The Sunshine Coast, Duquesa, Costa Del Sol, Andalucia, Spain

Los Granados de la Duquesa is in a privileged spot on the shores of the Mediterranean. It has everything you need to enjoy your leisure time, whether looking for activity or relaxation.

Duquesa seems like an oasis of calm far from the high rise apartments and crowds of other holiday areas. You can discover the natural beauty, customs, cuisine,and antiquity of Andalucia.

Directly out side the secure gate is the sandy beach with two childrens play areas, a beach cafe and reliners. The beach is frequented by local Spanish families, but is never crowded.

Situated midway between Marbella and Gibraltar, Los Granados is flanked by European Blue Flag beaches to the fore, and golf courses and hills to the rear.ach. beachThe beach, accessed through a secure gate, has two childrens play areas, and a beach cafe, with recliners on the sandy be
Immediately adjacent is the tiny fishing villiage of Castillo Duquesa, with restaurants featuring the locally caught sea food  (we love Meson del Castillo for seafood). Less than ten minutes further stroll along the beachfront is Puerto de la Duquesa, a thriving yacht harbour with a rich selection of restaurants, bars and shops, and active night life.

A short drive further east we come to Estepona, a fishing town where the Spanish come to holiday, famed for its promenade and sandy beaches.

The next highlight along the coast is Puerto Banus, the St Tropez of Spain. You can rub shoulders with the rich and famous, admire the huge private yachts, and party till dawn.

Travelling west from Duquesa, ten minutes by car is Sotegrande and the Valderrama golf course. The  Ryder Cup has been held here.

Beyond this is the San Roque Golf and Country Club, and then to the Rock of Gibraltar. The views from the top of the rock, following a rather wobbly cable car ride, are spectacular; across to North Africa, and west to Tarifa - the gateway to the Mediterranean.

Tax Free goods can be picked up in Gibraltar, as well as English shopping.

Heading inland and up into the hills you can discover the famous "white villiages". The most memorable of which is Ronda, some 50km from Duquesa. The town stradles a deep gorge on a rocky outcrop, and its Plaza de Toros is the spiritual home of bull fighting dating from 1785.

More local mountain villiages are Cesare and Gaucin; the former has a Moorish castle.

For the more adventurous culture vulture the historic town of Jerez is 140km, and Seville a further 80km by road.Visit a different continent via a 90 minute boat trip from the port of Algeciras (near Gibraltar) to Tangier or Ceuta in Morocco. A perfect place for an African adventure and to pick up some ceramics.

Windsurfing is possible off the local beach, however in Tarifa, a 45 minute drive west on to the Atlantic coast, there is one of the best windsurfing beaches in Europe. Kite surfing and windsurfing equipment are readily available to hire, and lessons for beginners.

View of the Rock of Gibraltar and Morocco from 10km SW of Duquesa.

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