Activities Programme

These challenging hill and mountain walks, varying in distance from eight to 14 kms, are intended for members who enjoy a good brisk outing, tackling some gradients and uneven ground. Each walk description gives an indication of the degree of difficulty. Attendance is only available to members and must be confirmed through the reservation system during the two weeks before each walk. A good degree of fitness is required. Anyone wishing to attend a walk should be fully confident of their ability to participate.

These walks are intended for members who enjoy a good brisk outing but who would like to “stop and look” occasionally and still be able to catch up with the group. On most walks there are likely to be inclines where some may become out of breath and rather warm. There could also be paths which are rocky and occasionally shallow streams to cross. Attendance is only available to members and must be confirmed through the reservation system during the two weeks before each walk.

Pleasant walks, generally along the coast, of two to three hours duration and between seven and 10 kilometres. These walks are intended for members who enjoy a good brisk outing but who would like to “stop and look” occasionally and still be able to catch up with the group. On most walks there are likely to be inclines where some may become out of breath and rather warm. Attendance is only available to members and must be confirmed through the reservation system during the two weeks before each walk.

Play the fun game of Scrabble every week with your friends in U3A International.

♠♣♥♦ These bridge class meetings will be for a review of the basics of bridge and hands-on playing. They will be especially good for those who have not played in a long time and also for beginners with good card sense. More details on the main page.

This course is suitable for those who have good basic speaking skills and a fairly wide vocabulary but who would like to move up a level in navigating the intricacies of Spanish grammar and improve idiomatic speech. Members wishing to learn the correct use of the most important Spanish tenses and tidy up some of the common mistakes in daily communication will be very interested in this course in Advanced Spanish.

 ♠♣♥♦   Enjoy a friendly game of bridge. Players of all levels are welcome. All participants in Monday bridge must be registered with the co-ordinator of the “bridge club”.  Once registered, participants will receive instructions on how to sign up for each session.

This course is for members beginning to learn Spanish. The aim is that participants really enjoy the experience while increasing their ability to communicate verbally and in writing – hence the emphasis on easy and fun. The course is intended to bring participants to a particular level but not beyond.

This will be a really pleasant cycle ride by the side of the sea. The idea is to take a bit of exercise, share some company and enjoy the experience of the beautiful environment on two wheels. Participants may decide to stop at any point to take in the views and/or to enjoy a drink. Initially the meeting point will be the most westerly point of the Paseo in San Pedro by the roundabout

This course is for members beginning to learn Spanish. The aim is that participants really enjoy the experience while increasing their ability to communicate verbally and in writing – hence the emphasis on easy and fun. The course is intended to bring participants to a particular level but not beyond.

CURRENTLY SUSPENDED. This activity offers a structured opportunity for participants who wish to develop and practise their conversational skills in Spanish. It will be particularly attractive to those who have either a reasonable or good level of Spanish. Topics will be set for the following week in order to allow those taking part to prepare a little in order to enrich the conversation.

This course is for members beginning to learn Spanish. The aim is that participants really enjoy the experience while increasing their ability to communicate verbally and in writing – hence the emphasis on easy and fun. The course is intended to bring participants to a particular level but not beyond.

Do you want to join a friendly lunchtime gathering with fluent or nearly fluent French speakers?  Would you like to maintain or reawaken your French conversational skills whilst sharing a leisurely lunch?  Then come and join in at the restaurant of the Hapimag hotel every second Tuesday of the month starting at 14:00. The cost will be that of a normal daily menu plus drinks.

This is not a course per se but a series of independent classes. It makes sense to attend all but it is not obligatory.   The series is ideal for beginners (and advanced beginners!)

These are presentations made from time to time by  guests speakers or members of U3A International on a wide variety of subjects.

Presenters may be those who, in the course of preparing a book for publication whether fiction or fact, will have painstakingly researched a subject. Others may be leading professors or experts in particular fields or, indeed, people who may like to share their particular interest or experience. Presentations are open to attendance by any member but prior reservation is required

COMMENCES SPRING 2024. These informal introductory talks will operate in conjunction with the series of operas conducted live from the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden in London as transmitted through the Red Dog Cinemas in Puerto Banus.

Lectures will take place on the week prior to each live opera performance.

CURRENTLY ON HOLD. This activity is not intended as a formal debating society but rather an informal gathering of people interested in discussing and examining some of the current and relevant issues affecting the world. Such issues are various and could be social, economic or political. Meetings will at all times be civilised and fun, providing an opportunity for members to participate and express their own opinions.

♠♣♥♦    Duplicate pairs bridge sessions with U3A International are competitive but friendly. Players of all levels are welcome but those who may not have much previous experience of duplicate should not feel intimidated. 

