Does any other worldwide tourist region have such a lovely and evocative name? The Costa del Sol certainly lives up to its name, with 325 days of sunshine a year and warm temperatures. No wonder so many tourists from Spain, Europe and the rest of the world flock to the magnificent Costa del Sol's beaches that rim the warm waters.

This 300-km region also gets a of attention from the golfing world as golf lovers already revere the Costa del Sol for its magnificent courses, the region is know as the Costa del Golf with over 75 magnificent courses to play on.

Local hotspots include famous places like Malaga, the capital, and the swank Marbella. We'll leave the discussion of Malaga to another guide -- a City Guide, that is -- and focus on Marbella instead.

The area has been the chic-est spot on the Costa del Sol since a wealthy playboy transformed his luxurious seaside house into the select Marbella Club in the 1950s. Now the town is famous for its "Golden Mile" with its luxury hotels, gardens and the residences of aristocrats, society gadabouts and successful business people. Visitors enjoy strolling the streets grouped around Orange Square and gathering at Puerto Banús to see the luxury yachts and sailboats anchor. Upscale bars, sidewalk cafes and gourmet restaurants abound.