IF you want to go to a very secluded spot in the coastlines of Spain, then go to Torremolinos. Torremolinos used to be populated with gays but because there are no nightclubs and bars for the straight gender in the country, then it shuns away visitors who are either straight male or straight female. The only other attraction that persists Torremolinos is a nudist beach but even this nudist beach is usually vacated during winter because no one in his or her right mind will go to the beach and have a tan in the middle of the shivering winter.

The only thing that nudist beach – which is owned by the Dutch – needs to do so that it can recoup from the investments during winter is establish a hot outdoor whirlpool which they have not done yet. Despite these circumstances, Torremolinos is still a beautiful city to stay during Christmas season. Its beach resorts all have that distinctive blue flag accreditation which means that they are periodically inspected for quality. That means that tap water in the beach resort can be drunk. That only means its beaches and pools are rid of pollutants. That also means its lifeguards constantly remind tourists not to litter anywhere. That also means its guards do not allow muddy SUVs near the beach shores so that its sandy plains won’t be compromised.

A typical Christmas in Torremolinos is like a typical Christmas in some country city in Spain. People here are very nice and very hospitable. If you stroll out of your vacation home, you can catch a fisherman who will offer you redfish or grouper or lobster or mussels for free if you’re a foreigner. By the way, most of the foreign expatriates here are pensioner couples who are already retired back home from England or any of the Scandinavian countries. Some who have retired early at 40 ultimately find themselves having a wife from Torremolinos. The redfish, grouper, lobster or mussels you can then grill or fry or make into stock back home in your vacation home with olive oil so you can taste its finesse.

Christmas season here starts early on December 2 during the first Sunday of Advent. At this point in time, a prominent family in Torremolinos will light up the candle in church signaling the first Sunday of Advent. By the way, Advent means preparing for the coming of the Messiah which is celebrated as a commemoration of his birthday on December 25. Then by December 16 commences a novena or a nine-day of vigil in the form of a dawn Mass. After Mass, folks from Torremolinos find themselves surrounded by food vendors ready for some hot breakfast to serve you. You may want to savor these unique Torremolinos delicacies before heading back home to your vacation home.

Then on Christmas Eve, the men of the family in Torremolinos gather together at one specific house in the neighborhood to drink beer. After their stomach is full, they head back home and wait for midnight for a very festive celebration including one laden with fireworks. They then go to church by next day.