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Dining in Europe > Marbella Marbella is not only a great place to relax and have some fun but its also a gourmets paradise, boasting a cosmopolitan array of restaurants. Tour of the Tapas Bars Once a year, the residents of Marbella celebrate the towns culinary status with a party they call 'La Ruta de la Tapa'. Tapas are the savoury snacks served with an alcoholic drink in bars throughout Spain. So that you don't miss out on the fun, we've created a tour of some of the best tapas bars that you can try any day of the year. You might start with a cold beer in La Bodeguita Marbellí and it will probably be accompanied by homemade ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad). Wash down a variety of cured hams and sausage with your second beer at La Sacristía or the Tasca Don Matute. Share a tortilla de ajos tiernos (spring onion omelette) over the next beer at El Burlaero. In La Cervecería they'll offer you a little kebab with your drink. And at La Querencia the tapas are a meal in themselves. En Ca Curro is famous for smooth, sweet Moscatel wine, served with prawns or fresh fried fish. By now you'll need a break so take a seat in one of Marbellas squares or parks before hitting what is arguably the best tapas bar of them all, La Venecia de los Olivos, which has three branches around town and serves delicious savoury ribs. Head upmarket for a while and order a glass of vino fino (fine wine, or dry sherry) with a sophisticated canapé at Gorky. Next is a regional treat: cider and snacks from Asturias in the north of Spain at Sidrería Urogallo. Thought you were finished? Not likely. That was just a warm-up before lunch. And the choice of restaurants for lunch and dinner is as exciting as the tapas bars. International The Amanecer Country Tex Mex serves hot enchiladas with cold Mexican beer. If you can't survive without hamburgers, then make sure you eat the best at Old Texas. Delicate dishes from Thailand are available at Sukhothai, while hearty portions of beef are the order of the day at El Gaucho Argentino. How about sushi at Sakura? Or you can choose from two excellent Chinese restaurants. The Mandarin is considered to be the best on the Costa del Sol. And the Hong Kong is said to prepare the most succulent Peking duck in Marbella. Little Italy Italian cooking is well-represented here. Two especially fine examples are the Villa Tiberio and the La Fonte delle Streghe. In the Toni Dalli, you can expect to be entertained by a distinguished tenor. The Da Bruno specializes in fresh pasta and the Palacio de la Toscana prepares the best ravioli with spinach that you'll ever taste. There are also lots of small pizzerias in Marbella, selling thin and crispy pizzas to take away. Good Food Carnivores are well catered for in Marbella, with three restaurants serving the finest quality meat in typical Castilian style. So you can try a lamb stew or a roast sucking-pig in El Rancho, or El Portalón or Asador Puerta del Príncipe. Those who prefer fish should head for Puerto Banús to try the days catch with a sea view at La Dorada or La Marina. Vegetarians can also expect the highest quality and service at Azafrán y Menta. Five-star Restaurants People who take their food seriously have probably already heard about the imaginative dishes at La Hacienda and if you dine at La Meridiana and Taberna del Alabardero, you'll fall in love with the chefs. The Santiago prepares fresh shellfish with reverence and the Víctor has special respect for lobster. All these five-star restaurants can be found in Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántera. Trans by T Muldoon Entertainment in MarbellaThere are beautiful cities, cities where the cuisine is an art in itself, others where the natives welcome you with open arms, hundreds that rest on the Mediterraneans shores. And there are cities that are blessed with all of these characteristics and where, to top it all off, you can have a ball. Marbella is one of these. See for yourself. A Quiet Night Out For enjoying the first drink of the evening and chatting with friends, the city has a huge number of pubs and bars to offer, many of which are open till the wee hours of the morning. In the old section of town you'll find The Tavern, an English-style pub where the beer is the star attraction; downtown you'll find Gauguin, if you like hot rhythms and cool drinks, or Frank´s Corner if you prefer playing pool and having a beer with some of the many Brits who hang out here. Do you feel like catching a movie? In Gran Marbella Cinema there are seven theatres to choose from. Dance Until Dawn The true nightlife scene is at Puerto Banús, so drop everything, throw on your party clothes, and have fun. The streets around the piers are full of terraces, bars, and pubs for every taste and style. For lovers of Spanish pop rock, El Boss is a great choice--its fun atmosphere makes it a perfect place for having the first drinks of the evening. Although you may not be one of the thousands of people who love Irish taverns, O´Gradys might still be what you're looking for. Have a dark or light Guinness; its just a question of taste. Are you getting into the spirit of things? Good, then now you're ready to check out La Comedia; order a mixed drink at the bar and take the first few dance steps of the night to the rhythm of the latest hits. And, in the Plaza del Puerto--right down the stairs--you'll find the dance club Scream for those who want to party till dawn: hip hop, techno, dance, trance - and all the latest "avant-garde" beats. Different Nights Have you ever played French Roulette? Don't miss the opportunity to do it in the wonderful Casino, where fun is a sure bet, but just don't spend too much, because the night is still young and once the clock strikes twelve, the Flamenco show begins in the Tablao Ana María. If Flamenco is not your thing and you're more into other types of music--and other types of fun--spend an unforgettable night in the best dance club on the Costa del Sol, run by the famous Olivia Valere. In this 'dance palace' you'll see a bunch of famous faces--from the tabloid world mainly--, beautiful people, and a luxurious atmosphere. And close to the waters edge you'll find another hot dance club, Oh! Marbella, that offers live shows and different DJs every weekend, so you never get bored with the dancing. The place fills with night owls, dancing, and international music until the early morning. Also, in the Milla de Oro (Golden Mile) there is quite a bit of nightlife; here you'll find Key Boite, where the champagne and cava are the official drinks. With Children The little ones also need to have fun, and for this purpose you'll find places such as Funny Beach, where they can practice water sports, jump and bounce on huge rubber beds and in ball-filled pools, swing on swings, and slide down the slides. Also, surprise them by talking them to the Puerto Banús Acuario (Aquarium), where they can have their first 'underwater baptism,' surrounded by the harmless and friendly ray-fish. You'll enjoy an unforgettable day in the Estepona Natural Park, Selwo. Let them delight in this small safari where they'll come close to animals they've only seen in zoos and on TV: lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and colorful birds, all in an enviable natural environment. Another option is to spend the morning together watching the entertainment in the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre de la Costa del Sol (Sun Coast Equestrian School). Visit the Museo del Bonsái (Bonsai Museum) with them, where the smallest olive trees in the world are on display, or let them try their hands at the art world in the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo (Museum of Contemporary Spanish Etchings), and later take them for a walk along the Paseo Marítimo (waterfront promenade). Here you can treat them to an ice-cream in the Milla de Oro (Golden Mile). Dining in Europe > Marbella
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