Before you drive off into the Andalucian sunset, why not take a look at Malaga City? It is undergoing a transformation. Leading up to and since the opening of the Picasso Museum in October 2003, this previously much forgotten town has been receiving a lot of attention. The Historic Centre of the city is being restored and renovated and is attracting a lot of national and international attention.

The main shopping street, Calle Larios has been 'pedestrianised' and is lined with beautiful shops and cafes. It is worth checking out the Cervantes Theatre, (off the Plaza de la Merced) where you can book seat for excellent ballets, operas and top jazz concerts.

Within just a few minutes of the Picasso Museum is El Hammam, or 'Baños Arabes (Arab Baths). This is a very special place, which has been restored and is a must to visit if you are in Malaga. There are many types of massage to choose from, or you can just relax in the magical atmosphere which has been created in the centre of this beautiful historic town.

Malaga Cathedral is also within this small area of the Historic Centre. The Cathedral and surrounding area are very popular with tourists from all over the world and you will see why when visit.

Fine examples of 'pueblos blancos' - Spanish 'White Villages' can be found easily on the coast: Two of the best known are - Mijas and Benalmadena Pueblo.

Mijas

23 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 20 minute drive

The little hillside village of Mijas is delightful. It still retains its Andalucian charm and village atmosphere, despite its popularity with tourists. The sparkling whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets are quite enchanting. The tourist shops sell excellent quality artisan products and there are many excellent restaurants and bars to choose from. The 'Mirlo Blanco' (The White Blackbird) restaurant comes highly recommended and has been very popular for many years.

Park the car and have a leisurely walk around the village in the evening while the shops are still open and take in the hustle and bustle before dinner. Why not take a ride on a Mijas donkey?

Benalmadena Pueblo

19 Km from Malaga Airport. About an 18 minute drive

Benalmadena Pueblo is the original old village of Benalmadena, as distinct from Benalmadena Costa, which takes in a string of small towns along the coast. It's best to park the car and walk around the typical narrow village streets. Once again the village has retained much of its original old Spanish atmosphere, but is easily accessible for tourists. It has a much more tranquil air than the buzzing nightlife, salsa clubs and many restaurants of the Benalmadena Port below.

Torremolinos

8.5 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 15 minute drive

Famous from the 60's and 70's package holiday boom, don't forget to visit Torremolinos. It has some fine shops in the main street, San Miguel, which runs down, towards the sea. The adjoining village, La Carihuela is famous for its fabulous sea food restaurants. It is a favourite haunt for tourists and locals alike on summer nights for a fresh sea food dinner and then a stroll along the promenade or 'paseo maritimo'.

Fuengirola & Los Boliches

25 Km to centre of Fuengirola from Malaga Airport. About a 25 minute drive

Previously two tiny fishing villages, Fuengirola and Los Boliches have developed into an important residential town and holiday resort. Excellent accommodation can be found here from modest hostels to luxury hotels, villas and apartments. The promenade has been vastly improved over recent years and you are spoilt for choice with bars and restaurants. For nightlife, head for the sea front bars at night.

The Sohail Castle, overlooking Fuengirola on the far west point, has been restored and is well worth a visit. Concerts are often held there in summer. From Opera and Rock Concerts to the world famous Flamenco dancers, Sarah Barras and Joaquin Cotrés - the summer performances are as magical as they are varied.

Marbella & Puerto Banus

50/52 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 45/50 minute drive

Shop till you drop and then have a long siesta so that you can go clubbing later. The unspoilt narrow streets of Old Town Marbella, leading up to Orange Square, are packed with designer shops such as Versace, Gucci, Armani, etc. The rich and famous mingle easily with the residents and tourists alike in a relaxed atmosphere. Luxury hotels and restaurants line the Golden Mile between Marbella and the Port. You can have cocktails at the Marbella Club or play tennis at the Puente Romano or perhaps have a late night flood lit golfing session at the 'Dama de Noche' golf course. If you prefer to relax, you could book a day of massage and beauty treatments at one of the top spas in the area. You are certainly spoilt for choice.

Puerto Banus has expanded beyond the small port it once was and the wealth parked up in the harbour alone would take some calculation. Watch the world go by at one of the front line bars on the port before dinner. Then take a taxi to the famous Olivia Valere nightclub between Puerto Banus and Marbella and dance the night away in the most stunningly chic surroundings with the Who's Who of Europe's jet set.

