march-2011

156 | DESTINATION GUIDES
Málaga
Spain
DIALLING CODE +34
CURRENCY €
FLY FROM
Basel-Mulhouse,
Belfast (BFS), Berlin,
Bristol, Geneva, Glasgow,
Liverpool, London (LGW,
LTN, STN), Manchester,
Milan (MXP), Newcastle,
Paris (CDG)
FROM THE
AIRPORT
TAXI
Pre-book your taxi
at easyJet.com.
A local taxi costs €15.
Buses go to
Málaga, with links
to all the coastal resorts.
Tickets: €1.20.
There is a train
linking the airport
with Málaga and the
Costa del Sol resorts.
Visit the Europcar
desk for special
easyJet rates.
BON APPETIT
UP TO €15
Chiringuito La Jabega
(Playa el Saltillo,
Torremolinos, tel: 952
284 765) Located just
before Benalmádena
Port on the Carihuela
seafront, this is one
of the best beachside
restaurants for seafood,
including barbecued
sardines. Non-fi sh
lovers can opt for a slice
of arguably the best
tortilla on the Costa.
UP TO €30 El Mirlo
Blanco (13 Calle
Cuesta de la Villa, Mijas,
tel: 952 485 700) This
long-standing popular
restaurant specialises
in Basque dishes
such as kokotxas de
bacalau (cod cheeks)
and txanguroo (spider
crab) and is located in
the centre of the village
overlooking a pretty
plaza. Top off your
meal with a Grand
Marnier souffl é.
UP TO €50 Skina (12
Calle Aduar, Marbella,
tel: 952 765 277) In the
cobbled heart of the
Old Town, this charming
restaurant prides itself
on a truly innovative
menu. Push the boat
out with a fi sh dish
such as grilled sole with
fresh lime and ginger, or
tempura with Iberican
pork and onions.
Intimate and stylish
with moody lighting,
this is a top choice for
a romantic dinner.
EXCLUSIVE
Tragabuches (1 Calle
José Aparacio, Ronda,
tel: 952 190 291) This
celebrated Michelinstarred
restaurant
serves innovative and
well-crafted dishes
such as ajo blanco
(white garlic soup)
with pistachios, foie
gras with goat’s cheese
or a choice of several
game dishes, including
loin of deer. There is
a superb choice of
quality wines too.
AFTER DARK
LOW KEY The Forum
(14 Palangreros,
Fuengirola) A relaxing
bar in which to kick off
a night out, the Forum
is top choice for longtime
expats, with
weekly quiz nights,
superb light snacks
and an easy-going
congenial atmosphere.
LIVE MUSIC Taberna
Flamenca Pepe López
(Plaza de la Gamba
Alegre, Torremolinos,
tel: 952 381 284) Catch
impromptu fl amenco
at this taverna, with
plenty of castanetclicking,
swirling skirts
and fi esta spirit.
LATE & LIVELY
Sinatra (2 Calle de la
Ribera, Puerto Banús,
tel: 952 819 050) The
frontline for ogling
the gin-palace crowd,
this place has been
around for decades
and attracts plenty of
colourful old-timers, as
well as the occasional
cocktail-quaffi ng celeb.
THIS MONTH
SHOP Colourful
ceramics, locally woven
rugs and exhibitions
by local artists can be
enjoyed on the fi rst
Sunday of the month
at the Ronda Feria
ground. Alternatively,
the normal Sunday
market also has plenty
of tempting items for
sale, providing just
one more reason for
visiting this stunning
mountain-top town.
SEE Enjoy a soiree at
Málaga’s wonderful
art deco theatre,
Teatro Cervantes, with
productions this month
including the famous
one-act opera La Voix
Humaine (The Human
Voice) with words by
Jean Cocteau and
starring the esteemed
Corsican soprano
Michelle Canniccioni.
From 11–13 March
(teatrocervantes.com).
GO Seville is the
epitome of an
Andalusian city, with its
heady Moor-inspired
architecture, fabulous
fl amenco, superb tapas
bars, sophisticated
shopping and overall
vibrancy. There are
plenty of museums
and sights here as
well, including one of
the most beautiful
city parks and one
of the world’s largest
cathedrals. It’s an
easy two-hour drive to
Seville or you can hop
on the train at Málaga.
ESCAPE In the heart
of the Axarquia, the
pretty, whitewashed
village of Cómpeta is
home to some of the
area’s best local wines.
Ask for a taste at
Museo del Vino
(Avenida de la
Constitución) in the
centre of town, which
also has an extensive
display of Moroccan
and local arts and
crafts for sale, as well
as honey, olive oil and
other gourmet treats.
NO WAY!
If you happen to
be enjoying tapas
presented with
a toothpick, don’t
discard it – they’re
often used to calculate
your bill (especially in
bars that specialise in
Basque-style pintxos).
Josephine Quintero
Malta
Malta
DIALLING CODE +356
CURRENCY €
FLY FROM
Belfast, Liverpool,
London (LGW),
Manchester, Newcastle,
Milan (MXP), Rome (FCO)
FROM THE
AIRPORT
TAXI
Pre-book your taxi
at easyJet.com.
A local taxi costs €16.
No. 8 services
Valletta and the
main bus station.
Visit the Europcar
desk for special
easyJet rates.
BON APPETIT
UP TO €30 Grotto
Tavern (9–12 Parish
Square, Rabat) Inspired
LOW KEY
Luna Lounge (Palazzo
Parisio, Naxxar, tel:
21 412 461) Part of
the exclusive Luna
Collection within this
magnifi cent palazzo,
this is a haven of
plush surroundings
and cocktails.
by Maltese and French
culinary delights, this
tavern off ers delicious
food and wine, including
the DIY raclette of meats,
chicken and cheeses.
EXCLUSIVE Palazzo
Santa Rosa (Mistra
Bay, Xemxija, St Pawl
il-Bahar, tel: 21 582 737)
Using organic vegetables
grown in the Palazzo’s
own garden, chef
Claude Camilleri creates
a slow-food feast for
loyal patrons.
AFTER DARK
LATE & LIVELY
Havana (St George’s
Road) The home of
R’n’B, hip hop and great
old-school classics in
Malta. Prepare to
party until the early
morning, surrounded
by smooth sounds.
THIS MONTH
SHOP The desire for
vintage clothing is taking
off locally, and the team
behind Blush & Panic is
leading the way. Pop in
for an original selection
of clothes (Melita
Street, Valletta).
GO The carnival (4–8
March) is one of the
best-loved events of
Malta’s cultural calendar.
Locals take to the streets
in bright costumes to
watch the colourful
parade pass through
Floriana, Valletta and
Victoria (Gozo).
NO WAY!
In Nadur the carnival is
celebrated in a distinct
manner with a rowdy
festival of grotesque
masks and wild antics.
Jo Caruana