Places of Interest & Days Out

Murcia - is an historic city, full of magnificent architecture such as Baroque-rococo cathedral, there is also a science museum with water as the main theme, with many hands on exhibits and a childrens planetarium. (Open Tues-Fri 10am-1pm & 4pm-8pm Sat 10am-2pm & 5pm-8pm Sun 11am-2pm)

La Manga - is a strip of land that enfolds the shallow waters of the Mar Menor, well known for its first class championship golf course, it has many small typical Spanish villages and is probably the best known town in the area.  A restaurant that I have heard a lot about is 'Amapola' situated in the Hyatt Club, non residents can eat in this elegant restaurant, serving local ingredients with an international twist.

Lo Pagan (San Pedro del Pintar) - a quiet Spanish seaside town, bordering the inland sea of Mar Menor, whose grey sand is made into mud packs for cleansing the body (which would cost a lot back home, but you can indulge for free here!) look out for the restaurnat called 'Juan Mari' apparently the best on the coast with super fresh shellfish and imaginative puddings. (closed Mondays in low season)

Torrevieja - because of its location it has its own micro-climate, considered by the World Health Organisation to be one of the healthiest areas in the world, it has a cosmopolitan flavour and several music festivals and an all year around cultural programme.  There ia a water park called 'Aqua Polis' which has plenty of slides and rides for the children with water mountains and artificial waves, nicely laid out with a restaurant and picnic area (open mid June to mid September Tel: 965 71 58 90)

San Pedro - has a large shopping centre called Dos Mares ( 10 mins drive)

Cabo-Roig - (pronounced Caboroy) is a small town with a beautiful bay.

Cartagena - is built around a natural harbour it is an old city with plenty of history and museums, one of which is the 'Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Maritima, a museum with a collection of treasures found on the sea bed (open Tues-Sun 10am-3pm)  Cartagena has a superb architecture and old fashioned shops.  I have read recommendations of a restaurant there called 'Mare Nostrum' an elegant restaurant with the best sea views in town, local dishes cooked, mainly fish & vegetables.

Elche - a forty minute drive from Los Alcazares, 22km inland form Alicante, there is a vast retail  complex where you can buy Bond Street haute-couture shoes very cheaply, directly from the manufacturers.  There is also a Rio Safari Park on the Elche-Santa Pola road with animals on show, swimming pools, water slides and dolphin displays.

There are buses that run to some of these places from Los Alcazares, more information on any of these can be found at the local Tourist Information Office.