Las Arenas 4* Hotel Benalmadena

With its fantastic weather, Benalmadena has a special charm, special atmosphere and the natural beauty of the Andalucian Coast. The Hotel Las Arenas is situated in Benalmadena-Costa, in front of the Bil-Bil castle and the sandy Santa Ana Beach, at 1 km from the Puerto Deportivo de Benalmadena (Puerto Marina) and at 8 km from the airport. This modern hotel has been totally renovated;174 rooms, with complete bathroom, telephone, air conditioning, TV satelite, mini-bar and terrace, most of them with sea view. Swimming- pool surrounded by sun terraces and gardens, solarium, restaurant with buffet service, bar, lounge areas and parking. The Torrequebrada Golf Course is roughly 2 Km away from the Hotel. We can offer golf packages to add to your holiday. 

 Travel and return before Christmas and you could enjoy this hotel including flights, transfers and taxes from € 399 for 7 days, we can also arrange excursions to make the most of your holiday.

Las Arenas Benalmadena bedroom

Why not take one of our low priced excursions, which include all transportation.

After a nice drive along the Costa del Sol, we will climb the main road at San Pedro towards Ronda.

We pass trough beautiful mountain scenery of the Serrania de Ronda and after an hour drive we will arrive at the spectacular Andalucian town of Celtic origin.

 The town is split in 2 sections and was built on a platform cut by the Guadalvin River in the Tajo gorge, which has a depth of up to 100 meters.

 The Puente Nuevo(new bridge) connects both parts of the town and was built in the 18^th century. Upon arrival we will pass first the Convent of San Francisco from the 16^th century, then the Puerta del Almocabar, from the moslin period and the gate of Carlos V, which lead us into the most typical part of Ronda.

 Before crossing the Puente Nuevo (new bridge) we will have the chance to visit a real andalusian house from the 19^th century: House Don Bosco. Close to the the Plaza de España, the centre of Ronda today, is the bullring, built in the 18^th century with the original ring founded by Felipe II in the middle of the 16^th century. This bullring is the oldest in the world and it was here where Pedro Romero established the actual form of the bullring in the 18^th century Inside the bullring area is also a museum.

Finally you will have some free time for your lunch or to do some Souvenir shopping in Ronda.

A drive along the southern Costa del Sol will take us to La Linea de la Concepción, the border town with Gibraltar. We will cross the border and enter Gibraltar crossing the runway of the airport. Free time for tax-free shopping or having a snack or a good lunch at the various English or Spanish -type pubs and restaurants.

 Important notes:

1)            Valid passport required. You wont get through the border without one.

2)            Shops are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sundays.

A drive along the southern Costa del Sol will take us to La Linea de la Concepción, the border town with Gibraltar.

We will cross the border and enter Gibraltar crossing the runway of the airport. We change our coaches for mini coaches for a tour around the Rock. This tour takes us to one of the highest points admiring fantastic panoramic views of the Bay of Algeciras, the Strait of Gibraltar with the African coastline. Also we are going to visit the Saint Michael’s caves with a natural theatre and Spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Once taking the road down again, we will see the Barbarian apes that still live in Gibraltar.

Free time for tax-free shopping or having a snack or lunch at the various English or Spanish -type pubs and restaurants. Sterling is the main currency but we had no trouble using Euro, the rates in the shops varied greatly, so choose the currency you use in each transaction carefully

Important notes:

1)            Valid passport required. You will not get through the 2 border check points without your valid passport.

2)            Shops are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sundays.

There are 4 hotels currently available, The Best Hotel Benalmadena, Hotel Torreblanca Fuengirola, Pez Espada hotel Torremolinos and the Hotel Proamar in Torre del Mar, which is east of Malaga. 

If you or your travelling companion are over 55 then you could be eligible to enjoy a week in a 4* Hotel in Andalucia including direct flights with Aer Lingus or Ryanair from Dublin, Shannon or Cork to Malaga, preferred flights are mid week and this offer is valid till the end of April 2010, naturally some black out dates apply, over Easter and other holidays, main condition is that you reside in Ireland, have an Irish passport and you or your companion are over 55, no sneaky conditions, this is a genuine deal. Cork and Shannon  flights can cost more than those from Dublin. 

