Marbella Life is a Box of Chocolates

Settling into a new Costa del Sol home can be tough at first, but the festive season is perfect for making new friends, meeting the neighbours and getting involved with the local community. Marbella and surrounding towns and villages offer a multitude of things to do, even in winter. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s even a chocolate factory!

Why not head out to Mijas and find out how those delicious chocolate morsels are made? Take lessons and give home-made chocolates as a special gift this year.

The Mijas Chocolate Factory

After a short drive from Marbella to Mijas, chocolate-junkies gather at the factory to join chocolate making classes at the world’s smallest chocolate factory, the Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory. There’s a short talk about the origins and history of chocolate and then tutors show how chocolate bars are made. Classes are offered in six different languages and can be tailored to individual age groups. Samples include white, dark and milk chocolate delicacies and the workshops last just 45 minutes, so there’s plenty of time to explore the amazing chocolate shop afterwards.

 It’s a fantastic way to spend a cold winter’s day with your children and afterwards, when you try out the recipes in your new Marbella property, the delicious scent of chocolate will permeate every room, transforming your house finally into a real home.
 
The Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory can be found at Plaza de la Constitución, 524, Mijas Costa, 29650 (prices per person ca. EUR 25.00, strictly by appointment, tel: 0034 951 052 772)

Sweet Property Dreams

If you’ve long dreamed of changing your life and enjoying a better work/life balance, the Costa del Sol is still one of the best places to choose for turning that dream into a reality. Spain is gradually coming out of recession but property prices are still affordable. There are an amazing number of bargains that come complete with 100% finance for those who qualify.

Instead of sitting in a traffic jam in rainy Manchester, Birmingham or Portsmouth, you could be enjoying an after work cocktail on your sun terrace watching the sun set over the beach that line the Golden Mile. Central Marbella attracts the highest property prices, but even here it is possible to find luxury apartments with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms for prices starting at EUR 523,000.

Beautifully situated in tropical gardens and within walking distance to the seafront and all amenities, this is a small luxury development that ticks all the boxes; it’s just a 10 minute drive from Puerto Banus Marina and boasts a swimming pool and gym, 24 hour security and surveillance systems.

The Golden Mile development is just one of many Marbella areas where property dreams can come true.

Marbella Life just keeps on giving

With so many fantastic things to do in the neighbourhood, it’s easy to come up with great gift ideas for all the family!
 
Various companies offer activity gift vouchers for days out on horseback or on the golf course or for kids to go go-karting or grown-ups to test their driving skills in the Formula One simulator at Marbella’s Funny Beach.
 
You could invite the lovely neighbours who keep looking after your Marbella property during your absence to join you and your family at Funny Beach Marbella for a fun packed afternoon or take them for a lovely meal at Paco Jimenez Restaurant in the Plaza de los Naranjos Nº11.
 
The restaurant is located on the corner above the art gallery and mirrors its artistic surroundings by boasting an interior decor filled with lovely paintings. They make for a great ice breaker and talking point during the meal!

Whether you live in Elviria, San Pedro, the Golden Mile or the Sierra Blanca development or in the hills above Marbella in El Madronal, experience gifts will always be welcome, since every part of Marbella offers residents and those hoping to become one amazing activities and amenities.
 
Try something different next year and come out of your comfort zone! With Costa del Sol property prices starting at around EUR 100,000, Marbella life just keeps on giving.