The UoN Experience - The Nightlife Highs And Lows

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

As the second anniversary arrives which signalled the end of my education life and the finale to my journalism degree at the University of Northampton, I have decided to share my own personal experiences from my three years at UoN. This includes a look into how good is the University in general, a critical assessment of the video products I produced and what happened after graduation.

The next article looks at the entertainment levels out of hours. By going to University, you are committing yourself to three years of hard work, but also – enjoy yourself on occasion. The nightlife experience sees me talk about some of the nights, the venues and the stories behind student life when the sun sets.

When you decide to go to University, you know it is going to be one of the most enjoyable and demanding three-year experiences of your lifetime. There are many aspects to Uni. There is the workload, the deadlines, the relationships with your peers, your colleagues and your flatmates and of course, the nightlife.

I heard some good things about nightlife activities in Northampton before I went to UoN in 2009 and you know the saying; ‘All work and no play makes Simon a very dull lad!’ Was the nightlife experience disappointing or would it meet expectations? This latest piece to mark the second anniversary of finishing my journalism degree looks at the action, the dancing and some of the stories from three years out on the town.

Immediate change

Whilst I was never going to be one of those students who would go out and get hammered every single night, I wanted to enjoy Uni nightlife. It was important to keep a professional approach to most parts of my personality, but this was a good chance to integrate myself in a different and slightly more relaxed environment. That changed pretty quickly, before I had even begun on the course.

In July 2009, an incident occurred in my hometown that changed my look on the nightlife scene completely. This is something I will talk about a bit more in July in a piece for this website. What it did mean though was that caution took over rather than risk and my presence on the clubbing scene became more of an occasional visit rather than a frequent occurrence.

Nevertheless I had to go with the flow and Freshers Week was just that. First night I arrived in Northampton and we had drinks as a flat as I socialised with my flat colleagues from first year. All of the other members of Flat 35 were easy-going, likeable and easy to get along with. Two nights later, it ended in a trip to the first Northampton nightclub I would visit, Lava: Ignite.

From when I stepped into the place, I never felt totally comfortable. The main area was packed with Freshers as expected, but space was minimal and the environment in general just didn’t have the feel of a club that could offer a good time. I only went back once more in the next year and the place was eventually closed down after a tragic crush when people were leaving the club in October 2011 which led to the death of two students, one from the University of Northampton. I don’t think it is heavily missed by many.

I quickly preferred a trip to the SU bar on Avenue Campus, which was a two-minute walk from my flat. In fact, we often went as a flat group, or three or four of us to get the drinks in and spend a few hours keeping the pool table busy. It was enjoyable and a far friendlier, preferred environment.

A large gap

The clubbing days looked like there were over as soon as they had begun. I quickly settled into a pattern. Sure it might have made me a bit bland to say the least but I cared about my degree and I’d rather be keeping assignments on track than entertaining the opposite sex.

The only time I properly ventured out was a trip to the NB’s Sports Bar and Club in February 2010 which was a birthday party for one of my closest journalism colleagues. That night was really good. I vaguely remember having a couple of Black Russian cocktails that were nice at the time, but left me feeling the effects afterwards. I then decided that cocktails were not for me!

There were trips to some of the local pubs in Northampton like O’Neill’s, Pennywhistle and the White Elephant, as well as visits to the SU bar in second year but having not liked Lava or Embargo nightclubs and finding Haikkadou’s club to be just plain weird, I didn’t think any club would be able to overtake my experiences of Opus and Oceania in my hometown of Milton Keynes.

I was about to find my place though, Balestra.

New club, new group

Having moved into my own accommodation in second year, I wouldn’t say there was a group where I reckoned I could go out on the town with and have a load of fun. That changed at the end of that semester.

As a journalism group, we had usually been of the distant type. There were close friendship circles and other eccentric characters. However we seemed to get closer as second year continued, as it became clear that whilst you were an individual, there was also a team bond forming. This became quite important when communication levels dropped between lecturers and students in second year and servers with important work on them kept malfunctioning and crashing.

