Anyone who has flown in to Málaga Airport will probably agree that the new airport terminal is an impressive piece of engineering; with its sleek and modern design and extensive services, this gateway to the Costa del Sol is now one of the largest in Spain and indeed Europe.

Well, it’s about to get even more impressive with a new2,750 metrelong second runway! The expected date for the opening of this new runway is next month (June) as the airport authority – Aena – are still awaiting the completion of the certification process as well as the correction of a few minor faults which have been detected; don’t worry, it’s nothing serious, they just need to check some of the signage

Malaga airport already has capacity for a not-too-shabby 37 take-offs and landings per hour. The new runway will increase this figure to a massive 72 take-offs and landings per hour, or 9,500 passengers.

There are only 4 other airports in Spain – Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Gran Canaria – that have 2 runways, so with the addition, Malaga airport really does join the airport elite

The addition of this second runway to Malaga airport will hopefully mean more inbound flights full of tourists and visitors coming to stay at Sunset Beach Club

Next Sunday 20^th May 2012, the promenade in front of Sunset Beach Club will once again host the Cudeca Walkathon fundraising event. All funds raised at this event are for the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice in Benalmadena so we’d like to encourage hotel guests and visitors to Benalmadena to take part in the Walkathon and help us support this much needed charity.

SunsetBeachClub will once again be involved in the organization and sponsorship of the Walkathon which is hoping to build on the success of previous years.

Everyone is welcome and the Cudeca team and sponsors do a great job to ensure there are plenty of activities for a fun packed day! The meeting point will be the promenade area just in front of Sunset Beach Club and participants can register for the walk from 9:30am. 

Obviously, the main event is the Walkathon with 3 different routes that participants can choose:

• 2 kmwalk – an easy walk with wheelchair access – starts at 11:30am
• 5 Kmwalk along the beach and the promenade – starts at 11:30am
• 10 kmwalk along the beach and promenade but also includes a few hills… starts at 10:30am

The registration fees are the following:

• Adults – €10 (pre-event) and €12 on the day
• Children ages 3 to 17 -  €6
• Family Pack (Father Mother and Children) – €20 per family

As a thank you for your support, you’ll receive a free Walkathon t-shirt and raffle ticket when you register.

All participants are also encouraged to ask friends and family to sponsor them for every Km they walk; there will be special prizes for those who raise the most funds!

After the walk, it’ll be time to relax and unwind… Live music, a large paella, BBQ, activities for kids, competitions, super raffle and lots more activities await all those who complete the Walkathon

You can participate by pre-registering at the Cudeca website (www.cudeca.org) or just turn up on the day.

We look forward to seeing lots of you on Sunday!

The Volvo World Match Play Championship heads back to the spectacular Finca Cortesin course in Casares for its 2012 edition.

This year half of the 24 man field will include players who play in the US PGA Tour (Apparently this is the first time this has happened).

The draw for the round-robin group format which will take place on the Thursday and Friday will include six major champions: Darren Clarke, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie and Retief Goosen. Last year’s champion Ian Poulter will also be back to defend his title; we can only hope that he puts on as impressive a display as he did last year!

Spainwill also have 3 players in the 24 man strong field. Sergio García, Alvaro Quirós and Rafael Cabrera-Bello will all be in the running for a chance to win the massive €750,000 first prize!

One of the highlights this year will be the 10^th hole; the players will have the chance to win a brand new Volvo V40 if they manage to get a hole in one

Tickets are available for advanced purchase at the Finca Cortesín pro-shop at the following prices:

Thursday – €10

Friday – €20

Saturday – €20

Sunday – €20

Four-day pass – €50

Seniors are eligible for a discount and children under the age of 12 and accompanied by an adult can enter for free.

More information is available at the official website for the Volvo World Match Play Championship.

Malaga is getting ready to celebrate the 5^th edition of its ‘White Night’ (La Noche en Blanco) cultural event. Last year the Costa del Sol’s capital was flooded with just over 200,000 visitors who flocked to experience some of the activities and entertainment on offer during this unique evening.

Unfortunately, this year the event has been hit by the economic crisis and will suffer an important 50% reduction in its budget. Although the overall investment in the event wont reach €60,000, the mayor of Malaga, Francisco dela Torre, has publicly stated that the program for this years event will be more ambitious and will offer more spaces and activities.

Just a quick reminder that during the ‘White Night’ all activities in the official program are free! If you’re interested, you’ll have to head to Malaga on the evening of the 12^th May between 8:00pm and 2:00am.