NOW ON HOLD FOR THE SUMMER UNTIL NOVEMBER 2023
The cry of all those learning Spanish in this area is the lack of opportunity to SPEAK the language. This activity attempts to address the issue. The main thrust of the hour is to give participants an opportunity to chat in groups, over a coffee/drink, in Spanish (no other languages permitted!) in an informal setting. It is open to members with all levels of Spanish, except real real beginners.

♠♣♥♦ Play Rubber Bridge with the aim of progressing to Duplicate Bridge. Some experience of playing Whist would be useful. Beginners and intermediate players alike will be very welcome. It is recommended that group members should have a playing partner but it isn’t mandatory. This course continues throughout the summer so new members can take part straight after enrolment.

Padel tennis is a hugely popular game in Spain, for four people. The U3A International padel group affords participants the opportunity to have fun, playing with and against other members at various venues in Marbella.

The reading circle meets on the second Thursday of each month to discuss books, previously chosen by participants of the group. The aim is to become acquainted with authors from around the world, primarily focusing on fiction. At each meeting a book is presented and then members are able to give their opinions and feelings.

Each session begins with a News Update covering the most important and interesting current news items in Spain or any outside media report that includes Spain.  The discussion will then open up covering any topic at all relative to Spain

This is an activity in which members take part in an online award scheme aimed at developing personal digital and citizen skills for fun. Members can join at any time of the year, take breaks or continue when away. Participants can enhance their skills and knowledge, improve their digital literacy, learn tips and techniques about staying safe online, discover talents they didn’t know they had and definitely become more confident with technology.

In this series of seminars Professor Brian O’Farrell will concentrate on the most important rulers and analyse how they were so successful.  Great Britain after 1707 and the UK after 1801. Any member may attend by prior reservation for each individual presentation. Participants can dip in and out according to their availability and particular interest. 

The U3A International Book Club comprises men and women who normally meet from September to June in the comfortable setting of the meeting room at the Hapimag Hotel where it holds discussions on a diverse range of novels. The club meets on the Fourth Thursday of each month

The Birdwatching Activity is an informal group which emphasises the social as well as the birdwatching side. It visits different areas within a two-hour drive of Marbella to see various species.The location will vary depending on the time of year and where any particular sightings have been reported. The group meets approx. every three weeks.

Friday mornings at the Hapimag is the place for members to resolve any issues with operating a Windows laptop or an Ipad.  Usually held in the library area, it is possible to learn how to get the best use from a device. Members who wish to avail themselves of this service should schedule an appointment.

This session is a drop-in clinic held in the Sala Marbella (or in the open seating area close by) for those who require assistance or advice with their smartphones, tablets, laptops etc. Just turn up and be seen on a first-come/first-served basis.

The  activity is predominantly to paint in either acrylics  or water colour, and drawing just prior to painting

All levels are catered for, from absolute beginners to more accomplished painters.

For existing and new members and their friends,‭ ‬this is essentially a social gathering but also an opportunity to discuss‭ ‬topics of mutual interest.‭ ‬ A warm welcome is guaranteed for everyone whether living in Spain all the time or just returning to Marbella. Before 11.30 beverages can only be obtained from the Hotel coffee shop.  After then table service is available.
U3A INTERNATIONAL COFFEE MORNING CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Members of this activity will be given the script of a play to read at home, and at the following meeting, on the first Friday of each month, they will be invited to read the play aloud. The plays will be diverse but also participants will be asked to suggest plays which they believe would be of interest to the group.

This is a fun class and is for absolute beginners up to intermediate level.
Participants learn how to play chords and how to accompany their favourite songs as well as how to tune and take care of their instrument. They will also learn some of the history of the ukelele.

Join other members at the beginning of the month for a leisurely lunch at the Hapimag Resort Hotel. Attendance at each meal is by reservation through the U3A International booking system and is strictly limited. The cost is €17 including a small gratuity. Drinks are extra.

The quiz takes place on the last Friday of each month with a topical theme. Groups can enter to form a team but individuals are also welcome as the organiser will put them in a team. Details of each quiz are listed under EVENTS where places can booked and teams specified.

There are many chess players of all levels among members so this is a great opportunity for them to meet on a regular basis. Those who have not played for many years can come along, shake off the rustiness and get the brain cells back into action. U3A INTERNATIONAL CHESS CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Five couples will meet on the last Friday evening of each month at a chosen restaurant. While evaluating the restaurant participants will review the month that has passed and discuss news and events, locally and internationally. There are certain to be 10 different opinions of the events AND the restaurant. The day of the month is to be established by the members of the group.