Mar de Cristal, Costa Calida, Murcia, Spain

Terra Mitica Theme Park - Benidorm - approx. a 90 minutes drive. This huge theme park is certainly well worth the trip up to Benidorm. It takes around 90mins to 120mins to drive each way but the park itself is excellent fun.

There are numerous roller coaster rides, including a stomach churning yellow and purple one which turns through 360º. Best to keep your eyes closed it only lasts 20 LONG seconds. There are other suitably terrifying rides and couple of sedate things to do. Boats rides through the rapids and bumper cars. The one rather expensive price is for the whole day and after that you only have to buy lunch and drinks.

The park is divided into 4 themed sections, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Roman and Iberia. There are some really great rides for the children which have an upper height restriction so that the little ones can enjoy the bumper cars for example without being bumped by adults. There are of course bumper cars for adults too but separately!

Plenty of restaurants, water machines, and coffee shops means that you will be able to get refreshment all day long. Also the two water rides will soak you through to the skin which is very refreshing in the heat.

Lorca Aquapolis - Torrevieja - is a popular attraction for the area. With numerous water slides and play areas it is a fun day out for all the family.

Aqualandia and Mundomar - Benidorm - water park Terranatura - brand new theme park just north of Murcia. 13,000 square metres of safari park and water park. 30 minutes-1 hour by car

A huge water park set up around 15 years ago which has steadily grown over the years. This water park has many slides and attractions, including a "slow river" a wave pool, infant lake and slides with encouraging names such as "Black Hole" and "Zig Zag".

Generally 8am - 2.30pm

Monday - San Pedro del Pinatar, Elche

Tuesday - Los Belones, Los Alcazares, La Union, Alicante

Wednesday - Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena

Thursday - La Palma, San Javier, Lorca, Alicante

Friday - El Algar, Llano del Beal, Pozo Estrecho, Islas Menores (Summer)

Saturday - Los Alcazares

Sunday - Cabo de Palos, Los Nietos (Summer), San Javier

Mar de Cristal

The seafront has several restaurants and bars. The beach is clean and sandy and the Mar Menor is very shallow and warm.

There are 4 tennis courts in the area. Bike hire is available on the beach front and there are 2 small supermarkets, one with internet access.

Situated 10 minutes drive from the famous La Manga Club which has shops, restuarants, bars and supermarkets.

The Costa Calida (the Warm Coast)

The Costa Calida enjoys superb weather with 315 days of sunshine per year. Even in Winter there is an average temperature of 180 C. The warm waters of the Mar Menor (an inland sea) offer a wealth of water sports, with sandy beaches which gently slope into the sea and has several golf courses within a short drive. There are numerous typically Spanish villages offering quality accommodation with restaurants serving the 'catch of the day' and traditional Spanish menus with evening entertainment in the many local bars.

The Costa Calida is an area steeped in history. Murcia, the regions capital, only a short drive away with it's narrow streets, dating back to 831 AD and magnificent Cathedral along with the cosmopolitan shops, is an ideal location for a break from sun bathing.

Inland offers conservation areas with a wide range of bird life, horse riding, cycling, walking, climbing, trekking and the chance to savour the rural sights. The area is an historical adventure with cave dwellings and paintings, incredible architecture and museums. A perfect place for an energetic or relaxing holiday.

There are 2 airports - San Javier, which is situated on the north shore of the Mar Menor and the El Altet airport at Alicante, which is approximately 11 kilometres west from the City with easy access to the A7 motorway.

The city of Cartagena is only an hours drive away, the old Roman Theatre and paved Roman roads can still be seen, along with the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology offers an insight into shipping in the days long since gone. Whilst driving along the lemon grove lined roads into the Murcian hills, many traditional Spanish villages can be found with their village markets and traditional restaurants, along with the friendly locals tempting you to enjoy a glass of sangria. There really is something for everyone in the Costa Calida.

La Manga Club Resort

Famous all over the world, La Manga Club resort gives you a taste of five star luxury. The world class golf and tennis facilities are there to use, as are a wide range of restaurants, bars, shops and supermarkets.

La Manga del Mar Menor (La Manga strip)

La Manga Strip is a narrow stretch of land, with an average width of 300 meters and is 22 kilometres long. The strip separates the Mar Manor and the Mediterranean Seas and has 42 kilometres of beaches providing a wide range of water sports. An abundance of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and leisure facilities are available on La Manga strip making this a most popular holiday destination

Cabo de Palos

Cabo de Palos is a pretty Spanish fishing village with a number of fantastic fish restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and supermarkets. This "rocky outcrop" into the Mediterranean has beaches on either side and an 18th century lighthouse. A short drive from the village are a wealth of little bays and beaches to be discovered on the nature reserve of Calblanque. Cabo de Palos boasts the largest market (held every Sunday morning) where you can find everything from handbags to carpets, shoes, fruit and vegetables.

