ABOUT: 7DY-DVD-138 - Andalusia in southern Spain is a fantasy land situated between Europe and Africa. In Algarrobo, a white village close to the coast, time seems to have stood still. A place of both inspiration and contemplation. Since Phoenician times the earlier 'Malaca' was a busy trading port that was defended by the Castillo De Gibralforo. The Cathedral, also known as 'La Manquita', symbolises a catholic victory on the former site of a mosque. On the edge of the city centre is the Moorish fortress of Alcazaba that was once a fortified residence on the hills of Castillo. The second largest city in Andalusia also became known as the birthplace of its famous son, world famous artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso. Since the 1950's the modern coastal resort of Torremolinos has attracted mass tourism with a numerous variety of huge hotel skyscrapers, bars and restaurants. In the hilly inland area of the Costa Del Sol is the pretty white mountain village of Mijas. A small hilltop bullfight arena shines bright white along with the houses ofthe surrounding area. Marbella, the prima donna of the Costa Del Sol, serves as a rendezvous for the stars of stage and screen and a leisure resort for the international jet set. Another short excursion into the mountains near the coast leads to Casares, a sleepy mountain village crowned by the ruins of a Moorish Castle. During the Roman Carthaginian Wars Cadiz played an important role as a trading centre. After the Moors, came the Normans and in 1262, the city fell into the hands of the Christian king, Alfonso. Dreamy harbour towns, cultural metropolises with a Moorish past, Christian buildings and white villages. Beauty in the Garden Of Eden -- that's Andalusia!