Murcia

The city of Murcia was founded in 831 by Abd-Al-Rahman II on a privileged site in the centre of the River Segura valley. Remains of the ancient City Wall are still visible and give a good idea of Murcia's prestige under Arab rule. The most important religious building in Murcia is the Cathedral, construction of which began at the end of the 14th Century. Murcia is 30 minutes away by car, it is an ideal sight-seeing location and offers an authentic experience of Spanish city life with quaint plazas, inviting terraces & Tapas Bars all within walking distance so you can go at your own leisure and pace. There are also many fashionable shopping areas for those who want to take this city by storm!

Cartagena

Cartagena is a city with more than 2,500 years of history. Each corner, street and square provides travellers with monumental examples of Cartagena's splendid past and the civilizations that pulled in at its port. Tourists can discover the origins of the city by visiting the remains of the Punic Wall, which mark the foundations laid by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. The journey through time continues with monuments that go back to the centuries when Cartago Nova was one of the main cities in Roman Hispania. These include the Theatre or Amphitheatre, luxurious houses, wide avenues, public baths, temples and funeral monuments. In addition, there are splendid collections of artefacts displayed in the Municipal Archaeology Museum and the National Maritime Archaeology Museum. Cartagena, with a mix of city life and Roman culture, is only a 15 minute transfer away!

Lorca

Lorca, whose urban centre was declared ´a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest´ in 1964, is described as ´the baroque city´, due to the important baroque heritage, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time. Mention must be made of the numerous archaeological sites: the Columna Miliaria dating from Roman times; the Espolón Tower and the Alfonsina Tower, Christian constructions dating from after the Reconquest; the ´Porche de San Antonio´, a gate through the old wall that surrounded the city (in the 10th century), and the numerous churches and convents dating from different periods (C15th to the C18th). Lorca is 55 minutes away by transfer and "a must see" City for its Moorish and Roman ruins.

Caravaca de la Cruz

Caravaca de la Cruz is a town located on the border of Murcia and Granada. The Iberians, Romans and Muslims all passed through this town, which has developed around its Castle, built in the 15th century and commissioned by the Knights Templar. Caravaca is essentially the holy town, the town of the cross that carries its name. According to legend, in 1232 the Moorish King Abu Zeid was converted to Christianity when he saw how two angels brought a cross down from heaven to a priest held prisoner in the castle in order for him to give mass. In 1998 the Pope awarded Caravaca de la Cruz the Jubilee Year, making this town the fifth in the world, together with four other cities, to be allowed to celebrate the Perpetual Jubilee. Despite its small size, another very important monument in Caravaca is the Temple of the Holy Cross, where the relic is bathed each year on 3 May during the celebration of the popular Festivities of The Holy Cross. Caravaca is also in a privileged position in terms of rural tourism, with a wide range of activities from hill walking to horse riding, giving the visitor the opportunity to come into closer contact with nature. Caravaca is over one hours transfer but the journey is worth it to see the Holy Chapel and majestic Cross with spectacular views from the Castle above the Pueblo Village.

La Manga

The name of La Manga (the sleeve) describes an interesting geographical phenomena which has become one of the symbols that best identifies the coast of Murcia as a tourist resort: a spit that stretches approximately 24 km from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojón, and forms a natural boundary for the salt water lake known as the Mar Menor. Originally, what is now known as La Manga del Mar Menor was a bay open to the Mediterranean; at either end, volcanic reefs gradually held back the sand and sediment which was dragged by sea currents to create a sandy column of dunes, rock vegetation and long beaches between two seas: the Mediterranean and the Menor. La Manga is a narrow piece of land with a width that varies between 200 m and 1.5km. The two seas are connected by 'golas' - natural channels that allow water from the Mediterranean into the salt-water lake, Mar Menor.

Mar Menor

The so-called Mar Menor holds 170 km2 of warm saltwater. Throughout history the salt rich water, idyllic climate and natural beauty of the area as a whole has attracted many people; Iberians, Phoenicians and later the Arabs.

The warm water, with a maximum depth of 7 metres, as well as 315 days of sunshine per year, provide ideal conditions for practising water sports. Today, visitors to this area can enjoy all the facilities offered by the Mar Menor Sailing Station and other leisure establishments.