Sotogrande Christmas 2012

Dear friends,

In this blog I want to tell you a bit more what Sotogrande is like during the Christmas season and about all the interesting things you can do, while having your Christmas holidays over here!

Sotogrande Christmas Season

Christmas at Sotogrande. Why not celebrate Christmas with family and friends in one of the most luxurious places in the South of Spain?

Everybody knows Marbella for its glitz and glamour, Sotogrande has the essence of sophistication and tranquillity. Sotogrande is only 15 minutes from Gibraltar Airport and one hour from Málaga International and Jerez Airports.

Sotogrande comprises a 20 square kilometre stretch from the Mediterranean Sea, into the Sierra Almenara mountains. This town, nicknamed ‘Soto’, enjoys contrasting views of ocean, mountain, forests, green fairways, the Rock of Gibraltar and the North African Coastline.

Sotogrande Marina

The Sotogrande marina has beautiful pedestrian pathways filled with trendy boutiques, boating shops, restaurants and bars. Built in the late 70s, this marina has become iconic on the coast and offers all the facilities needed. These amenities include electricity, fresh water, telephone line, television cables and 24 hour security. Sotogrande is not known for intense nightlife. Instead relaxed, classy bars are in abundance. Many residents and tourists enjoy long sumptuous dinners and drinks in the marina.

Sotogrande Sports

Sotogrande can offer golf fanatics two of the best courses in Europe, the Valderrama Golf course and the Old course of Real Sotogrande, as well as Almenara, a 27-hole course beautiful designed by Dave Thomas, and La Reserva, designed by Cabell B. Robinson. Sotogrande is also a paradise for polo lovers. The Santa María Polo Club and the Ayala Polo Club are some of the most established and affluent clubs in Sotogrande. Also tennis and paddle lovers will find their way in Sotogrande.

Sotogrande Sightseeing Tips!

• Ronda; take the train at the San Roque railway station and within 2 hours you are in the centre of the historical city of Ronda. As one of the oldest towns in Spain you’ll find history around every corner in Ronda. There are traces of Ronda’s origins from the Neolithic age, through the era of the Romans, the Arab age and the conquest of the ancient city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485 through to the 19th century when Ronda was best known for the banditry in the surrounding hills and the origins of bullfighting in the Ronda bullring which still stands.
• Jerez; Jerez De La Frontera has a long and storied history of one of its major exports, Sherry.  Made in the city for hundreds of years, the world began finding out about this sweet wine around the 14th century.  The wine spread to England as well, and was loved by even William Shakespeare.
  Flamenco dancing has a long and storied past in Jerez De La Frontera.   It is said to have been brought there, as well as through other areas of Andalusia by bands of gypsies.

Sotogrande, to be continued!

I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2013!

Monique