Enjoy a walk in the Spanish Winter

7 nights from € 365 

14 nights from € 524 

21 nights from € 700 

28 nights from € 855 

Single supplement € 15 per day. Naturally these heavily subsidised prices will have black out dates over peak holiday periods, and when the initial allocation of seats have been sold flight supplements will apply, aside from peak holiday dates most bookings have been confirmed under € 399 per person for a week. 

What is included? 

• Direct scheduled Flights to Malaga from Dublin on Tuesday or Thursday with Aer Lingus, or midweek from Cork, or Ryanair to malga from either Dublin or Shannon and include all Taxes and fuel surcharges. Meet and greet at Malaga airport. (Flight supplements will apply over peak holiday dates, such as Easter, school mid term, St. Patrick’s Day etc)
• Hotel Transfers.
• 1 suitcase per person
• Accommodation on a full board basis (3 meals per day) in a guaranteed 4* hotel in Andalucía, drinks with evening meal are a quarter bottle of wine and water per client.
• 2 half day excursions are included, others available at very reasonable cost.
• Daily entertainment.
• Assistance in resort throughout the holiday.

Only two requirements: 

• Be over 55 years – old, you or your companion.
• Be an Irish Passport holder resident in Ireland.

Hotels used are in the area of Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Torre del Mar and Puerto Banus. 

Spain is a wonderful place in Winter, bowls, tennis, bridge, golf, sailing, walking, shopping, gastronomy and why not learn a bit of Spanish. Winter weeks at this price are great value, senior travellers always spot a bargain, look out Grey Travellers are on their way, remember you or your companion need to be over 55 but someone travelling with you  gets the same great value. 

Play Tennis in the Spanish Winter Sun

Hotels are all 4* and the actual hotel is allocated to you 14 days before arrival. 

Some hotels featured are as follows. 

Best Hotel Benalmadena, this is a sister hotel of the popular Triton Hotel, it is also 4* grade and is situated directly on the sea front, and a short distance from the Marina. 

Best Hotel Benalmadena 4* Sea Front Hotel

The Best Benalmadena Hotel offers 280 Double spacious and comfortable sea view rooms with Terrace, Air conditioned (From 01st June to 30th Sep) Full Bathroom with Hair-dryer, Telephone and Satellite TV. 2 Queen size beds (supplementary beds are not admitted) 

RESTAURANTS AND BARS 

Magnificent sea view from Best Hotel Benalmadena

Hotel Torreblanca (Fuengirola) 

Situated in the heart of the Costa del Sol in Fuengirola. A short distance from Paseo Maritimo and the unique beach of Las Gaviotas. Surrounded by a spacious and comfortable garden.  All rooms have complete bathroom, minibar, heating, safe, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, hairdryer and large balconies.
This hotel has facilities like reception, lobby and lounge area. games room, TV room, cafeteria, pool bar, disco, buffet restaurant, hairdresser, shop, Internet service, recreational equipment, swimming pools, gardens, sun loungers and umbrellas. 

Al Fresco Dining at Hotel Torreblanca

Hotel Pez Espanada (Torremolinos) 

The  4* Hotel Pez Espada is one of the most popular hotels in Torremolinos and has the perfect combination of a relaxed atmosphere with personal and attentive service. 

It has a great location right on the beach, next to the ‘La Carihuela’ area, which is famous for having the best seafood restaurants in Torremolinos and the entire area. 

The hotel has 192 guest rooms and 13 suites, all of which are very well-appointed. Its dedicated and attentive staff will provide you with an unforgettable service throughout your entire stay. The restaurant offers a buffet-style service with a varied cuisine. You can also enjoy their snack bar “Frankie’s Café”, the large garden or the health club. 

