Padel Tennis The spelling may be confusing but it’s a lot of fun, and a great way to get some exercise. Pádel, padel, or paddle tennis was invented in Mexico in 1969. But it is also a very popular sport in Spain, which is why it is sometimes spelled with an accent. The game however has spread to other parts of the world, resulting in all sorts of variations on the name.  But no matter how you spell it, pádel/padel/paddle in the Murcia region is amazing! And a great way to exercise and spend time with friends and family. What is it?  Padel is a racket sport that can be described as a ..read more

Cabo de Palos lighthouse and grassy seabed with fish One of my favorite day trips is a visit to the small traditional fishing village of Cabo de Palos (Cape of Sticks). This is a place that I return to regularly no matter what the month and its charm and beauty never fail to delight me. Location The small town of Cabo de Palos is nestled on a peninsula at the southern end of La Manga del Mar Menor and to the north is the stunning Calblanque Regional Park. The area has been recognized as one of Spain’s top diving centers due largely in part to its proximity to Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas Marin ..read more

We all love summer but once you have decided to move to Murcia there are a couple of adaptations that you may want to make to your daily routine. The first recommendation is to include a siesta in the middle of the day, and the second is how to live with and enjoy the heat that summer can bring. Enjoying a Spanish heatwave – for those of us who choose to live here.  The tourist lifestyle may be great for a short holiday but for those of us who live in our Spanish dream casa, it’s probably not practical for the whole summer.  The afternoons get a bit more challenging in summer whi ..read more

Enjoy the Taste of Summer with a Refreshing Tinto de Verano Looking for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day? Try Tinto de Verano. This traditional Spanish beverage is full of flavor and lower in alcohol than most drinks, making it a great choice for those who want to stay cool and refreshed. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, so you can enjoy it right away. Tinto de Verano translates literally to “red wine of summer” and is a Spanish favorite. It is as refreshing as Sangría, but without the fruit and with a bit more fizz. The sweetness of the lemon soda balances out the red wine perfectly a ..read more

Living in the region of Murcia, you may have driven past a number of roadside restaurants (ventas) next to petrol stations without giving them a second glance. I did the same, but that is until recently when I discovered my first one – the Venta el Puerto 2. Although I didn’t discover it so much, I arranged to meet someone by the petrol station next to it (off the A-30 exit 155 to Corvera). Arriving early, I ventured in, initially somewhat reluctantly as its exterior appearance is …. well for want of a better word let’s say it is not exactly quaint looking.  But inside was a revelation ..read more

There are so many things to do in Murcia during the Easter celebrations with all the cultural traditions of Holy Week (Semana Santa) that is special to Spain. This includes some amazing processions of people carrying an assortment of floats, wearing beautiful costumes, and conical hats! They often wind their way down narrow ancient streets, full of lots of character. Semana(s) Santa Holy week festivities usually begin on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and finish on Easter Monday (Lunes de Pascua), and you are likely to find lots of different processions on each of the intervening days. On Ho ..read more

Springtime in Cieza Spring in Murcia comes much earlier than in more northern parts of Europe. Here, winter is over almost as soon as it begins. While we can find ourselves enjoying a log fire at night, February is normally full of beautiful warm days with stunning blue skies. A perfect time to go exploring and the Cieza Spring blossoms should definitely be added to the list! In spring our attention turns inland and it is the turn of the Floración de Cieza (fruit tree blossom season), up around the lovely town of Cieza in northern Murcia. This area becomes one of the most picturesque imaginabl ..read more

Visiting a winery is a must when planning a day trip to Jumilla Tucked between Andalucía, Castillo la Mancha and the region of Valencia, Murcia is a gateway to Spain. But the region has its own distinct culture and subregions, including Jumilla in the Murcia’s northeast. Widely recognized for its wines, a day trip to Jumilla is not complete without a visit to a winery or two but Jumilla offers distinct pleasures – a restored 15th century castle, Roman and Arab ruins, a notable Holy Week, and restaurants that serve a taste of northeast Murcia. And it’s only an hour’s drive north of Los Alc ..read more

Winter walks in Murcia allow you to explore the breathtaking landscape of the region. One of the most popular reasons for buying that dream villa in Costa Calida is for the outdoor living which makes such an improvement to your quality of life. While the Camino de Santiago in the North of Spain is the most famous of Spain’s longer routes, the winter is probably not the best time of year to hike it. Fortunately, for those of you who enjoy walking, there are also plenty of opportunities more local to Murcia. This time of year is ideal as it is usually dry and sunny and not too hot. Great Variety ..read more

Spain has a long tradition of making and drinking vermouth. Like its neighbors to the north (France) and east (Italy), Spain has a long tradition of making and drinking vermouth. Vermouth, or white wine fortified with herbs and spices, is widely known for its aromatics, characteristics sought after in American cocktails. In Spain, vermút (no “h” here) has its own hour of the day and its own bars, known as vermuterias where the aperitif is enjoyed straight from the bottle, right alongside beer and wine – a drink to be enjoyed before dinner.    Vermouth Styles Though the entire categor ..read more