There are approximately 160 activities and shows programmed throughout the city. It’s impossible to include them all in this post; however, we will highlight some of the activities and shows you won’t want to miss:

1. Art - All museums in Málaga will be open from 8:00pm to 2:00am and you’ll be able to see all this amazing art for free! This is the perfect chance to see the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum
2. Street Art – Visit the ‘Poor Man’s Piano’, a large piano which has been set up in the ‘Tribuna de los Pobres’ and where you’ll be able to show off your musical talents as you use your feet to play different tunes. We also recommend you take a walk down Malaga’s famous Calle Larios where you’ll come across strange creatures who will be dishing out gestures, advice and hugs…
3. Music – From the delicate sounds of a single piano located in the centre of ‘Plaza del Obispo’ to the jazz bands playing in the streets and a Flamenco show in the ‘Café Central’, there’s something for all.
4. Visual Art – Make your way to ‘Calle Alcazabilla’ and press the smile button…then wait to see what happens on the large screen! After this experience, visit the Interactive Museum of Music where ‘Urban Sketchers’ – a group of artists – will literally ‘draw the music’ in the main exhibition hall.
5. Extraordinary Visits – Make the most of this fantastic opportunity to visit the Alcazaba which will be offering the ‘Visita de los Sentidos’ (Visit of the Senses); a chance to see this impressive building lit up with artificial lighting and witness some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city.

If you’d like to see the full programme for the evening, you can download a copy here (please note that this is only available in Spanish).

If you are visiting the Costa del Sol this week and would like to experience a bit of culture, you really must try and get down to Málaga city centre for this unique event; 6 hours of activivities and shows and all for the incredible price of …FREE!

If you’re staying at Sunset Beach Club, be sure to ask at our Leisure Desk for more information.

Last Saturday (5th May) the Bilbao based Cherry Boppers presented their new album in the Moonlight Theatre.

We didn’t want to miss it and were there to take a few photos and video clips of the show! (See below).

The Cherry Boppers’ powerful live show and unique mix of funk, jazz and rock made for a fantastic evening of entertainment; hopefully they’ll come back again for their next album launch

[Show as slideshow]

This weekend we’ll have the chance to witness a phenomenon known as a ‘Super Moon’.

Super Moons are larger and brighter than usual and are caused by the shape of the Moon’s orbit which is actually an ellipse, or oval, shape. The Moon orbits our planet once each month and during this time reaches a point farthest from the Earth (an apogee) and a point closest to the Earth (a perigee); the latter is what we will experience this Saturday the 5^th May 2012.

This will be the biggest full moon of the year – about 16% brighter than average – and will create larger than normal tides. Apparently, at perigee, the moon exerts approximately 42% more tidal force than when it’s at apogee!

Experts say that the best way to view this weekend’s Super Moon – the one that will get the best effect – is to look out for it just after it rises, when it’s close to the horizon. If you can manage to get the moon behind buildings or trees, an optical illusion will make it look even bigger!

If you’re staying with us at Sunset Beach Club, we recommend you grab a spot on the terrace of our Panorama Bar or head down to the promenade and watch the ‘Super Moon’ from there. Don’t forget to take some photos and post them on our Facebook Page ;-)

Foto Credit: PictureKat

Many of our hotel guests are often on the lookout for new and exciting activities and attractions when they come and stay with us. One of the most popular attractions is the Selwo Aventura wildlife park. I actually visited the park with my family recently so, for the benefit of those of you who have yet to visit this amazing location, here’s an account of our fun day at Selwo Aventura.

Located in the hills near the coastal town of Estepona, Selwo Aventura is approximately one hour’s drive from Sunset Beach Club. Although it might seem a little far to some, it’s well worth the drive!

Parking is easy as there is a large area just in front of the main entrance to the park. Once you’ve collected your entrance tickets it’s time to experience the magic! The park is split into four main areas or routes for you to visit, so I’ll give you a brief summary of what you will find in each and give you a few tips as to things you’ll want to see

Flamingos...

Nature’s Portico

This will be your first contact with the amazing wildlife of Selwo. The impressive central lake with its lush and tropical vegetation is the most striking feature of this part of the park. Nature’s Portico is laid out in such a way that you can easily walk around it, much like a zoo. In this area you’ll find an interesting selection of different species including primates, pelicans and colourful flamingos.

Recently added attractions are the new enclosures including the cheetah’s habitat, the lynx enclosure and a special area for the red pandas.

