Marbella is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia on the Costa del Sol. It's classy, it's glitzy and it simply oozes coastal charisma. Modern day Marbella is Spain's answer to St Tropez - a favoured haunt of the rich, the famous and the seriously star struck. Now one of the Mediterranean's premier holiday resorts, Marbella has a history stretching back many thousands of years BC. The remains of prehistoric settlers have been found on the Sierra Blanca which provides Marbella's impressive mountainous backdrop; recent archaeological finds point to Phoenician settlements here in the 7th century BC. This is an area steeped in history and you'll find plenty of fascinating architecture and places of interest dating back to the days of Roman and Moorish occupation. But it's not Marbella's history which brings foreign visitors in droves to this most favoured of towns which has gained a worldwide reputation for its glitz and glamour. Probably the most famous area of the resort is its seafront "Golden Mile" stretching from Marbella to the luxury yacht spotters' paradise at Puerto Banus. This stretch is where Marbella's wealth is most in evidence - Ferraris cruise the quayside, the seriously rich dine in fabulous restaurants and lesser mortals pay an arm and a leg to sip a glass of wine and people watch. The port of Puerto Banus, to the west of the town, is home to a collection of some of the swankiest yachts in the world. Members of the paparazzi mingle with the ordinary masses, all hoping for a glimpse of the stars and mega millionaires whose floating palaces leave quayside spectators gasping in awe. You don't have to be Bill Gates to holiday here - but expect to pay more for everything than you would in most other Spanish resorts. There are world-class restaurants offering top quality cordon bleu cuisine at top prices; but you can still find plenty of back street Spanish tapas bars and restaurants where you can enjoy excellent home cooked fare at a fraction of UK prices. When the almost obscene wealth on display at the seafront becomes too much to bear, head into the charming old quarter and explore the narrow streets with their jumble of bars, bistros, shops and galleries. The focal point of the Old Town, still partially surrounded by the ruins of an old Arab wall, is the lovely Orange Square with its ancient stately buildings, tall trees and exotic tropical plants. The square dates back to 1485 and is dominated by three buildings of historic interest - the Town Hall, built in 1568, the Baroque style church of St Mary built in 1618 and restored after the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, and the old Governor's House dating back to 1552. As for entertainment, Marbella has it all. There are parks and gardens to relax in, every water sport imaginable, golf, horse riding, hiking. And when the sun goes down.prepare to party! There are clubs, casinos, discos and cinemas enough to keep you entertained till dawn.