Luxury Costa Calida Holidays

Murcia's Costa Cálida, the part of the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast which envelopes La Manga, enjoys welcoming holidaymakers all year round, not least due to its boast that temperatures rarely drop below eighteen degrees centigrade. And, although inland Murcia tends to be have been somewhat overlooked, the area is well worth visiting for the handsome towns of Lorca and Caravaca de le Cruz, and numerous sleepy castle-topped villages. There's the natural park on the green slopes of the Sierra de Espuña, popular with hikers and bird-watchers alike, plus the capital itself, Murcia, an engaging little city with a striking baroque cathedral and lively flowerfilled squares.

As there were no tourist developments during the 20th century, early health-tourists tended to stay in Santiago de la Ribera and Los Alcázares; nowadays these older resorts play host to the summer apartments of all smart Murcians.

In the popular resort of La Manga there is a great selection of cafés, restaurants and bars plus all the facilities you could want, mean that many visitors never leave the resort, however, those who wish to venture out, there's the historic naval city of Cartagena just 20 minutes' away, plus the traditional Spanish fishing village of Cabo de Palos; the latter featuring a quaint marina, an impressive shoreline, and delicious fresh seafood. To the west of Cabo de Palos, facing south, is Calblanque Nature Reserve, a beautiful strip of unspoilt coastline with wild beaches backed by undulating dunes; perfect for picnics when you want to escape and enjoy a quiet, more traditional beach experience.