FRESH … UNKNOWN ... VERY VIRGIN ... WORTH TO SEE - DESTINATIONS ON A HOT
SOUTH-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN COAST OF SPAIN ‘’COSTA CALIDA’’
…… I was walking and I lost the way to the house
Pondering what I am and what I feel
Little by little understanding
That it's not worth the trouble to walk for the sake of walking
That it's better to walk for the sake of growing ……
Lyrics and music this beautiful typical Spanish song ‘’Pokito a Poco‘’ ( ‘’Little by little‘’ ) performed by the flamenco-electronic band Chambao, reflect very well what people can feel when they are in …THIS PART of Spain… what means that always the SOUTH part of Spain has attracted lots of tourists which normally go there to feel the ‘’ Spanish way of life ‘’.
Located in south-east a Spain between Almeria and Alicante, in the Costa Calida or Warm Coast one of the least known and most unspoilt areas of Spain, REGION of MURCIA enjoys pleasant temperatures all over the year:
323 days of sunshine…
still no massive tourism…on the beaches, in the mountains…
beautiful and worth to see destinations with incredible architecture and rich historical and cultural heritage …
two Seas: Mar Menor or Small Sea – the largest natural saltwater lagoon in Europe with thalassotherapy treatments and Mar Mayor - The Mediterranean with endless fabulous white sand beaches and clear transparent water, impressive cliffs, colourful and charming coves…
fantastic gastronomy with savour delicious ‘'tapas’' among others & wine routes as well very popular 3 places because of the denomination of origin: Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla…
warm people and hospitality…
Although Region of Murcia has well adapted itself into the modernity but has still a lot of special things to discover. It’s very different destination where everybody can join any kind of sensation on the same date. A specific and unique atmosphere of this region is created by its inhabitants. About this and about the hospitality of Murcians I had the opportunity to convince already during my first meeting and interesting conversation regarding this region with Esther Garcia, who works for the Region of Murcia Tourism Board. Esther is a young woman, almost always smiling, who likes people in general, beaches, sunsets and music, takes pictures and loves traveling as much as possible in Europe, America or Africa among others, but in spite of many fine travels she is still in love with …Region of Murcia and even more…
Esther Garcia ( Region of Murcia ):As a persons who live here, our region for us means to ‘’everything’’ because for its locations and size allows you to join it very good ‘’quality of living’’. How we are and how we are welcome everybody ? We are very warm people, very open mind, we really like mix with the foreigners, we would like to show them our traditions, our customs, to get them inboard Murcian region atmosphere. The region generally has some very special attract very different to other regions and places in the Spain. I am proud that I was born here so you can define me as a Murcia Region fan!
Beata Maćkowiak:You always pay attention to the unique atmosphere which everybody can feel in this region. Do you think is it possible even during the very short but more and more popular weekends stay ?
Esther ( Region of Murcia ): At our destinations you can do mixture of things. Remember that the region is very well connected and all places are close to each other. In a weekend for example you can join the lovely sandy beaches with a wide selection of bustling bars and restaurants nearby, you can visit at least 3 cities like Murcia with beautiful Cathedral, Cartagena with Roman Theatre or Lorca with Castle and then even the interior of the region. But if you prefer the shop, for sure you have to go to the one of the largest and best markets of all - to the ''Sunday Market'' at Cabo de Palos where you will find everything and more. A visit this place is a very pleasant way to spend the day. Generally the plan would depend on your needs. The things that I find the most important is that after you finished that weekend you should have a general concept ot the way Murcia people join their lifes, quality of life. Then we can start planning your next visit here. The only thing I know for sure is that every person who I have met from abroad and who was here ones, wants to come back.
B.M:You mentioned before about a wide range of opportunities on interesting spend time in Region of Murcia…
Esther ( Region of Murcia ): …that is right because this is region of contrasts, with mountainous national parks,with steppe landscape and wonderful beaches. Of course we are very focused on the sun & beach product but every time all depends on the way people like to join their free time as I said. So they can spend a very active time swimming, diving or sailing for example in La Manga del Mar Menor. Very popular is windsurfing, kitesurfing and jetskiing. If I would recommend you a few lovely and charming places to rest I could indicate the following: Regional Park of Calblanque – where you can either ride a horse, trekking, kitesurfing, climbing, watch the birds; Parque Regional de Sierra Espuña - located in the interior where you can join climbing, trekking or camping; Cabo de Palos – especially for diving and the small beaches; and Almadenes Canyon- located in Cieza the interior where you can join rafting, trekking and climbing. What is characteristic of this is that all these places are far from be part of the massive tourist destinations in the region. Of course we can not forget about golf which is considered as one of the best destinations for Golf in Europe.
