No-one on earth throws a party quite like the Spanish, and even the most important religious festivals are likely to be followed by plenty of dancing, singing and merrymaking, as was the case last Sunday with the Romeria de Fuengirola.

I am lucky enough to live opposite the Parque Esparragal, near the Tamisa Hotel on the Camino de Coin, and the Romeria de Fuengirola was held there for the first time last weekend, and what a day it turned out to be.

We had friends staying at the Fuengirola Park Hotel, which, incidentally, is one of the best hotels they have stayed in on the Costa del Sol. I picked them up outside the hotel at 1pm, and the processions to the Parque Esparragal had already begun. La Virgen de Rosario was taken from sanctuary  in the Fuengirola Church in the Plaza de la Constitución, and taken in a carriage to the Parque Esparragal, where thousands of people waited for a glimpse of her.

We stopped off on the way to the Romeria at the Tamisa Golf Hotel on the Camino de Coin, which enjoys a stunning location, overlooking Mijas Golf Course and the Mijas mountains. This is great hotel, with tables situated around the pool area, and plenty of space to chill out in the Autumn sunshine. If you want to eat at the Tamisa Golf, which is open to non-residents, they offer a wide choice of food, including club sandwiches, salads and home made burgers on the snack menu, to a full a la carte menu in the restaurant, or set Sunday lunch, which always proves popular. Also, you can enjoy Happy Hour Prices on drinks on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 6 and 8pm.

Locals at the Romeria came dressed in typical Andalucian dress, and most arrived on horseback to join in the fun. This was a real, authentic Spanish celebration, and whether you are particularly religious or not, you could not fail to be moved by the sheer number of people who attended, and the incredible atmosphere among the crowds.

We had arranged to meet friends for lunch at Hoyo 19, just 2km down the road from the Parque Esparragal, and decided to go back to the Romeria afterwards, when the party had warmed up. Hoyo 19, at Mijas Golf, has always been a favourite local restaurant of mine, and the set menu includes three courses and wine for just €12.50. We decided to ´go Spanish´ and ordered gazpacho, squid, boquerones and Spanish omelette, which were all delicious. The set menu changes regularly, or you can order from the a la carte, which boasts a fantastic range of meat, fish and egg dishes. Incredibly, the menu actually included half a bottle of wine each, which set us up nicely for an afternoon at the park.

After lunch, we went over to Peña La Cresta, another local haunt, across the river bed, which is a great little hideaway to escape to. We enjoyed coffee and brandy there, and our ´designated driver´ then took us back to the Parque Esparragal to join in the fun.

By 5pm the place was rocking, and some of the best Spanish flamenco and disco sounds were booming out of the speakers. There were three bars to choose from, and the most incredible sight was the horses, seemingly being served at the bar, as they nodded their broad heads in approval, when the paella arrived.

Food being served included fresh baguettes with fried pork, pinchitos of pork and chicken, Spanish omelette, tomato salad, Manchego cheese, and a vast choice of meat, fish and salad tapas – all reasonably priced. We were waiting at one bar, (the one with the horses) and had three plates of paella put down in front of us. When I told the waitress we hadn´t ordered anything, she said it was ´gratis.´ A nice touch, which unfortunately was wasted on us as we had just finished a three course lunch.

Our friends from England were amazed at the hospitality of the local bar owners, and were given free hats, gifts and souvenirs to take home.

As the sun began to set, the music continued to play and the park was awash with colourful costumes, dancing señoritas and Andalucian horsemen, proudly showing off their riding skills.

After another hour´s manic dancing (more manic after every glass of wine in our case) we ambled off in the direction of home only to find, yes you guessed it, another bar at the end of the park, which was surrounded by men on horseback. It almost looked as if the horses themselves had popped in for a few jars before bedtime (again the wine talking). So obviously we stopped off for ´one for the road´ as my dad refers to it, and swayed off in the direction of home.

The Romeria de Fuengirola provides the perfect day out for families, friends an tourists, who all get together to make the  most of this fun-filled event. In difficult economic times, it is also worth remembering that the paella and the music, at least, are free.

If you want to explore the local area, around the Parque Esparragal, five minutes up the Camino de Coin is the Phoenix Lounge, and Someplace Else Bar, serving a great choice of home made dishes, plus the very Un-Spanish fish and chips, curries and a top Sunday roast.

Lunch or dinner is also served at the Venta La Morena, five minutes south of the park, and includes a great set menu, with plenty of options for around €12. Venta la Torre is another favourite of ours, and serves a great breakfast, including bacon, eggs, Molletes, and Spanish omelette, plus the best coffee you will find in the area. If you fancy a round of golf, the fabulous Mijas Golf Course is one of the best in the area, and this relatively flat course is perfect for golfers who want to enjoy their sport in one of the most scenic parts of southern Spain.

Whatever time of year you visit the Parque Esparragal, you will find a year-round bar open. Summer hours are usually 5.30pm until late, and winter hours are 12 noon onwards. To get to the park from the coast road, head inland at the Mcdonalds/Aqua park roundabout,  taking the Coin Road. Keep on this road, and go straight, heading for Coin. You will pass the Tamisa Golf Hotel on the right hand side, about 4km from the roundabout. Just half a kilometre further on, you will see the park on the left hand side, and you will find plenty of parking, at the side of the road or behind the bar.

