The Sun Sure Coast of Southern Spain

Ever since I met my husband, he has claimed that 72 degrees in the perfect temperature.
When we arrived in Southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol, we knew we had found 72 degrees at its finest. The Costa del Sol averages 320 days of sunshine per year and has incredible powdery beaches with full service palapas in perfectly pleasant subtropical April!
We have just concluded our “on assignment” research for all-inclusive resorts for families, at least for now. What we discovered was that it was just what the doctor ordered. As I mentioned, we were a bit under the weather in Madrid, and our pace quickened in Barcelona and Provence as there was SO much to see and learn! 
By the time we arrived in Southern Spain, we determined that we needed rest. We didn’t realize how much energy we exhaust finding temporary homes, whether it be for a week, or a month or three months. The decisions are endless and new to us as we are used to having a permanent residence.
We love our new tasks and it is a family challenge to find our new apartment or house, wind our way to a new market, figure out greetings and rituals in a new language. It is life at is fullest and sometimes it is a bit overwhelming.
What we really felt during this “all inclusive” experience was that everything was taken care of. When someone changes the towels and makes the bed and prepares all the food and sets the table and even provides the ambiance, all that is left to do is take care of ourselves.
It was such  gift to feel the absence of decision-making.  The biggest choice we were facing was what to eat at the buffet and if it was a beach or pool day. We love big city culture and streets seeping with history, but we are also learning that as a family, we have to give ourselves permission to disengage.
The downside of resort life is that we had to actually motivate ourselves to leave the resort and see the world around us. The way all-inclusive resorts are structured with kids club, buffets, and nightly entertainment, it is challenging to find the time or desire to leave the hotel. That is also the upside. Everything from daily maid service, to state of the art workout facilities, to Flamenco shows were right at our fingertips but spontaneous encounters with the local culture were not as frequent.
We truly felt rejuvenated by our vacation from our journey!