Marbella's saying is A Way of Life and, certainly, this luxurious resort town seems to have it all. It is, once again, rising to the forefront as a favourite location with the rich and famous, as well as more ordinary folk who are willing to pay just a little bit extra for southern Spain's answer to St Tropez.

Not too long ago, Marbella sharpened its image even more thanks to a considerable investment initiated by the town's colourful and controversial late mayor, Jesus Gil which resulted in a massive landscaping drive.

However, Marbella has a down to earth side as well, an air of individuality which can be best appreciated by exploring back streets in the old part of town. Among the prettiest places is the fabled Orange Square, which is located just off the main street in the older district and is also home to the 16th century town hall and tourist office where you can pick up a detailed map and any visitor information.

Within Orange Square, or La Plaza de los Naranjos, as it is called in Spanish, expect to meet with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros and is a hub of activity day and night. Depending on the time of year, the colours here can be vibrant, with the trees and exotic tropical plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings and a lovely deep blue sky.

If you're looking for a beach holiday, then Marbella is the perfect destination, as it has so much to offer in the way of beaches. You will be spoilt for choice.

But if lying on a beach all day long isn't your idea of a fun holiday, then Marbella has so much more to discover. It has many historic places of interest to see, such as museums and buildings etc.

Make sure you explore the honeycomb of surrounding narrow streets where homes and shops intermingle to create the atmosphere of a small village, rather than a cosmopolitan town. There are numerous excellent restaurants to choose from, ranging from those specialising in the predictably pricey exclusive cordon bleu to the gritty individuality of a backstreet Spanish bar where the Serrano ham is gently cured by tobacco smoke and the tapas are both tasty and filling!

Marbella is a shopper's paradise, too. This area boasts a great choice of places to shop until you drop! Whether you're looking for some designer clothing or a craft gift, you will find it here in Marbella.

But whatever you choose to do during the day in Marbella, you will sure want to check out the nightlife in this area of Spain. There are discos, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, casinos and there are bars where you can listen to live music, too. You will be spoilt for choice ? whatever your taste.

When choosing your rental property here, prices are not the lowest. It is best to opt for a self catering apartment or a house rental. Self catering holidays offer you more in the way of getting involved with the local national culture.

Whether you are looking for a long or short term rental, you should be able to find your ideal villa rental in Marbella.