So to celebrate the final ever exam the majority of us had to sit in mid-May 2011, we all decided to hit the town, meeting in various locations around Northampton before coming together as one big group in the Balestra nightclub. The venue had only opened in the early few weeks of second year and Thursday nights seemed to be the most popular with students from UoN. It isn’t the biggest place but I found it very refreshing and a place where you are more than likely to have a good time. Many pictures were taken (one pictured below), drinks were had, dancing took place and it was so nice to be out as a journalism group and all enjoy it.

Me, Farida, Tamika and Nicole posing for one of many photos on a journo night out in 2011

I have plenty of memories of the UoN experience and this particular night was one of the best moments. It was so good, a similar routine happened the following week when second year officially drew to a close. Whilst it wouldn’t end up being the norm, it was a cracking fortnight of entertainment.

One final goodbye

Third year wasn’t about enjoying the nightlife. It did start with a repeat performance in Balestra three days after my 23^rd birthday. Not as many turned out, as there had been a delay in student finance payments but it was another super evening. A planned Christmas night out went a bit sour as the adverse weather conditions of December 2011 put a spanner in those works.

However, there had to be one final goodbye. The final day of the journalism degree was Wednesday, 16 May 2012. Not as much organising was needed. In fact, there was no initial plan on the day itself. A few of us decided to have pre-drinks at one of the student houses, then get a taxi into town for a night at NB’s. It was the first time I had been back to this place in over two years.

I remember getting out of the cab and one of my friends saying; “Are you planning to get drunk tonight?” My response was; “Yes I plan to have plenty of drinks and some dancing, but I do want to remember getting into a taxi in the early hours of the morning.”

It was another stunning evening. I remember being a bit of an ace on the dancefloor, although I have no plans to make a future appearance on Strictly Come Dancing! It was the final farewell to the people who I had shared my life with on a daily basis for the past three years and we went out with a bang! Not quite literally of course, but it couldn’t have ended any other way.

There was one final occasion and that was the end of year graduation ball at The Wing pits and paddock complex at Silverstone, the home of British motorsport. I was a bit reluctant to go at first; wary of the steep price for a ticket, even without having a meal there (which is something I wasn’t keen on). I eventually took the plunge, firmly in the knowledge that it was a great chance to dress up for the occasion. I never thought I would look smart in a suit and tie, but apparently I did. The evening went through without a hitch, apart from Rizzle Kicks backing out from performing at the last moment. Thankfully, Professor Green stepped in and did a good job without too much planning.

The nightlife experience at the University of Northampton had its moments and there were times where it wasn’t enjoyed. However, I had some good times away from the pressures of lectures and studying and wouldn’t swap any of it. My message to future University students is to find a decent balance between work and fun but enjoy the nightlife aspect. University only happens once, so live it and embrace it. 

Categories: Balestra, Cocktails, Dancing, Drinks, Graduation, Journalism, Nightlife, SU, University, University of Northampton

Costa del Sol - A guide to what is on offer in 2013

By Simon Wright

Recently, my freelance contract with the travel website Holiday Weather came to an end.  The experience saw me write in-depth travel guides on some big hotspots for British travellers, and I learned a lot in the four months I did work for them.

My final piece was reporting on some of the top accommodation, events, beaches and nightlife within the Costa del Sol in Spain.  The summer months of June, July, August and September are included in this article, with links to the other months of the year on the Holiday Weather website.

Situated on the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain, the Costa del Sol has become a prime invasion for British holidaymakers to go away throughout the calendar year.

With extensive sunshine hours, and the amount of rainfall rarely a factor in proceedings, the hotter and milder temperatures attract plenty of tourists in the summer months, but also for a more settled climate compared to UK shores.

For all types of individual, there is a host of attractions to come, see and indulge in. Year in, year out, the Costa del Sol is also a prime background for some annual fiestas and one-off events.

Nightlife brings its own style and entertainment, the choice of eating establishments across the region is endless and there are many sandy beaches for travellers to come and soak up the views of the sea and the sunshine rays.