Torremolinos offers a wide variety of different cultural and athletic activities. This city continues to be a point of reference for tourists from all over the world and is a great base from which to explore Andalucia. 

All guest rooms have a balcony and are very well-equipped with air conditioning, heating, full bathroom, welcome kit, telephone, television, mini-bar, hairdryer and optional safe deposit box. 

Pez Espada 4* Hotel

It has large gardens and pool areas. 

Pez Espada Pool and Garden area

Hotel Proamar (Torre del Mar) 

Situated in the tourist center of Torre del Mar, in the Axarquia region of Malaga, located on the Paseo Marítimo de Poniente, just 300 meters from the town centre and shopping area. The rooms are a good size and are air-conditioned. All of them have bathroom with hairdryer, minibar / fridge, hire safe, direct dial telephone, satellite TV or cable and a balcony or terrace. The hotel offers facilities like a swimming pool with sun terrace, umbrellas, deck chairs and a pool bar. They also have a solarium, sauna, jacuzzi and steam bath. 

Hotel Proamar Pool

Torre del Mar is one of the main touristic resorts of the Costa del Sol. Located in the eastern part of the Coast, the town is the beach resort of Vélez-Málaga, capital of the Axarquia region. 

There are unsubstantiated claims that Torre del Mar once formed part of an ancient Greek settlement known as Manake which is believed to have been destroyed by the Carthaginians, prior to the arrival of the Romans. These days the town is better known for its four kilometres of sandy beaches lined with restaurants, bars and apartments; the latter primarily catering for summer visitors. At the seafront end of Paseo de Larios is a line of bars and discos known as El Copo, which kick on all night on Friday and Saturday and attracts crowds from far afield. 

One of the resort’s most pleasant features is the extended esplanade which follows the coast to reach the Marina of Caleta de Vélez which has over 200 berths and offers sailing and a variety of other watersports. Its lively cafés and restaurants also provide a good place in which to idle the time away, as well as enjoy excellent seafood. 

Triton Hotel Benalmadena

The 4* Triton Hotel is situated on the Costa del Sol in the heart of Benalmadena Costa, in front of the beaches of Malapesquera and Torrebermeja, near the Marina.
The rooms are air conditioned, with bathroom, air conditioning in summer, TV, hairdryer, telephone, mini bar and optional safe. The hotel offers facilities such as gardens and splendid sea views, gym with sauna, jacuzzi and Turkish bath (payable locally). Three swimming pools (children and adults, both freshwater and saltwater), tennis, hairdressers, laundry and spacious rooms, buffet restaurant and several bars. 

Hotel Rincón Andaluz Puerto Banus 

Located in the exclusive Puerto Banus, just a few meters from the beach and 7 km from the center of Marbella. Building style typical white Andalusian village, with cobbled streets, courtyards and squares, even a small chapel. Rooms with a view from the window to different corners and courtyards. Equipped with telephone, satellite TV, air conditioning / heating, safe (extra charge), minibar (extra charge) and large wardrobe. Bathroom equipped with bath and / or shower, hairdryer and welcome details.
This hotel has 3 swimming pools, it has a large garden and all facilities necessary to provide a pleasant holiday it is situated within walking distance of Puerto Banus, opposite the Casino in Puerto Banus. 

Rincon Andaluz Pool

Hotel Las Palomas Torremolinos, located in one of the best areas of Torremolinos, next to the neighborhood and beach of “La Carihuela” and 15 minutes walk from the lively centre of Torremolinos. The rooms are all equipped with telephone, television, safe (payable locally), as well as air conditioning and heating. Most rooms with balcony and half overlook the garden.
The hotel offers many services, including the Piano Bar in the jacuzzi and pool area. It has a pool area with hammocks and parasols. Other services that are available: a TV room, play area, lounge and card room equipment. 

Hotel Las Palomas Torremolinos a popular 4* hotel

Due to exceptional demand the only hotel currently available after 22nd February is the Best Hotel Benalmadena, the others can be requested for dates before 22nd February and could be confirmed within 24 hours, if you are travelling before mid February please also choose a second hotel. 

