TALK of a break on Spain's Costa del Sol and many will assume that you've little imagination, not much sense of adventure and have simply grabbed the first last-minute package tour that offered somewhere hot and sunny.

None of these things are true - as my travelling companion and myself discovered when we organised our own tailor-made eight-day break to Marbella.

From Marbella, we discovered that we had easy access to some of the best surf coastline in Europe - and could visit two other countries while we were there. We booked a hotel and flights and knew exactly where we were headed.

Marbella has yachts, the rich and famous, wannabes strutting their stuff - and plenty more. Though it doesn't really feel traditionally Spanish, the city is beautifully kept, with plenty to keep you entertained.

With the help of our hired wheels - a dusty but practical Ford Fiesta, we were able to escape the bling with ease.

Our chosen hotel was the Riu Rincon Andaluz, a large four-star complex on the outskirts of Puerto Banus, divided into three-storey blocks. Rooms are dotted around gardens and swimming pools.

Our room was enormous, with bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. Don't expect much here by way of entertainment in the evenings though. The bars shut early, there isn't a disco and the hour given over to entertainment by a magician or singer on a stage each evening wasn't our cup of tea.

But we weren't there for nightlife. Our main concern was relaxation, some adventure, and plenty of sleep.

We planned three excursions, leaving the rest of the time free for sunbathing.

Our first stop would have been Gibraltar, which is about an hours drive west of Marbella, if I hadn't left my passport behind. So instead, we headed further along the coast to Tarifa, one Europe's most popular surfing spots.

It didn't disappoint. Tarifa welcomed us with a laid-back vibe, superb selection of shops, a bustling street market, and a great selection of al-fresco bars, restaurants and cafes to refuel at while watching the world go by. The beach is huge, with golden sand and clear blue sea to cool down in.

The following day, we relaxed and prepared for mission number two - Tangier in Morocco.

Once again we headed west, this time to Algeciras to catch the ferry. Don't buy a ticket from the unauthorised touts at the port who will sting you with an unexpected commission. There are plenty of agents at the port and on the way to the dock, where we bought ours. For the bargain price of 48 euros each, we got a fast ferry return ticket, lunch and our own personal guide, Hassan.

With Dirhams burning holes in our pockets, we committed ourselves to shopping and bargain-hunting, as Hassan scrapped his pre-planned tour with a smile.

Tangier isn't the prettiest of places, but there's plenty to see besides the obligatory leather bags, jewellery and handicrafts. In the sprawling Kasbah, French, Moroccan, Spanish and British people live side-by-side in a hotch-potch of architectural styles and fashions.

On the return ferry to Spain, we kept our eyes peeled, hoping to glimpse the dolphins that are often spotted playing in the water.

The next day, armed with passports, we resumed our journey to Gibraltar. After the inevitable border queue, we were confronted with British traffic lights and familiar high-street shops, including NatWest, dotted about in the glaring heat, which felt very strange indeed.

We headed straight for the famous rock and, for a small fee - 19.5 Euros for two with our car - we journeyed around.

Must-sees are St Michael's Cave, with staggering stalagmites and stalactites, and The Great Siege Tunnels. It's impossible not to bump into a few Barbary Apes on the way. The cable car was sadly closed due to high winds during our visit.

Our last days were spent by the pool by day and looking around the glitzy designer shops of Puerto Banus in the evenings. Parking is scarce, so it's easier to get a cab.

A large market in the main square sits alongside shops like Zara and Mango as well as Armani, Louis Vuitton, Versace.

If shopping's not your thing, there's always people-watching. Head down to the marina and check out the huge yachts and flashy cars.

Our DIY package holiday had worked so well - at the last minute - that we determined to do it again.

Sarah Waterfall put together her own package with return flights to Malaga with Avro. Call 0870 458 2847 for bookings or visit www.avro.co.uk

Accommodation at the four star Riu Rincon Andaluz Hotel in Marbella was booked through Cosmos's accommodation-only website, www.somewhere2stay.com, with prices from just £25 per person per night, half board.

Seven days fully-inclusive car hire in Marbella starts at £77 with Holiday Autos. Call 0870 400 0010 or visit www.holidayautos.co.uk

For further details on holidays to Spain contat your local ABTA travel agent.