La Torre Golf Resort is on the Costa Cálida of sun-soaked Murcia, in south eastern Spain (see map). The Murcia region has one of the most agreeable climates in Spain, with temperatures averaging 21º C and around 320 days of sunshine every year.

There's a free shuttle bus service to the other Polaris resorts (currently El Valle, Hacienda Riquelme & Mar Menor Golf Resorts), but to make the most of the local area we strongly recommend you hire a car (we use www.carjet.com), as there is no other public transport at present from the resort (other than a bus in the evenings to the local town of Roldán) and using taxis everyday would work out very expensive.

The resort is a 20 minute drive from the safe, sandy beaches of the Mar Menor ('Little Sea'), a warm natural lagoon sheltered from the main Mediterranean Sea by a long sand bank. Along the coastline of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean you will find miles of golden sand, shallow waters and hidden coves, enough to try a different beach for every day of your holiday.

Beaches

Los Alcázares, on the Mar Menor, has some of the finest beaches on the Costa Cálida ('The Warm Coast'). Several have won awards for their high standards. Along the promenade there are various bars, cafes and restaurants selling local tapas, along with play areas for children. A short walk inland is the centre of Los Alcázares town itself.

Further along the Mar Menor are the fine sandy beaches at San Pedro del Pinatar. If you’ve had enough sand, try the village’s famous therapeutic mud which are believed to prevent rheumatism and arthritis.

Or there’s Santiago de la Ribera, whose wide, newly refurbished promenade leads on to a sandy beach, with many beachfront cafés and restaurants to sit and relax. You can also take a relaxing ferry trip from here across the Mar Menor to La Manga.

For a little more seclusion, try the hidden gem of Torre de la Horadada, characterised by small private coves and warm clear waters.

Sights & Shops

For a glimpse of authentic Spanish urban life, take a 15-minute drive to Murcia, the bustling capital of the region. Murcia is full of interesting cultural and tourist places to visit. Its glorious cathedral is a powerful reminder of Spain’s rich history, while the region’s artistic and historic wealth is on display at the city’s numerous museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Fine Arts Museum or the Salzillo Museum.

For less lofty desires, Murcia’s wide sunny avenues are lined with a great selection of both Spanish shops and familiar European high street names. Alternatively, around the backstreets towards the cathedral is a network of winding lanes brimming with exclusive little shops and charming boutiques.

Also well worth a visit is the historic port of Cartagena. Originally an important Roman port, it is now a busy cosmopolitan town. You can take a boat tour to see the ancient maritime sights, historic fort and hilltop castles, amble around the town taking in its numerous cultural and historic landmarks – or just head to the shops: Cartagena offers a selection of typical Spanish shops and high street brands.

Family Fun

The long tradition of tourism in this part of Spain means that visitors are well catered for. There are numerous theme parks, natural attractions and tourist centres suiting all tastes and all budgets. They include:

Lorca Castle, where you can travel back in time and encounter the roman world. It is a Roman-themed day out for the family that both kids and adults will enjoy. Educational as well as entertaining, there are many things to discover, learn and interact with.

Sierra Espuña, south west of Murcia city, is one of Spain's renowned natural parks. It is a wilderness of dramatic peaks and pine forests, offering scenic drives, serious climbing and superb walking.

For a classic theme park experience, visit Terra Mitica. It is full of rides, stalls, shows and other entertainment for all the family – but be prepared to get wet!

The action at Terra Natura is split in to four different areas, America, Asia, Europe and Pangea. You can see how animals live in there natural habitat and discover the people and places of each region. There are also various shows and entertainers and an aqua park that is open in the summer.

Aqualandia, as the name suggests, is a water park, with rides for all ages. There is a children's water Adventureland that has numerous slides and activities. For the adults, there's a selection of more daring rides.

For watersports such as windsurfing, dinghy sailing and kayak safaris on the Mar Menor, visit www.aqua-adicta.co.uk. Fancy quad-biking? Try www.quad-murcia.com. Experience the thrill of an aerobatic flight over the Costa Calida - www. flightfantastic.biz.

Of course, we can’t include information about all the fantastic attractions and great places to visit in Murcia – there just isn’t enough room on this page! If you want to find out more, take a look at the website for the local tourist office.