location OF MANILVA ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Situated just south of Sabinillas and Estepona, two thriving villages that have also thus far managed to duck the tourist radar, Manilva is about a half hour north along the coast from the Gibraltar Airport and just under an hour south from the slightly larger Malaga Airport.
Although it is located along the Costa del Sol which has (since the expansion of Spanish Tourism early on in the twentieth century) always been a popular tourist hotspot, it has escaped any significant notice, making it a quiet and charming destination in the midst of the hubbub of costal tourism.
Overview of Manilva
If you have ever been to some of the popular costal holiday destinations in some parts of Spain, you will have seen the garish and unattractive high rise construction that characterises many of these areas. One of the most charming aspects of the traditional town of Manilva is the fact that this type of construction is nearly non-existent. This small town retains its original and truly Spanish character and is a consideration for many when researching weddings in Spain and potential venues due to it's traditional and innocent beauty.
As of yet, Manilva is mostly an undiscovered destination as far as the tour companies of the area are concerned, making it a great place for a holiday or investment.
The full time residents in Manilva make their living on an economy based on agriculture and fishing, and are only now starting to realize their village's potential for mainstream tourism. The agriculture of the area is composed mainly of crops grown near the area's river bed and valleys. Grapes make up a majority of the harvest and are used to make the area's sweet wines which are usually drunk new-made as they age quite badly.
Simple and unaffected, Manilva is often missed by the masses of tourists as they head up or down the coast, as it is located off the main motorway (A7). The village has a fascinating history, and still preserves some incredibly well preserved Roman Baths as well as an Aqueduct.
It is easy to reach Manilva from Malaga Airport . Simply turn off the N340 (another name for the A7 motorway) at the Kilometer Marker 145 and take the A377. This will take you straight up to the tourist office which inhabits an old estate called Villa Matilde which is surrounded by lush semi-tropical vegetation.
If you're looking to enjoy some time away from the coast and want to explore a bit further inland, a visit to Antequera and the El Chorro lakes are advisable as it provides the setting for a perfect family day out into the countryside. With 3 big lakes surrounded by lush vegetation, the lakes are popular with fans of water sports as you can take pedalos out, canoe around the massive lakes and so on. Also popular with nature lovers more accustomed to the scenery from the window of their Cumbrian cottages, the lakes are in such contrast to the beaches and coastline and only around 1.5 hours drive from Manilva and thus add a whole new layer to this area of Spain and serve to make it even more attractive an option.
Living and Working in the Manilva area
There are certainly jobs available for foreigners on the Costa del Sol but it is worth bearing in mind that Spain also has a high level of unemployment and any work you find may be seasonal as the bulk of the economy on the Costa del Sol is based in tourism and work may be periodic through the peak seasons.
However, this should not put you off as there are thriving foreign communities along the coast that employ a variety of nationalities and languages and English is one of the main, if not the main language spoken in this and local areas.
There are many ways to find local work as there are many resources aimed at the English market including job websites, foreign press adverts etc.
If you plan on finding work in Spain, familiarise yourself with a typical contract and what rights you have as an employee. Does your employer offer Employee Assistance Programmes alongside any healthcare benefits for example? Do some research before you begin your search and you should have no problems.
|