Malaga is one of Spain’s most popular summer destinations, and for good reason. With miles and miles of golden beaches, great nightlife and dining, and a city centre that’s rich in history and culture, Malaga is a top destination for visitors looking for a slice of the real Andalusia. We are amongst Malaga’s biggest fans, so think we’re well placed to give you some insider tips for getting the most out of your stay!

- Andalusia is home to some of Spain’s most vibrant and extravagant fiesta celebrations, and Malaga is no exception. If you can, try and time your trip to coincide with one of the city’s many fiestas! The Feria de Malaga kicks off in August and is a ten day feast of colour, music, flamenco and live performances from local artists, all culminating on the tenth day with a spectacular firework show.  Or how about the Festival de la Virgendel Carmen, which takes place on the 16^th July throughout all the coastal cities and towns of Malaga province, and sees residents flock to the streets to witness an image of Carmen being carried through the towns and finally out to sea in a flower-filled boat. Or there is the nationwide Semana Santa, which is celebrated with particular zeal in Malaga – the week long processions are famous throughout Spain for their grandeur and religious significance.

- The city is bursting with sights of cultural and architectural value, with the beautiful Cathedral, Alcazaba and Gilbrafaro castle topping the “absolutely-do-not-miss” list. We also highly recommend the Picasso Foundation and Museum, both dedicated to the man many consider to be Malaga’s most famous son.

- If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then a visit to one of the provinces beautiful beaches and fishing villages is a must. We particularly recommend the small town of Nerja, nestled at the foot of the Sierra de Alijara, with wonderful, almost deserted beaches and its famous cave just 4km away.

- A visit to Malaga is not complete without indulging in atapeo – that traditional Spanish pastime of hopping from taberna to taberna, sampling tapas (or small plates) of the local delicacies, washed down with a good vino or glass of sherry! For traditional Andalusian fare and perhaps the best gazpacho (cold tomato soup) in Malaga, head to Ajo Blanco on Plaza de Uncibay, or maybe La Rebana by the Cathedral, which specialises in jamonserranoand great wine. For a bit of star-spotting you should head to El Orellana on c/Moreno Monroy, which has been serving great tapas since 1938 and is popular with local and visiting celebrities

Considering just how much Spain has to offer visitors, it can be tough to pick one place for your vacation. But at Spain Select we think 2012 is Malaga’s year – take a look at our holiday rentals in this beautiful cityhere, and start planning for your Andalusian adventure!

Now that 2012 is properly under way, people are starting to think about their summer holidays, and booking season at Spain Select Villas is in full swing!

My team and I have been working hard and travelling extensively throughout the country to find the very best and most exclusive holiday villas for the 2012 season. We now have some fabulous new properties on our books inlocations such as Mallorca, Ibiza, and Granada. Karin has also been re-visiting some of our favourite properties, like the beautiful Finca Serena in Malaga to take some up-to-date photographs and have a good old catch up with the lovely owners!

Always keen to go that extra mile, at Spain Select Villas we have also just introduced Real Time Booking on all ourvillas. From now on customers can put a property on hold for 24 hours – instantly and without speaking to us- directly via the website. There will be more on the advantages of Real Time Booking (an exclusive services that is currently offered only by Spain Select) in our next villas post, when we talk more in detail about our team and the work we do, and just how we go about selecting future villas for Spain Select customers!

In keeping with the Spain Select tradition, UK Select is all about understated luxury and style. Our apartments are found in some of the most exciting areas in London, including the hip and happening Notting Hill and Spitafields, the traditional Westminster and St James, or the exclusive neighbourhoods of Mayfair and South Kensington. The properties range from cleverly designed studio spaces to renovated apartments in traditional Georgian terraces. A number of the apartments are part of a hotel complex, meaning guests can make the most of the various services and facilities on offer, including gymnasiums, swimming pools, and Michelin-starred restaurants.

London is without a doubt one of the most vibrant, diverse and culture-filled cities in the world. Whether you are a culture vulture, shopaholic, music and fashion fanatic or a gourmet foodie, London is literally bursting with things to do, see, taste, touch and experience!

On a final note (and just because we like to tease), we are also in the process of expanding to other exciting destinations across the globe, with the same level of quality and style you would expect from the Spain Select team. But more on that later – for now we just encourage you to head on over to the UK Select website, and start planning your next trip to the historic UK capital!

What started as a small home business has become the Spain Select of today. Back in 2002 a team of qualified staff and large central office in Madrid were nothing more than a pipe dream. Sandra and I travelled the length and breadth of the country to find those perfect properties, working round-the-clock from our living room as our customer base and reputation slowly but steadily grew. In truth, it is our clients who have made Spain Select what it is today. Without the continued support and custom of our dedicated clients we wouldn’t be able to count ourselves among the top luxury rental companies in Spain, with over 200 properties on our books. So, dear readers – a very big thank you!

As well as celebrating our tenth year, we are delighted (and very excited!) to announce the launch of a new project for early 2012– UK Select. Offering luxury rental properties in some of the best areas in London, UK Select will be up and running in January, and the whole team cannot wait to get their teeth into such a promising new project.

We would like to wish all the Spain Select staff, clients and readers a very happy birthday, and say a huge thank you for all your continued support and encouragement over the last ten years. Here is to a happy and prosperous 2012!!

Spain Select properties are not just for long-term visitors – we also have a great selection of tourist properties, aimed at people wanting to spend anything from a few days to a few weeks in the Spanish capital.

So just what are the advantages of choosing a Spain Select apartment over a hotel? Well, the cost for one (and let’s face it, everyone loves a good bargain!) One of our apartments in the heart of the city, (like Calle Mayor IV for example) rents for as little as €160 a night, and can accommodate up to six people. Just try and find three bedrooms in a luxury hotel in the city centre for the same price!