If you enjoy all things Spanish, but you don´t want to pay a fortune for the pleasure, this is a great little hideaway, frequented by locals and tourists alike. A laid, back relaxed atmosphere (apart from when the Romeria is on), the bar serves a great range of tapas, snacks and drinks at crisis-busting prices. This is the perfect place to relax, watch the world go by and enjoy the Autumn sunshine.

Call the local Mijas Tourist Office for details of upcoming events at the Parque Esparragal on: (0034) 952589034. Particularly worthy of note are the Romeria de Las Lagunas (usually held the last Sunday in May, and the Romeria de Fuengirola), in October.

If you have never visited Fuengirola Feria, you haven´t lived. Take a trip to town next week and enjoy 6 days of madness.

Held annually between the 6th and 12th October, this amazing feria is staged in honour of Our Lady, the Virgin of El Rosario, the Patron Saint of Fuengirola. The best time to visit, in my mind, is the first day, when the Plaza de Constitucion (or Church Square) is festooned in bunting, an makeshift bars boom out the music to the dancing throngs.

Passion, colour and noise are the first things to assault the senses as you approach the annual Feria at Fuengirola.  The pride of the local people during feria week is wonderful to see – the women showing off their beautiful flamenco dresses as they perch side-saddle behind the elegant horsemen in their red cravats, sombreros and braces.

This is one of the most prestigious events in Andalucia, and the streets of the town, including local bars and restaurants are festooned in flags, banners and bunting to leave the tourists in no doubt that this is feria week.  After the initial processions from the Church Square in the centre of town to the fairground, an amazing firework display marks the opening of Fuengirola´s largest and most colourful annual event.

On entering the fairground in the evening, the lights and sounds are incredible.  Music booms from every stall and ride, combining excitement and great fun for all ages.  There are also 32 peñas, tented structures which are run by private associations, within the feria ground which boast some of Andalucia´s most talented flamenco singers and dancers.

This festival of fun also boasts superb food including such Spanish favourites as pinchitos of pork, gambas, octopus and firm fairground favourites such as candy floss, toffee apples and various stalls of home made fudge and turron.  As you would expect in this part of the world, there are plenty of marquees to buy beer and wine,  and to enjoy the live music in a comfortable, albeit slightly crazy atmosphere.

There is no such thing as closing time at this event, and many revellers stay at the feria all night, and enjoy an early morning coffee with churros at one of the many local cafes surrounding the fairground.

If you want to combine a trip to Fuengirola Feria with some of the other local attractions, take the time to look around this vibrant town.

There is something for everyone in Fuengirola.  Superb beaches stretch to the Mediterranean in front of attractive promenades with  waterfront cafés, bars and restaurants. Colourful canopies and cool terraces mingle with gift shops, boutiques and stylish leather shops, attracting visitors from all over Spain. Fuengirola is a shopper´s paradise, and boasts some of the best stores and shopping malls in Andalucia.  Whether you are searching for designer clothes, household items, groceries or gift ideas, you are spoilt for choice in this popular seaside resort.

Packed with excellent bars and restaurants, the famous dining area of fish alley, offers every type of restaurant imaginable.  Chinese, Indian, Italian, Spanish, French and English restaurants sit side by side in the streets that criss cross fish alley, and the whole area is buzzing at night time.

If you want to enjoy a special meal, book a table at the long established Portofino Restaurant on the Paseo Maritimo, close to the Hotel El Puerto. The Portofino Restaurant, has flourished since the 1970´s with the same Italian owner.
Offering a wide selection of fish and meat dishes such as Sole Meuniere, Fried Halibut Goujons, Fillet Steak Diane and Beef Strogonoff with Wild Rice, this superb eaterie offers something to suit all tastes.  Roast Leg of Baby Lamb and Whole Roast Duck plus other specialities can be pre-ordered when booking your table, and a range of vegetarian dishes are also available. Try the escargot with garlic butter … delicious!

The Portofino enjoys a great location close to the beach, with all other amenities including bars and nightclubs within easy walking distance.  Particularly busy in the summer and at weekends, booking is highly recommended.
For shopaholics, the excellent Myramar Centre is situated just 1km from the centre of town, and boasts over 70 shops selling everything from electrical goods to clothes and homeware items.  There is also a multi- plex cinema complex, including one film every day in English, a children´s play area, a supermarket and several restaurants on the top floor.  Opened since 2004, this impressive centre offers free covered parking.

Aqua-Park on the outskirts of town is the most popular attraction amongst younger visitors to the Costa del Sol, and offers visitors some of the best water rides in Europe.  The park also has quieter areas with pools and sunbeds, and café-bars serving snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Feria time equals fun time on the Costa del Sol, and there is no better place to party than at the annual Fuengirola Feria, when the whole town seems to come alive with bunting, live music, wonderful colours, sights and sounds, and some of the most passionate people in Andalucia. Whether you want to see the horse procession into town, dance along to the strains of Sevillanas, or simply sit with a cold glass of fino and watch the world go by, you will find it all at this unique event in one of the Coast´s most colourful towns.

Every year at Fuengirola Feria there is a special Children´s Evening where the younger members of the family can enjoy discounted or free fairground rides before the adults come to spoil the party.

I originally hail from Nottingham, England, and we were lucky enough to live near the site of the famous ´Goose Fair´ which is the largest travelling fair in Europe. Fuengirola Feria is very similar, and whatever age you are, if you enjoy indulging yourself in some truly Spanish festivities, do like the natives do, let your hair down, leave the car at home and party till dawn.