The capital of the Costa del Sol is Malaga, and the towns of Benalmadena, Marbella, Torremolinos and Fuengirola have become very popular spots to set-up camp for a holiday to remember in recent times. Smaller destinations include Nerja, Estepona, Mijas and Velez-Malaga.

The capital of the Costa del Sol is Malaga, and the beaches are among the best

Malaga is the most recommended place to come and find a cherished piece of previous Costa del Sol history, whilst Marbella has bucked the trend of other venues who have suffered in tourism figures since the start of the global economic recession in 2008. 

Torremolinos is the largest area of the Costa del Sol, and has the largest two beaches, and Benalmadena is the most common place to stay on holiday. Also, this is where some of the best nightlife can be found.

Whenever the time is preferred to go, the Costa del Sol has so much going on throughout a calendar year.

June

Weather: In June, average temperatures on the island reach a mild 22 degrees Celsius, with low temperatures staying at a modest 17 degrees Celsius. 11 hours of sunshine per day are anticipated in June, as Costa del Sol locals expect to see over 300 hours per year of the bright yellow object in the sky. High temperatures peak at 27 degrees Celsius.

Attractions: Water parks are always bound to give a whale of a time, and their peak times for visitors come in the summer months.

The best water park is Aqualand in Torremolinos, which opens from late May until mid-September. The park is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and is a great day out for the entire family. Rides within the park include the speedy Twister slide, and the Super Slalom, which is a combination of three winding slides, each with different thrills and spills. There are also lots of green grass for sunbathing opportunities, and an area for small children to go and make a real splash.

On a smaller scale, Parque Acuatico Mijas in Fuengirola is a compact water park, but is neatly designed and will certainly appeal to children aged 6-14. Anyone older will prefer the Aqualand attractions. The younger generation of the family will enjoy rides such as the Waves Pool which provides some spectacular waves, and the Adventure River. This attraction is an excellent reserve choice when thinking about water parks in the summer months.

Events: One of Costa del Sol’s most popular fairs arrives in June, when the Marbella Fair arrives. The actual date of when the fair begins is worked out by San Bernabe Day, which is June 11^th. This is a local holiday, and the fair will take place on one of the first two weeks in June, depending on the Town Hall’s discretion. The Marbella Fair covers all the customary elements of a typical Andalusian fair, with plenty of food, drink and entertainment.

On the night of 24^th June, Andalucía’s beaches will celebrate the Saint John’s Feast. The tradition for good luck is said to be for people to dip their feet into the sea just after midnight. Malaga would be the ideal setting to experience the feast at its best party atmosphere, but the majority of the Costa del Sol will hold celebrations of one kind with fireworks and bonfires.

A business approach is taken towards Euroal 2013 and the eighth staging of the International Travel Market. Torremolinos has been selected as the venue for the 2013 event. The purpose of this event sees experts, students and institutions from the tourism sector promote holidays and commercial relations with other local and international businesses. Holidays to conferences could be won as part of the activities, and is likely to draw an interesting crowd, particularly those who are going on a non-stop worldwide tour and are stopping on the Costa del Sol as part of their journey.

Accommodation: Ideal for its central location, the Oasis Backpackers’ Hostel in Malaga is less than 10 minutes away from some historic attractions such as the Alcazaba and Malaga Cathedral. The hostel features free breakfast, and a rooftop terrace with a bar that is bound to get immensely popular in the hotter climes of June. The staff are there to help, and to ensure that backpackers or sole travellers get the absolute most out of their Costa del Sol experience.

The Gardenia Park Hotel in Fuengirola is a great family stay, and unless you go in August when prices are at their highest, the money value stays stable all year round. There are plenty of leisure activities on the complex including pool tables, a regular entertainment programme, badminton and the highly intense team game of water polo. The environment is also a short walk to the Caravajal beach, with some beautifully spaced out gardens completing a great surrounding. Half-board and all inclusive options are available. 