Los Nietos

Los Nietos is a short drive from Mar de Cristal. The sandy beach stretches the length of the village and looks out onto a marina and the Mar Menor. There is a free train to and from Cartegena at certain times of the year.

Los Belones

Just a few minutes drive from Mar de Cristal, with shops, restaurants, bars, pub, internet cafe.

The Historic City - Cartagena

The year 223 BC is generally given as the founding of the city. Ocean cruisers and tall ships come into the magnificent port where you can find the prototype of Isaac Peral's submarine built in 1888.

One of the most important thoroughfares is Calle mayor by the port with fine buildings, restaurants and shops.

As you come in to Cartagena from the motorway you will see the hypermarket Carrefour (this is like Tesco/Sainsburys) on the right. Further down on your left is the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall). In 2004 a new department store, Cortes Ingles, was opened. Cartagena is the nearest city to the Mar Menor and if you like history, you will love Cartagena.

Calblanque

Nature reserve with sand dunes and beaches.

Los Alcazares

Named after the palaces overlooking the coastline here in medieval times. It has 7 kms of sandy beaches and a promenade with several cafes dotted along. The average annual temperature of the sea is 18 degrees C. the town centre is very near the coast and there is a tourist office on the N332 at the northern end. Here there is a community centre called the Claris Centre with various activities for all nationalities including Spanish classes for local residents.

The shallow waters of the Mar Menor (maximum 7 metres) make if safe bathing and the high concentration of salt and iodine form a unique environment and make the sea a therapeutic remedy for ailments.

The beaches are (from north to south) - Las Salinas, Las Najerjos, Las Palmeras, Espejo, Manzanares, Carrion and La Concha. Some of these beaches have been awarded the blue flag.

In Los Alcazares there are several small hotels, plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops and banks.

Inland there are many golf courses and place of interest such as Torre (Tower) del Rame, and Arab fortress which existed in the 13th century or Hotel Balneario La Encarnacion, built in 1904 with it's famous spa baths and curative properties.

Santiago de la Ribera

Santiago de la Ribera was founded in the late 19th century as a retreat raised in honour of the apostle James. It is now the residence of the Officers of the General Air Academy.

Santiago is on the Mar Menor and has a superb beach and in the summer is very much a tourist attraction.

San Javier

San Javier owes it's heritage to the same saint and originates from the 17th century. It has an open air theatre in the summer with performances from leading show business personalities. There is a pretty square called the Plaza de Jose Maestre with the church of San Francisco Javier.

Murcia airport is here.

San Pedro del Pinatar

Local people decided to build a church dedicated to Saint Peter in the 17th century, in a pine forest. This site is now called San Pedro del Pinatar. The Phoenicians and Romans once settled here as the area was well know for it's saltworks. There are several buildings worth a visit, such as the Sea Museum and the Clock House (Casa del Reloj) where Emilio Castelar, one of the 4 presidents, died and is now a restaurant.

Lo Pagan

Famous for it's mud baths with therapeutic properties. In the marshland areas you can see flamingos. There is Calcetera mill, showing how wind power was once used to grind salt.

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La Manga Club Resort - the world famous La Manga Club is just a 5 minute drive away. Here you will find supermarkets, shops, bars, restaurants, swimming pool, tennis, bowls, sports acadamies, football and championship golf courses.

Terra Mitica Theme Park - Benidorm - approx. 90 minutes drive.

The Sun Fort, Lorca Castle

Lorca Aquapolis - water park in Torrevieja

Water Sports & Beach Club at Pedruchillo Beach, La Manga del Mar Menor

Aqualandia and Mundomar - Benidorm - water park Terranatura - brand new theme park just north of Murcia. 13,000 square metres of safari park and water park. 30 minutes-1 hour by car

Thalassotheparia - Spa Lo Pagan Mar Menor - visit the brand new spa at San Pedro del Pinatar for a day of relaxing and pampering

Cultural port of Cartagena There are numerous cheap and even free attractions in Cartagena. These includes the Castle, the open top bus ride around the town and the Catamaran boat trip around the harbour

Shopping in Cartagena - love them or hate them Cartagena has just opened a brand new shopping mall which all the designer names both Spanish and English

Parque Mediterraneo just outside the city of Cartagena. Shops include Zara, Punt Roma, Hennes, C&A and even Toys R Us

Scuba Diving - Cabo de Palos - about 10 minutes by car

Cabo de Palos - shops, restaurants, supermarket, Sunday morning market, boat excursions, swimming pool

Peke Park - La Manga del Mar Menor 3km from Cabo de Palos - childrens' 'fun fair' type rides

Horseriding - Calblanque Natural Park

La Manga del Mar Menor - beaches, shops, restaurants, bars, golf, jet ski hire, sailing boat hire, canoeing, diving, kite surfing

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VillaMartin, Torrevieja

Within a 45 minute drive of Mar de Cristal, this course is as old as the North and South Courses at La Manga Club, inaugurated in 1972.