Fun activity to try out – Suspended over the large lake is the longest zip line in Europe. You and the kids can experience an adrenalin rush as you fly across the lake! There’s an extra charge for using the zip line but judging by people’s faces, it’s definitely worth it!

Zooming down the Zipline...

Once you’ve walked around ‘Nature’s Portico’, it’s time to begin your journey into the heart of Africa; you’ll be jumping on board special all terrain trucks which will transport you to the centre of the park.

Central Village

This is where the real fun begins. With over 50.000 square metres of territory and home to a large and diverse selection of African and Asian species, this area of the park is spectacular.

On the large trucks, you’ll be taken to an area called “The Reserve of the Lakes”. This was probably our favourite part of Selwo as my daughters got to see some of their favourite animals including giraffes, white rhino’s, elephants, asian buffalos, wildebeest, zebras and lots more…

The Central Village also includes areas where you can enjoy a picnic (if you brought your own) as well as a fast food restaurant; this came in handy as by now the girls were getting peckish

Mum and baby elephant playing...

Just around the corner is the bird exhibition which is definitely worth a visit. You’ll get to see eagles, vultures, condors and others birds of prey flying freely as well as learn fascinating facts about them.

Another of the more popular attractions in this area of the park is the Camel’s Walk. Here, for a few euros, you get the chance to experience riding on a camel! Although my kids were a little young to try this, there were plenty of families making the most of this unique opportunity.

One of the newest attractions in the Central Village is the Bengal Tiger exhibit. Did you know that there are less than 7000 specimens of this beautiful creature on the whole planet? Don’t miss this one!

Next on the girl’s list was a visit to the reptile exhibit with its anacondas and pythons! They insisted we visit these slippery creatures, however, as I suspected, we weren’t there for long…too scary for them!

The final recommended stop in this area of Selwo is The Great Bridge of Africa; 100 metres in length and suspended 16 metres in the air, you get to imagine yourself crossing a large African river whilst you look down on all the wildlife roaming freely

The Great Bridge of Africa...overlooking the whole park!

Route of the Valleys

The next stop is the ‘Route of the Valleys’. It’s time to jump aboard the all terrain trucks again and visit the Ravine of the Bears, Tiger Gorge and Lion Hill! No explanation needed as to what you’ll be able to see on this part of the visit You’ll be taken to the highest point of Selwo Aventura where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the whole park and out towards Gibraltar and the “real”African Coast in the distance.

There is a large restaurant area where you can enjoy a quick snack or a more filling dish of the day. Of course, there are plenty of refreshing drinks and ice creams for the little ones too.

Once you’ve charged up the batteries, it’s time to head back down the hill. You have two choices, you can grab the next truck heading south or walk back to the Central Village area. I recommend the walk. A perfectly signposted path leads you through part of the “Route of the Valleys” and over 3 different hanging bridges.

Feeding the Giraffes...

Canyon of the Birds

The last of the areas you must visit is the Canyon of the Birds. From the Central Village area you can walk back to the main entrance of the park through the Canyon of the Birds. Covered by special nets, this area provides a habitat for many beautiful species of birds. As you make your way down the path you’ll come across toucans, cranes, yellow-billed storks and many other feathered friends.

Dining and Food Options

You can take a pack lunch and eat at one of the designated picnic areas or you can grab a bite to eat at one the fast food kiosks or the ‘Mirador’ Restaurant.

The Korongo fast food area in the Central Village has a good selection of quick snack foods. You can get a burger with fries and soft drink for just €7.99 (if you pre-buy online through the website) if not it’ll cost you €9.99.

At the Mirador de Africa restaurant you’ll get the fantastic views for free, a menu of the day with starter, main course and dessert will set you back €10.90.

Want to Spend the Night at Selwo?

Believe it or not, you can actually spend the night at Selwo Aventura. The Selwo Lodge hotel (3 star) with its Watu and Masai villages is located within the confines of the park. There are 23 cabins which reproduce the typical wood and stone structures from Africa and the interiors have the modern comforts of a hotel. You can get more information about the hotel on the Selwo Aventura website.

Some of the Cabins at the Selwo Lodge Hotel

Entrance Prices

Adults – €24.50

Children (3 to 9 years) – €17

Seniors – €17

Quick tip – If you buy through the website, you can get discounts on these prices (approx. €1 per person)

Opening Times

10.00am to 6:00pm during the week (April, May, June & September)

10:00am to 7:00pm weekends (April, May, June & September)

10:00am to 8:00pm in July and August

10:00am to 6:00pm in October

10:00am to 6:00pm on Friday, Saturday & Sunday in November

Closed from 10^th December 2012 to the end of February 2013

How to get to Selwo Aventura

From Sunset Beach Club you’ll take the coast road to Fuengirola and then follow the signs to Marbella(along the A7/N340 road) Once you get to Marbella continue on the same road and follow signs for Estepona. Selwo is located at Km 162.5. Don’t worry as the exit is well signposted. You can see a map and find more information at www.selwo.es .