A more modern feel is the Hotel Don Paquito in Torremolinos. Perfect for half-board consumers, the facilities are fantastic, with recent changes made to the reception, hotel bar and restaurant to take this accommodation into the 21^st century. The building from the outside does look slightly outdated, but inside, the rooms offer plenty of comfort. The food service is exceptional, with a buffet dinner option in the restaurant, and a tough choice between English and continental breakfast in the mornings. One tip when it comes to booking, the rooms overlooking the swimming pool will get the afternoon sun.

It might lack some of the class and quality of its counterparts, but the Hotel Puerta del Mar in Nerja still offers a popular pull for many holidaymakers. This two-star hotel provides a free continental breakfast, a clean swimming pool and an excellent 24-hour room service for drinks from a limited menu. Close to the town square, the location and money value put this stay near the top of the accommodation recommendation list.

Wanting to stay in a campsite over the summer, Camping Cabopino in Marbella is the place to be. The area offers a variety of bungalow models that can house between two and eight people. They also have a vast entertainment programme that operates with different activities throughout the year. Some of the summer activities might include kayaking, aerobics and archery, along with a mini club for the kids and two large swimming pools. All bungalows have an en-suite feel to them, with air conditioning and a kitchen. This is another excellent budget alternative.

Beaches: The expansive stretch of fine sand will tempt holidaymakers along to the La Rada beach in Estepona. It has European Blue Flag recognition for swimming conditions, and the attractive promenade of restaurants and bars serving local food will get everyone licking their lips in anticipation. The beach is located in the centre of Estepona.

British travellers should enjoy heading to Playa de Burriana in Nerja, especially as the bars and restaurants in this beach area are more accustomed to British visitors rather than Spanish locals. Staying nearby means it is a must to visit, and it is very quiet out of the summer season. This is an ideal beach to come and sunbathe, although the beach can be difficult to walk on, as it isn’t as sandy as other equivalents within the Costa del Sol.

Restaurants: For a great Mediterranean dinner, the place to come in the summer is La Meridiana del Alabardero Restaurant. Situated in Marbella, the food is delicious and regularly will tempt tourists to keep coming back during their holiday. Recommended dishes include suckling lamb chops, and glazed cod and tripe with garlic, with the restaurant surrounded by a breathtaking garden.

For those holidaymakers who want to try out some European dishes, the town of Nerja does some of the best when it comes to selection choice. The German restaurant Stephans provide good quality meals at reasonable prices. The steak options are brilliant, and the taste is even better. Plus, the portions are generous and the staff will serve with a smile.

Nightlife: One of Marbella’s popular nightclubs all-year round is Sleek. Former TOWIE star Mark Wright made a recent guest appearance, so it shows celebrities like this club too. With the football season in its hibernation, visitors might get lucky receiving a snap with a Premier League superstar. The club itself offers a wide variety of music genres including soul and R&B, pop and hip-hop, and regular theme nights. Should a visitor not feel like partying when in Sleek, it is going to be difficult to find motivation to do the same anywhere in the Costa del Sol.

A popular city club in the summer is the Sala Wenge setting in Malaga. Situated in the historical part of the city, the club plays mainly music of a house style, with guest DJ’s keeping the tunes rocking until the early hours. This club attracts many music fans throughout the Costa del Sol, but is only open during the year on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

July

Weather: July is the hottest month in the Costa del Sol. High temperatures come perilously close to breaking the 30s, with 29 degrees Celsius the hottest at peak times. Average temperatures hover around the 24 degrees Celsius mark. Sea temperatures are now at 22 degrees, making it the best time of year to undertake watersports, or to go swimming.

Attractions: Looking for fun in the sun in July? Well, the Tivoli World theme park in Benalmadena promises to provide this, unless you are a teenager. The park is ideal for kids under the age of 13, with an area called Tivolandia which is specifically created for the youngsters. This is the only permanent theme park in the Costa del Sol, and is targeted at a younger audience. However, the adults will enjoy the flamenco shows among the entertainment programme, and the chance to explore the beauty of the gardens, surrounded by illuminating fountains.

Something more enjoyable for the whole family is a visit to Crocodile Park in Torremolinos. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult in the park at all times, but a lot of knowledge can be gained from visiting a park that has 300 different species of reptiles, and crocodiles of all ages, sizes and backgrounds. This is a unique attraction.

