Marbella Tourist Traps

WEll is not a trap tip, but i got so trapped by this city since i first came here, that i should warm you. Yoou love or you hate this city,, but never leaves you indiferent.

here is my street CARMEN STREET, between the Orange Square and the Encarnacion Church, up is the school i used to go for primary and left is balcon de la virgen...

If you are looking for a school for your children, below are some useful websites:

- www.swanschool.com

- www.aloha-college.com

- www.eic.edu

Unique Suggestions: others :

SUNNY VIEW SCHOOL
E-mail: sunny@acade.es

THE ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
http://www.eicmarbella.com/leftcol.htm

and mmore

Although the Plaza is very pretty, the restaurants are overpriced, full of tourists, and the food is very average.

Unique Suggestions: Have a drink to enjoy the atmosphere.

Fun Alternatives: Find somewhere away from the Plaza de los Naranjos, maybe a bar tucked away down a side street.

Under any circumstance should you park in the Park Plaza Hotel (Suites) parking garage. Fee is €2.95 per hour and any fraction thereof. Say if you were only there for one hour 5 minutes, you'll have to pay €5.90. They do have signs all over the place announcing how much it cost to park there.

Fun Alternatives: There are other parking garages for much less, €1.00/hour or less. One such parking is off Julio Iglesias Blvd going east after you get into town. Also Hipermart parking is only €1/hour. It is by the town square. We were also told there are some free parking in an area before you get into the center of town. The tourist info center marked them on our map. Unfortunately, we gave up before we could find it.

Wealth Warning: Avoid using Chequepoint to change money in Marbella or anywhere else for that matter.

Some of my British and American friends have told me horror stories of the rip-off rates charged by Chequepoint when changing currency. The company (click on the logo so you can steer clear of it) has outlets at many tourist sites. Other VT members in Hungary and Hong Kong have reported the same kind of fraud. My advice is not to use Chequepoint under any circumstances.

Fun Alternatives: You will get much more competitive rates drawing local currency on your Visa or Visa Electron card (preferably use a cash dispenser in a bank during opening hours and check the card slot shows no evidence of being fiddled with (a favourite trick is to slip a thin additional reader in). Shield the keypad with your hand as you tap the numbers in (in another scam, a concealed webcam films your PIN number).

Most travel agencies will try to book you in Torremolinos as it is the biggest of the Costa del Sol resorts and probably its most famous. The resort has received somewhat of a bad press which has led the local authorities to improve beach cleaning and to make an effort to keep the all night partying under control. During the tourist season different nationalities flock to Torremolinos for some 'fun in the sun'. Can we say 'Spring Break European Style'.

Fun Alternatives: Stay in Marbella!!!!!