 Flight from Dublin with Aer Lingus depart every Tuesday and Thursday at 07.10 and arrive in Malaga at 11.10, it returns from Malaga at 12.05 and arrives in Dublin at 14.10. 

Due to the popularity of the programme the allocation of Aer Lingus seats may be sold out, please also have an alternate date in mind. 

 Excursions are included, you receive 2 free of charge, Antequeara half day excursion, during this excursion you will have the opportunity to visit a typical Andalusian village, with its churches and antique walls, and with the great Moorish fortress. You will also be able to admire wonderful views of the olive camps as Antequera is an important area for olive oil production. 

Estepona, another half day excurion, the small village Estepona is well known for its lovely beach and tiny coves. You will visit a charming harbour situated only a short walk form the town centre. You can also take a walk through narrow, cobbled street and enter to the quaint little shops to do some shopping. 

Optional excursions. 

Malaga half day € 27 each, Malaga is the capital of Costa del Sol with more than 3.000 years of history. It’s a city where tradition and innovation meet and mingle. It is also a bustling seaport and the industrial centre for the south of Spain. Meanwhile, it still maintains the vestige of a quiet sea town. Visiting the city, we can discover the evidence of the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Moors. We can enter directly to the Calle del Marques de Larios, or Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle de Granada, to do some shopping, to go on a food tasting spree or to just generally soak up the distinct favour and culture of Malaga’s city centre. The Calle del Marques de Lairos is a historical centre of the capital. The narrow streets will lead us to small and nice squares, where we can admire and discover architectural and religious treasures – churches, museums and Baroque buildings. Why not visit the Picasso Museum? 

Malaga City, a coastal treasure.

Nerja, half day € 27 each, during this excursion you will explore the Nerja’s Caves famous for their fascinating array of stalactites and stalagmites. A natural archaeological cave with world’s widest column, you will come across wall paintings dating on the Palaeolithic and post-Palaeolithic periods. After that visit, you will go directly to the village of Nerja to see a famous Balcon de Europa, situated in the centre of the old town. It was constructed in 1487m. We also will take a walk through the narrow streets of the commercial centre, across the Plaza del Carmen to visit El Salvador’s church, that is a mixture of mudejar and baroque architectural styles. There, you can have a rest in shady pavement cafes, bars or restaurants drinking a coffee or taking some ice-cream or something stronger! 

Nerja, Andalucia.

Granada, full day € 62 each Granada, a city full of magnificent history and architecture, and nice people and tasty cuisine. Granada was the last Muslim city in Spain to be conquered and retains its unmistakable Moorish flavour. During this tour you can visit an ancient Jewish quarter, El Albaicin, also the royal cathedral, built in 1523 with the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, called the Catholic Kings. You cannot avoid seeing San Jeronimo monastery and Santa Ana’s church on the Sacromonte Hill. The most brilliant jewel of Granada is surely the Alhambra and Generalife – it is a complex of magnificent palaces and gardens constructed chiefly during the 14th century under the Nazari Dynasty (Moorish dynasty). After lunch, you will be transferred back to your 4* hotel. 

Granada a city brimming with Moorish Flavour.

Cordoba, full day € 52 per person, the city of Cordoba is a very special place. As the capital of Al-andalus, it stood as the most powerful and significant city not just in Spain, but also in Europe during the “golden age” of the Moors. Cordoba also boasts a rich historical background – Iberian, Visigoth, Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian civilizations contributed to Cordoba’s unique personality and vitality. During this day you can visit the grand Mosque of Cordoba, which is one of Spain’s historical and architectural treasures and among the most visited sites in the country. Its marvellous design and its graceful columns and delicate arches are a wonder to behold. It is, without a doubt, one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in Spain. Cordoba offers us also a wealth of historical treasures that caused it to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, e.g. La Juderia (Jewish Quarter), a quaint and authentic setting of flower-filled patios and cobblestone streets. Besides of it, Cordoba has a lot to boast of in terms of culture, music and art, like flamenco and bullfighting. After lunch, you will be transferred to your 4* hotel. 