Ronda

111 Km from Málaga Airport. About 1 hour 30 minute drive

From San Pedro de Alcantara turn up north into the mountain. The spectacular gorge of El Tajo, which cuts through the town, makes it a breath taking drive and there are even more fabulous views once you are there. 750 meters above sea level makes for cold winters, often with some snowfall. Temperatures average 33oC in the summer months. You can also visit the oldest bullring in Spain. This is very much Hemmingway country, where the great author was inspired to write some of his best works.

Ronda has a rich history from Roman times. It was also under Moorish occupation and then captured by a Christian army after a seven-day battle in 1485. There was a lot of action there during the Spanish Civil War. In the early 1900's many British officers based in Gibraltar would spend free time in Ronda. It is now a very popular tourist area, with many arranged bus trips from the Costa del Sol visiting. It is still very pretty and worth the relatively short and very beautiful drive for a visit.

Nerja

73 Km from Málaga Airport. About a 1 hour drive

Driving east from Málaga, the coast becomes more rugged and rocky. The town of Nerja is perched high on a point known as the Balcón de Europa -(The Balcony of Europe). At one time there was an Arab castle there, but now you can enjoy a quiet stroll and fabulous views east and west out over the Mediterranean. Little coves and beaches are scattered along this coastline and the town of Nerja is a delightful labyrinth of narrow whitewashed streets in a typically Spanish style. More and more foreigners have taken up residence in Nerja and the nearby town of Almuñecar, especially more recently with the improvement of motorway access from Málaga Airport.

It's a very pleasant and easy drive east and inland of coastal Malaga, to Granada. In the colder months can see the snow capped mountains on the highest point, making a beautiful backdrop to the City. This is especially stunning on those sharp winter days with clear blue skies. The perfect half way mark to stop en route for coffee, a light snack or even lunch, is Rio Frio, where you can have fresh trout from the local fish farm. If you prefer to keep the sea in view, you can leave the airport, heading towards Nerja and Almuñecar, taking in the Costa Tropical then approaching Granada from the Motril direction. Whichever route you choose, the roads are new and well sign posted. Both routes are picturesque and appealing.

The Alhambra is one of the world's most visited historic monuments and never ceases to enchant. This group of Moorish buildings dominates the town from its privileged vantage point.

In the old city centre, off the 'Gran Via de Colon', is the Renaissance Cathedral with its Royal Chapel containing the tombs of Los Reyes Católicos (The Catholic King and Queen), Ferdinand and Isabel.

Worth considering is a visit to the house where the famous poet and playwright, Federico Garcia Lorca lived for some time, in the Huerta de San Vicente. There is a special 'tapa' route which takes you to many places where the famous bard is said to have often frequented with his artistic friends back in the 1920's and 30's. Ask at the Granada tourist office: Plaza Mariana Pineda, No. 10. (near the Cathedral) Tel (+34) 958 247 146.

About 30 minutes away from the city of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, one of Europe's most proclaimed ski stations, with every sports facility for beginners and professionals alike. Choose your level of luxury according to your budget - from the many hostels to the luxury hotels.

The Alpujarra mountain (over on the south side of the Sierra Nevada) has been described as the 'Switzerland of Spain'. It is about a thirty-minute drive from the city of Granada. You pass through the picturesque town of Lanjarón, famous for its pure water and spa and known as the 'gateway to the Alpujarras'.

Almería is the most easterly area in Andalusia. The province in general is a very dry area, popular amongst film companies and photographers for its favourable amount of light. With much of the surrounding scenery being parched and barren, more than one Western movie has been filmed here. The rain in Spain does not usually fall in Almería. It has the driest climate of Andalusia, with an average of only 17 days of rain a year.

The whole area is much less developed than the Costa del Sol, despite that fact that Almería has its own airport, albeit for national flights only.

Almería city is a market centre and busy port. It has ferry links with North Africa and Melilla, Genoa and Palma.

Córdoba is the most northerly of Andalusia's provinces and is most famous for its grand mosque, the Mezquita, with its hundreds of arches and Catholic Cathedral right in the centre. The old part of the city is on the north bank of the River Guadalquivir. This was once navigable, making it one of the most important and busiest cities in Europe. It was during that time that the Mezquita was built.

