What´s on at Polaris World Resorts and region of Murcia,Spain. What to do, where to go, events, festivals, fiestas, golf offers and competitions and much more
Sunday, 9 January 2011
THALASIA SPA
With more than 4.500m2 of sea water pools, marine circuit and marine treatment facilities, it makes a relaxing afternoon. The Salt water pools are maintained at 32-34ºC with different subacuatic massages, jacuzzis, water beds, high pressure jets, waterfall, for total relaxation; also a rehabilitation pool. Aquagym and exterior swimming pool at 24-25º with terrace. I would suggest taking goggles as the salt water can sting your eyes.
There is also a Relaxation room with views to the marine pools to relax in after thalassotherapy treatments.
The Marine Circuit consists of the following areas:
- Bithermal showers
- Sauna
- steam room
- Ice Cave with an icepool
- Relaxation Pool
The cafe has marvelous views of the salt lakes of San Pedro and serves yummy fruit juices.
You can also add on massages and treatments. To see full price list click here:
http://www.thalasia.com/dnn/Portals/5/pdf/TARIFAS2010.pdf
Thalasia is in San Pedro de Pinatar , If you go up the AP7 direction alicante, and take the exit 774 into San pedro de Pinatar, you get to a roundabout with a Boat on it! go straight over, and continue straight on towards the sea, Thalasia is there on your right. You cant miss it.
Enjoy!
Friday, 10 December 2010
1920/1950 FAIR IN SAN PEDRO DE PINATAR
Location: calle baron de benifayo
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Saturday, 4 December 2010
FERIA OUTLET IN SAN PEDRO DE PINATAR
Time: 10:00 to 14:00
16:00 to 21:00
Over 30 stalls from clothes to gifts and houseware and with up to 80% off, would make a good place to go and do some Christmas shopping.
There will also be children´s entertainment
To see location, look below :)
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Sunday, 15 August 2010
FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS
Often the programmes do not come out till just before, so until I can get all the information will just put a link to a spanish site which gives last years programme. This post will be permanently listed on the site under "posts to keep your eye on for updates"
JUNE
16th-22nd June - Fiestas Patronales de San Pedro de Pinatar
http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,0,c,369,m,0&r=AgP-20758-DETALLE_EVENTO
JULY 25th June- 30th July 2011 - San Javier Jazz Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-javier-jazz-festival.html
10th - 18th July - Fiestas patronales de Aviles
http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,0,c,369,m,0&r=AgP-20880-DETALLE_EVENTO
1st to 31st July 2011 - Mar de Musicas - Cartagena - music and performances throughout the city
http://www.lamardemusicas.com/2011/08072011.htm
16th - 21st August - Fiestas Patronales de Santiago de la Ribera
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/los-alcazares-santiago-de-la-ribera-and.html
25th July - Day of Santiago Apostol - Santiago de la Ribera - procession - mass and "la Cucaña" (boys try and walk a slìppery plank over the sea to win a leg of ham)
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-of-santiago-apostol.html
28th - 31st July - Festival de Flamenco VA - Sucina - Free Flamenco performances at the Cultural centre from 10pm
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/free-flamenco-festival-sucina.html
AUGUST16th July- 21st August - Fiestas patronales de Santiago de la Ribera
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/los-alcazares-santiago-de-la-ribera-and.html
3rd- 14th August - Cante de las Minas - La Union - Flamenco Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-festivals-around-murcia-2010_02.html
3rd- 24th August - Festival of Theatre, Music and Dance - San Javier
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-festivals-around-murcia-2010_02.html
6th, 7th, 8th August - Bullrunning and Bullfights - Cehegin
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html
13th-14th August - bull running - Blanca
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html
13th - 15th August - Fiestas patronales de Cabo de palos- artesan market, cucaña, verbenas, procesion maritima
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/pirate-artesan-market-and-music.html
13th to 21st August - Semana Internacional de La Huerta y El Mar - Los Alcazares - 13th-21st August - Folkloric performances, night artesan market and local dishes.