Then there’s the privacy and freedom that comes with having your own apartment. No need to worry about coming and going, wake up calls or noisy maids – you can unpack, kick back, and enjoy your new home away from home for the duration of your stay. All of our tourist apartments come with a modern and fully-equipped kitchen, which also takes the hassle out of finding somewhere new to eat every night. You can enjoy the new experience of shopping and cooking in a foreign country – the food markets of Madrid are an adventure in itself!

Our apartments also offer more space and comfort than the average hotel room, where you are often confined to spending all your time in the bedroom. A stay with us gives you space, privacy and freedom, at the fraction of the cost of a hotel of a similar quality. And to really make sure every need is catered for, we also offer additional cleaning and ironing services, and our team is always on hand to help you with any queries or problems you may have.

Have we convinced you yet? No?! One final point then – we have a broad selection of apartments of every size, shape and style, in some of the best locations in the city. Whether you want to stay in the heart of old Madrid, or near the peaceful Retiro park, our team can help find the perfect property for you.

So, whether it’s your first time in Madrid or a return visit, give the hotels a miss and try something a little different this time round.

Ok, we may be slightly biased – Madrid is our home town after all – but this vibrant city is chock-a-block with sights, sounds, activities and entertainment, and sometimes we just want to shout from the rooftops about how much we love this great city!

Art

Madrid is justly famous for its “Big Three” art musuems. The Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen are all found on the wide Paseo de Prado, and the sheer number of masterpieces within their walls means Madrid is an absolute must-see for art lovers. You can rush round and do all three in one day, but personally we prefer a more “leisurely” art experience, with plenty of cafe con leche stops along the way!

Culture and Entertainment

Theatre, dance, intimate gigs, massive festivals, bars and clubs to suit all tastes, and enough Spanish fiesta celebrations to see you through every month of the year, Madrid has it all. At Spain Select we love to check out what’s happening every week by taking a look at  www.esmadrid.com where you can find the latest on all the events, shows and gigs happening in the capital.

Dining

As Spain’s capital city, Madrid is a melting pot of Spanish cuisine. You can sample delectable Basque pintxos during a Sunday tapeo in La Latina, sample Galicia’s famous seafood, or stuff yourself with the traditional and hearty Castilian cocidos without walking more than a few blocks from your apartment. The international cuisine is great here too, with Indian and Asian food in Lavapies, and great Italian, Mexican and fusion restaurants scattered throughout the city. You never need worry about going hungry in Madrid!

Nature

Even though Madrid is a bustling capital city, it is also surprisingly green and has many different parks and green areas. The Parque del Buen Retiro is one of the most famous, whilst the Campo Del Moro behind the Royal Palace and Casa de Campo to the south of the river offer inner-city park alternatives for those willing to venture a little further. The transport connections out of the city to the surrounding countryside and Sierra de Madrid are cheap and reliable, and offer a great opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city at weekends.

These are only some of the many reasons we love living in Madrid, and for those of you who have spent some time here already, we would love to know what are your favourite things to do in this most vibrant of Spanish cities. Madrid – why do you love it?

Justicia is sandwiched between the Gran Via to the south and Alonso Martinez to the north, and starting at the Plaza de Colon to the east, stretched westwards right up to calle Hortaleza, where Justicia ends and the popular Chueca neighbourhood begins.

Justicia is deservedly popular with young professionals and visitors alike. Central yet surprisingly peaceful, the long narrow streets are lined with classic Madrid architecture; ornate four or five storey apartments with detailed facades and cute Spanish balconies overlooking the street.

The neighbourhood is famed for its excellent bars, restaurants and mid-price boutique shopping, and it is perhaps the long calle Almirante that best captures the barrio’s hip personality. Number 9 c/Almirante is home to the Spain Select office – a late 19^th century building with an impressive patio de carruajes and great views over the city.  A number of super-stylish boutiques and great restaurants line the street – of note is the famous cafe Oliver’s and up-and-coming Bristol Bar, both great places for lunch, dinner or drinks, and regular haunts of the Spain Select crew!

Heading out towards the Paseo de Recoletos and the Plaza de Colon, things start to get a little livelier. Colon is one of the most emblematic squares in the city, with its impressive Spanish flag flying day and night. Paseo de Recoletos marks the beginning of the huge Castellana thoroughfare that cuts through the capital, and itself is home to several famous eateries – most notably the glass-covered art deco Cafe Gijon.

Moving north towards the Alonso Martinez area is where you can find more everyday services and amenities – greengrocers, supermarkets, cafes and low-key stores during the day, and laid back tabernas and restaurants after night-fall.

Justicia is one of our favourite Madrid barrios – that’s why we have our offices here! – and we are proud to offer a number of different apartments, both long and short-term in this laid-back yet vibrant neighbourhood.

This blog aims to keep you up-to-date with with all the latest happenings at Spain Select in Madrid. We will be bringing you everything from barrio guides and city entertainment recommendations to all the news from our own office right in the heart of the city. We will also be posting descriptions and photos of some of our best and brightest luxury property rentals.

We just got together for our annual end-of-summer party, to chat about our upcoming projects for the new season, and of course to celebrate the launch of the Spain Select Madrid blog! We enjoyed the seasonally warm weather over some cocktails and tapas in La Moraleja, a pretty and secluded suburb just outside of Madrid.

A great time was had by all and we are looking forward to the next gathering. All our staff are true experts on the city and its surroundings, making us the perfect people to guide you round Madrid through our new blog.