THE Mediterranean coastline of Costa del Sol has a lot to rejoice this merry season of Christmas. The Spice Girls will have a stopover tour here in Costa del Sol after their December 23 Madrid concert. All the Spice Girls will be there ranging from Posh Spice to Scary Spice, Ginger Spice, Baby Spice and Sporty Spice. Of course, their real names as we now know are Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. And since their December 23 concert will be in Madrid, the concert in Costa del Sol will most probably be the week sandwiched between Christmas and New Year. So you better book tickets now for a flight to Costa del Sol. But I bet you there aren’t any more flights available even in smaller airlines such as Ryannair. So most probably you have to take a road trip if you come all the way from France.

And a road trip is even more enjoyable. If you come from France, you will never be accosted anymore at the French-Spanish border since both countries are signatories of the Schengen agreement. The Schengen agreement was implemented since 1976. And while passing through the Spanish coastal villages before entering the heart of Costa del Sol, you may want to check out the nudist beaches there. But be sure you’re a nudist yourself because if you’re not, then you will altogether be banned from these beaches. And be sure to have a full tank before embarking on a road trip in your car. Of course, you must ensure that your car is fully functional. You don’t want it to be damaged in the middle of a road trip, do you? That’s simply horrific. Anyway, you can sample other delicacies along the way before reaching Costa del Sol.

There are numerous restaurants that you can find before reaching the center of Costa del Sol. These restaurants serve only the freshest Mediterranean catch such as redfish, grouper, lobsters and shrimps. In fact, you can pluck a live fish from the restaurant’s aquarium and turn it over at the restaurant kitchen to be cooked in whatever is stipulated in the menu that you like. Driving in a road trip can be downright boring though if you are not prepared for it. So better tag someone along or a couple of your friends so you can divide your expenses equitably. Once reaching Costa del Sol, marvel at what the locals are doing for the Christmas celebration. You may want to join the Holy Mass that they do every dawn for nine consecutive days before Christmas. After these early Masses, Costa del Sol natives usually go to breakfast at eateries placed strategically near the churches. And take note that churches here in Costa del Sol along with the rest of Europe have that distinctive Gothic design so don’t be surprised about that one.

And by the way, do you know that Costa del Sol has just been recommended by the private environmental choice Friends of the Earth as the destination of choice for British tourists? That is so because Costa del Sol is strictly implementing its environmental code. It means that you cannot park your off-road vehicle at the beaches because they naturally alter the landscape of these beaches. It also means that the anti-littering ordinance is strictly implemented. You will be gently reminded by the lifeguards and by other resort staff if you don’t pick up the litter that you left behind in the beaches. And one more thing, you can drink tap water at the beach resorts. There is a periodic inspection for that too.

COSTA del Sol is where the sun never stops shining during summer. It is located in the southeastern portion of Spain facing the Mediterranean. As such, it has idyllic beach resorts all accredited blue flag reputation by the European Union and perfect for tanning by the many British tourists who come here every summer or so to unwind.

But many do not know that spending Christmas here is idyllic too. And especially for British tourists who are Catholic at heart. Since Spain is mainly a Catholic country, Christmas here is definitely swell and makes for a perfect blend between religious rites and commercialization. Many beach resorts here offer huge Christmas discounts to tourists because they simply want their businesses to continue booming during winter.

During winter, temperatures here tend to go down to about -2 degrees Celsius or so just like the rest of Europe, ideal for everyone to either strap down at home or enjoy the sight at the Pyrenees and have some skiing. So no one’s going to the beaches at this time of the year except the really adventurous ones and those who look at any situation in its positive way. For instance, a seaside winter wedding could be romantic and so, spending Christmas in Costa del Sol may not be bad after all.

Christmas here could be spent tucked in churches all nine dawns before Christmas. That’s nine days of vigil before the birth anniversary of the Messiah and the Spanish call it misa de aguinaldo. After each misa de aguinaldo, the local folks enjoy a hot cup of cocoa as well as certain Spanish delicacies. It’s nice to enjoy blending with them and it’s even nicer to befriend a Spanish family in Costa del Sol while you’re staying here so you can appreciate their culture that much.

Immersing yourself with a local family is usually coursed and experienced if you’re with an official research or study group or if you’re enrolled in a Spanish language institution. These special arrangements are provided by your employer if you’re posted here in Spain in the near future. Your employer will provide you cultural integration seminars in Spain. These seminars are usually held at the capital of Madrid but there are special arrangements for your group to go to Costa del Sol to enjoy Christmas and New Year here.

If Christmas is a bang, then New Year is really a fiesta. There are fireworks everywhere and they are made all the more spectacular because they are held over the Mediterranean. You will really forget all the coldness associated with winter once you’ll enjoy yourselves in the midst of the people. It may not hurt too to learn a few local words here. A typical Spanish family enjoys New Year with a big and hearty New Year’s Eve midnight dinner consisting of yummy roast lamb, some sweets and topping them off with local wine.

Reserving a flight for two months ahead to the regional airport in Malaga may be advisable as although there are a few tourists here during winter, many locals travel back and forth during the holiday season and domestic flights tend to be full.