We got to spend an amazing 2 weeks over Christmas in Nerja, Costa del Sol with family after successfully juggling crazy holiday schedules and family members arriving from different destinations.

Winter in Spain was brilliant; at least in the south of Spain the weather was sunny and warm enough for t-shirts in the day but cold enough for a fire at night.

We rented a place in the Old Town (off Airbnb) close to the famous Balcon overlooking the Med, restaurants, great cafes and beaches.  We had paella on the beach for Christmas Day, preceded by aperitifs at the Nerja Parador as a special treat.

Why Nerja?  ABBEY sends student groups for Spanish language immersion to Nerja.  It’s a smallish size town safe to let students roam and explore but there’s just enough to do for 2 weeks.  Our student groups are hosted by the Escuela de Idiomas Nerja, a family run school which, in addition to wonderful host families in walking distance to the school, has a superb school residence attached – The Club Costa.

Our Christmas stay was a big hit with all in the family.  We didn’t do the touristy thing but just chilled together, ate great food, reconnected after another big year, read books and met with friends.  It didn’t cost an arm and a leg since it was low season and quite frankly, the cost of living there is so much more affordable at the moment than anything in Australia and New Zealand.   And we feel  refreshed for another big year ahead!

Alyson Moore
Director
ABBEY language Travel