Newcomers shouldn't try to hurry things, and that's okay. Why try to fix something that's been perfected?

Despite my assumptions Marbella would be a town of glitz and glamour, with attitudes and price tags to match, I found it just the opposite. This exciting cosmopolitan city was also pleasantly casual, inviting, and surprisingly affordable. Don't get me wrong. Evenings bring out a well-heeled party crowd eager to put good-sized dents in their Platinum Amex cards, but even a guy like me felt comfortable here.

The weather couldn't have been more pleasant, with temperatures hovering just north of 70 day after day. I didn't experience a minute of liquid sunshine, not unexpected for a region offering 320 days of sun per year.

I soon discovered that the Paseo Maritimo along the waterfront promenade is the best place to take in the sights and sounds, enjoy long, leisurely walks, or grab a bite to eat. About four miles long, it stretches from city center to the port of Puerto Banus. Most mornings I was content to just soak up the local ambiance. It's clear life is good in this part of the world.

And it soon became evident to me how important family is to the people of Spain. As a grandfather myself, it was heartwarming to see so many grandparents laughing and playing with their grandkids, as multi-generational families strolled under the sun.

Sidebar: Help Me, Ronda

Mid-week I headed northwest about 40 miles to the historic city of Ronda. My trip on A357 took me through the stunning Sierra Bermeja Mountains still covered with traces of snow at its peaks. Built on a plateau of the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, the history dates back 3,000 years.

The 350-foot-deep El Tajo Gorge splits Ronda into two distinct areas, a medieval district and the post-14^th-century Mercadillo one. I spent the better part of my day wandering the narrow streets and alleys of Old Ronda, absorbing the incredible beauty of this Andalucian gem. I strolled through the Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, a picturesque part of town with two churches, a convent, and the bell tower of the Iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor. Small shops and restaurants abound on both sides.

The time-honored tradition of bull fighting is particularly important to Ronda. The sport originated here four centuries ago, and the city holds an historical bull fight in the Plaza de Toros de Ronda every year. Spain's oldest bull fighting ring is adjacent to a museum dedicated to the history of bull fighting.