Take a step back in time and have a tour of the city in a horse drawn carriage. You'll see carriages for hire parked at the front of the Mezquita.

While you are in Andalucia, you must visit its capital and largest city - Seville. There are many historic monuments and plenty to see and do. The Moorish Giralda tower and the huge Gothic Cathedral are incredible to visit. Holy Week (Easter Religious celebrations) and the April Fair (La Feria) are well known and highly popular with Spanish and Europeans alike.

Seville is at the head of navigation of the River Guadalquivir and most major government offices for Andalusia are based here.

It can be extremely hot in summer and can go over 40oC in July and August - not cooling off much at night. Seville is sometimes described as 'el sarten', the frying pan of Europe. So bear this in mind if you are planning a visit in summer and remember to request accommodation with air conditioning.

247 Km from Málaga Airport. About a 2 hour 45 minute drive

Cádiz, on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is the furthest southwest point of Andalusia. Because of it being an important Atlantic Seaport, you would expect it to be more cosmopolitan. Cádiz does have a less Spanish look to it. In fact something about it is reminiscent of Havana in Cuba. The spotlight shone on the Bay of Cádiz recently, when 007 Pierce Brosnan and his Oscar winning Bond Girl, Hale Berry took over the town to film 'Die Another Day'. The otherwise quiet elegance of Cadiz is also turned into a festive street party for a week each February, when it is Carnival time. At any time of year, the Cathedral, with its 'gold' dome is a beautiful sight, standing out next to the whitewashed houses.

El Puerto de Santa Maria

228 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 1 hour 45 minute drive

In the Cadiz Province and just to the north of Cadiz city is El Puerto de Santa Maria. This is an up-and-coming area, ever more popular for tourists and full time residents - Spanish and foreign alike. It has an invidious location in the centre of the limits of the Bahia de Cadiz Natural Park and looking out over the Atlantic Ocean on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). Like Cadiz, El Puerto is steeped in Phoenician history of trading colonies, dating back as far as 3,000 years. As well as many interesting historic monuments to visit, there are wonderful restaurants in this area.

Jerez de la Frontera

224 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 3 hour 30 minute drive

You can't come this far and not visit one of the 'bodega' to try some of the region's famous sherry. It's also worth looking into organising a visit to the world famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Find out when the next 'equestrian ballet' is being performed (often on Thursday) in the 19th century building, designed by Garnier who also built the Paris Opera.

Tarifa

153 Km from Malaga Airport. About a 2 hour drive

The famous windsurfing town of Tarifa is on the most southern corner of the province of Cadiz and the most southern point of the Iberian Peninsular. Tarifa is only 14 km from Morocco. It is the wind surfing Mecca and has a distinct North African feel to it. Although the town has grown and expanded greatly over the last 20 years, traces of the hippy era still noticeable in this 21st century.

315 Km from Málaga Airport. About a 3 hour 50 minute drive

The approach to Huelva city cannot be described as picturesque. The Province of Huelva stretches from the Province of Seville to the Portuguese border.

It is the most westerly province of Andalusia and the town is an important industrial centre with petro-chemical installations and it is Spain's fourth largest port. Once in the city itself, you will be pleasantly surprised at how attractive it is after the rather polluted approach. It does have some historic points of interest, including churches and convents.

In the north east of Andalusia, Jaen is not as popular as other areas of Southern Spain. Not coastal, the mood of the city is more sombre than the rest of Andalusia. The Cathedral is dark and rather solemn but well worth a visit. If you do venture as far as Jaen, stop for lunch or even stay the night at the Castillo de Santa Catalina, which is the Parador (state run hotel) and is high up on a hill with wonderful views of the city.

An hour and a half west along the coast from Málaga is Gibraltar. Pomp, circumstance and ceremony are still alive with the Changing of the Guard and other very British customs are performed today just as they have been for hundreds of years.

There are also Moorish baths and the recently restored Moorish Castle to visit. Go on the cable car for fabulous views of the coast and Africa and see the famous Barbary Apes. Or venture underground and visit The Great Siege Tunnels, covering 40 km of tunnels (some 30 miles!) inside the Rock of Gibraltar.