Another Par 72 and 6,132 metres in length VillaMartin is internationally known, although it has been known to suffer from overplay. Situated on the outskirts of Torrevieja it can be difficult trying to park near the entrance. If you have the time it is worth playing to compare against the rest and because of the name!

Altorreal, Murcia - an 18 hole course, 12 km north of Murcia city

A challenging 6,200m 18 hole semi-private course situated only a few kilometres north west of the city of Murcia. Within a comfortable 60 minute drive from Mar de Cristal.

The Course was designed by Dave Thomas, who designed the West Course at La Manga Club. The Course covers an area of two 9 hole courses which both begin and end at the same point. It is a Par 72 Course with 6 lake areas and many sand traps! In summary eleven Par 4 holes; three Par 3; four Par 5; in a natural environment with more than 20,000 trees including olive, pine and carob trees. Golf equipment, golf school, bags and caddie cars can be hired. The Club has a very pleasantly appointed Club House with Café Bar Restaurant to offer you that all important post round refreshment

Las Ramblas, Orihuela, Torrevieja

Right next door the Real Golf Club is another more challenging 18 hole course. This course was inaugurated in 1991 and is a sister course to Villamartin and La Finca. The fairways and greens meander through small treelined valleys crossing ditches and dry river beds.

It is 5,770 metres long and has not too many opportunities to use your 1 Wood, but if you play to the Par 72 on your visit you are doing well. It is an enjoyable challenge, not the most favoured course in the area and the Club House and facilities are disappointing. Due to the "uphill down dale" nature of the course it is worth hiring a buggy, but mind you in the Summer months unless you are fit it is worth hiring a buggy on all the courses!!

Real Golf Club, Lomas de Campoamor

Real Golf Club is an attractive 18 hole course south of Torrevieja. In the centre of the Course is an impressive 4 Star Hotel which houses both the Club House and café bar and restaurant. The terrace outside the bar has amazing views overlooking the course and in the distance the Mar Menor and Mediterrenean.

The Golf Club is a comfortable 40 minute drive up the A37 motorway to Torrevieja from Los Belones. It is arguably the easiest playing course out of the five listed with open fairways forgiving the player the occasional miss hit! Worth a visit if not solely for the views in the bar and restaurant afterwards!

La Finca, Algorfa, Alicante

The newest course in the area was opened in 2002 with many resident golfers at La Manga commenting on what a great course it is. It is testing for all golfers whatever their ability. It is a very attractive panoramic course with many water features and plenty of obstacles to test your game. Great restaurant and bar but some of the facilities for the clubhouse are still being finished as it is a relatively new course. Within easy 75 min driving time from Los Belones up the A37 Motorway.

La Manga Club - 3 x 18 hole championship courses, just a few minutes drive from Mar de Cristal

La Manga Golf Club opened in 1971. The North and South Courses at La Manga are located in a valley surrounded by mountains and with stunning views of the Mar Menor. Palm trees abound in these two courses, while the West course, sited in a mountain was carved out of a pine forest. The Club offers an excellent golf shop, caddies and one of the best practice areas to be found in Spain, with 90 driving range bays, 3 putting greens, short game area and practice bunker. The La Manga Club Golf Academy organises comprehensive training courses for all levels of players and private tuition.

Mosa Trajectrum, San Javier - a 27 hole course, 20 km inland from the Mar Menor

is a relatively new course designed to reflect an an American style dessert course,
the championship golf course is a 27-hole golf complex with three different courses, "Olive Course," "Stone Course" and "Pine Course." "Challenge Course" A par-3 course with 9 holes, and a golf academy. all three courses are designed to a very high standard, blending seamlessly with the environment. Mosa Trajectum have thought of everything to ensure you have the perfect day out, pro shop, golf range, practice putting green, chipping area & bunker, Buggy Hire, Club hire and Trolley hire. Mosa Trajectum is still undergoing building work, and will have three commercial zones, which will contain a wealth of shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, a medical centre, pharmacy and banks. Your children will have the opportunity to learn in an international environment at our private school. For those of you who need special care, extensive medical and nursery services will also be available at the resort. A luxurious 5 star hotel will be built by an international hotel group to complete the facilities

La Serena Golf and Beach Resort, Los Alcazares

Lies just south of the municipality of Los Alcazares right next to the Mar Menor. The course encircles the 500 year old "Torre del Rame" which was originally built to keep watch for pirates who took refuge in the tranquil waters of the Mar Menor. Mainly flat , the main difficulty on the golf course will be the prevailing Levante wind and the many water hazards that come into play on 16 of the 18 holes.