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiesta-la-semana-de-la-huerta-y-el-mar.html
21st to 29th August - Fiestas patronales de Roda - Roda
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiestas-patronales-de-roda.html
23rd- 28th August - Cante de Flamenco - Lo Ferro (Roldan) - Flamenco Festival
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/festival-internacional-de-cante.html
24th - 29th August - The Audi Med Cup and Tapas trail - Cartagena -
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/audi-med-cup-and-tapas-route.html
SEPTEMBER
2nd -14th September - Feria de Murcia - parades, wine and food tastings, funfair, music, performances, christians and moors and tons going on
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/feria-murcia.html
4th-12th September - La Aparecida Fiestas Patronales, children´s events and activities, music, processions, motorbike congregations...
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/la-aparecida-fiestas-patronales.html
9th- 19th September - Feria de Murcia - Bullfights
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html
14th September - Romeria de la Viren Fuensanta - Murcia
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/romeria-de-la-virgen-de-fuensanta.html
17th-26th September - Cartagineses y Romanos- Cartagena
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/carthagineses-and-romans.html
11th September- 4th October - Sucina Fiestas Patronales - Sucina
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/09/fiestas-patronales-de-sucina.html
OCTOBER
9th - 13th October - Fiestas del Caldero - Los Alcazares
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/10/fiestas-del-caldero-los-alcazares.html
9th-10th October - Surfari - Los Alcazares
22nd October - 31st October - Balscias Fiestas Patronales
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/10/balsicas-fiestas-patronales.html
FEBRUARY
26TH February - 8th March - Cartagena Carnaval
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/02/carnaval-2011-cartagena.html
MARCH
5th - 26th March - Roldan fiestas patronales
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/02/roldan-fiestas-patronales.html
5TH- 13TH March - Santiago de la Ribera Carnaval
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/03/carnaval-santiago-de-la-ribera.html
Saturday, 7 August 2010
MARKETS
They tend to close at around 2pm, which then is the perfect time to grab some lunch in a local restaurant. Check my post about Cabo de palos market finishing with lunch at Restaurante Katy on the beach (with pictures) http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/sundays-at-cabo-de-palos.html
MONDAYS = Roldan, San Pedro de Pinatar
TUESDAYS = Los Alcazares
WEDNESDAYS = Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena
THURSDAYS = San Javier
FRIDAYS = Torrevieja
SATURDAYS = Los Narejos (Los Alcazares) , Torre Pacheco
SUNDAYS = Cabo de Palos , Autocine los Narejos (down near Airport)
On a Sunday from 9am till 2pm there is an antiques market in Murcia city, it is located behind the Museo Salzillo.
You can see location here
http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=MUSEO+SALZILLO,+Plaza+de+San+Agust%C3%ADn,+3,+30005+Murcia&sll=37.984866,-1.14069&sspn=0.034298,0.076818&g=barrio+de+san+andres,+murcia&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=MUSEO+SALZILLO,+Plaza+de+San+Agust%C3%ADn,+3,+30005+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.98649,-1.138029&spn=0.034298,0.076818&z=14
Then you have all the Artesan Markets which happen monthly, for more information on when these are, check my earlier post
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/artesan-markets.html
All the markets are on my EVENTS CALENDER, which means you can see at a flick what market is on, what day, and where. Plus what concerts, events and festivals are on.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
BEACHES AND COVES
MEDITERRANEAN COVES AND BEACHES
CALA CORTINA
This little cove is a couple of minutes drive from Cartagena, and used by the locals, who you will see cycling up or walking up to spend the day or the afternoon.
Ideal if you spen the morning in Cartagena, followed by a 4 course "menu del dia" and then nip round here for a siesta on the beach and a dip. Below are some pictures of Cala Cortina I took on Thursday 29th July 2010.
The Cove has protection nets at its entrance.
It has disabled access, toilets, shaded areas and a great seafood bar/restaurant.
Great place for a spot of snorkelling with the kids too.
To see location, click here http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=cala+cortina,+cartagena&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=8.480844,19.665527&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cala+Cortina,+30202+Cartagena,+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.591927,-0.975037&spn=0.034481,0.076818&z=14
CALBLANQUE

A protected beach, which offers various coves with a stunning mountain back drop, The Regional Park of Calblanque is unspoilt, so there are no bars or retaurants, and limited lifeguard facilities, just virgen beach. This beach is one of the few you are allowed to take dogs down to, keep to the lower end, where you arrive or you may see the odd naked person, as further up is a nudist area!
