I recently took a trip to Marbella, a place I haven’t visited for over fourteen years. Perhaps unfairly known these days as the place where TOWIE and Made In Chelsea vie for beach towels, I went in search of the wellbeing and spiritual side of a place which is known more for its glamour than its soul.  And happily I found it, listen to this podcast to find out how to feed your soul in Marbella. 

 I stayed at the Villa Solise, (from £3,600 a week, https://theluxuryvillacollection.com/villa-solise/) a stunning home built by a Norwegian family, with excellent taste in art and design. About half hour drive from Malaga airport, a car can be organised by The Luxury Villa Collection to collect you from the airport . As we drove along the central boulevard in Marbella, I noticed there were so many more yoga studios, organic bars and even a gluten-free café on offer. Today’s Marbella has a more relaxed Californian vibe and all the better for it.

In many self-catering villas you might order take out, but in this one, the guests are more likely to order yoga instructors and a sports massage. The Luxury Villa Collection has a very switched on concierge service which together with organising the usual airport transfers or private chefs, can also arrange an excellent wellbeing schedule. 

Petra, who is the real deal as far as yoga is concerned, will make you feel at ease within the first five minutes, balancing your chakras before you know it, and Penny does the best sports massage I’ve ever experienced.  

Alternatively if you are feeling more adventurous, and wish to go to the adventure rather than it come to you, take a three-hour hike up La Concha Mountain, which at 1200m, shadows Marbella and will test your hiking skills and resolve. Start early and ideally go in the Spring or Autumn when the days are cooler and you’ll see some amazing views. 

The villa company offers a wide range of activities but the ones which caught my interest, are the deep-sea fishing, where I am told it is possible to catch massive tuna - and Canyoning, where you navigate usually up a waterfall, under and over water, through tunnels and all in a wet suit, looking like a flexible seal – or inflexible walrus.

If you are after something more relaxing the Six Senses Spa is a short drive from Villa Solise, although I walked there, as strolling past the Puerto Romano Hotel, there’s a good chance you will spot Dolph Lungren who is an ambassador for the region, or even the odd rock-star during the summer concert season.

#Marbella #RadioGorgeous #Travel