Mediterranean – Adventures In The South of Spain

Cuisine, Culture, and Carnival in Limassol, Cyprus

February 2026

After a week in Larnaca, we moved to Limassol for the next week. There was an intercity bus, but we opted to hire a taxi. Since we were splitting the cost, we splurged on door to door service. Cyprus highways are well-maintained, so if you don’t mind renting a car and driving, you can get from place to place pretty easily. Cyprus was a British colony, so they drive on the left.

As we entered Limassol, we could see it was a much bigger city than Larnaca, even though Larnaca is growing, due to its airport. In Limassol, construction cranes and skyscrapers are changing the skyline in the new part of the city. We wondered what was creating the growth. By talking to locals and doing online research, we learned that foreign money is pouring in from middle-eastern investors.

Our rental apartment was in the historic district of old Limassol. It was a little tricky to find and had a few quirks, but it was in a great location for walking and the view of the sea and the rooftops of the city was spectacular.

On our first evening, we walked to the area known as The Old Port. As its title would indicate, it once served as Limassol’s harbor. Nowadays, a deeper harbor accommodates larger cargo ships and cruise ships. The Old Port services sailboats, charter boats, and luxury yachts. It is also a lovely area for strolling and dining.

Our first dinner was at Tartufo, a beautiful Italian restaurant with fabulous food and elegant service. Limassol is a foodie paradise. There are numerous fine dining restaurants, gelato stands, corn on the cob carts, juice bars, and coffee shops with tempting bakery items. Outdoor seating is available everywhere.

If you indulge in the wonderful food in Limassol like we did, you can walk it off along Limassol’s stunning seaside promenade. It was modernized by the British during their rule from 1878-1960. Much of the modernization of Limassol’s infrastructure took place during those years. There is a lot to see along the boardwalk and you can finish your walk with a leisurely coffee, while you soak in the sun and enjoy the view of the sea..

Below: Scenes Along Limassol’s Promenade

Below: Shots from our Rooftop Terrace

Below: The Cyprus Museum of Industrial Pharmacy

We discovered this unassuming museum near Limassol’s Castle and the curator gave us a private tour of the machinery that was used to formulate and package generic drugs. This equipment is now obsolete due to digitization, but Cyprus is still a leader in the generic drug industry. She proudly told us Cyprus is much more than tourism.

Old town Limassol is best enjoyed on foot. We took a walking tour and enjoyed the guided history of the buildings. We met our guide at the Limassol Castle , which was built during the Crusades (1191 AD), and according to legend, hosted the wedding of Richard the Lionhearted to Princess Berengaria. We passed homes and shops that have been restored from the Venetian Occupation (1489–1570) and the Ottoman Rule (1570–1878). We later returned to the castle to explore and to enjoy the views from the top.

Below: Some Shots from our walking tour of the historic center

Below: Limassol’s Orthodox Cathedral (Ayia Napa)- Built on the site of an ancient Byzantine church in 1906.

Below: Contemporary Street Art of Limassol

Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish graffiti from art murals and advertising posters, but one of my favorite things is to walk through town in the early morning and photograph the street art that adorns the buildings.

We unknowingly arrived in Limassol a few days before the start of Carnival, the festival that precedes Lent. The Greek Orthodox Church observes Easter on a different calendar date than the Western Church. The citizens of Limassol were happy to share their customs with us. Think of it as Mardi Gras- Cypriot style. On “Smoky Thursday” the grills come out to the street early and they start cooking the kabobs and putting the lamb on the spit. Smoke fills the air and people come out to party. The party lasts late into the night and continues all weekend.

Below: Smoky Thursday kicks off the Carnival festivities

Below: Boats in the harbor

Below: More Great Food at Jamie Oliver and Oysia. We always share!

Below: Costumed Cypriots Celebrate Carnival

Music, Dancing, and the local brew at the town party.

Below: The Sunday Morning Family Parade

On Sunday, the festivities continued with the family parade. Families march in themed costumes and there is afternoon music, dancing, and food in the square.

We left town on “Green Monday” also known as “Clean Monday.” This is when Greeks and Cypriots begin the “Great Lent.” They observe Monday with picnics, fish, and abstinence from alcohol. Carnival was over and we were headed to Paphos. We loved Limassol.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about Cyprus.

I am an independent traveler and unpaid. My opinions are solely based on personal experience.

Geri

Estepona: Charming Streets, Beaches, and Public Art (February 2022)

This is our third stay in Estepona. We learned about it from a British couple we chatted with in San Francisco back in 2016. In 2019, we stayed here for two weeks. In 2020, for three weeks. In 2021, we didn’t travel (COVID). Now, in 2022, we are here for the entire month of February.

Views From Our Balcony on Avenida España

The sun rises over the Mediterranean and on a clear day you can see Gibraltar.

We have been fortunate each time to find an apartment in our budget with the above views. I’m not sure how much longer that will be the case, as this town is undergoing a “great renovation”. We have observed big changes in the time we have been coming here.

The mayor, José María García Urbano, is ” a man with a plan”. He began with a 10 year proposal in 2011 and the work continues. His goals included: ending corruption, reducing municipal debt, renovating the crumbling historical center, building a sports complex and auditorium, attracting businesses willing to invest in the community, creating large pedestrian areas, promoting public art, public parks, and public gardens; all with the goal of attracting tourism to increase quality employment and improve public health. In short, to turn this small fishing village into the “Garden of the Costa del Sol,” while maintaining its small town charm and ensuring a good life for the local residents.