The Nerja Caves are among the best attractions

Events: The 54th Nerja Caves International Festival of Music and Dance takes place in July, with a scheduled 2013 date for 24^th July. This year’s festival will see performances from clarinet expert Ferdinand Steiner, singer Pastora Soler, and a spectacular demonstration from the Victor Ullate Ballet, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2013. Soler represented Spain at last year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, and finished in a creditable 10^th place.

Eight days earlier on the 16^th July, the main parts of the Costa del Sol such as Nerja, Marbella and Torremolinos will celebrate the annual La Virgen del Carmen day. This fiesta sees the patron saint of the fisherman being paraded through the streets, followed by music and dancing on the various beaches. Estepona is an excellent place to see this event, where the Virgen del Carmen is one of the town’s highly celebrated saints.

Accommodation: Hotel Cabello in Torremolinos is a great summer choice for British holidaymakers sticking to a budget. It might look as basic as an overnight Premier Inn in the UK, but the room for the cheap price includes the standard amenities, plus an en-suite bathroom. This is a great venue to stay for those who have primarily come to the Costa del Sol to just relax.

Another excellent budget alternative is the Hostal Andalucía in Nerja. This hostel is not in the main part in town, so the noise levels outdoors are severely limited. The staff on-site will cater for the needs of the average tourist, and by being close to the Balcon de Europa, isn’t far away from refreshment areas. This is a comfortable and safe, but secure choice with many travellers.

Of a more luxurious kind is El Oceano Beach Hotel in the quaint town of Mijas. Perfect for romantic duos, there are 40 well-maintained rooms, with many having the same idea for coming. Privately owned and operated, there are thrilling views of the spectacular coastline, and the Polynesian Pool area should be enjoyed, with a bar in moderation by day, and the famous Waterfront terrace restaurant for a blissful meal in the evenings.

Malaga’s Hidden Valley Glamping destination is a good choice for camping accommodation, but also is a caravan park. 40 minutes away by transport from Malaga airport, this is a terrific base to do some active activities such as climbing or hang-gliding, or relax by taking in some bird watching. The privacy of the guests’ is also respected by the tents being well-spaced out, and the views aren’t bad either. Hidden Valley is a nice and surprising alternative from the norm in the Costa del Sol.

The bed and breakfast in Marbella, Elements Bed and Breakfast is the place to be for total privacy. Two rooms are only available to rent, one is calls Fire and the other named Air. Both rooms have views to the shared garden and access to the kitchen. The only difference is Fire has two single beds and a sofa, and is slightly bigger than Air which has a double bed room. This accommodation is seven kilometres away from the main Marbella town, so transport might be heavily required to get to the heart of the action.

Beaches: Torremolinos’ main beach is Bajondillo, situated right in the middle of the prominent heartland of the town. The area is lively, particularly with the wide accommodation choice moments away. It is safe to swim in the sea, and the beach itself is in perfect condition to just walk on the golden sand, or to sunbathe. With these accessories, along with a host of beach bars, it is understandable why Bajondillo would get busy in July.

The beaches in central Malaga aren’t quite up to the standard of selections in Torremolinos, but Playa Palo Beach is a viable option at this time of year. It can get quite busy, but the atmosphere is cool. After all, most holidaymakers are here at this time of year for the same reason. Located next to the El Candado marina, this beach offers good conditions to sail out to the sea, along with areas to dive and swim in.

Restaurants: For an exotic dining experience, The Kathmandu Nepali Indian Restaurant ticks all the required boxes. The service is attentive, and the dining experience of Indian and Nepali cuisine is what would be expected.

The Vine restaurant in Benalmadena serves good old British grub, including a lovely Sunday roast dinner for those who miss the tradition so much whilst on holiday. The prices are very good, with the chicken curry an excellent option away from the standard roast. The kids will enjoy both their meals and the park next to the restaurant which will keep them entertained when finished with the ravenous taste that is likely to be acquired.

