A busy Autumn for Costa del Sol Residents

For those lucky few who own a property at the Costa del Sol, perhaps in Gibraltar or in Marbella, autumn's social calendar is going to be busier than ever. While Gibraltar is staging its second international literary festival, over in Torremolinos gourmets are celebrating the return of the 15th edition of the resort's annual culinary festival.

And for walkers and mountain bikers there is the inauguration of 182 km of coastal path, the Senda Litoral, a trail running from Manilva to Nerja. The first stretch to open this November will cover Mijas, Marbella and Algarrobo. The new 650-km "Gran Senda" trail that traverses the Malaga Province is already in use. Both routes are expected to see at least 2.5 million tourists next year, so this is a good time for locals to get walking before hordes of visitors arrive for the summer season.

Three Days devoted to Literature

Gibraltar's literary festival will run from 14th to 16th November and is expected to attract some big best-seller names from the world of books. A world-class cluster of writers, biographers, novelists, food writers and journalists, in a programme curated by festival director Sally Dunsmore, will be telling their side of the story in various talks and discussions. For fans there will be a chance to get autographs and to take advantage of photo opportunities.

Celebrity Bookworms

The line-up includes international best-selling novelist Kate Moss, the former editor of the Observer Jonathan Fenby, British comedienne and actress Maureen Lipman, broadcaster Nicholas Parsons, and former MP for the Conservatives, Jonathan Aitken. Booker prize winner Ben Okri will also be present.

"We have a new theme of ‘music and words’ this year which will see some top musical talent coming to Gibraltar,” explained Sally Dunsmore, referring to the musical storytelling and Jazz, West End show-stoppers and Bookshop Band performances that will be included in this year's festival programme. Tickets and additional information can be obtained at http://www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com.

Three Days of Gluttony

At Torremolinos the line-up of gourmets, star chefs and foodies will arrive on 22nd November for three days of unrivalled gluttony for the 15th edition of the town's annual food festival.

The programme includes Mediterranean food displays and wine shows, hosted by more than 50 food and drink experts at the Palacio de Congresos. Visitors will be able to sample an abundance of culinary delights, while professional wine, cocktail and food tasters will hand accolades and cash prizes to those competing chefs, wine producers and bartenders the experts deem to be at the top of their profession.

Shedding the Winter Plumage

Extra pounds accumulated over the winter months can be hard to shift. How many New Year's resolutions made in Marbella, Malaga, Mijas or Torremolinos will include "more exercise, less calories"?

Thankfully, at this month's World Travel Show in London officials from the Spanish Tourism Board revealed several fabulous additions to next year's sporty calendar for Costa del Sol residents.

The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) announced that it is currently organising the biggest golf tourism event for next year, which aims to re-launch the Costa del Sol and Andalusia region is one of the world's great golf destinations.

Peter Walton, the association's founder and chief executive, stressed how the golf sector had seen "unstoppable growth" in Andalusia in the past three years and that next year the number of golfers holidaying in the region was expected to rise by a further 15%.

IAGTO is the umbrella association for 85% of all golf tour operators and the tournament organised for 2015 is expected to join buyers and sellers in over 3,000 meetings.

What a perfect excuse to head out to one of Marbella's many championship golf courses and play a round of golf to shed excess winter "plumage" acquired over the Festive Season!

If all that sounds too much of a strain to the system, one can always remain at home and take a swim in the communal swimming pool at a luxury apartment complex in Elviria or head down to one's own gym and spa in the privacy of a gated community in La Zagaleta or El Madronal.