Spotlight on The Andalucian coast

THE attractive, interesting and bustling traditional town of Almunecar with its Saturday food Market, and Sunday flea market makes a good starting point from which to explore this area.

Around the year 800 BC, the Phoenicians, who largely came from either modern Syria or Lebanon arrived in the area. Arriving more as traders than invaders, they soon settled into the local way of life, and developed a thriving industry salting and curing fish which they then exported to places as far away as Rome and Greece. Later invaders included the Romans, the Visigoths, Moors, and finally the medieval Christians. Each adding another layer of culture to that of the Phoenicians thus creating a town of many contrasts.

Narrow shop lined streets, squares full of street cafes, miles of sandy beaches, the magnificently well preserved San Miguel medieval castle, the stunningly exotic­

Majuflo botanic gardens, complemented by a range of interesting museums and archaeological digs provide much for the visitor to see and do. Amusingly the town's ancient Phoenician name of Sexi has led to the inhabitants being known as Sexitanos.

A short distance along the coast brings us to the rather pretty little town of Nerja. Typically Andalusian, with its rows of white houses, and rather romantic "olde worlde" Spanish church which overlooks a café filled town square. The Balcony which is known as the "Balcon of Europe", looks out seaward towards the not so distant continent of Africa. In the hills behind the town are the famous "Caves of Nerja" Stepping into these caves amongst a myriad of carefully lit stalagmites and stalactites is almost like stepping into a sacred cathedral. The caves and its surrounding well­tended gardens, sit on a hillside overlooking the town, offering one of the most exhilarating panoramic views of this beautiful coastline. Definitely not one to miss.

Mijas pueblo, a delightful little village set just back from the coastline, has just about everything. A