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