| Murcia, in South East Spain, has not had the | | | | dates back to 825, and has been described as |
| same publicity, or prosperity, as other | | | | the most beautiful city in Spain. With |
| regions of Spain, but improved air services, | | | | excellent shopping and dining in tapas bars |
| thanks in part to low cost airlines, rail and | | | | and restaurants, as well as Moorish |
| motorway links, and property development, | | | | architecture, the City of Murcia has lots to |
| ensure this is set to change. This | | | | offer. The university and student |
| traditional region is now appealing to | | | | population, as well as many festivals and |
| visitors who wish to enjoy the real Spain, | | | | celebrations mean that there is always plenty |
| and Spanish culture such as food, | | | | to do. There are also castles and historic |
| architecture and the pace of life. No longer | | | | buildings to be found in the towns of Alamha, |
| do visitors to Spain want English style pubs | | | | Mula and Lorca, and the port of Cartagena is |
| near the beach, or English newspapers | | | | a popular stopover for cruise ships. San |
| available in the local shop. The | | | | Javier, could possibly be the perfect |
| Mediterranean diet is both cheap and healthy, | | | | location: near the airport, less than half an |
| whether you choose to cook, or to eat out. | | | | hour from both Murcia and Cartagena, and |
| There is plenty to choose from and most of | | | | within easy reach of several golf courses. |
| the fruit and vegetables will be grown | | | | |
| locally. The "package holiday destination" | | | | The region of Murcia is traditionally |
| image that Spain previously had is on the | | | | agricultural, and grows a lot of olives, |
| decline. | | | | citrus fruit and vegetables. With over 100 |
| | | | 000 hectares of vineyards, this region has a |
| The Costa Calida (Warm Coast) runs for over | | | | tradition of winemaking. The wines have not |
| 170km and has blue seas and a range of | | | | always been of the best quality, but thanks |
| coastal resorts, and traditional Spanish | | | | to new technology and techniques, the wine is |
| fishing villages. The winter temperature of | | | | rapidly improving and becoming more |
| around 11 degrees and a summer temperature of | | | | commercially successful. Why not sample some |
| up to 34 degrees give the region an average | | | | wine while you are there? |
| annual temperature of 18 degrees. Combined | | | | |
| with over 300 sunny days a year, it is not | | | | Nature lovers are well catered for in Murcia, |
| hard to see why this region is so tempting. | | | | and there are many nature parks that are well |
| The Costa Calida has something for everyone, | | | | worth the visit. Calblanque, south of Mar |
| from unspoilt beaches and fishing villages, | | | | Menor has been a protected natural area since |
| to fine golf courses and excellent water | | | | 1982, and a nature reserve since 1992. This |
| sports facilities. | | | | nature reserve has high dunes, sandy beaches |
| | | | and many species of birds and plants. |
| The region is also well known by golfers, and | | | | Visitors can enjoy the park on foot, bike and |
| the La Manga resort is the most famous golf | | | | horseback as well as by car. |
| course in Murcia, if not Spain. As well as | | | | |
| La Manga, the Club de Golf Altorreal and the | | | | San Pedro del Pinatar is home to the regional |
| Mosa Golf Club are popular courses, and there | | | | park of Salinas y Arenales, the most |
| are many other courses being developed. Some | | | | important wetlands in the region. Flocks of |
| property developments are designed to appeal | | | | flamingos rest here each year before their |
| to golfers, and are located near golf | | | | journey to North Africa. |
| courses, and new dedicated golf resorts are | | | | |
| being built. | | | | The Sierra Espuna regional park has amazing |
| | | | scenery including dramatic peaks, forests and |
| At 170km square, the Mar Menor is the | | | | many species of plants. Wild boar, goats, |
| Europe's largest saltwater lagoon. As well | | | | mountain cats and tortoises can all be found |
| as a fantastic place to learn to sail, | | | | here. This park is popular with organised |
| windsurf, water ski, and jet ski, the high | | | | walking tours, and the peak of Espuna at |
| salt content means that the lagoon is safe to | | | | 1579m can be seen from miles around. |
| swim and paddle, making it popular with | | | | |
| families. The Mar Menor has also become a | | | | The warm climate and coastal activities |
| conservation area and home to a huge number | | | | usually initially attract visitors, and once |
| of different species of birds. | | | | there, they discover there is a lot more to |
| | | | the region than just beaches and golf. From |
| If the beach, water sports and golf don't | | | | a hike through a national park to a round of |
| appeal to you, there are many other reasons | | | | golf, from a day on the beach to a day |
| to visit Murcia. The city of Murcia itself | | | | sightseeing, Murcia will appeal to everyone. |