Luxury holiday accommodation in Calabardina, Spain
Getting there
Calabardina and Aguilas have easy access from three airports, San Javier (Murcia), Almeria and Alicante. The Via Del Mediterranea which, since 2007, connects us to all of these, is a toll road (6-10 euros), but the traffic is light and the journey is not unpleasant. If time allows, the coastal routes from Cartagena and Almeria are both very pretty. Journey times vary but allow 1-2 hours depending on the route.
The village of Calabardina
Although in the heart of the village, within minutes of shops, bars and restaurants, our Villa is only a 100 metre stroll from the blue flag beach (about 400 metres long and 30 wide) whose smooth sand shelves out gently, cordoned off from boats in the summer for safe swimming. It has foot showers, changing facilities, Red Cross lifeguard patrols, and chiringuitos (refreshment stands) and is designated as having easy handicapped access.
It is normal to leave beach chairs and parasols on the beach all day if you return to the house for lunch and siesta and intend to return in the afternoon. They won’t be stolen! Although, with a bar and restaurant at each end of the beach there is little need to move very far! Their fresh calamari and paellas are excellent value. At night the beach is dotted with fishermen with the lights at the tips of their rods twinkling amidst the stars of the night sky. To read more about the village - click here
Aguilas
The City of Aguilas, 8kms, has been largely bypassed by the tourists, so few of the locals speak English although most restaurant menus have an English translation. The port supplies the fresh fish and locally grown fruit and vegetables abound. Its weekly market and fine range of shops make it a delight for the casual shopper or the serious bargain hunter.
Aguilas is the place to have a stroll along the prom around the harbours and beaches, or just to sit with a coffee and watch the world go by and soak up the atmosphere in the square with its bars and fountain in the shadow of the old church. To read more about Aguilas - click here
Totana La Santa
The best way in which to appreciate the history, traditions and atmosphere of Totana is to take a leisurely stroll round its streets. It serves to highight the convictions, beliefs and traditional religious feeling of its residents. These sentiments are best displayed in certain quiet streets, where the inhabitants have built vaulted niches on the outer walls of their homes. The architecture offers examples of ornamental craftsmanship, wooden barred doors and wrought iron doorknockers, forming part of a lengthy tradition and although some have disappeared over time, others have been relocated, preserved and can be visited.
The monastery ‘La Santa’ is now a restaurant and hotel set in the mountains of Sierra Espuna, a paradise for walkers and climbers (About 40minutes from Lorca).
Lorca
Declared a site of Historical-Artistic interest and only 20 minute drive inland from Aguilas, its old quarter is lovely to explore. Visit the Archaeological and Embroidery Museums to enjoy veritable works embroidered in silk and gold.
Caravaca
A medieval Holy City (1hr 20mins North West of Lorca) with a castle and museum. Narrow cobbled streets wind their way up to the Castle-Shrine where the Holy Cross of Caravaca is kept which contains the Lignum Crucis which tradition says are fragments of Christ’s cross.
Vera
A superb waterpark for all ages. You need to spend a whole day here (30mins from Aguilas).
Mojacar
Two towns, Old and New.
Old Mojacar – Pueblo, a picturesque jumble of white cube shaped houses on a hill top 2Km inland. Mojacar - Playa, a modern beach resort strip 7Km long. Wide golden sands, dominated by tourism, but a great place to wander, with lovely shops.
Grenada
Further afield (2 ½hours), but worth a days visit. The magnificent Alhambra is an imposing red fortress rising from the woods of cypress elms with the Sierra Nevada forming a magnificent backdrop.