Public works are in evidence everywhere. Underground garages are being added to get more cars off the streets. The historic district is almost completely pedestrian with shops, bars, and restaurants. Flowers are planted and groomed by village employees, the sand on all the beaches is groomed daily, the boardwalk is washed every morning, the “senda litoral” (sea path) has been extended in both directions for hiking and biking. Eventually it will go all the way to Marbella. We have biked 7 miles in one direction before running out of path.

Public Parks and Public Works

So, life is good for the tourists, but is this all too good to be true? Will people get priced out of their neighborhoods with all of the luxury buildings going up? We have seen an occasional homeless person sleeping in the park, although far fewer than in other places. There is a planned complex of 100 affordable housing units. Contractors that wish to build here are required to contribute to the public fund for green spaces and community centers. Taxes have been significantly reduced and the inherited debt from previous administrations is almost gone. There is a screen in the rotunda with the “debt graph.” Sustainability is also a goal, so if solar panels are feasible for your dwelling, city hall pays for them. Oh, by the way, the mayor doesn’t accept a salary for the job.

The Charming Streets of Old Town Estepona

Murals on Buildings

The Orchidarium

A Few of Our Favorite Places

Public Sculpture

**Tribute to the Laborer and the Fisherman**

More Ways to Enjoy Estepona

**Paddle boarding** in the shadow of Gibraltar

Can you tell, I’m a big fan of this town? We love the weather! There has been sunshine almost every day, but even a cloudy day here is pretty nice. Daytime temperatures are in the 60’s and cooler at night, perfect for walking and biking. There are also great golf courses here if you like golf.

We have been swimming regularly at the indoor 25 meter pool and taking long walks along the sea path. On the beach, I look for sea glass and we have dipped our toes in The Mediterranean, but it’s still a bit chilly to plunge in. We have been making the rounds of our favorite bars and restaurants, and discovering new ones. We made friends with an Irish couple and have enjoyed a couple social dates with them. Our stay here ends March 1st. Then “adventures in the south of Spain” is heading north to San Sebastián. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading. My reviews are purely based on our personal experience. I am unpaid for my opinions. I take my own photos and write my own content.

Geri

Malaga Sights And Malaga Nights

Chicago to Malaga

We departed Chicago on a frigid January afternoon, and after a long, but uneventful flight, we arrived in Madrid the next morning. From Barajas airport, we took a train to Atocha Station for the train to Malaga. We’ll enjoy some days in Madrid in March, but for now, it’s time to head south. The three and a half hour train ride to Malaga was pleasant, thanks to an upgrade to business class. We can’t afford that on an airline ticket, but at 30 euros each, the leg room and hot lunch are well worth it. By Friday evening, we were checked in to our hotel in the city center (Hotel Molina Lario).

COVID Restrictions are Real

After a shower and a brief rest, we were off to the rooftop bar of our hotel. There, the hostess asked for our digital vaccine card. We have three, including the one which was required to enter the country, but her scanner didn’t work on any of them. In the midst of that confusion, our friends María and Cipriano from Oletrips called. We had two days of experiences planned with them. Unfortunately, Cipriano had just tested positive for COVID. Omicron is spiking here, disrupting plans, just like it is at home. An outdoor mask mandate has been reinstated and voluntary compliance is high. The locals are dining outdoors more than in past winters here. We are avoiding crowded indoor bars, but otherwise the COVID impact on our trip has been minimal. As of this posting, I am happy to report that both Cipriano and María had a mild case and are recovered. We hope to reconnect with them later in our trip.

Things to do in Malaga

Cipriano had texted us a list of things to do and see in Malaga, and I am proud to say we checked off a number of them. Malaga is a beautiful city; clean, safe, and very walkable. The central historic district and port area are well-marked and easy to navigate. Malaga’s history is represented in its beautifully preserved monuments. Food and drink are widely available and of high quality for a fair price. Cipriano included great restaurant suggestions. We had a lunch Los Mellizos in the central market, where we enjoyed fresh tapas, sunshine, and some interaction with a fun group of Polish tourists. One evening, we dined under the stars and the lights of the medieval walls at El Pimpi, near the Roman Theatre.

Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and therefore a city which celebrates art. The Picasso Museum and The Carmen Thyssen Museum are world-class galleries housed in beautiful historic buildings. During a Sunday walk in the historic center, we happened upon the Felix Revello de Toro Museum. Admission is free on Sunday. The building was originally the home and studio of Spanish sculptor Pedro de Mena. There is a memorial dedicated to him. The rest of the rooms showcase the paintings of Revello de Toro; born in 1926 and still working. His works are mainly portraits of women. We enjoyed our visit very much! (Gloria Judge, you would love it!)

Many tourists bypass Malaga, spend a day when their cruise ship is in port, or merely pass through it en route to the beach towns on Costa del Sol. We have been guilty of that on our previous visits to the region. One year, we came to Malaga by bus from nearby Nerja to see the holiday lights and the Three Kings’ Day parade. We made a day of it and visited the Picasso Museum and the Cathedral. The next year, we came to Malaga from Torremolinos to catch a tour to Caminito del Rey, and we had lunch before leaving town. This trip, we stayed three nights in Malaga and were able to experience much more of this charming city.

I highly recommend taking the time to explore Malaga!

My opinions are strictly my own, based on personal experience. I am independent and unpaid. Thank you for reading.

Geri