Explore two lively markets in downtown Cartagena; one for food and the second a favorite locale for handmade jewelry and crafts. While walking to the Santa Florentina covered market, you will pass landmarks such as Conception Castle and several leafy parks. Long a staple for shopping, the market offers every imaginable culinary ingredient, and you can expect the atmosphere to be extraordinary lively as the residents and vendors interact and socialize. The guide will lead you to stalls where you can taste tapas topped with favorite ingredients. You might try one of these small-plate appetizers with fried squid, anchovies, artisanal cheese or vegetables, as produce is a specialty. Continuing on to the nearby Artisan Center, which is housed inside an 18th-century palace, you will browse stalls full of locally made arts and crafts. The ceramics, jewelry and glassware are particularly noteworthy. Chances are, you will see artisans making their pieces by hand.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the stalls of the Santa Florentina market, which is revered for its fresh produce.
• Sample small-plate tapas at the market, topped with local specialties such as squid and cheese.
• Shop for hand-made jewelry and glassware at the Artisan Center, another favorite venue.

Discover Murcia, the capital of the province and Cartagena - a crossroad of cultures with a fascinating history dating back 3,000 years. An approximate 1-hour journey through the foothills of the Sierra Carrascoy takes you to Murcia. Settled by the Moors in the 9th century and conquered by the Christians in the 13th century, this bustling city offers an array of architectural delights. Stop at the Monastery of the Virgin of Fuensanta and enjoy a panoramic view of the orchards, one of the most productive in the Mediterranean.

Stop at Cathedral Square, where you’ll see the beautiful Baroque style facade of the cathedral, next to the Episcopal Palace. Visit the Royal Casino of Murcia dating back from 1847, it is one of the most historic buildings. Although this is still an active private club, the ground floor is open to the public. After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, the building was completely refurbished and many of the rooms were restored to their original splendor. You'll also pass through the Squares of Santo Domingo and Romeo and enjoy free time for lunch on your own before returning to Cartagena for an orientation tour of the city.

In Cartagena, you’ll visit the Castle of Conception outside visit, built over the remains of the Moorish Alcazar. From this vantage point, enjoy superb views of the city and harbor. Due to the natural protection of the mountains surrounding it, it was chosen as one of the three main naval bases in Spain during the 18th century. The remarkable remains of the Roman Theatre were only discovered back in the late 1980’s, it is believed to have accommodated up to 6,000 spectators.

Enjoy this taste of Spain with the best of Spain presented in dancing, horses and food. This is a treat not to be missed! Spanish horses are pure breed and gifted with an ability to learn the intricate steps of Spanish dressage. Schooling of the Andalusian horses requires much time and patience on the part of their professional trainers. They will show you how the horses are trained. You’ll also enjoy fantastic local produce here served with a selection of typical Spanish tapas with wine, offering the best ingredients of the region in a beautiful garden setting. Just before returning to the pier, your guide will give you an orientation tour through Cartagena, a panoramic drive from the bus. Learn about the intense history of the city since Carthaginian and Roman times, the military history of the city and the prosperous Modernist period in Cartagena.

Your panoramic drive through some of the most important avenues of the city such as Paseo Alfonso XIII, Plaza de España and Calle Real, will give you the opportunity of admiring the University area, the beautiful building of the Regional Assembly, the Military Arsenal, as well as some notable Modernist buildings such as the Maestre House.

Just before entering back to the pier, there is also a drop-off optional stop: Next to the Main Street (Historical, shopping and restaurant area) you will have the opportunity to finish your tour and descend from the bus if you decide to stay in the city center, at your own leisure, to stroll or have a coffee (at own expenses) before making your own way back to the ship, if not, just remain seated and the bus will drive back inside of the pier to finish the tour.

Travel to Murcia, the capital of the province, a bustling city with the charm of a small town. An approximate 1-hour journey through the foothills of the Sierra Carrascoy takes you to Murcia. Settled by the Moors in the 9th century and conquered by the Christians in the 13th century, this bustling city offers an array of architectural delights. Stop at the Monastery of the Virgin of Fuensanta and enjoy a panoramic view of the Murcian orchards, one of the most productive in the Mediterranean.

Stop at Cathedral Square, where you’ll see the beautiful Baroque style facade of the cathedral, next to the Episcopal Palace. Visit The Royal Casino of Murcia dating from 1847, it is one of the most historic buildings. Although this is still an active private club, the ground floor is open to the public. After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, the building was completely refurbished and many of the rooms were restored to their original splendor. You'll also pass through the Squares of Santo Domingo and Romeo and enjoy some free time for a stroll on your own or shopping.

