Viking Cruises

After a few enjoyable, leisurely hours ambling around Malaga, where our ship, Viking Jupiter, arrived earlier this morning, we take an afternoon shore excursion to Mijas. It's probably the most beautiful of the traditional whitewashed towns and villages – called pueblos blancos - lacing the mountains that surround this vibrant port in Spain's sun-kissed Andalucia region. Perched 428m above sea level, Mijas is nicknamed: "The Mirador of the Costa del Sol". And it's easy to see why. The town is blessed with expansive terraces, some fringed by luxuriant gardens, and all granting magnifi cent panoramas over Spain's most famous, resort-laden stretch of coastline, which is lapped by the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. On a clear day you'll even glimpse the Rock of Gibraltar – 100km away – and north Africa's Atlas Mountains. Ambling around Mijas' maze-like cobbled streets with our guide, Maria, we learn about the town's fascinating history and its dazzling whitewashed buildings, which hug the mountain- sides and are freshly painted before every summer. The white colour is said to keep the building interiors cool, which is handy as Mijas averages about 300 sunny days annually. Most buildings are residential, and adorned with colourful fl owers and plant pots. Others have morphed into cafes, tapas bars and gift stores selling potential souvenirs like pottery and paintings crafted by local artisans. We'll have free time to shop, and explore, after Maria has shown us key historic sites, including relics of the fortifi cations built by the Muslim Moors, who occupied Mijas for over 700 years before the Christians took over in the 15th century. We also duck into the Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock. Carved into a rock, this decorative shrine is devoted to Mary and, ironically, for somewhere that offers respite from the heat, it's one of the few buildings in Mijas that isn't whitewashed. After a few enjoyable, leisurely hours ambling MIJAS, SPAIN v i k i n g c r u i s e s . c o m 23

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