- interestingly both simply being centred on Andaluca - will be the only Spain that we should aspire to visit is just as blinkered as the holiday visiting the Parthenon with the singular reason for picking up a set of worry beads.

Precisely what is certain is that the Costa del Sol occupies numerous prime European real estate. It presides over the shimmering and often turquoise Mediterranean whilst busily reconciling the cosmopolitan Marbella, with its brash neighbour, Malograr Banus, and the picture perfectness of Nerja. Marbella is at the heart in the Costa del Sol and was established by, and even used to be, the playground of the privileged few. With improved communications in addition to Spain's integration into the wider area its role within the new The european countries is much more proletarian - it's only a really nice place to spend some time.

Whilst currently in London a radius of about 1 hour and a half - M25 permitting instructions by car was considered as ample distance to travel on a Friday night time to have a weekend away. I will keep on adopt this measure as my very own journey along and away from the South of spain to discover yet more Real Spain.

Mark FR Wilkins the year 2010 (Marbella)