RESTAURANTE ASADOR - LOS NARANJOS

Restaurante Asador Los Naranjos, is a Restaurant that has been thoroughly reccomended to me by some friends who spent time at Hacienda Riquelme and had eaten frequently in this restaurant and sing its praises.

They have a normal menu but also do a Menu del Dia


This is served 7 days a week at lunchtime and change daily but are all similar, Salad to start, then starters which always include Paella (excellent), 6 main courses including 2 fish, plus sweet, coffee, bread and wine carafe included. They also do a daily tapas of around 6 hot and 6 cold items, around €4 including a glass of wine.

 
You can see from image below, its located on the new motorway from San Javier to Santomera, just a few minutes from the exit off the AP7 onto this motorway you will arrive at the start of the new motorway and the new roundabout which has a huge statue of a strong man lifting the roundabout up, take the service road up the side of the motorway (direction Santomera, sucina)

Hope you enjoy :)

Update: I went and tried this place myself one lunchtime with a friend and it was very good, Every day is a different menu, they bring the menu out, so you can actually see what they serve on other days, it is also in english, we had 2 menu of the day, plus 2 drinks and coffees and it came to 10.50 each!

Very busy, they must have done 50 sittings when we were there.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Sunday 17th of January 2011 is the "day of San Antón Abad" who is the Patron Saint of Of the animals.

In San Javier at the Church Parroquia San Francisco Javier there will be a mass at midday followed by a blessing of animals and then again at 19.30. The evening blessing will be followed by a procession.

When I was travelling in Mexico I stumbled across this happening at a church in Oaxaca and there were crowds of people with their pets, taking them up one by one to the Priest who blessed each animal one by one:

Above is the picture I took with the Priest blessing a budgie in a cage :)

The church in San Javier is in the main square, you can park in the underground parking next to Bastida furniture shop, or in the Big carpark next to Iceland.

MEDIEVAL MARKET

From the 4th to the 8th of December there will be a medieval market in San Javier. In the Plaza España.


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If you haven´t been to a medieval market in Spain, it is well worth a visit, it will entertain, men, women and children alike, and also a great place to get some unique christmas presents and grab something yummy to eat.
Enjoy

FIESTAS PATRONALES DE RODA

The Village of Roda, which is located next to Roda Golf and Beach Resort, is holding its yearly fiestas this week.


Starting today 21st August and ending on the 29th of August.




A week of dancing, verbenas, sports, food, childrens activities and finishing off with fireworks. So head down there and have fun


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FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS

In this Blog Post, I am going to keep a running list of what Fiestas and Festivals are on throughout the year, as the dates do not vary much and this means that by the time this blog is a year old, we will have a running archive of whats on, for next year.
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

MARKETS

Local markets are held daily around the region. Full of fruit and vegetables, clothes, shoes, trinkets and much more. Please be careful with your belongings as these are places where pickpockets hang out. I personally have never had a problem, but best to be safe.

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.

LOS ALCAZARES, SANTIAGO DE LA RIBERA AND LO PAGAN

San Pedro de Pinatar - 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

SUMMER FESTIVALS AROUND MURCIA 2010

The summer is upon us and so come the festivals, From Jazz to Flamenco there is something for everyone ...click on the links and click "descargar programas" to see the programmes and booking info.


San Javier Jazz Festival - 2nd July to 31st July
This festival is celebrated on fridays, saturdays and sundays throughout June and is thought to be one of the best Jazz festivals in Spain
http://www.murciaturistica.es/es/turismo.monografico?monografico=16-2010


Mar de Musicas - Cartagena - 9 July to 24th July

This year the 3 week music festival will be dedicated to Colombian music, exhibitions and literary performances around Cartagena.

http://www.murciaturistica.es/es/turismo.monografico?monografico=17-2010


Cante de las Minas -La Union -Flamenco - 3 August to 14th August

International Tourist Interest

Competition held in the mining town of La Unión. For a week, in the incomparable modernist setting of the Public Market, it is a succession of performances by aspirant beginners in quest of the coveted trophy - the miner's lamp - together with other famous singers.
Declared of International Tourist Interest
http://www.murciaturistica.es/es/turismo.monografico?monografico=19-2010

Cante de Flamenco -Lo Ferro (Roldan) 23rd August to 28th August

This Flamenco festival is celebrated in the small town of lo Ferro (which is adjacent to Roldan) and has a deep popular flavour to it.

http://www.murciaturistica.es/es/turismo.monografico?monografico=21-2010

Festival of Theatre Music and Dance - San Javier - 3rd August to 24th August
One of the most important summer festivals in the Murcia Region, which, here on the shores of the Mar Menor, combines classical and avant-garde theatre, ethnic music, prestigious soloists and classical and modern dance troupes from all over the world.
Declared of Regional Tourist Interest

http://www.murciaturistica.es/es/turismo.monografico?monografico=20-2010

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL IN SUCINA

From the 28th July to the 31st July, click here for more info
http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/free-flamenco-festival-sucina.html

For information on the running of the bulls around Murcia click http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/2010/07/running-of-bulls-in-murcia.html