As May begins, the Cordoba patios of both public and private residences open their doors to visitors. What lies within these courtyards is a riot of colour and beautiful scents, and more often than not local wine and nibbles. In 2023, the Cordoba Patios Festival runs from 2nd to 14th May. The whitewashed walls of the houses are hidden behind colourful pots overflowing with geraniums, pansies and roses, while bougainvillea and jasmine cascade from balconies and roofs. A potted history Since 1921, the Cordoba Town Hall has organised a competition of Courtyards and Crosses. Owners decorate their ..read more

23rd April is World Book and Copyright Day, and also St. George’s Day. In Catalonia, it has a special meaning, and a most wonderful, traditional gesture. On 23rd April, World Book Day is celebrated all over the world. In Spain, it is a day to encourage reading and the enjoyment of literature. It is also a day to commemorate the great Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, with the presentation of the prize which bears his name. World Book Day is an opportunity to give the gift of literature, share your love of reading with friends and family, and indulge in a little (or lot) of book shopping. On ..read more

Even when you have lived somewhere for years, when you take the time to explore, not rushing from antique pillar to historic staging post, you discover things. Interesting things. Tasty things. Exciting things. That’s why we advocate slow travel. Slow Travel is integral to Toma & Coe offerings, we bring our guests the local view. Immerse you in the culture, whichever aspect that may be, and no matter how long you stay. To make it clear, slow travel doesn’t mean you have to stay here for months on end (though if you would like to, you’re more than welcome!) It’s about pacing your travels. D ..read more

One thing visitors to Málaga comment on is the vibe, an energy always bubbling away beneath the surface. The last few months have been no different with the arts and sports bringing an extra verve to the province, and the underground getting not one but two new central stations. Discover the real Málaga with Toma & Coe. Getting to Málaga has never been easier With United Airlines re-introducing the Málaga to New York direct route from 31st May (three flights each way per week), and Montreal in Canada also now directly linked, it’s a great time for North Americans to savour Málaga and the C ..read more

As spring approaches, the Málaga film festival takes place. Its emblem? The Biznaga, long a symbol of Málaga. Why is the biznaga emblematic of Málaga and how is it made? Yes, the biznaga is made; it is not a natural flower but a composite. Made by hand it is a blend of jasmine flowers and dried nerdo stalk. With properties to repel insects, it also provides a gentle scent to hide any less-than-gentile aromas. Origins of the biznaga The meaning of biznaga originates from the Arabic period meaning “gift of God”. In bygone eras, it was used as an air freshener and mosquito repellent in summer. Wh ..read more

On International Women’s Day (IWD), we celebrate seven Andalucian women who broke the gender barrier, fought for freedom and reached the top of their fields. Teresa Aspiazu y Paul – first female councillor of Málaga Teresa Aspiazu y Paul was born in Cádiz in 1862, and became the first female councillor in the province of Málaga. Teresa was a tireless feminist, fighting for the rights of women and the disadvantaged. Before becoming a councillor, Aspizau y Paul was a teacher at the Normal de Maestras school and eventually became principal—governing the school for more than 13 years. She was als ..read more

Málaga province is one of the most popular areas to visit in Spain. These are just 5 reasons why you should visit and explore this fascinating part of Spain. Experience the Renaissance of Málaga When I first moved to Spain over 12 years ago, I wrote an article about why Málaga was more than just an airport. Few people had really considered visiting our province’s capital, it was just the place from which they travelled onwards – usually along the coast. Not anymore. Málaga has experienced a renaissance. It has turned from a port city to a beautiful, buzzing hub with artistic flair, gorgeous a ..read more

One of the abiding symbols of Málaga is the ‘cenachero’, the statue of which stands in Plaza Marina in the city. But just who was el cenachero and what did he do? The bronze sculpture created by Málaga artist Jaime Fernández Pimentel in 1964 represents a typical and traditional figure of Málaga, the “Cenachero” or fish seller. El Cenachero walked the streets of Málaga selling his wares. Hanging from each arm were “cenachos” or baskets, which held the fish, and from which his name derives. The cenachos were made by hand of esparto, a coarse grass with tough narrow leaves. Esparto is also used t ..read more

Málaga made hit entries into many ‘top lists’ in December and January. The city is all about style, culture and fun, and American Vogue picked up on that vibe. Two of the province’s villages made National Geographic’s most beautiful list, whilst a Marbella hotel was one of only three Spanish hotels to make Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List for 2023. And not to be out done, Málaga’s gastronomy has also shown its worth in the TasteAtlas Guide. What is it about Málaga that is so appealing? Come and find out… Málaga one of top places to visit in 2023 says American Vogue As American Vogue magazine po ..read more

A growing travel trend over the past few years has been off-grid holidays. Off-grid doesn’t have to mean roughing it. Instead, imagine beautiful accommodation in secluded settings, reconnecting with nature or taking time to grab some inner peace with a hike along the Camino de Santiago. If you’re looking for the chance to explore Spain’s secret spaces, disconnect from the digital world, and reconnect with the simple life, then an off-grid holiday with Toma & Coe could be just the solution. There are many ways to go off-grid, but what they all have in common is stepping away from the hustle ..read more