Mad Dash through Malaga

Our second and last kid-free outing was to Malaga, the largest city in the area. We hadn't visited on any previous trips and I was really looking forward to our 2 hours to explore. Unfortunately, we sat in really bad traffic on the way there and only had one hour to zip around town. What I loved about this part of Spain is all of the former Arab influences. So visiting the Alcazaba Palace was high on the list. It was no Alhambra or Alcazar, but was still a lovely place to dash around! 

Malaga is a major port city

Really cool waterways through the ground.

Carved stone! 

Magical ceiling

The Roman Theater at the base of the palace. NBD. 

The streets were very lively as Carnival was beginning that night. People were busy setting up lights and decorations. The fist Carnival celebrations in 2 years! 

We had our eye on the clock the whole time and ended the tour with a sprint to the car to make sure we were back in time to pick the kids up. If we're fortunate enough to return here, we will be sure to give Malaga it's proper due! 

Kid-Free Morning in Charming Marbella

Marbella, the closest town to the resort, is super charming. I'd visited on both previous visits to the area, but still wanted to see it again. After dropping the kids off at the kids club, we beelined down the coast and had a wonderful morning exploring the town and eating a tapas lunch at a very un-Spanish early hour. 

Salvador Dali sculpture park leading to the beach

10th Century City Walls from the time of the Moors

Inside the Cathedral 

And home in time for the 1:30pm pick up time :) 

Holiday in Spain 2022

The last trip that I took in the "before" times was to Marbella, Spain with my parents at the end of February 2020. That trip was so relaxing with my parents' help, the kids club, and new friends who also happened to be there. I've thought of that trip often in the last 2 years, wondering when the circumstances would allow us to return. When our planned February trip to Morocco fell through at the end of November, it was with no hesitation that I asked Oma and Opa if we could use their timeshare unit again to return to Spain instead. At the time, I gave it about a 20% chance that we would actually be able to go, but booked it with hope. 

We all stayed healthy leading up the trip (no small feat with COVID still all around), but then a series of severe wind storms threatened to cancel our flight. I did not breathe easy until the plane was in the air. 

The trip was everything we hoped for. The kids adored the kids club and went every day from 10-1:30pm and then again a few of the afternoons. While they were having fun and making friends, Pete and I enjoyed our free time. Long walks on the beach, listening to Mindy Kaling's audiobook, reading on the beach, two day trips to nearby towns, binging Inventing Anna. The resort was really bumping, even busier than I remembered from 2 years ago. We had wonderful warm weather the first half of the week. It was vacation bliss once again.

Watching the sunset was a daily requirement. We had some stunners and some duds throughout the week. 

We had a waterfront dinner on the warmest day of the trip. At first, it seemed it would be too cloudy for a good sunset, but then it just popped, to the joy of everyone at the restaurant. Throw in the sangria and paella. Perfecto! 

The outdoor pools were too cold to swim in, so the outdoor hot tubs were the place to be. Total cesspool packed with kids! We were so happy for our kids that most of the kids at the resort spoke English so they could converse and make friends. 

I promise the kids left the resort. Exactly twice. Once to try to eat at a beachside cafe that was sadly closed. At least they enjoyed playing in the tidal pools. 

And the last night, we drove to a nearby village for dinner at a local fish restaurant. Jude is an adventurous eater, but Maeve inherited my pickiness so we fed them dinner beforehand and just got them dessert. An old Spanish man at the bar randomly broke out in beautiful, soulful song a few times and my heart was full. 

And while the last trip had impending COVID anxiety in the background, on this trip, we watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine. When we will all get a break from this madness. Haven't the last two years held enough trauma for our lifetime? Praying for peace.