A popular Spanish region enjoying a fine climate (it is one of the driest areas of Spain), and lying within the Murcia autonomous community, the Costa Calida has some of the best beaches in this part of the country, especially those along the Mar Menor coastline, which also enjoys a sea temperature five degrees warmer than the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. The best of the beach resorts include Los Alcazares, San Pedro del Pinatar, Lo Pagan, San Javier and Puerto Mazarron, most of these are easily accessible from Murcia (San Javier) airport which is actually located beside the Mar Menor, some distance from the city of Murcia which is some 20 kilometres inland. The Costa Calida is a fantastic area for golfers, with a huge choice of courses which you can try out, around the Mar Menor there are several fine courses including Roda Golf, the Serena Golf Resort, La Torre Golf and the Mar Menor Golf Resort, near to Los Alcazares. There are even more courses surrounding the city of Murcia,with the now troubled Polaris World developing lots of courses and residential complexes in this area.
September 17, 2010
May 18, 2010
Pilar de la Horadada Costa Blanca
Pilar de la Horadada Church
The attractive little town of Pilar de la Horadada is named after an ancient watchtower which was originally used to warn local inhabitants of pirate attacks many centuries ago. It was probably originally inhabited by the Iberians and was later settled by Romans, Moors and eventually reconquered by Christians. Pilar de la Horadada is the southernmost town in Alicante and the Costa Blanca, to the south is the Murcia region and the area known as the Costa Calida. After the Christian reconquest it marked the border between the Kingdoms of Aragon and Castile and it eventually ained its independence from the town of Orihuela in 1986. Pilar is well known as an agricultural area and grows much produce including lettuces, broccoli and celery, other products include melons, oranges and lemons, for this is citrus growing territory, it also grows numerous flower species. The nearby Rio Seco is an important protected area with some rare species of flora and fauna, in particular orchids and a species of dwarf palm tree. In recent years Pilar de la Horadada has become more developed with an increase in demand for holiday homes and properties for relocation, and the town now has a large expat community, with many Brits and North Europeans choosing to settle here permanently. Pilar has a popular beach area where many visitors enjoy the fine local weather especially during the hot summer months, it attracts both Spanish and International visitors.
March 24, 2010
Cabo Roig Orihuela Costa
Cabo Roig Bay and Marina
One of the most popular holiday destinations along Spain’s southern Costa Blanca coastline, Cabo Roig is a beautiful and desirable resort. Renowned for its clean sandy beaches, its lovely marina and its excellent strip of bars, shops and restaurants, Cabo Roig offers everything you would want for a great family holiday. Though it is very busy during the summer months it is actually a superb location for a holiday any time of the year. Easy to reach from both Alicante and Murcia airports, Cabo Roig is handily placed for visiting other attractions along the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.
The eye-catching 16th century watchtower, around which Cabo Roig originally grew, is now part of a restaurant complex which overlooks the recently modernised marina. An estimated 2 million euros was spent on the refurbishment of what is now one of the Costa Blanca’s most desirable mooring spots.
There are a number of excellent beaches to visit whilst on a trip to Cabo Roig. The main beaches are Cala Caleta and Cala Capitan both very popular with holidaymakers. Also within easy reach are the beaches at Campoamor, La Zenia and Playa Flamenca. All of these beaches are kept very clean and are usually raked every day, they are also safe for children.
Cabo Roig, along with the entire Costa Blanca region, has a wonderful climate and the sun shines on over three hundred days per year, the mean temperature being about 20 degrees C. You can usually expect to see little rainfall between May and October and the days are generally long and sunny. When rain does fall it is usually during the winter months, November and February being the most common months for rain. December and January are usually sunny and pleasant but with cold nights.
There is plenty to do in and around Cabo Roig, why not start with a trip into the nearby town of Torrevieja, with it’s wonderful promenade and marina and it’s many fine beaches? If you are visiting during the summer months, don’t forget the Aqua Splash park with its gigantic slides, refreshing pools and excellent picnic area. If you feel a little more adventurous you may wish to try out the go-karts at Punta Prima, here you can drive the full size karts or the kids can have a go on the mini karts or even the mini quads. In the summer the circus comes to town and this is a great attraction for the children and adults alike, being an old style circus, it has plenty of animals performing tricks to amaze and entertain. The younger at heart may prefer a trip to the busy resort of Benidorm, a journey of around an hour and a half (a coach picks up in Cabo Roig a couple of times a week), Benidorm has some wonderful facilities including Aqualandia, Terra Mitica and the Mundomar Marine Animal Park. Sporting enthusiasts may partake of the golfing, the water sports (the water sport resort of La Manga is only a 40 minute trip), or the fishing – there are angling safaris available for those preferring fresh water angling.
If you are looking to buy a property on the Costa Blanca, then Cabo Roig would be an ideal location, with plenty of variety ranging from 1 bedroom apartments to beautiful detached villas on the seafront.
Cabo Roig is easily reached by way of the N-332 coastal road (Cartagena to Alicante) or from the AP-7 motorway junctions 768 or 763. The closest airport is Murcia (San Javier) which is approximately 20 minutes drive away. Benidorm is located further north but can also be easily accessed from the N332.
November 29, 2009
Still Need Car Hire at Murcia Airport
Visitors finding it a little strange when arriving at Murcia airport and noting that the airport is actually a long way from Murcia itself, will be pleased to know that there is now a new Murcia airport being built at Corovera in the Sierra de Carrascoy, however they may not be so pleased when they realise that this airport is also going to be at least a 20 minute drive from the city itself. Of course the vast majority of arrivals at Murcia (San Javier) airport are actually heading for the coastal resorts of the northern Costa Calida and southern Costa Blanca, so San Javier, site of the existing Murcia airport, is actually better placed than the new airport for these visitors. Plans for the airport were first discussed in 2005 and despite objections to the construction, work has continued, and the new airport is due to be completed in 2010 at a cost of 266 million euros. Whether you are arriving at the existing airport or the new one when it opens, you will probably need to book car hire to get you to your resort and then around the area to make the most of your stay, other options include taxis, or a pre-booked airport transfer, in both cases once you arrive at your resort you will be somewhat confined to that immediate area if you have not booked a car hire vehicle, so you had better check that your destination accommodation is within easy reach of local facilities and beaches or you could be in for a long walk.
October 20, 2009
Calasparra Murcia Spain
Situated at the confluence of four rivers, the town of Calasparra is located in a rugged and mountainous part of the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, the Sierra de Molina and Sierra de Puerto surround the town. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Calasparra has seen settlements by Iberians, Romans, Moors and Christians. Its proximity to so much water via the nearby rivers, led to its being important for the growing of rice, no a product that most would associate with the mountainous regions of Spain. Nearby places of interest include the holy town of Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula, Hellin, Moratalla and Cieza. Calasparra Map.
October 19, 2009
Murcia’s Roda Golf Resort
One of the finest golf complexes in the Murcia region of Spain, the Roda Golf Resort Murcia is a superb development of villas, townhouses and apartments in a wonderful location, close to the popular Mar Menor (Lesser Sea). The Par 72 golf course was designed by Dave Thomas, one of Europe’s leading course designers, and though set on flat land, has still been made challenging and exciting to play. When complete the Roda Golf Resort will have some of the best facilities in Murcia including the 5 Star De Vere Hotel. If you are looking to buy a property on a golf course in Spain or in particular Murcia, then the Roda Golf Resort may be just what you are looking for.