We aim to bring you the local news and reviews from around the region covering all manner of topics relevant to life here in this beautiful corner of Andalucia.

In addition we will also bring you details of new properties and special offers from our business partners.

In this months issue we discuss summer festivities including food fairs, fun fairs and music festivals.

IV Feria Gastronomica, Torre del Mar

The weekend of 4th-6th June saw the arrival of the 4th annual Fair of Gastronomy in Torre del Mar. A marquee of over 1000 square metres, situated on the Paseo Maritimo, housed a wide variety of stalls manned by many of the local restaurants, bars and specialist food shops all offering the many visitors a chance to sample a selection of the food and drink items available in the region.

Entertainment was provided by a number of local dance troupes and musicians contributing to the lively atmosphere.

The event has grown year on year, with visitor numbers exceeding estimates, and is sure to be a regular fixture in the local calendar in the future.

Noche de San Juan

The night of 23rd June was celebrated in fine style as always along the coast, with beach parties, bonfires, fireworks and music. The party in Torre del Mar was helped along by the donation of 2000 litres of beer and 500kg of sardines by the local Town Hall at Velez-Malaga.

Forthcoming Events

Virgen del Carmen

July 16th is the feast day of the patron saint of mariners, Virgen del Carmen (Queen of the seas) and yet another excuse for a party.

Nerja and Torre del Mar both hold the traditional evening procession to the water's edge culminating in the statue of the virgin being put to sea in a fishing boat.

Not wanting to be left out of this traditional sea-front celebration, the slightly inland town of Velez-Malaga hold an annual fair Veladilla del Carmen to coincide with the weekend of the feast day. Stalls hosted by the local social clubs selling food and drink will be open in the Parque de Andalucia from 11am Saturday 17th July until late on Sunday and as usual the funfair will be situated in the Eroski car-park for the whole weekend.

Read more information on the Virgen del Carmen processions and the rest of the fiestas that take place during the year on our Fiestas page.

Music Festivals

July is a good month for music lovers in the Axarquia with a number of annual music festivals taking place.

Almuñecar Jazz Festival - 8th-16th July

The annual jazz festival is considered to be one of Andalucia's most important international jazz events and is now in it's 17th year. The concerts are staged each evening in the magnificent setting of the Parque el Majuelo, (near the beach and below the Arab Castle) at 10.30pm each evening.

45th Festival de la Cueva de Nerja - 19th-23rd July

Since 1960 Nerja's annual international festival of music and dance has been staged in the magnificent setting of the municipality's famous caves. The programme includes classical music concerts and closes with an evening of ballet.

All performances are at 10pm and tickets cost €45. More information and tickets are available from the Patronato de la Cueva de Nerja, Crtra de Maro s.n. tel. 952 529 520, Fax 952 529 646 or E-mail: cuevanerja@vnet.es or from the Nerja Culture Centre in calle Granada tel 952 523 863, Fax 952 524 007.

18th Festival Internacional de Guitarra, Velez-Malaga - 23rd-30th July

In conjunction with the University of Malaga, the Velez-Malaga guitar festival offers participants a programme of classes and seminars on flamenco guitar, held during the day with concerts, open to all, held each evening at 9.30pm in the Palacio de Beniel in Velez-Malaga.

New Accommodation

We are pleased to have added a number of new properties during the past few weeks some of which still have availability for the summer months. For more details and prices click on the links:

BG001 - A fabulous newly built 2 bed apartment situated at Baviera Golf Course, Torre del Mar.

FR001 - A super new 2 bed apartment in the pretty village of Frigiliana offering specially reduced prices for the first year of renting.

VM003 - A charming 1-2 bed village house in the old quarter of Velez-Malaga.

Special Offers

TC002 - We have a lovely newly built 2 bed apartment situated in Torrox Costa which still has availability for August and September. Click on the link for more details and the recently reduced prices.

Holiday Autos are currently offering 1 week's car-hire from 79GBP, pick-up at Malaga, during June and July.

If you are planning your summer holiday and want to save time and money on those essential holiday items then check out Boots.com who are currently offering 2 for 1 on selected sun creams.

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter and we look forward to bringing you more news and offers next month.

¡Hasta luego!