Below is a picture of my dog on Calblanque so happy he is levatating.

Directions: Head towards Cartagena, then take the MU-312 to La Manga, after you have passed 2 red petrol stations either side of the road, and passed the turn off to Los Belones and La Manga Golf Resort, keep your eye out for a sign saying "Via de servicio Calblanque" take this turning and keep going, you will hit a fork on the road and the easiest for your first time is take the right hand fork, which will take you down to a parking area, for the more adventurous, take the left! the road is a little bumpy but worth it.
Great place for bird watching too!
THE MAR MENOR BEACHES
The Mar Menor, which means "Little Sea"is a salt water lagoon, which is approx 170 square km´s and offers a very safe place to bathe with 70km´s of beach, the waters are warmer and clearer than the med as they do not exceed 7 metres in depth and close to the beach are shallow. Separated from the mediterranean by the La Manga strip (not to be confused with La Manga Golf) this makes the water calm. The salinity content is quite high (so good for floating!) and is a great place to learn water sports

Throughout the summer, there are inflatable fun areas on the sea along the Mar Menor, it varies year from year, great fun for kids (there are inflatable rock climbing walls on the sea) and bumpy castles.
The Mar Menor is known for its curative properties and up at Lo Pagan there are the Mudbaths. Where you can have a treatment for free and then chill out on the beach, the mud is beneficial for skin complaints, arthritis,reumatism,softening and making skin feel silky and also incredibly funny and laughing and smiling is the best tonic!
The mudbaths are located in Lo Pagan, where the mar menor touches the Saltflats. Take the AP7 direction alicante, then follow the signs to Lo Pagan.
See here for a street map view, it is interactive so you can turn and navigate your way along the beach front!
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Basically you walk up the pier next to the windmill, and the mudbaths are on your left, there are littl piers, you need to take a container, as you walk down the stairs off the little piers into the water and the mud is on the ground, you can feel it with your feet when you find a patch, scoop some up, then take the container full of mud back to the pier and apply all over.
Then you wait for it to dry, you can walk the pier as this goes right out to the end and there is a cafe, but I think that is a 5km walk, or you can just walk to the next windmill which is 2.5kms there and back. Or you could just sit it out!

On the opposite side of the pier is the Mar Menor, so you can spend the afternoon on the beach, and have lunch at "Restaurante Los Molinos" which is just across the road, and one of my reccomended places to eat. See here http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/restaurants-in-region.html For more cove and beach ideas click here
I will continue to add more beaches and coves
Saturday, 17 July 2010
LOS ALCAZARES, SANTIAGO DE LA RIBERA AND LO PAGAN
Holds a nightime "Artesan Market" on the 18th of July and 15th of August at Parque de España from 8pm to late.
The Rest of the year this is held at lo pagan on the seafront, every third sunday of each month from 10am till 2pm.
Location of Parque de España can be seen below.
http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Parque+del+Mar-Reyes+de+Espa%C3%B1a&sll=37.744861,-0.847492&sspn=0.017205,0.038409&g=Calle+del+Espejo,+Los+Alc%C3%A1zares&ie=UTF8&hq=Parque+del+Mar-Reyes&hnear=Espa%C3%B1a&ll=37.825108,-0.785351&spn=0.065356,0.153637&z=13&iwloc=A
Santiago de la Ribera
Throughout most of the summer there seems to be something on at this gorgeous beachside town.
Most of the activities take place at the "Explanada Barnuevo" Which is basically the seafront.Coming from San Javier Just continue down straight until you hit the Sea.
With the festivities of the Virgen Carmen coming to a close tommorrow, at 9.30 am there is a maritime procession where they take the virgen out to sea!
On the evening there is Gran Fiesta with a mobile disco on the seafront at 10.30pm
From the 19th to the 23rd of July from 7pm to 9pm it is "the week of beach fitness" down on the seafront!