The course, which is not overly long, has a traditional structure. Accuracy off the tee is a must for the player, who must thread their way to the green amongst the clusters of bunkers, desert areas and water hazards. There are also large stretches of "desert" with the accompanying cacti. As long as you keep out of the water it is difficult to lose a ball, however, don't forget the water. A conservative approach to course management certainly pays.

Mar Menor Golf Resort, Polaris World, San Javier

This course was originally designed by Dave Thomas as a 9 hole course, however due the resorts resounding success it is now set to be extended to an 18 hole course, the 9 hole extension is by Nicklaus Design. Mar Menor Golf Resort is the pioneer project in creating resorts of Polaris World. A large area of 700.000 m2, close to the sea, which boasts 750 properties a sports centre, tennis courts and a new commercial centre. There are wide avenues and streets linking gardens to parks and golfing greens. There are exclusive shops, restaurants and a supermarket home delivery service. There is even a nursery school for the very young. The development uses an ecological friendly watering system with recycled water. the resort is a 10 minute drive from Murcia airport and 40 minutes from Alicante and less than 5 minutes from the beautiful beaches of the Mar Menor.

El Valle, Polaris World, San Javier

The 18 hole El Valle Golf Course, designed by Jack nicklaus Design is a par 71 and 6145m course build to professional standards. Set in over 1, 100,000 square metres, this beautiful course is surrounded by stunning countryside near Banos Y Mendigo, with a breathtaking backdrop of the Murcian Mountains.

The golf course is designed with a 'desert' theme and is landscaped around rock-outcroppings, a wide variety of shrubs and desert grasses plus water features including two lakes and waterfall conformations. Accuracy is the name of the game rather than length if you wish to master this excellent golf course.

As with all the Polaris World Golf Courses, they are designed to be enjoyed by both beginners and more challenging for experienced players.

For more details on these and more golf courses, please use the link below

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Hacienda de Alamo, Fuente Alamo

This Dave Thomas designed course at Hacienda Del Alamo is another new development in the Murcia region of Spain . The first of two 18 hole championship golf courses opened it's doors in November 2004. The course measures 6,672 meters and is now complete.

Hacienda Riquelme, Polaris World, Sucina, San Javier

This spectacular 18 hole, par 72 will be a championship Jack Nicklaus Design golf course. This golf course will house a driving range, pro-shop, club house and a golf academy.

La Marquesa Golf Course, Rojales, Alicante

The course is situated in a valley between two hills. The attractive setting with wide greens, lakes, streams and obstacles, make play extremely enjoyable and suitable for players of all levels. Clubs and trolleys are available for hire from the golf club and there is a Pro Shop if you need to stock up.

Some people think this is an easy course, a course to get yourself ready for the more demanding courses in the area, but this is not the case. The course has been upgraded bringing more water into play, so accurate tee shots are required, the greens are quick and the bunkers well placed and the longest par five on the Costa Blanca.

Lo Romero, Pilar la Horadada, Alicante

Lo Romero, being a traditionally styled course makes it very playable by all, some will find it easy to make par on some holes and on others, they will have to prove their skills. Whilst on the course all clubs will be needed at some point, which indicates the diversity of the game here. It's original and interesting greens are smooth and easy to read alongside wide fairways. On foot, this course may be played in four hours and with the scenery that surrounds the area who would want for less.

La Torre, Polaris World, San Javier

La Torre Golf Resort was designed by Jack Nicklaus. An 18 hole, par 68 course providing a lush green setting to this world class resort. The golf course is a Florida style golf course, making extensive use of lakes and lush green fairways. The 5 star clubhouse has a fully stocked golf shop, a driving range and practice green adjacent to a 5 star restaurant.

The course is built to international championship standards. The technology used providing a constant water supply to maintain the pristine condition of the fairways and greens year round. Nicklaus design claim that it is equal to, if not surpassing anything in Spain in both quality and design.

Roda Golf, San Javier

Roda Golf is a 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Dave Thomas.
It has been designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding Mediterranean landscape.

Roda Golf is extremely easy to get to, being located in San Javier, just 15 minutes from Murcia airport.