For most of us the beach is a place for relaxation, a place to unwind, let go and enjoy the feeling of the sun's rays on our skin. We picture the waves, gently collapsing on them selves, the hushed sounds of babbling water and the soft warm sands whenever the oppressive British climate gets a bit much and we instantly feel better, less uptight.

However for some, the beach connoisseurs, the art of kicking back in the surf is a serious business, not to be taken lightly. They'll search tirelessly to find the world's best beaches, and one the hot spots they routinely inhabit is the blistering Costa Del Sol.

The beach around the harbour of Cabopino near Marbella is one such find, shaded as it is by looming sand dunes that give it a secluded air. The beach is overlooked by a Moorish watchtower and has access to a romantic marina, lending the place real character.

Of course, if it's real exclusivity you're after, you should try Nikki Beach, the playground of choice for the rich and famous, where everybody is expected to flash their cash. As you'd expect the dining on the beach comes with a hefty price tag but is of an excellent standard.

Tarifa and the nearby Punta Paloma are the best beaches in the region of those of you who prefer to take an active approach to spending time at the beach, with a variety of water sports on offer, including kite surfing and windsurfing.

If you want to take in all of the great sights and sounds of the Costa Del Sol one of the best ways to do it is by starting up towards the north of the coast and heading down. For example you could land at Malaga, sort out car hire in Malaga airport, seeing as car hire in Spain is relatively cheap. Then you'll be free to drive down the gorgeous, scenic costal roads, all the way down from the culture and bustle of Malaga, past the Gibraltar and down to Tarif, the southern most tip of Spain, seemingly a stones throw from Africa.