B.M:I have heard opinion that Murcia is home to Spanish best ‘’ tapas ‘’. Can you give me an
objective answer ?
Esther ( Region of Murcia ): Of course … I always try to be objective. You know that we have an excellent gastronomy mainly because of the high quality of our products. We are much known for export vegetables and fruits to other places worldwide. This is due to our climate that makes the vegetables and fruits can grow in perfect conditions. So we offer a lot of really delicious “tapas” . The known ones here are “bicicleta” - made by boiled potatoes, carrots in vinegar, cucumber in vinegar, boiled egg and mayonnaise with anchovy. And another ones like “matrimonio” or “marinera”. Besides every time you can enjoyed fantastic seafood, meats, fruits, cheeses or rice. Apart of them you must remember that in our region very popular are ‘’choclate con churros’’. Murcians eat churros every time they want. We only need to go to a take away place where you can get them. They are quite cheap and taste very good. There are several type of them for example normal ones with cream or full covered with chocolate. It is something very Spanish. It is very common to eat them on the festivities.
B.M: At last… during our conversation appears the magic word ‘’ festivities ‘’…
Esther ( Region of Murcia ):Generally speaking Spain is a country of fiestas, festivals and celebrations. The same is
in Region of Murcia. We have lots of them such us International Jazz Music Festival of San Javier, International Flamenco Festival of Cante de Las Minas of La Unión, International Music Festival of La Mar de Músicas Cartagena, Music Festival of Tres Culturas of Murcia, Estrella de Levante SOS 4.8 Music Festival. Of course almost throughout the year we have many different fiestas too. Frankly I think that it is just one from the things that everybody should experience if he has never took part in any Spanish fiesta before. So I invite everybody to discovering step by step our unique, beautiful, charming, still unknown very fresh and worth to see – Region of Murcia.
*** TOP 10 Must DO in Region of Murcia ***
1. Eat “caldero” in Mar Menor. A tradicional fisherman dish from the coast of Cartagena. It is made by jueces of fish and rice. It is served with garlic. It taste is unforgetable.
(Caldero (0155) Ángel Fernández Saura)
2. Have a bath under the starts in the Spa of Archena or Fortuna. All the water power is for your welfare, health and beauty. All the water power is for your welfare, health and beauty. Seized the opportunity to visit the RicoteValley. The last morisco redoubt of East Spain. Fruit and citrus aromas mixed with Arabic traces in a magic corner of the meadow of the river Segura.
(Escapeterapia PX023023. Región de Murcia Turística, S.A)
3. Visit the Roman Theatre of Cartagena one of the most important monuments of the antique Hispania. Revive the splendour of the emperor’s times and do not miss its museum.
(Teatro Romano Cartagena. Región de Murcia Turística, S.A)
4. A day in the Regional Parq of Calblanque. The last virgin paradise of the Mediterranean. Get lost in one of its many lonely coves or walk barefoot along its extensive beaches of thin sand.
(Calblanque 2. José L. Montero)
5. Practice nautical sports in the Mar Menor. You can sail or canoeing between its islands and contemplate the beauty of the sunset as you have never seen before.
(Islas del Mar Menor (0297) Ágel Fernández Saura)
6. Join “tapas” in Las Flores Square in Murcia. Taste the tradition in one of the busiest places of this city during the day and night.
(Ensalada 51. Joaquín Zamora)
7. Drink a glass of wine in front of the Monastery of Santa Ana in Jumilla. Enrol to the wine route and follow step by step the procedure of the production of these famous wines with denomination of origin.
(Bodegas San Isidro. (0167), José L. Montero)
8. Go all over the Canyon of Almadenes in Cieza. Do trekking in this narrow pass with vertical walls of more than hundred meters between rapids and abundant vegetation.
(Cañón de Almadenes (0441). Región de Murcia Turística, S.A)
9. Go on a pilgrimage to Caravaca de la Cruz one of the five holy cities of the Christendom where you can win the jubilee. In its basilica it is saved a relic which attract to thousands of pilgrims each year.
(Caravaca de la Cruz. Región de Murcia Turística, S.A)
10. Get the well of the snow in Sierra Espuña. These buildings from the XVI and XVIII that were used to storage the snow are located in the most important Natural Park of the whole region. After the long walk recharge energies eating “migas” in any of the restaurants of the area.
(Pozosolonev. Región de Murcia Turística, S.A)
LORCA -- attend to the process of recovery of a city after an earthquake in Lorca.
The city shake back on the 11th of May 2011. Here the visitors have the opportunity to participate in a route which allow them to know in person how act the nature forces and how the restore works of churches, streets and buildings are carried out after the catastrophe.
