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