Grand Mosque Cordoba

Seville, full day tour € 60 each, departure by bus to Seville. Upon arrival, you will take a panoramic tour of the city with local guide, visiting the most important and interesting places. Of the major cities of Andalusia, Seville is one of the great cosmopolitan cities. Of course you will find the true taste of Andalusia. Two good sites are the Triana neighborhood and La Carbonería bar, one of the most famous places to hear authentic flamenco. Seville is the largest city of Andalusia and its political capital. Historically, during the sixteenth century shone as the port where the expeditions departured to America. Legend tells that the gold looted from America was kept in the Tower of Gold and is still at the Guadalquivir shore. The strength of the Alcázar offers good examples of Muslim design but focuses on many adaptations of Christianity, like other similar monuments in Andalusia. The Cathedral of Seville was once the main mosque of the village, but the only Muslim monument is the Giralda, transformed by the Christians in a church tower. It is possible to climb to the top of the Giralda and have a 360-degree view of the city. Learn about the famous neighborhood of Santa Cruz, old Jewish quarter of Seville, the Archivo General de Indias, the Cathedral and the Reales Alcazares. In the afternoon you will have free time in the Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park. Meet two of the most important religious buildings of Seville. Visit the Museo de la Basílica de la Macarena, where the “Queen of Seville, Virgen de la Macarena, and explores the Convent of Santa Paula, where you can taste the cakes and jams made by nuns. The visit includes guided tour with local guide, entrance to the Giralda and Reales Alcazares. 

Seville an Historic Port, many expeditions left from here.

Mijas, half day tour, € 23 each, historical guided tour tracing its Arabic history, Mijas is located in the interior on a hillside of the mountain of the same name. At this site stands as a large balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, Mijas is immersed in a mountain landscape, houses on the streets are beautiful whitewashed buildings, including some churches and hermitages. There are many archaeological sites, witnessing the rich prehistoric past of the town. Lunch at a restaurant in the area. Free afternoon for the discovery of Torremolinos where history has left many corners of popular taste, such as the district of La Carihuela sailor, and abundant traces of its rich past, including the Torre del Homenaje or Fuengirola which preserves within its design corners full of character and charm. In the center of town you will see The Square of the Constitution (s. XIX), where stands the church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. On a nearby hill by the mouth of the Fuengirola river, stands the castle of Sohail. 

Mijas, mountain town full of charachter, great for an afternoon stroll.

Gibraltar, half day € 27 each, day excursion to Gibraltar. Departure after breakfast. A Minibus is waiting you in Gibraltar to visit Mount Tarik as the Arabs called the Rock of Gibraltar, now a nature reserve which hosts valuable wildlife, especially “cute” dotted monkeys, entrance to the reserve. Free time for shopping in the bustling shopping streets full of diverse cultures and styles. Gibraltar airport runway straddles the entrance to the town. Return to the hotel. 

Gibraltar, don't forget your passport!

 Ronda, full day € 46 each, excursion to Ronda, situated in the mountain of the same name, it is considered the cradle of bullfighting, walk through its quaint streets and from the New Bridge you can contemplate the impressive sight of Tajo. Sightseeing with local guide and a visit into the bullring. Other outstanding monuments include: Museo Taurino, Museo del Bandolero and Arab Baths. Do have a look at the Parador, must be the most impressive hotel location. Ronda is certainly worth the drive up to it round miles of hairpin bends. 

Ronda, perched on the side of a mountain.

 Marbella and Puerto Banus, € 23 each, see how the other half live, visit both Marbella and nearby Puerto Banus and see all the millionaires yachts, if budget permits have a meal in Los Bandidos, or for a lower cost option have a Pizza in Pavarotti. 

Puert Banus Marina, fantastic yachts!

For details of all these great offers email specials@rathgartravel.ie Tel 01 4909311