Mijas
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About 30 minutes drive, Mijas is one
of the finest examples of the "white villages". It is still has much of
its charm with its little whitewashed houses perched on the hillside.
The village has still managed to retain some of its quaint traditions,
one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis which line the central
plaza. Mijas is a typical Andaluz village, perched high above
Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with spectacular views of the coast and
surrounding heavily wooded mountains.
Mijas is a web of narrow cobbled
streets complete with terraces overflowing with geraniums, red tile
roofs, archways and, of course, the occasional chirruping canary. Like
Ronda, the village dates back to distant time and there are two Mudejar
churches here to prove it, as well as the sanctuary of the patron saint
of Mijas, from the year 850.
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| There is a thriving arts and crafts movement in
Mijas, particularly linen and wicker items and the locally made bread
and honey is definitely worth trying. There are many small craft shops
selling leather work, pottery and other traditional wares. |
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Ronda
| About an hour inland
from the Costa del Sol, the stunning town of Ronda straddles the 100m-deep
(328ft) El Tajo gorge, with the old Muslim town (La Ciudad) and the newer town
(El Mercadillo) connected by three bridges. One of them, the magnificent Puente
Nuevo (New Bridge), is 200 years old. The steep cliffs and views of the stunning
Serranía de Ronda make for a striking setting, and the historic town attracts
many day-trippers from the coast. |
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There's a lot to
see within Ronda. Visitors can act macho in one of the oldest bullrings in
Spain, Plaza de Toros (opened in 1785), and check out red flags and costumes in
the Museo Taurino. The Palacio de Mondragón, once home to Fernando and Isabel,
has a superb Islamic courtyard with cliff top garden. Those feeling energetic
can climb down La Mina, 200 steps cut into the side of the cliff (don't forget -
you have to come up again). |
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