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On the
Costa del
Sol,
within
Andalucia,
and close
to
Estepona,
stands a
unique
Spanish
village
nestled in
the
hillside
with its
white-painted
houses
interlaced
with tiny
streets.
Casares
has been
inhabited
for
thousands
of years
by a
myriad of
civilisations,
each
leaving
its mark.
Besides
walking
along the
narrow,
cobbled
streets
with their
Moorish
design,
one should
not miss
the
opportunity
to see the
Arab
Castle at
the top of
the hill
where the
views are
spectacular.
Along the
way, walk
through
the town
square and
get a
taste of
real Spain
where
women go
about
their
business,
cloaked in
black
shawls and
men pass
the time
away
socialising.
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Tiny
village
shops full
of local
produce
hide round
every
corner
with a
scattering
of small
bars and
cafes
thrown in
for good
measure.
Local
pottery
and
leatherwork
are very
good buys.
The town
is almost
untouched
by
tourism.
Casares
has its
own little
museum
with
artefacts
dating
from the
Roman
times. The
whole town
is a
photographer's
paradise.
In Roman
times the
town was
of such
importance
that it
had its
own mint
and Roman
baths
which were
ordered to
be built
by Caesar
as a sign
of
gratitude
to being
cured of a
skin
complaint
after
bathing in
the
sulphurous
waters in
the
locality.
Numerous
Roman
ruins lie
close by,
including
part of an
aqueduct.
A truly,
sleepy
village,
locked in
time. The
local
fiestas
take place
in the
first two
weeks of
August and
the Cristo
fair takes
place in
September
when the
village
comes
alive. |
Our
travels to
Casares
its one of
those
villages
we can't
stay away
from.
Every
visit has
yielded
character
and charm.
The road
from the
coast is a
bit of a
trek and
its
impossible
to get a
car into
the
village.
its hard
work
walking
through
the
village as
its all
uphill but
through
all this,
the sights
from the
top are
stunning,
the people
here are
friendly
and very
'Andalucian'.
And the
square is
ideally
situated
in the
middle -
perfect
every
time, to
stop for a
beer on
the way
up. Make
sure you
get to the
castle
ruins at
the top.
The views
over the
rooftops
are
splendid. |
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Market day
in Casares
is Friday
but don't
expect
more than
a couple
of stalls
selling
the
essentials.
From
Casares,
head
towards
the coast
and
stumble
upon the
wonderful
port of
Duquesa. |
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