So there you have it, a complete and – hopefully useful – review of a day out at Selwo Aventura. Next time you visit the Costa del Sol for your holiday (hopefully staying with us at Sunset Beach Club ) make sure you plan a day out at Selwo Aventura, you’ll have a blast, guaranteed!

16 musicians and dancers perform in this Tango Show

Last November we were fortunate enough to host an amazing evening of spectacular Argentine Tango dancing and traditional folk music.

Well, we are pleased to announce that the ‘Arcos de Buenos Aires’ company are back with a fantastic new show which is sure to delight Tango fans along the Costa del Sol.

Made up of a string chamber orchestra and a spectacular tango ballet, the ‘Arcos de Buenos Aires’ company is conducted by prestigious violinist and conductor, Walter O. Tejada Carranza. Once again, the audience will be treated to a delightful combination of traditional argentine folk music and first class tango dancing.

The video below shows clips from the November show in the Moonlight Theatre and will give you an idea of what you can expect. With 16 musicians and dancers on stage, you’re in for a real treat!

This new show will take place on Friday the 11^th May 2012 at Sunset Beach Club’s Moonlight Theatre. The show starts at 9:00pm and tickets can be bought at the hotel’s leisure desk or at the door on the evening of the show. For a – very reasonable – €10 per ticket, you’ll be able to enjoy a truly special evening of music and authentic tango!

This coming weekend, Fuengirola celebrates one of the most important events in its calendar: The “Feria Internacional de losPueblos” (International People’s Fair).

This unique fair has grown to become a reference at local, regional and even international level. From the 28^th April to the 1^st May, the Fuengirola fair ground will be home to a fun and multicultural event for all the family.

Last year, this same event managed to attract almost 1 million visitors! The town hall hopes to equal this impressive figure this year, thereby serving as a perfect stage to promote the virtues of Fuengirola and its multicultural population.

The fair will open to the public from 1:00 pm to 4:00 am – plenty of time for visitors to make their way around all the ‘casetas’ (stands) representing the countries taking part in the event. Each ‘caseta’ will be colourfully decorated with flags and other traditional items from each country. You’ll come across natives dressed in typical costumes, lots of music and dancing and you’ll also have the chance to purchase products and delicious food from each country.

The following countries and regions will be taking part in this year’s fair and will all have their own stands: Germany, Australia, Argentina, Andalucia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Cadiz, Egypt, United States, Extremadura, France, Finland, Greece, Galicia, Hawaii, Italy, Ireland, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Peru, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Romania, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Make sure you don’t miss the traditional street parade which will take place on Sunday 29^th April at 12:00 pm. All the countries exhibiting at the fair will be taking part; it promises to be a fun spectacle full of colour, music and dancing

If you’re planning on visiting the ‘Feria Internacional de los Pueblos’ and are looking for some great value accommodation for the weekend, make sure you visit the Sunset Beach Club website where you’ll be able to check availability

The Cherry Boppers, a Jazz-Funk-Rock Band from Bilbao will be visiting Sunset Beach Club for the launch party of their new album, “Shakin’ the Hood”. The event will take place on the 5th May 2012 at the Moonlight Theatre.

Organised by Active Sound Productions, this great evening of music will also include a performance by  DJ’s Sabinillas Dancingmood and Tall Mike.

A few interesting facts about the Cherry Boppers:

• They were supporting band for Sly and the Family Stone at the San Sebastian Jazz Festival.
• They have been awarded the Carlos Pina (Radio 3) award for creativity in the Rock and Soul category.
• Winners of the “Villa de Bilbao 07”award for best live act.
• Recently elected group of the month in “Soul Nation” magazine.
• Appeared live on the “Buenafuente Show” on the La Sexta channel (see video below)

You can get more information about the “Cherry Boppers” on their Facebook page .

Tickets for the show are just €8 and can be purchased online at the El Corte Inglés website.

For more information, please call Miguel Corchón of Active Sound Productions on 696 538 530.

Watch the video below to get an idea of what you can look forward to at this exclusive event.

If you want to make a weekend of it, be sure to check out our fantastic accommodation rates on www.sunsetbeachclub.com :-)