Nightlife: Many British and European tourists will choose spending their evening listening and grooving out to the modern dance tracks at Heaven’s Gate in Fuengirola. The venue gets busy in July, but that only adds to the rocking atmosphere. A starry light and sound system completes a superb summer clubbing experience.

Students might prefer trying out ZZ Pub in Malaga. As the night continues, live bands take centre stage on Mondays and Thursdays. Other nights, it is a more relaxed pub for the family to enjoy a drink and watch the sun set for the day.

August

Weather: July might be the hottest month, but the highest amount of sunshine hours per day comes in August. Bright sunshine will cover the Costa del Sol skies for almost half of a normal day at 11 hours. At 23 degrees Celsius, sea temperatures are also at their highest in August. The amount of rainfall has fallen dramatically by the summer months, with only three days of rain estimated, with a total of 5mm.

Attractions: There are a host of animal related attractions across the Costa del Sol. Two of the most popular with holidaymakers are based in Fuengirola and Benalmadena.

Zoo Fuengirola is a spectacular, if compact modern zoo with all the animals you would expect. Located in downtown Fuengirola, the architecture stands out from other zoos in Spain, and the layout of the attraction is akin to an island due to the use of nature’s finest plants and trees. A handy accessory is the public can see the animals better through the thick glass separators, which replace the 20^th century style bars that often look clumsy. This is a very handy attraction to learn, enjoy and get closer to the natural species on display.

So too is the Sea Life Benalmadena attraction. Whilst there are no whales or dolphins on display that is a good thing, as Sea Life’s commitment is to display creatures that will be happy in the environment of being seen by tourists. Presentations and feeding displays take place on the tours of the attraction, and sometimes, visitors might be privileged enough to help with the feeding of certain creatures. Sea Life Benalmadena contains a sea snake enclosure and a shark reef, and is similar to Zoo Fuengirola’s aims, but of the underwater kind.

Events: The calendar events in August throughout the Costa del Sol are quiet, but Europe’s second most significant fair does take place, and that is the Malaga Fair. Officially, the fair lasts for a month, although some celebrations can run for the majority of August. The main exhibits of this festival include daily flamenco shows, live music and street processions.

Accommodation: For the holidaymakers who don’t have to worry so much about the cost of a holiday, the Gran Melia Don Pepe Hotel in Marbella offers world class comfort. This is a highly recommended resort, and if you want the highest level of treatment, it is offered here. Located on Marbella’s famous Golden Mile, it is ideal to be near the many bars and clubs. On-site are 184 double rooms, all with sea or mountain views and different suites at the preference of the tourist. The facilities themselves include a health club, one heated indoor swimming pool, and two outdoor pools, with one specifically for children. The rooms themselves come with mini-bar, a 24-hour room service guarantee and an electronic safe to keep those valuables stored when heading out to experience the Marbella nightlife.

The modern family that has more of a younger approach should enjoy staying at the Sunset Beach Club in Benalmadena. It is a four-star resort featuring two spectacular pools, bars, shops and even a bakery. Climate control belongs to the individual in each of the rooms, with private balcony and there is a useful entertainment programme for all to enjoy. The Sunset Beach Club is a great setting to stay at, especially at this time of year.

Meanwhile, Hostal Marbella in Fuengirola is far cosier and smaller than the previous two choices, but that by no means makes this boring accommodation. A 24-hour reception is combined with a reading corner in the lounge area, where guests can borrow book material to read wherever they want in the hostel. Currently managed by a Swedish couple, it gives a comforting feel to staying on holiday.

Another comfortable accommodation setting is Escuelala Crujia in Velez-Malaga. This bed and breakfast service is sited within some of Andalucía’s glorious countryside. The complex itself provides three guestrooms for travellers, two of them lucky enough to have individual kitchens. All rooms are en-suite standard. It still is close to some of the picturesque mountains, but away from the heaving tourist industry at this time of year is a major positive.

