My recommendation: Pass on Costa Del Sol. I went there myself (granted it was 10 years ago and not during the tourist season, so it may be better now), and it was the absolute WORST vacation of my lifetime. Filthy, rude populace, too many tourists, TERRIBLE food (locals refused to eat the meat as did we-we ate potatoe pancakes instead) unless you eat at the German restaurant in town. However, just a few miles inland it is absolutely beautiful, friendly locals, great food, and worth the trip. Great vacations: Panama beaches (yes, believe it or not), the Netherlands, Garmisch or Rottenburg Germany, and Zug Switzerland.

Tracy

>>>I imagine that when the English descend on the Costa Del Sol in large numbers, the Spanish avoid it, the way I would avoid Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break. I haven't yet learned when the season is.
>>
>>If most of the things are as I remember them, the main season would be July and August, plus half season in June and September. The most numerous tourists in Europe seem to be Germans, and they have scheduled their school breaks in several weeks' cascade (the Autobahns were deadly and overcrowded on the opening weekend, before the 70s when they introduced this practice), and the Germans seem to be major owners of Spanish hotels. The Italians traditionally have vacations in August (feragosto).
>>
>>Of course, as with any other information I have about European affairs, this may be well obsolete.
>
>I looked at the Lonely Planet guide to Andalusia last night. Travel guides usually try to be positive, but LP had little good to say about the Costa Del Sol. It is ugly high density beach development, and not at all Spanish in character. It would be far less crowded in October, and we could certainly make trips to the beautiful and fascinating country inland. But that coast by itself doesn't look like the place we want to be.
>
>We have decided to reject this one and see what else they have. We are going to England and Wales in April/May. Therefore we are looking for a different place for September/October. We have already been told that there is nothing with two bedrooms available to us in France then. I think our first choices right now are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Scotland. But I'm interested in going most anywhere, and I told Dad that he could decide. He will probably call them back today.