Murcia is one of Spain's smaller regions and is located in the south east of Spain between Andalusia in the south and Valencia in the north. The region's ancient history has been sculptured by the Carthaginians, Romans and the Moors, all of which occupied and left their marks on this overlooked part of Spain.
Murcia and Costa Calida is famous for it's exceptional climate. According to the World Health Organisation this region has the healthiest climate in Europe with more than 320 days of sunshine per year and temperatures on average 10 degrees C above those in the UK and northern Europe all through the year.
From a geographical point Murcia, is a region stark in contrasts from dry plains to green lush cultivated areas. Murcia also has its fare share of wild mountainous areas and of course a fantastic coastline, the Costa Calida around 250 kms long.
Activities along the coast focus on all kinds of water sports - sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing and swimming. The Costa Calida also has two of the best dive locations in Europe – the Islas Hormigas Marine Preserve and Cabo Cope Marine Preserve. There are well over a hundred beaches along the Costa Calida – from tiny, deserted coves only accessible by boat to vast stretches of beaches. Only 15 minutes away from the resort by car, you will find the fantastic beaches of Mazarron and Bolnuevo. Here are several small shops and restaurants as well.
Close to the resort there are many protected areas for example the Sierra Espuna which offer walking and hiking trails, mountain biking, para-sailing and mountaineering. The highest point in the region is the Revolcadores massif, around 2,027 meters in height, followed by other smaller mountain ranges such as El Carche, La Pilar , Sierra Espuña, Pila, and Ricote, these sierras include national parks.
The regional capital, Murcia, is known as the Baroque capital of Spain for its wealth of fine buildings and is a fantastic place to explore. It is a shopping heaven with many up market shops and department stores. You can wander through the pedestrianised areas to beautiful squares. There is a magnificent cathedral, a beautiful monastery, gardens and parks.
The holy city of Caravaca de la Cruz is one of the Worlds 5 holy cities (including Jerusalem and Rome). It is dominated by a fortress on a hill which now guards the large church at its centre. In 1232 a Christian prisoner here, converted the reigning Moorish sultan following the appearance of angels bearing a cross. The cross was lost during the civil war and has been replaced by one from Rome, which has inside it a remnant of the original wooden cross. This town is also host a week long wine horse fiesta held in May with events culminating in the racing of horses, with magnificent jewelled mantles, all the way from the fortress down to the streets below.
Totana, Lorca and Cartagena are all excellent places to explore with shopping, wonderful architecture, markets and fantastic fiestas. In the end of September there is a week long major Fiesta in Cartagena, where the residents dress as Romans and Carthaginians and party well into the early hours. Not to be missed in Cartagena is the Roman theatre.
In Calasparra, the narrow streets have been pedestrianised and there are several cafes and restaurants to while away the hours. During September there is a fiesta here where the bulls are run through the streets, as in Pamplona.
In Jumilla, Bullas and Yecla there are many great vineyards to be found.
The Resort
On the island of La Isla you will find an outdoor sport area with free WIFI connection, a small playground and 2 infinity pools. It is a very safe, secure and quiet place.
Within walking distance you will find the beautiful Al Kasar shopping complex, right now there is a supermarket, a pub, shops, an ice cream parlour, a sweet shop, a beauty salon, a tapas bar and 4 restaurants. For the children there is a small amusement arcade Close to Al Kasar there are other sport facilities, such as a football field, tennis courts and the golf course. This is the only golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, and it is truly a great experience to play this course. Within 45-55 minutes driving by car, 5 other golf courses designed by the Jack Nicklaus Design Group are available for play for Polaris World residents.
The Condado Club has a sports complex with tennis courts, basketball courts, paddle tennis courts and a football pitch where you can spend some free time and have something to eat. It is private and tranquil area that caters for all needs of its residents.
The new fitness centre, Bienestar, is inside the Condado Club. There are daily, weekly and monthly rates available to suit all.
Gym opening hours
Mon - Sat: 7AM - 10PM
Sun: Closed
Diving
La Azohia: There are three diving clubs in the village of La Azohia, which is a good indication that there are things to be seen below the surface of the water. There are additional schools in Puerto de Mazarron. As the sea temperature remains above 17C all year round, diving here is also all year round, although the best time for scuba is May - September. Friends In Nautical Sports (FINS) has a dive centre in the Puerto de Mazarron.
Antipodas Buceo is a scuba diving club based in la Azohia. They also run the bar at the far end of the bay near the tower of St Elena, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the final sun's rays as you watch it set across the Mediterranean, complete your visit here with some of their tapas and a cold beer.
The Islas Hormigas underwater preserve is a protected area that is renown in diving circles. Several of the diving schools at the village of Cabo de Palos take trips out to this area. This is a working fishing village located at the base of the strip and is very well known for its collection of fine fish restaurants.
With so much to offer, Costa Calida is best explored by car.