Join your local guide on a walking tour of this fascinating city, inhabited by several cultures since Carthaginian times which have left their mark on its artistic and maritime heritage. Follow your guide to the Panoramic Lift to the Castle of Conception, built over the remains of the Moorish Alcazar. From this vantage point, enjoy superb views of the city and harbor. It was chosen as one of three main naval bases in Spain during the 18th century. The incredible remains of the Roman Theatre were only discovered back in the late 1980’s, it is believed to have accommodated up to 6,000 spectators.

Continue your walking tour in the heart of Cartagena and learn why it was a crossroad of cultures and one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean for nearly 3,000 years. In the old quarter you’ll find several modernist town houses built between the second half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. The entrance to the city center, dominated by the Town Hall, is a gem of modernist architecture.

Enjoy the sights and contrasts of the city of Cartagena and its beautiful coast. Discover ancient Roman remains and white sand beaches. Leaving the city, you’ll drive to La Manga Del Mar Menor, The Sleeve of the Little Sea, that has an interesting geographical layout – a chain that stretches along approximately nearly 15 miles/24 km from Cabo de Palos to Punta del Mojón. It is the natural boundary of the salt water lake known as Mar Menor - Little Sea.

Stop at the fishing village of Cabo de Palos and pause to take in the views and snap a few photographs. Of specific interest here is the grey stoned lighthouse, its construction began in 1863 and it was lit for the first time in 1865. The monument stands proudly at the southernmost tip of La Manga. From your coach you’ll see the 13 mile long beach and only a thousand feet wide, a popular destination for beach combers and sun worshipers.

Travel back in time when you visit the Roman Theatre Museum, the achievement of architect Rafael Moneo. It was commissioned in 1999 and opened to the public in 2008. Start with the exhibition rooms holding treasures offering more than 2,000 years of history discovered. The theater, discovered in the late 1980’s is one of the largest Roman theaters of Hispania, played a very important role during Roman times with an estimated capacity of 6,000 spectators. You’ll stand in awe as you exit the museum step into the open space of this magnificent theater. Enjoy some free time in the main pedestrian area of Cartagena.

Get acquainted with the highlights of the area with minimal walking and discover one of Spain’s most famous liquors which has gained international recognition. Leaving the city, you drive to La Manga Del Mar Menor, The Sleeve of the Little Sea, that has an interesting geographical layout – a chain that stretches along approximately 15 miles/24 km from Cabo de Palos to Punta del Mojón. It is the natural boundary of the salt water lake known as the Mar Menor - Little Sea.

Stop at the fishing village of Cabo de Palos and pause to take in the views and snap a few photographs. Of specific interest here is the grey stoned lighthouse, its construction began in 1863 and it was lit for the first time in 1865. The monument stands proudly at the southernmost tip of La Manga. From your coach you’ll see the 13 mile long beach and only a thousand feet wide, a popular destination for beach combers and sun worshipers.

Visit the Licor 43 Museum and Factory and learn the history of this famous liqueur and the legend behind it, with a short video and numerous exhibits. You’ll learn about the manufacturing process and have a taste at the chill-out bar. With its light body, and characteristic vanilla and citric sweet flavor, it is one of the most popular liquors in Europe. You’ll also see Experiencia 43, an area dedicated to the past, present and future of this brand with memorabilia including all the versions of bottles and promotional items such as posters and ads. You might want to take advantage of their on­site shop and take something back home.

See the highlights of Cartagena by trolley train, a delightful mode of transportation that will take you to historically important landmarks and a scenic park with breathtaking views.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy an enlightening and wonderfully panoramic ride through Cartagena on a trolley train. The city dates back to 227 B.C., when the Carthaginians settled here. They chose the area because it was surrounded by five hills and somewhat easy to defend. Nevertheless, the Romans, Visgoths and Muslims all conquered Cartagena, until the heavily fortified Concepción Castle was built atop the highest of the hills.

Considering the city’s long history, there is plenty to see from the comfortable trolley train. The highlight from a historical standpoint is the ancient Roman theatre, which can seat up to 6,000 spectators. Since being restored in 2003, the theatre holds performances once again. The building in ruins adjoining the theatre is Santa Maria Cathedral, which was heavily damaged in Spain’s Civil War.

