SPORTING INFORMATION:
A car is needed - but only an 8 minute drive away is La Manga Golf. On its own, this offers 3 championship 18 hole golf course, eight football pitches and 28 tennis courts. This is where the European Premier League football teams go to train - so there is a fair chance of seeing a famous face or two around! Try the restaurant Si at La Manga Club (children under 10 each free between 5pm - 7pm). During school holidays the resort offers football, golf, and rugby and dance academies. The Murcia region has golf courses 'sprouting up' all over - and by the end of the year should offer in the region of 32 courses!
At Cabo De Palos (5 mins by car) there is the Islas Hormigas Scuba Diving Club for courses, day trips to marine reservations, night diving, equipment rental, diving for the disabled, deep water diving, sunk ships diving with the back up of a hyperbaric chamber. Tennis courts are 5 minutes walk from the house. Mountain bikes, cycling, and quad bikes are all available locally.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Nearby 'Honda Mar' is the local supermarket. We would recommend a 3 min drive to the Upper at Cabo. Beer and wine is plentiful & cheap. Further afield - go to the Carrefor at Cartegena. Whilst there - you must take a stroll along the 'Puerto' and watch the boats whilst having a cold drink at one of the many promenade restaurants, visit the naval museum and El Corte Ingles (major dept store).
In Playa Paraiso itself, there are two Spanish restaurants - 'Casablanca' and 'Juliets', they both offer very friendly service and typical Spanish Tapas. When it comes to tapas - go into the restaurant and chose the tapas from the counter on display! An English bar is 'sandwiched' between the two Spanish. This area is the locals meeting place and is a hive of activity during the weekends and summer months. If you like fish - Cabo de Palos - again along the promenade - try La Taberna Del Puerto (excellent) and good portions. The Miramar is a little pricey! It is beautiful at night all lit up
CHILL TIME:
The morning sun is on the front patio of the house - 1pm it is in the back and on the balcony of the second upstairs bedroom. 2 lilos, 2 dinghys, 2 spades - please let the children use them. We also have 2 beach chairs, a beach umbrella (which believe me you will need) and beach mats. All we ask - if they get broken please replace them. Turn left out of the house and keep walking - you are now on the Mar Menor beach. At the beach we suggest you keep walking left - and aim for nearer the beach bar. There is also a small children's play area near the palm trees. The Mar Menor is non tidal. It is clean, and it is very salty! During July and August, there are nets placed 200 yards out to ensure the general public's safety and stop jelly fish entering the bay. Sit on the beach, watch the jet skis, the windsurfers, the boats, the Spanish sitting in groups out at sea talking! Wooden ramps are along the beach to help prams and wheelchairs reach the waters edge.
Golf:
Why pay the extortionate rates of the Golf Resorts - we are only 8 minutes from La Manga Club by car - and there are 26 other courses in the region to choose from. Save some money on your rental by stopping in our house and then you can play more rounds of golf! The airport is only 20-25 minutes from the airport (Murcia) and you will need transport to carry those clubs around anyway
