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Estepona
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Vol. 12 Issue 290
17
April 25th - May 8th 2018
Flower power www.theolivepress.es
April 25th - May 8th 2018
Estepona’s garden city looks bloomin’ marvellous in the merry month of May, writes Chloe Glover
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IN BLOOM: Flowers bedeck a church steps, while (right) a mural brightens up a tower block
IKE through a cool green mountain forest in the morning, savour mango mojitos and mariscos under palm trees on the beach for lunch, then lose yourself in a maze of flower-strewn streets where tapas temptations are served under arcades of orange blossom. Welcome to Estepona, the unrivalled Garden of the Costa del Sol. An enviable oasis of greenery blossoming between the concrete jungles of neighbouring resorts, Estepona’s picturesque charm is in full flower right now. And in the face of Andalucia’s tourist boom, its potpourri of attractions have never been riper for the plucking. Sandwiched between the Sierra Bermeja and the Mediterranean sea, its surf and turf offer encompasses everything from diving and horse riding to wildlife safaris, flamenco, a modern museum of ancient burial chambers and a nocturnal vibe that will
make you feel very much alive. Estepona’s casco antiguo (old town) with its kaleidoscopic potted flowers is love at first sight ... and scent. The entire town has been florally rejuvenated over the last five years, with tens of thousands of pots to be planted this year alone! “It was a wonderful idea,” explains one local agent. “Around 100 streets have been renovated over the last five years. “The buildings have been restored while plant pots have been added to each one so that now they burst with the colour of the flowers. “It’s really revived the old town.” The four-kilometre Paseo Maritimo is another sparkling jewel in Estepona’s floral crown. Drift along the pretty coastal path, ice cream in hand, to the rhythm of gently swaying tropical trees alive with chirruping birds. Stop for a breather at one of the stylContinues on Page 18