From east of Malaga to Nerja and inland past Lake Vinuela, to the villages of Alfamate and Zafarraya, lies the very beautiful and highly contrasting area known as the Axarquia.

With high mountain ranges and deep secret valleys dotted with small white villages and hamlets, which when driving you tend to come across almost by accident, where you will find homely bars and restaurants which serve tapas and meals at very reasonable prices.

There are abundant fruit trees bearing either oranges, lemons, avocados, olives, pomegranates, mangos and almonds, plus some which you might find hard to name.

Over Lake Vinuela you will see eagles soaring and in the fields the shepherds leading their sheep or goats through the valleys and olive groves. The roads are very well tended and a 4 wheel drive isn't necessary though if you are adventurous and have one there are many off road tracks to explore.

In the Axarquia there is something for everyone, either lazing away the days on the beach or under the canopy of your favourite bar, exploring the countryside or even doing something more such as horse riding, cycling scuba diving or visiting the sites.

Some of the more famous sites are of course the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga and the Caves in Nerja.

If museums are your thing then there are plenty to choose from, including the Pablo Picasso Museum and Foundation, the Archaeological Museum and Popular arts museum to name but a few.

And for those of you with children, though not necessarily, there is the water park in Velez -Malaga opposite the shopping centre which offers some pretty scary flumes and slides, though beware it is only open during the high season. Within the shopping centre there is an excellent 10 pin bowling hall and also a cinema complex, which do show films in English but it is best to check first.