Thursdsay the 22nd the band "Parrandboleros"will be playing at the seafront from 11pm
And on Saturday the 24th of July there will be a party at the seafront with the group BUDU
Starting at 10.30pm
On Sunday the 25th of July celebrating the Santiago Apostol.There will be a procession at 9pm finishing with a verbena at the seafront with SHOWBAND ORQUESTA playing
Lots more happening here on 25th July, click here to see
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-of-santiago-apostol.html
On the 31st of July it is "childrens day" and down at the seafront there will traditional games with prizes, starts at 8pm
On the 3rd August the 40 principales radio station will be holding a free gig down at the explanada barnuevo for more details click here:
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/free-pop-concert-40-principales.html
And on the 8th of August there will be a gathering of Classic Motorbikes
Los Alcázares is just a short drive away, and a great place to go for dinner or to chill out on the beach. The word Alcázares is very difficult for people to say when they first come over, and people often resort to calling Alcatraz or Alka Seltza. But actually means Palace in Arabic! The easiest way to learn how to say it correctly is by stressing the sylable "ca" = al CA zares.
Throughout the year there are some great fiestas and things going on.
In My Restaurant guide I have added various restaurants in this town.
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/restaurants-in-region.html
The Restaurant Encarnacion (description of how to get there on link above) is an old Spa hotel and is beautiful old building, well worth going down just to have a coffee and look. On the 29th of July and 5th of August they will be having Jazz Musicians in the inner patio from 8pm onwards.
Entry free until full.
Circus Quiro in Los Alcazares 29th-9th August
for more info click the picture below
On the 8th of August there will be processions with bands playing, at Punta Calera in Los Narejos (los alcazares) at 6pm in honour of "The Patron Saint of Angeles", at 7pm there will be a mass with a procession, a firework display will finish off the festivities. (As far as I can see, Punta Calera is around where the Hotel los Narejos is and running down to the beach)
CHILDRENS GAMES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE SQUARES- AUGUST
There will be a variety of childrens games and activities, including varios workshops making summer ornaments, painted salt, facepainting, recycling, costumes, clay, traditional games, ballon crafting....
From 6pm to 8pm
Plaza del Espejo: 2nd to 6th of August.
Plaza del Espejo: 9th to 13th of August
Plaza del Ayuntamiento: 16th to 20th of August
Plaza del Ayuntamiento: 23rd to 30th of August
As a finale there will be a fiesta in the plaza del Ayuntamiento in los Alcázares, on the 31st of August from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
The plaza del espejo is located here
http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Calle+del+Espejo,+Los+Alc%C3%A1zares&sll=37.760978,-0.832558&sspn=0.017201,0.038409&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+del+Espejo,+30710+Los+Alc%C3%A1zares,+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.744861,-0.847492&spn=0.017205,0.038409&z=15
and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the square next to the townhall.
"Semana Internacional de la huerta y el mar" 13th August to 21st August in los Alcazares, performances, procession, handicrafts and tapas!
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiesta-la-semana-de-la-huerta-y-el-mar.html
Saturday, 3 July 2010
RESTAURANTS IN THE REGION
1. El Rey in Balsicas, next to Petrol Station on Main Road, Great food. Had a superb Steak in there.
2. Tropical, this restaurant is down in Los Alcazares on the road going off the main street to the beach by side of the townhall, great tapas, food and service, founded in 1836. To see the menu, click here http://www.restaurantelatropical.es/carta.pdf
3. Miramar This restaurant is down in Cabo de Palos, if you go down to the sunday market, head down to the port and its just on the sea front on the corner, serves superb fish (as it is on the fishing port!) great swordfish,Founded in 1969. Click on the picture below to go to their website where you can see the menu plus GPS coordinates of how to get there!

for more info about this restaurant and to see more pictures I have taken click here
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/taperia-casa-tomas-and-tapas.html
To see location on google map click here http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Calle+del+Parque,+2,+30201+Cartagena&sll=37.604287,-0.98628&sspn=0.008194,0.019205&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+del+Parque,+30201+Cartagena,+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.601482,-0.98628&spn=0.008619,0.019205&z=16
5. La Casa del Reloj now this is superb, go down AP7 direction Alicante, take the last turning to San Pedro de Pinatar, the one where there is a boat on roundabout, turn right into San Pedro, but look to your left and you will see a house in the middle of some Palm trees, that is it. An Old Hacienda style house with a courtyard and divine mediterranean food. Click the picture below, to go to their website, where you can see more pictures and the menu with prices.