A small establishment is the eight double/twin rooms within the family-run hotel in Torrox called Hotel La Casa. This gives good access to the packed beaches, restaurants and bars, and again is another good spot for pictorial lovers. Whilst staying here on a weekend, give the Bistro restaurant a go, as it serves fine continental food.  

Beaches: Playa La Carihuela in Torremolinos is a great beach to take in the sunshine at its hottest period of the year, and for taking long and thoughtful walks in the winter months. With no steep hills or climbs nearby, this makes the flat beach even more attractive to holidaymakers. There are lot of cafes in the vicinity that serve snacks throughout the day, and even into the evening.

With a length of 1200 metres, and 40 metres wide, El Cenicero beach in Torrox is up there with the longest beaches for size in the Costa del Sol. The beach can get busy during the summer months, but is easy to access for nearby accommodation sites, and the green areas on the beach provide an aspect of colour. A parking lot for approximately 50 cars is also at the beach, but without security surveillance.

Restaurants: Located in-between the Museo Picasso and the Malaga Cathedral, the Pitta Bar is the place to go for those with an Asian taste to an evening meal or lunchtime snack, but can’t decide what to have. A host of Middle East treats will be dished up, including falafel, and the familiar kebabs. Fussy eaters will be taken care of at the Pitta Bar.

Local tapas is the main cuisine served at the family-run Restaurante Altamirano over in Marbella. The excellent service from an experienced waiter’s team is a plus in this restaurant. They have worked in the kitchen and the restaurant for years, so know the ins and outs of the menu and the specials of the day. This restaurant does get quite busy at weekends, so be patient before getting a table.

Nightlife: Clubbers will be in for a cracking time at the Karbon Club in Fuengirola. An electric energy and beating sound system is likely to attract lots of dancing, perhaps even on tables. The DJ’s are of excellent standard, and great VIP table service if booked in advance complete the package. However, it isn’t cheap to dance the night away.

The El Elefante in Benalmadena provides one of the best cabaret clubs on the Costa del Sol. It is open every night, with drinks at standard bar prices. The family will enjoy the entertainment at El Elefante, which ranges from UK comedians and live music, to renditions of the popular ex-TV show Stars in their Eyes. Children under 16 do have access, but will need to be accompanied by an adult. El Elefante is probably the best place nowadays to say the famous catchphrase; ‘Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be …..’

September – 1,128 WORDS

Weather: Despite the summer season winding down towards its conclusion, the weather is still bright, sunny and warm in September. Average temperature is expected to still be at 22 degrees Celsius for most days, with high temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius, 79 in Fahrenheit. The notable difference is the amount of sunshine hours in a day. Having been at 11 hours in August, it drops to an average of eight hours in September.

Attractions: It might lack the atmosphere of Barcelona’s Nou Camp, or have the staggering capacity inside the Bernabeu in Madrid, but the La Rosaleda stadium is one of Spain’s growing football arenas. Home to La Liga side Malaga, the small ground offers an intimidating atmosphere to visiting teams who come and play. The location of the stadium is in a busy environment within the Costa del Sol capital, and it will be worth getting some decent shots of the ground whilst on holiday. Tourists can get closer than ever to a global sporting cauldron, especially as the start of September often is the beginning point for a new domestic campaign. It is sport and landscape captured into one attraction.

Of an active kind, the Kelipe Centre de Arte Flamenco is open to anyone who wants to try out a creative hobby. Also based within Malaga, the objective of the venue is to promote the traditional values of flamenco through songs, performances and dances. A trip to this attraction will promote a deep understanding of the local culture, and how they like to push the element of fun.

Events: The Pedro Romero Fiestas in Ronda celebrates the bullfighter with Goya-style bullfights. A regular pastime with the Spanish people, bullfighting season takes place from April to October, and draws large, excited crowds. This is the pick of the bullfight events, as it sees top matadors dress in costume from the iconic 18^th century engravings of Goya.

At the end of September, more bullfighting takes place, but of a secondary nature during the Feria de San Miguel. Celebrations with a typical Andalusian backdrop take place during the day in town centres, and at night through local fairgrounds. Other events within this fiesta include a traditional carts and carriages demonstration, and singing from local choirs. It is an overwhelming event experience if privileged enough to see the action.

