Nerja - December 2002
Costa del Sol - Spain

  As we had some holiday to use before the end of the year, we took the opportunity to escape the pre-christmas hustle of England for somewhere more relaxing. A cheap deal for a week staying in a half board hotel in Nerja on the Spanish Costa Del Sol looked like a great solution. Whilst having a drink in the cafe at Humberside Airport, we were told the flight was cancelled. Eventually they put us on a coach to Manchester and we took off about 6 hours late, consequently missing dinner at the hotel although they did leave us some sandwiches and drinks so it wasn't too bad. We woke to brilliant sunshine and the holiday started...

  The beach at Nerja was great, although we spent more time by the pool at the hotel. Being so late in the year, lots of the bars along the sea front were closed or being restored, it must be a thriving place during the summer time. The main part of town was busy however, with all of the bars, shops and restaurants open although never crowded. Our opinion, Nerja's a great place to go in December.

  Our balcony in Nerja overlooked the pool, then out towards the sea. They didn't mention the cranes and building work in the travel agents, although we never had any real problems with noise. The whole of the Costa Del Sol seems to be one big building site, it's big and getting bigger at an alarming rate.

  With the sun rising, even the cranes didn't look too bad

  We spent 3 days driving around the area in a car, mostly in pouring rain. However, the 3rd day was bright and sunny, and we headed inland. It was amazing to be 1000 meters above sea level, in shirts and shorts in the sunshine, looking up at snow on the 3000+ metres of the Sierra Nevada.

  Our last day in Nerja was a Saturday, we strolled around the town and were amazed at how empty the streets were. In England, we're used to crowded shops and last minute panic buying before Christmas, it was a wonderful change. A nice relaxing stop at a cafe makes for a great morning.

  In spite of the jumpers, it wasn't at all cold, you just get used to the weather and a jumper is natural when it's only 19C. Some people were wearing long trousers and big coats, guess they must have been local !

  For more information try www.nerja.to amongst many others

Pictures and text are copyright © Dave & Karen Petty- All Rights Reserved, please don't copy anything without our permission. Thanks, D & K.