by Debra Dando

Created on: September 18, 2008

The Region of Murcia, South East Spain.

Murcia region is bordered by Valencia, Costa Blanca, to the North and Granada, Andalusia, Costa Almeria to the South.

It's an area you won't find in most tourist brochures! A region where Spanish people choose to go on holiday themselves - a hidden gem.

* Historic towns & cities to explore. * A vast array of beaches.

* The Sierra Espuna National park great for nature-lovers & the more adventurous

* Local spas. * Water Parks * A host of sporting activities

* Theme parks * Great Climate * Various accommodation types

Recently built infrastructure now makes the region of Murcia extremely accessible from either Alicante or Murcia, San Javier airports. There is such a variety of destinations available here it's true to say there's something for everyone.

Cartagena & Murcia are the two cities on offer. At Cartagena, on the coast, you can visit the roman amphitheatre, meander through the narrow busy streets, shop in the modern shopping centres, take a boat trip, see the first submarine, or sit at a pavement caf and just soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful old city. There is a naval college here, so very often you see officers in their white uniforms walking by. Murcia, on the other hand, is further inland. It is a university city & offers museums, miniature piazzas and cobbled alleyways to wander through. Here too you will find Terra Natura a wildlife park based on a Kenya theme - & Aqua Natura a very popular waterpark. Both have excellent picnic facilities.

Beaches on the coastline are plentiful and varied ranging from the wide, promenade-lined sands at resorts such as Puerto de Mazarron on the Costa Calida which has a brand new yachting marina complete with new shops and cafs, to the Mar Menor - a type of inland sea with a hotel strip dividing it from the Mediterranean. Here you can hire a boat, go snorkelling, wind surf etc. Then there are hosts of more secluded coves and even the odd nudist beach or two. Many diving schools operate here on the coast. This is an area where you can still take your own deckchairs down onto the beach you won't find anyone trying to hire you a chair! Most of the larger beaches also provide life guards, wooden walkways and foot shower facilities.

The Sierra Espuna National Park is a vast area containing wildlife such as wild boar & birds of prey, nature trails, a few tucked away little pensions & restaurants providing good quality home cooked meals, 4 X 4 excursions & quad bike hire. An excellent

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