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La Manga del Mar Menor

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La Manga del Mar Menor is a wonderful Mediterranean spot (in spite of the building speculation, which has rather spoiled the place) to take some vacations or to retire here, if you reached the age (or the feeling) to do it.

La Manga is located 30 Km. North Cartagena ( Mediterranean Sea coast, Southeast Spain ) in the Autonomous Community of Murcia (Autonomous Community = some politically and administratively organized land space in Spain , similar to a Federal State in USA or a Lander in Germany ).

One of La Manga's official slogan is La Manga is a paradise between two Seas (Mediterranean and Mar Menor, a very salty water lake, West of the narrow stripe of land that goes along the "two seas" for about 20 or 30 Km.).

However, when the wind blows here (which is good for the windsurfers, they love the place) it is a very windy paradise.

Another slogan is "If you like the Sea, we have Two".

However, one of them it is just a nice and very salty lake.

An initial advice, if you like to visit and enjoy La Manga , is that you come here avoiding the months of July and August. This, of course, unless you like crowds, activity and noise, better than quietness and relaxation.

La Manga has many things difficult to find in Continental Europe: the clean air, the healthy Mar Menor water (very salty, therefore good for rheumatic diseases and skin problems), the fall and winter weather (from early March to middle November the good weather is almost guaranteed and, even during those "could" months, you will find many days with good and sunny weather) and the beautiful sunsets in Mar Menor.

It is true, however, that if you get some days of bad weather (and there are some), you could feel coulder than if living in the North Pole, particularly if your Hotel or (which happens more often) your rented Apartment is not appropriately prepared.

Therefore, if you come to La Manga del Mar Menor during the winter season it would be advisable that you knew the orientation of the apartment you wish to rent, as it is important that the house receives a good amount of sun along the day. Check also that the apartment has the sufficient radiators (normally electrical) to heat it properly.

A short description of this place is as follows:

The four or six initial Kilometres of Gran Via de la Manga (the main Avenue that runs 18,5 Km. along La Manga urbanizations) go through "Wide" La Manga (the distance between Mar Menor lake and Mediterranean Sea is about 1 - 1,5 Km.). Here you find the elder buildings and developments (though you have many of them very well preserved and you have, also, new modern developments). In this area the building density is high.

Then you have the "Narrow" La Manga (where the distance between the Mar Menor lake and the Mediterranean Sea is shorter, generally speaking). In this area the building density is more acceptable, although you have, also, some good examples of gigantic buildings.

Finally, when La Manga inhabit ends in Veneziola area (after the 18,5 Km. of Gran Via de la Manga Avenue and all the buildings), the "Wild" La Manga starts. It is the Nature Reserve San Pedro del Pinatar Saltworks and Sand Spots Regional Park (about 2.000 acres of wild land, North of urbanized La Manga).

(You can visit, also, Calblanque -volcanic clifts over isolated sand beaches- the other Nature Reserve South La Manga , between La Manga Club and Cabo de Palos:

An initial advice is that you should visit La Manga driving your own car or (if you come here flying) renting a car. You can, also, rent a bike, a scooter or a bicycle

There is a public bus service in La Manga and Cabo de Palos but, specially Winter time, it is no good.

Other advice is that you visit the Mercadillo de Cabo de Palos when you are in La Manga on Sunday morning (every Sunday morning along the year). It is a sort of flye market and takes place in an open space located in Cabo de Palos, next to the old road Cabo de Palos-La Manga- Cartagena . It has thousands of visitors, so you can find it very easily just following the crowds. In the Mercadillo you have fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers from the famous Murcia and Cartagena plantations and, also, wearing apparel, shoeware, gifts, etc.

The lands of Murcia , bordered by the dry, semi-desert plain of Almeria, whose northern countryside is encrusted with such towns and villages as Lorca, Totana and Alhama.

Murcia , 70km from La Manga Club, is the capital of the region, surrounded by a splendidly fertile cultivated plain. The most important monument is the cathedral, other outstanding monuments include the Episcopal Palace, the Casino, several churches and other 19th century architecture. Among the different museums there is one in particular, dedicated to the works of the image maker Francisco Salzillo.

Other interesting museums are the Archeological Museum , the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of La Huerta . Before leaving Murcia a visit is recommended to the Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Fuensanta.

SANTIAGO DE LA RIVERA

Leaving Murcia on the N-301 as you reach the C-3319 leading to San Javier, Santiago de la Rivera on the banks of the so called Mar Menor, is the most important tourist centre in this area.

COSTA CALIDA - "THE WARM COAST "

The Costa Calida, by which name this section of coastline is known, boast the attraction of Europe's largest saltwater lagoon, the Mar Menor, that abound with wildlife particularly at the Northern end of the lagoon which is home of thousands of flamingos during their Autumn migration. The Costa Calida area is also blessed with approximately 3.000 hours of sunshine a year.

MAR MENOR VILLAGES

The 73km of coastline of the Mar Menor are the location of tranquil villages, and the waters, which are rich in salt and iodine, which make this area the best for helping to cure some infections and rheumatic disorders. Some of the most important villages are San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcazares, Los Narejos, Islas Menores, Mar de Cristal and Playa Honda.

LA MANGA

La Manga, the most important tourist centre in the region, stretches between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean . It consists of a narrow, sandy spit of land with 22km of double beaches and between 100 and 800m in width.

CARTAGENA

Cartagena , an ancient port which is the second most important city in the region and the centre of the Mediterranean Maritime Department. It is located just 20km from the resort, and predates to the Roman period and boasts the ruins of a Roman theatre, archaeological museums plus a number of interesting examples of military and modernist exhibits and architecture.

Places of interest within Cartagena include the Church of Santa Maria La Vieja , the Torre Ciega, Torres Park and the Castle de la Concepcion. One of the prettiest areas in the city is its port, where you can find the Modernist Town Hall, several monuments, such as the one dedicated to the Heroes of Cavite and Santiago de Cuba and the First submarine in the world ever to be launched,the latter being the work of Isaac Pearl in 1888. Before leaving Cartagena do not forget to visit the Archeological Museums.

MAZARRON

The next stop after Cartagena is Mazarron, whose magnificent bay can be admired from the main road. The town meets the sea at the tourist centre where there are more than 35km of beaches. Its most important monument is the Castle of Los Velez .

CABO DE PALOS AND LOS BELONES

Local villages and markets near the resort include Cabo de Palos which is 10km from the resort. This is home to a very popular Sunday market, ceramic shops and some pleasant seafood restaurants around the harbour. Los Belones is the nearest village to the resort, here there is a small fruit market every Tuesday and the Bodega de Los Belones wine cellar which offers wine tasting and an extensive range of local and national wines.

EL ALGAR

Heading towards Cartagena , El Algar (10 km from the resort) also boasts an excellent wine cellar called La Cabana de Saura located on the road into the village and has a market every Friday.

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