Accommodation: Located on the main Torremolinos promenade, the reformed Hotel Isabel stands out in the accommodation stakes for being a friendly place to stay. The staff will take care of every minute detail, and offers 70 bright rooms that have been decorated with great care and attention. Hotel Isabel is so well-liked; it recently obtained the Q of quality certificate from the ICTE (Institute of Spanish Tourism Quality).

Isabel gives quality a big seal of approval. Meanwhile, the Los Amigos Beach Club focuses more on the family aspect. While the accommodation itself is of good, but modest standard, the activities within the complex keep many active and occupied. There are stylish indoor and outdoor pools. The indoor segment has a sauna and a Jacuzzi, while the attractive gardens give a sense of pure greenness. The line-up is complete with tennis courts and a bowling green. This is a fresh and welcoming environment, but don’t book here if you still want to use the internet. Use of the beach club’s Wi-Fi costs an excessive six euros a day.

Better equipped is the Pierre & Vacances Residence Benalmadena Principe in Benalmadena. The staff are very helpful to all those who stay, and the apartments are spaciously laid out. Self-catering is the ideal choice of package to go for, and not many accommodation choices will have all the facilities to self-cater. It is handy the majority of the rooms have a toaster, microwave, coffee maker, large fridge/freezer and even a washing machine. However, the indoor swimming pool is not accessible for children and the main pool is only open at limited stages during the year. September is probably the last chance to do some swimming at this residence before it shuts for the autumn and winter months.

Another apartment selection is Debambu in Malaga. These new apartments have been designed to top standard, and provide plenty of comfort. They include a small kitchen which is perfect for making continental breakfasts. The location of the venue is quiet, but it means the capital city of the Costa del Sol can be explored at greater detail.

Or do a bit of steep walking and head for the bed and breakfast resort in Velez-Malaga called El Patio Andaluz. The B&B is large, and gives an enchanting feeling to its guests. The three-storey mansion reflects the history of the times in the area, and with a patio, swimming pool and sizeable living room, it gives plenty back to the traveller staying at this accommodation.

Beaches: Playa de Fuengirola beach sits in delightfully between Santa Amalia and Los Boliches beaches. Near the historic Fuengirola castle, it attracts visitors throughout the year, mainly for the tremendous views around it.

The Caravajal Beach in Benalmadena is located at the quiet end of a town that always seems to be about the hustle and bustle. There are some good restaurants within walking distance, and it is a good, clean beach for the kids who will find plenty of activities to do.

Restaurants: Situated in Plaza Ole, Erase Una Vez restaurant is only 50 metres away from the nearby Benalmadena beaches. It serves local Spanish food, and Mediterranean dishes at a reasonable price for all walks and ages of life. The selection of Spanish wines also can’t be faulted.

Another excellent restaurant is the American themed Yanx Marbella restaurant. However, this is a better lunchtime alternative than an evening restaurant. The homemade burgers lead the way for tasty afternoon fillers, and the excellent service from the staff ensures for a quick and pain-free stop. The one piece of advice offered is Yanx Marbella gets very busy on Saturday mornings due to its location near Marbella market. It is highly unlikely you’ll get a table, let alone be served in this period due to the big crowds. 

Nightlife: Shamrock Irish Pub in Benalmadena is within walking distance to the Las Arenas hotel. Leading brands of beer, wine and spirits are only sold, with Guinness and Murphy’s Red available on tap. Major sports like football, golf and rugby union are always shown live on the big TV screens.

One of the best atmospheric areas for nightlife comes in the form of Velvet Club in Malaga. The prices are amazingly low for drinks, and Wednesday night sees an electronic music takeover by a top DJ. The locals will enjoy the Spanish music often played after midnight, but it does give an eccentric feel to the place in comparison to other clubs within Malaga.

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Categories: Beach, Contract, Costa del Sol, Festivals, Freelance, Holiday, Malaga, Marbella, Mediterranean, Nightlife, Spain, Summer, Sunshine, Water, Weather