Costa Calida

The Costa Calida means the warm coast and it forms the coastline of the Murcia Region stretching from El Mojon in the north to Aguilas in the south. El Mojon just north of San Pedro del Pinatar is a former fishing village and the gateway to the one of the most important nature reserves in the Murcia Region. Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar is a wetland area that is temporary home to a host of wading birds including Pink Flamingos. As we travel south we take in the famous Lo Pagan a town renowned for its medicinal mud baths. Mar Menor or "Small Sea" is a shallow lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a thin spit of land called La Manga del Mar Menor where most of the development has taken place.
The Murcia Region is served by three airports, San Javier, Alicante, and La Corvera, due to open in 2009, all with a number of low cost providers; the coming improvements to the A-7 motorway mean that the area will have excellent transport links.

It is a favourite with people learning water-sports because of its sheltered environment. La Manga has most recently become famous for its golf complexes much frequented by premier league football players. The main golf resorts that have seen the highest number of buyers where you can purchase very reasonably priced golf properties.

Not far away is the traditional coastal village of Cabo de Palos featuring a lighthouse built in 1800's.
The further we travel the more Spanish the area becomes. Puerto de Mazarron has developed from a traditional fishing village to become a very popular area for the British ex-pat community. The town has embraced the influx of foreign inhabitants and travellers drawn by its picturesque and unspoilt coastline. In common with many towns in this region it has its own ruined castle "Velez Castle". Taking the coastal road through some very beautiful mountain scenery we come to Aguilas, a mix of both modern and ancient; famous for its Mardi Gras style fiesta, unspoilt beaches, secluded coves and sub aqua tourism.
Average temperatures across this area are 18C with Aguilas recording average temperatures of 25°C with low rainfall.

As well its superb coastline, the Murcia Region has many interesting towns and cities including Aledo, Cartegena, Calasparra, Caravaca de la Cruz, Lorca, Mula, Murcia and Totana. Aledo is famous for its connection with the "El Cid" legend, as portrayed in the movie starring Charlton Heston. Mula, dominated by the castle of "Marques de Los Velez" is the site of a thermal spring where you can bathe in the medicinal waters. One of the oldest cities in the area is Cartegena, dating from around 200 BC, a combination of ancient and modern architecture it became an important naval base in the 1700's; Second World War gun emplacements built in the style of a medieval fort once guarded the base from their positions on the other side of the bay. Murcia provides excellent shopping opportunities including the English style department store "El Corte de Ingles".

Caravaca de la Cruz is of both historical and religious importance and is only the fifth town in the world to be granted Jubilee status by the Pope. Calasparra is famous for its rice production, beautiful scenery and the sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de la Esperanza (pictured above) which is carved into the hill side. Totana is mainly agricultural (grapes, squash and almonds) and has a thriving pottery industry which exports its products all over the world. Close by is the Sierra Espuna Natural Park, an area of pine forest inhabited by wild boar, squirrels, foxes, birds of pray and other wild birds. Lorca is steeped in history and featured in many battles between the Christians and the Moors, its castle has a living history tour is very well presented and definitely worth a visit. There are many other towns such as Puerto Lumbreras, Bullas, Cieza, Yecla, Fortuna, Pliego and Jumilla that are worth exploring; the list is endless.