Not far away, you will pass the multi-domed, exceptionally ornate town hall. Although beautiful now, the modernist building suffered considerable structural damage shortly after being built in 1907 because it was constructed on unstable land reclaimed from the sea.

One of the most picturesque spots in Cartagena is Torres Park, where you will pause for photos.

詳細を隠す

Savor the wines of the province’s most important wine-producing region when you visit two of the leading wineries and enjoy the scenic landscapes of the countryside. Jumilla is a small town and the name of the province’s most important wine-producing region. Located in an area of wide valleys separated by a chain of mountains, wine has been produced here for centuries. The region began to receive international acclaim for its Monastrell based wines, which accounts for more than 80% of the vines grown here.

You’ll visit the BSI winery, the first wine producer of the Jumilla vineyards. You’ll learn the history and characteristics of the different wines, followed by a tasting. You’ll also visit Vina Elena, founded in 1948, with a long family tradition of winemaking. The bodega invites visitors to take a step back in time and witness the evolution of the business over three generations. Their home-grown range of olive oil and almonds, recently included in its product list, constitutes a new era for the business and pays homage to the three traditional crops of the high-plains of Murcia - vineyards, almond orchards and olive groves. You’ll have the opportunity to taste some of their special wines.

OVERVIEW

Explore the magnificent Sierra Espuña with a member of Association Bosqueo2, a group of conservationists dedicated to the reforestation of this now-protected natural park. Although it’s hard to imagine today, the pine-forested park was nearly devoid of trees in the late 19th century, as its natural resources were heavily exploited. That began to change in 1889, when Cartagena native and forest engineer Ricardo Codorníu spearheaded a replanting program that continues more than 100 years later. While touring this environmentally sensitive area with a member of the association, you will see firsthand how Sierra Espuña has been transformed into pristine parkland full of indigenous flora and fauna. If the weather conditions are conducive, you will plant a tree as part of the reforestation efforts. However, if it’s too dry for a newly planted tree to survive, you can opt for the association to plant one in your name later.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a once-deforested area that has been transformed into a pine-clad natural park.
• Learn about the forester that inspired the transformation in the late 19th century.
• Plant a tree to contribute to the park’s reforestation or sponsor a tree to be planted later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Cartagena’s rich marine history through attractions that highlight how the sea has long influenced city life. The bay that Cartagena overlooks is a deep natural harbor that first drew settlers thousands of years ago. Today, the city still revolves around the sea. The naval base, known as the Arsenal of Cartagena, has been operating since 1782, making it one of the oldest in Spain. The naval museum inside holds an treasure-trove of marine artifacts, including the world’s first battery-powered submarine. While pausing to take in the views at a bayside vantage point, you will learn more about Cartagena’s relationship with the sea. Commercial fishing thrives and the bounty of the Mediterranean will be evident as you dine at a restaurant on Cala Cortina beach, a beautiful stretch of sand tucked along a sheltered cove. Seafood is the main offering, especially octopus, which is commonly grilled.

HIGHLIGHTS
• View marine attractions that demonstrate Cartagena’s long relationship with the sea.
• See the Arsenal of Cartagena, a naval base that was created in the 18th century.
• Gain insight into Cartagena’s importance with regard to sea trade and commercial fishing.
• Enjoy a seafood lunch at a traditional restaurant that overlooks Cala Cortina beach.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Behold some of the most outstanding Art Nouveau-style buildings in Cartagena while walking through a historical district on the way to lunch. The Carthaginians settled this area in 227 BC and over time the Romans, Visgoths and Muslims all conquered Cartagena and influenced the architecture. In the late 19th century, Art Nouveau became the rage when mining flourished and construction boomed. You will view the most emblematic of those buildings as you meander through the city center. They feature architectural elements such as wrought iron balconies, floral details, ceramic decorations and sensual ornamentation. After pausing for a signature local coffee liqueur known as an Asiatico, you will be served a traditional lunch at La Marquesita, an elegant restaurant not far from the main shopping area. The menu changes daily but always features seasonal Mediterranean cuisine. Chances are, you will be greeted by the mother and daughter that own and operate the restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See outstanding examples of Cartagena’s late 19th-century Art Nouveau architecture.
• Gain insight into the history of Cartagena while walking through the city center.
• Dine on exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at the elegant restaurant La Marquesita.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.