Marbella Feria Enjoy the Feria of St. Barnabe in honour of the patron saint. It opens on 9th June with a firework display, then there is music and dancing in the streets of the old town. Plus: bullfights, horse displays and casetas serving fried fish and parma ham. There is a procession on the last day, June 15th, commemorating the reconquest by the Catholic Kings with another for St. Barnabe in the evening. Dress up and have fun.

Malaga Terral Music Festival This is one of the best Festivals for the variety of music on offer and range of superb stars. Great pop, rock and jazz with contemporary soul. Appearing this year are such stars as Lou Reed, Diane Krall, James Blunt and Herbie Hancock. Concerts will be held in Cervantes Theatre, Malaga at 9.30pm from 25th June to 21st July. Check www.teatrocervantes.es for full details of performances and prices. You can also buy tickets on the theatre website. Balloon Flights with

Glovento Sur Take to the skies for a thrilling balloon ride over spectacular countryside. Fulfill your dreams or give this unforgettable experience as a gift. With centres in Granada, Malaga, Cadiz and Cordoba, it is easily accessible. The flights are an hour long (3 to 4 hours in total) starting at 8am depending on the season, ending up with a traditional Andalucian breakfast. Imagine floating above Ronda or Antequera in perfect peace and quiet! Check www.gloventosur.com for details of all centres or call 958290316 to book your exciting trip and give yourself a different perspective of this beautiful land.

Marbella Jazz Marbella is obviously the place to be in June as there is an International Jazz Festival, 24 to 28 June. Concerts are held in the Palacio de Ferias and the Sports Stadium at 9pm, ending with Picnic Jazz (free) in Parque Vigil de Quinones at 7pm. Concerts by Manhattan Transfer and Tony Hadley. Tickets available from Corte Ingles and Palacio de Ferias.

Segway Rides around Malaga If you are tired of walking tours yet still want to explore Malaga, then try the unusual Segway Ride. Easy, comfortable, non polluting, two wheeled personal transport! The Cultural Tour 30E 1.5 hours visits the fortress, Calle Larios, orange gardens, parks and the Picasso Museum and House. The Cultural Tour and Tapas, 40E, 2 hours, includes a break to sample tapas and Malaga wine. The Panoramic Visit goes to Malagueta Beach. Training is given before the tour, qualified guides accompany the group and radio communication is used. Sounds like a great way to tour this interesting city. Call 952227566 to book your tour. Check www.segwayrides.eu for information. Their officeis in Calle Zegri, opposite the Albeniz Cinema.

Lanjaron Water and Ham Festival On the stroke of midnight, the village erupts in a huge water fight in honour of St. John the Baptist. Armed with buckets and water pistols, the crowds stream through the streets while ladies spray the crowds from the safety of a balcony. A whistle announces the end of the battle. Time for a quick change before going out for a beer or two, watching the fireworks and partying all night. The famous Lanjaron ham is feasted on for the next few days.

Gastronomic Marathon, San Roque This is a great way to sample tapas and menus on this culinary route. Visit bars, cafes and restaurants in the villages of Taraquilla/Miraflores and Estacion de San Roque. Contact Carlos Jordan on 956694005 for information about this super tapas run to be held 13 / 14th June.

Nerja Cave Concerts The annual Festival is held around 24th to 28th July and has to be one of the most unusual and interesting venues. The acoustics are amazing and a range of music and dance, including ballet, jazz and flamenco is offered. As it is so well-known and popular, check www.cuevadenerja.es.com for details and buy tickets early for a night to remember.

Medieval Market Alicante At the end of June, behind the Town Hall in the Old Quarter, you can browse the stalls selling crafts and food, see exhibitions of traditional trades such as ironwork, pottery and glassmaking while being entertained by costumed musicians, dancers, jugglers and falconers. At the beginning of July there is also the Moors and Christians festival, recreating the old battles in a mixture of carnival, religion and history.

Sea Kayaking near Nerja For an unforgettable trip, take a sea kayak out to explore the cliffs and caves of Maro Cerra Gordo not far from Nerja. The trip is three hours long and, although you do not need experience, it is quite hard work. It is well worth it, though, for a chance to visit little caves and learn about the underwater life and plants. There are kayaks for two or three people plus guide. For a wonderful afternoon on the water, check www.reservatuaventura.com for details and special offers.

Karting Campillos Feel like racing? Challenge your friends to a two-hour team endurance race, with driver changes and fuel stops, using high performance rental karts. Give your children a birthday party they will never forget – a karting party, with 30 or 60 minute sessions, a children’s menu, full supervision and exclusive use of the leisure track. (min age six, height 120cm) This is the largest and only international circuit in Spain, and includes a professional competition track and leisure track, shop and cafeteria. They offer three different karting models. Karting Campillos is on the A92 to Sevilla on the outskirts of Campillos. Check www.kartingcampillos.com or call 951163120. New Greyhound Track,

Humilladero This brand new greyhound racing track should be finished in June and will consist of a 700m track with social areas. There is a large terrace for viewing the races with bar etc. This is the first permanent track which can hold night races and they are opening in a grand way, on 19th July, with National Championship races where you can see 72 of the best greyhounds in Spain.

Sphereing in Marbella or Benalmadena Experience the ride of your life as you roll downhill in a 4m diameter ball at speed! One option is to be strapped in, the other is to roll freely in 30 litres of water, swishing around as you descend. It sounds like a super water slide. Be daring and call the Benalmadena Centre on 693509275 or the Marbella Centre on 693515666 and let Sphere Mania take you on the most thrilling ride of your life.

Archez in Axarquia This is one of the smallest villages in the area, delightfully situated on the River Turvilla surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees and farmland. Visit the Mudejar Alminar, a gorgeous 14thC tower and the 15thC Church of Encarnacion. Sample their locally produced wine and taste stews, migas, or scrambled eggs with vegetables. On 24th June they hold the festival of St. John’s Night while the Archez Feria is at the end of July, when everyone picnics in the countryside and bathes in the river. Jazz Festival Almunecar There is nothing better than listening to jazz in the open air on a balmy night. This annual festival is held in the tropical park of Majuelo in the shadow of the Moorish castle, next to Phoenician ruins. As one of the best venues, it attracts a host of stars bringing music from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and New Orleans. Get tickets early from ww.jazzgranada.es accessing jazz en la costa or from the Town Hall.The Festival runs from 11th to 19th July, nightly at 10.30pm