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Whether you are travelling to the Costa del Sol to relax on the beach, play a round of golf or enjoy the wide choice of spectator sports, you won´t be disappointed.

If you are a sports lover, there are many great venues in and around Marbella and Puerto Banus to enjoy your favourite pastimes at very reasonable prices.

The Hippodromo, just inland from  La Cala de Mijas is Spain´s premier horse-racing track, and hosts daytime racing and floodlit evening events.  The prize money awarded here is the highest in Spain, and horses are transported to the Costa del Sol to take part in the races from all over Europe. Next events are taking place in March and April 2010 (check website), and with live music, restaurants, bars and children´s activities all situated alongside the course, this is a great family day out.  Times and race days vary, and for more information call 95 259 2700.  Entrance is €5/€6, and to get to the track, exit the carreterra at the sign for La Cala de Mijas (5 km West of Fuengirola), follow signs for Mercadona then drive directly up the hill, passing the supermarket on the left.  The hippodrome is 3km further on the right hand side.

Marbella Rugby Club was founded in 1988 by Robert Osborne, an ex-player of RACA, Seville Club, and has grown in popularity ever since those early days.  Players of all nationalities, ages and abilities play at Marbella, and first team matches are normally staged on Sunday afternoons, at 1pm.  Rugby fans from all over the Costa del Sol come to cheer on their team and the ground is situated just 3km east of Marbella at Los Monteros.  As you exit Marbella heading East, pass the sign for Torre Real (Rio Real Golf Course), and take the next exit on the right.  The club is here on the left hand side.  For more information call Salvador on 657 028493 or visit www.marbellarugbyclub.com

The Volvo Masters, held at the famous Valderrama Golf Club, Sotogrande, is one of the longest established championships in the modern era of the European Tour, dating back to 1988.  This end of season showcase brings together 60 of the top tour players who compete over 4 days on Europe´s finest golf course.  Such is the stiff competition at this tournament, no one golfer has successfully defended his title , and only two golfers, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie, have won it twice.  Normally played in late October/early November, this coveted competition attracts crowds from all over the world.  For further information and ticket details, go to www.volvomasters.com or send an enquiry to info@valderrama.com

La Siesta Golf Costa del Sol is situated at Calahonda, and in complete contrast to its illustrious neighbour at Valderrama, this small course is perfect for beginners and improvers. The course has 9 holes, each are par 3, and it costs approximately to play two rounds. This is where I first played golf on the Costa del Sol around ten years ago, and it is a pretty, well-designed course that is not too taxing for beginners. There is also a great little club house with elevated terrace where you can watch other golfers teeing off. We used to enjoy a round of 9 holes, followed by a few drinks in the clubhouse, followed by another 9 then lunch. Compared to the larger courses on the coast, Siesta Golf is inexpensive and easy to get to. Take the El Zoco entrance to Calahonda, head up the Avenida de España (the strip) and at the brow of the hill turn right into C/Jose de Orbaneja. Keep left at the fork in the road and the course is approximately 2 km further up the hill on the left hand side. For more details call 952933362.

Club Del Sol Tennis, Calahonda. Situated in the popular resort of Calahonda, midway between Fuengirola and Marbella is the Club del Sol Tennis Complex. Offering the best facilities in the area, this sports club boasts 12 tennis courts – 9 clay and 3 plexi cushion, plus a variety of classes and competitions to suit all abilities. Tennis plus accommodation packages can also be arranged through the club, and classes are available for children and adults, plus a summer kids club.

Enjoying a lavish landscape, the Club del Sol also offers a fully equipped gym, squash courts and paddle tennis courts plus a snack bar on the terrace.  Extra classes include spinning and pilates, and cut price Dunlop products can be bought from the sports shop.From Marbella, take direction East towards Malaga.  Exit the road at the second Calahonda exit (El Zoco Commercial Centre). At roundabout take the 2nd exit up the Avenida España, passing the row of shops and restaurants on the right.  Keep going to the brow of the hill and turn right into C/José Orbaneja.  Keep going for 1.5km and you will see a sign on the right for Club del Sol Tennis.Tel: 0034 95 293 9595. Fax: 0034 95 293 4189. Website: www.tenniscostadelsol.com E-mail: info@tenniscostadelsol.com
Watersports in Marbella and Puerto Cabopino

If you enjoy having fun in the water, no trip to the Costa del Sol is complete without spending a few hours enjoying a range of water-sports in Marbella or Puerto Cabopino. Marbella offers water-sports fans a great choice of water-skiing, scuba diving, boat trips and banana rides, plus paragliding and kite surfing. Whether you are a novice or a professional, you will find plenty of things to see and do on the water in Puerto Cabopino, which is just a ten minute drive from the centre of Marbella.

Often described as the Costa del Sol´s best kept secret, Puerto Cabopino is situated between Marbella and Fuengirola, and offers some of the best water sport activities in the area. Also boasting many great restaurants and bars beside the marina, plus a fabulous sandy beach, Cabopino is one of the most beautiful resorts in Andalucia.Splash Watersports has an office on the front of the port, and bookings and information about all of the activities can be picked up here, and include: water skiing, boat excursions, belly board hire, fishing trips, scuba diving, banana and donut hire, and tailor made private boat hire to suit all requirements.The most popular excursion is the dolphin-spotting trip on Splash´s 30ft luxury sports boat.  Wild dolphins, whales, turtles, flying fish, sunfish and tuna are all spotted regularly, and swimming with the dolphins is allowed at the captain´s discretion, depending on the sea and weather conditions.

From Marbella take the N340 coast road to the East – direction Malaga. Exit at sign for Cabopino - 7km from Marbella.Splash Watersports, The Marina, Puerto Cabopino, 29600, Marbella. Tel: 0034 95 283 7070. Mobile: 0034 670 659218. Fax: 0034 95 283 7070.

Indoor swimming pool Marbella
Much to the surprise of many visitors to the Costa del Sol and Marbella during the winter months, it´s not always warm enough to swim in the sea or in an outdoor pool. If you want to swim in an indoor Olympic sized pool in Marbella, make the most of the fabulous Salduba Sports Complex. The complex also boasts synthetic grass courts for football, and facilities for handball, basketball and volleyball, plus indoor facilities for a vast range of sports. The Olympic-sized swimming pool has 8 lanes, a massage room and a bar where you can relax after your swim. The Salduba Sports Complex is situated at Avda. General Lopez Dominguez in Marbella, and for more information call: 952774668.

Hot Air Balloon Rides Costa del Sol
There is no better way to appreciate the stunning scenery of Andalucia than by taking a hot air balloon ride over the countryside.Not for the faint hearted, but an adventure you will always cherish, this is undoubtedly a great holiday experience.

Balloon flights are available all year round, weather permitting, and two of the most popular trips take off from Ronda and Antequera – both of which are within easy driving distance of the Costa del Sol. Most flights launch at dawn, and you may well be invited to help with the pre-flight preparations. Passengers are fully instructed on safety procedures for the flight, and once airborne, the trip normally lasts for about one hour.Some of the most amazing views in Europe can be found in Andalusia, and you are well advised to take along your cameras. The Rock of Gibraltar and the North African Coast can often be seen from the balloon on a clear day .Trips often include a champagne lunch on touching down and a flight certificate for each passenger as a special souvenir. Andalucia Balloons -Phone: 95 216 6358.

Whatever sporting events you want to take part in on the Costa del Sol, you will find a wide range of activities for participants and spectators close to Marbella and Puerto Banus.

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