If you’re looking for somewhere to spend the day with your family this summer then I’d recommend the La Concepcion Botanical Gardens, close to Malaga City.

I spent some time there recently with Kami, Tony and family, who many of you will know from their roles running this magazine.

If you’re a tree fan you’ll be in your element, but those who prefer flowers may feel slightly disappointed, as trees definitely rule the roost! There’s even a special section called ‘Around The World in 80 Trees’ featuring 80 trees from across the globe. If you actually stop at each tree and study it, then you can see how they look different from ordinary trees.

I was certainly in my element at the gardens, mainly because of the abundance of frogs. I make no secret of the fact that I simply ADORE frogs. Not in the way that I’d like to plant wet ones on their cheeks (although if they turned into handsome prices I might consider it….), but simply to watch them be. They jump around from lily pad to pond without a care in the world…what a life hey?! The froggys were also the highlight of the day for my two nieces, Charli and Leoni. They loved playing ‘spot the frog’ then throwing small twigs their way to scare them into jumping (teehee!)

Our little clan involved five adults, two children, a buggy and a wheelchair. This meant we could only stick to certain areas and we couldn’t go gallivanting beyond the trees, or up steep hills. But the children had great fun riding on the back of the wheelchair while Daddy pushed them along, and the buggy proved a great storage system for heavy bags.

We visited the gardens on an especially hot day so the sprinkler water system proved a real treat as we all ran through it to cool down…and there were plenty of stray lemons to quench our thirsts!

But the best part of all was when we saw a tree dedicated to this magazine. Yes, the ‘centinela tree’, which towered above most of the other trees in the gardens. It’s ashame they mis-spelt it, but hey, it’s the thought that counts! Why not see if you can spot it if you get the chance to visit La Concepcion?  

It’s also worth noting that there are picnic benches in the gardens and a delightful café serving drinks, snacks and a selection of light meals. There’s also a gift shop, where you can purchase cute little memories of your day.

For more info including directions visit their website at www.laconcepcion-ayto-malaga.es, call 952 252 148.

 Keidi Keating, Editor