natural breakwater which has progressively enclosed it, creating a calm and warm water paradise for swimming and water sports. There are excellent sailing and water skiing facilities on the Lagoon, without waves and with shallow waters, making this an ideal location for families and children. The bay is also famous for visitors with arthritic, rheumatic and skin problems as one part of the area has therapeutic natural mud baths comparable with those of the Dead Sea or Black Sea. This area enjoys 320 days of sunshine a year and has several top quality golf courses to choose from, all within 10 to 20 minutes drive from the house. The famous La Manga golf course is about 50 minutes drive. There are regular flights from major airports in the UK to the small local airport of Murcia-San Javier, which is just 10 minutes drive from the house. Alicante international airport is less than one hours drive away.

Costa Calida

For those that prefer to have waves and surf, the Mediterranean sea is just 15 minutes drive away with the beautiful sandy beaches of the Costa Calida. You will pass the Salinas salt lakes and nature reserve on your way, where you can see an abundance of wildlife, including the famous Flamingos of the region.

Santiago De Ribera and the neighbouring villages of San Javier and Lo Pagan are typically Spanish and the area is favoured as a holiday resort by the Spanish. There are plenty of good, inexpensive tapas bars and restaurants to choose from. A shopping mall / hypermarket is within walking distance of the house and on Wednesdays, there is a large market also within walking distance. Drive inland a couple of kilometers from Lo Pagan and you will be in the small town of San Pedro del Pinatar where there is a variety of shops, a department store and several banks.

For those that like a more cosmopolitan feel, the large town and urbanisation of Torrevieja is about 30 minutes drive away. This area has been favoured by the British for several years as a holiday and retirement location and has quite a large British community. There are restaurants of all nationalities and plenty of nightlife.

Murcia, the Capital city of the province is just one hour away and if you don’t feel like driving there are regular air-conditioned coaches that run frequently.  Also, the wonderful historical port of Cartagena is only one hours drive. The beautiful mountain region and National Park of the Sierra Espuna is two hours drive away and well worth a visit. Take a picnic and enjoy the cooler mountain air with stunning views on route.