Villacana

Description

Ah, what Spain’s 80-mile Costa del Sol conjures up: centuries of varied conquerors, religious invasions, the Moors, palaces, warring, and, of course, magnificent beaches and a stable monarchy that exists today. It’s a friendly and untroubled place and beloved by Canadians and Americans — and the Spaniards like us!

Villacana (between Marbella and Estepona) is smack on the Mediterranean, north of (British) Gibraltar and south of Malaga, your usual point of arrival. Also, Villacana is the perfect headquarters to relax and swim and never leave, or to explore the elegant resorts nearby, like Marbella. Or up into the nearby mountains for some authentic cuisine, or visit any of the appealing assets of Andalusia. And to think it all started from fishing villages.

Well, a fishing village, WIVC’s Villacana ain’t: The gorgeous units along pathways lined with palms and bougainvillea, private patios, tennis courts, an enormous swimming pool and a vast lawn that fronts the beach, antique wrought-iron window grates and fountains.

There are two restaurants — a quaint Spanish-style gourmet restaurant, and a much-larger eatery poolside to provide any sun- or shade-worshipers with whatever one wants. A visit to Gibraltar is a hoot to gawk at the monkeys, and Marbella, of course, is a must-see resort complete with mega-yachts and high-end boutiques. There are festivals galore, and, let’s face it, a visit to southern Europe always is an impressive thrill. You might even want to take the ferry across to Morocco. Or, when in doubt, just stay put. It’s all glamorous, and, for the most part, pleasingly foreign.

Smoking allowed in designated areas only