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Adults and children are quite fascinated by the great international popularity of the Harry Potter stories. The Harry Potter books were written by the UK author J.K. Rowling. She was born on 31 July 1965. Her complete name is Joanne Rowling. But she writes under the alias J.K. Rowling because in the beginning her publisher thought it was a helpful idea not to reveal the point that she is a woman. The publishing company feared it might have a negative effect on the sales figures if everybody immediately sees that the writer is a woman. So, instead of showing her first name she used two initials. As she has no middle name she chose Kathleen as basis for the K. in her alias. Kathleen is the name of her grandmother.

The very first Harry Potter novel – Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone – was publicized in June 1997 in the United Kingdom. Quite funny is the matter that only one thousand units of the first book were publicized at the beginning. The original title of the book was not Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, but Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. But when the book was published to the American market in the year 1998, it was published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone.

After that Joanne Rowling wrote 6 additional Harry Potter books. Finally the Harry Potter series is made of 7 stories. These are:

• Novel 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
• Novel 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Novel 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Novel 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Novel 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Novel 6: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Novel 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Harry Potter novels have been translated into over fifty-five languages and have been released in various countries. Besides the tremendous success in the United States and the United Kingdom, Harry Potter is also noticeably liked in the European Union. The Harry Potter stories (German online store: Harry Potter Buechershop) have been published to the German audience under those titles:

• Teil 1: Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen
• Teil 2: Harry Potter und die Kammer des Schreckens
• Teil 3: Harry Potter und der Gefangene von Askaban
• Teil 4: Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch
• Teil 5: Harry Potter und der Orden des Phoenix
• Teil 6: Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz
• Teil 7: Harry Potter und die Heiligtuemer des Todes

I must admit that I did not have the opportunity to read all the stories. But there are people who know them all, which is quite remarkable and contributes to the tremendous success.

San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcantara, referred to locally as San Pedro, is a small Spanish town just a few minutes from the renowned Puerto Banus and a 15 minute drive from the center of Marbella and its airport. San Pedro de Alcantara is a tourist haven for Europeans of every nationality especially the British as well as German and Scandinavians. During the busy high season holiday months of July, August and September, San Pedro de Alcantara’s population of around 40,000 can literally double in size.

San Pedro de Alcantara Feria

The San Pedro de Alcantara Feria, the last of the summer fiestas on the Costa del Sol, is a very Spanish affair where people from nearby towns as well as throughout mainland Spain join the local residents with their celebrations. Tradition dictates that this celebration is accompanied with a great deal of noise, fireworks, laughter and singing as well as the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol and fine food. Although the San Pedro de Alcantara Feria falls in October, which is outside the normal tourist season, this is the best time to visit if you truly wish to experience ‘authentic’ Spain.

Calle Marques del Duero

The now pedestrianised Calle Marques del Duero, which leads to church square and the beautiful 17th centaury Franciscan church, forms the main shopping thoroughfare. Here you can find a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes, bodegas and bars where you can quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger. Leading off Calle Marques del Duero are numerous winding streets containing shops and restaurants in traditional whitewashed Andalucian style.

Beach Front and Promenade

San Pedro de Alcantara’s beach front and promenade restaurants have been patronised with celebrities that include the late Princess Diana and Bruce Willis. The fine food and stunning Mediterranean Sea views and of course the beach makes this one of the most very popular areas in San Pedro.

There are some things to remember if you are out for a stroll in San Pedro, firstly be aware that most shops will close during siesta time (14.00 until 16.00 approx) and shops close around 14.00 on a Saturday and do not open again until Monday. Also, locals tend to dine late, so don’t be surprised when the local restaurants and bodegas start to get busy around 11pm.