6. Ramons This one is a delicious Spanish restaurant in Los Alcazares, situated on the main street and being green is hard to miss, an extremely popular restaurant with the locals and well worth it. Click the Picture below to go to their website.

7. Encarnacion This restaurant is on the beach front in los Alcazares, if you wander down to the beach from the townhall then wlk along the promenade direction alicante, a short stroll later you will find it, nice place for a snack and a coffee in the daytime, but the evening restaurant is fantastic, set in an old spa hotel with an inner courtyard, the decor reminds me of british india, very colonial, and the food is superb. Afterwards in the summer months walk down a bit further and there is a bar/restaurant on a pier, great for an after dinner drink out on the sea. Phone to book 968 575 007
8. Restaurante los Molinos, head down to the mudbaths, have a brisk walk down the promenade that goes right out into the sea and come back or have a mudbath, then you are ready for a big lunch and just there is this spanish restaurant, with views down to the sea, it is glass fronted and you can´t miss it, do a great paella and a very good "menu del Dia"
To see directions of how to get there, click here http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/beaches-and-coves.html
10.Asiatic run in los Narejos, down by the 525 hotel, is great, they serve a la carte but the best is their Run Menu, which is god knows how many little things, the main is brought out in a wooden box with compartments. Asian food.
11. Restaurante BIG HOUSE Asiatic restaurant in Santiago de la ribera, as you come down into Santiago from San Javier, there is a petrol station on a roundabout, it is next door, serves food from all over Asia, very good and again full of local people.
12. La Venezuela in San Pedro de Pinatar /Lo Pagan comes highly reccomended by a friend. I Have yet to try it, but just know it will be delicious. Family run been in business for over 40 years! The Menu is mediterranean and of course Seafood. Click the photo below to go to their website.

http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Restaurante+Venezuela+,+San+Pedro+Del+Pinatar&sll=38.146974,-0.985112&sspn=1.095085,2.458191&ie=UTF8&hq=Restaurante+Venezuela+,&hnear=San+Pedro+del+Pinatar,+Murcia,+Regi%C3%B3n+de+Murcia&ll=37.816073,-0.786209&spn=0.00817,0.019205&z=16
13. Restaurante Katy at Cabo de Palos. Situated right on the beach, with lots of outdoor seating and serving the most delicious seafood and paellas, very popular, especially on sundays. 95% of clientele are Spanish. Click the picture of the delicious paella we ate there on Sunday to see a great slideshow of the restaurant and its cuisine.
For more info and menu go to their website http://www.restaurante-katy.es/
You can see my review and pics here http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/08/sundays-at-cabo-de-palos.html
16. RESTAURANTE LOS ESPIGARES. This is a little gem. Absolutely love this place, have been back various times since my review below and what makes this place is the service from the owner and the great home cooked food. You must try this little restaurante bar. The Swordfish is to die for, the wine is delicious and served in carafes. And if they have the pudding Cuajada con Miel on the menu, have it!http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/10/bar-restaurante-espigares-roldan.html
17. RESTAURANTE VENTA EL GARRUCHAL. This little Venta serves a great menu del Dia and is a superb place to stop after a long walk in the mountains that surround it.
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/01/restaurante-venta-la-garruchal.html
18. RESTAURANTE ASADOR LOS NARANJOS. This is another little Venta that serves a great Menu del dia, close to San Javier on the way to Sucina on new motorway.
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2011/02/restaurante-asador-los-naranjos.html
19. Valle Del Sol Restaurant, on C3319 motorway on way into La Torre Golf, Great Menu del dia and evening meals, Do a good Mixed grill, Meat cooked on charcoal oven.
20. The Argentinian in La Xenia Boulevard mall. If you are there you must go, Eat as much as you want, They keep coming round with skewers of meat.
21. Airemar Service station Restaurant. What a gem, there is a shop with local produce, a butchers and the restaurant is super. Also do a great Menu del dia.