One of the delights of living in this part of Spain are the natural springs that abound in the area. The thermal baths and mud baths on the Costa Cálida date back centuries. There are a number of these baths in the area and they vary from the very basic, to the most luxurious. Years ago these baths were used by everyone for their main weekly ablutions. The therapeutic properties of mud and salt water were utilized by the ancient Romans. The hot thermal springs attracted them to the area and various places like Fortuna became popular spa towns and many travelers settled in these little oases in the middle of barren, deserted areas.
The Balneario de Leana in Fortuna is one of Spain’s oldest thermal baths. It centres round the natural hot water springs and the water is used to treat respiratory disorders and rheumatism, but it is also said to help ease simple stress and other complaints. The setting of these baths is absolutely stunning, with views of palm trees, orchards and mountains. What could be better for relieving stress and relaxing? The water has an average temperature of 34º Centigrade and there is an outdoor pool where you can spend hours floating in the luxurious water.
100 kilometres from Alicante there is a spit of land about 20 kilometres long which separates the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean Sea. Its waters are calm, do not exceed a depth of seven metres and are usually five degrees warmer than those on the Mediterranean side of the spit. This has created a ‘little sea’, which contains salt water and this special lagoon attracts sun worshippers with families from all over the world. During the summer, the hotel and holiday complexes around the Mar Menor are frequented by holiday-makers, including many Spaniards. Even the winter months can be busy as the Mar Menor is one of Spain’s warmest areas.
Lo Pagan, a district of San Pedro del Pinatar on the northern end of the lagoon, is known for the medicinal properties of its mud. The mud is anti-inflammatory and is used to treat rheumatism, gout and arthritis, as well as skin ailments such as acne. According to signs posted on the beach promenade, “The fango layer acts like blotting paper and frees the skin from toxic substances.” The young Spanish women collected the dark mud in small plastic pails, smeared themselves with it from head to toe and rubbed it into each other’s backs and faces. The obligatory walk along the promenade is so that the mud can dry in the sun. Once the black paste hardens into a grey coat it is washed off.
The Hotel Spa Barcela Lodomar at La Pagan offers various spa treatments.
The area around the regional capital Murcia is known as “the nation’s vegetable garden.” The region is among Spain’s warmest, and the Moors, who conquered the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, devised ingenious irrigation systems to make the plains flanking the Segura River arable.
Cartagena, the second largest city in the region, is Murcia’s perennial rival. A port city of some 175,000 inhabitants, it is about half as big as the regional capital. Cartagena is a popular destination for cruise passengers, who stroll through the city centre to view sights like the city hall, built in art nouveau style, and the 13th-century Santa Maria la Vieja Cathedral. The city is especially crowded during a one-week fiesta in September, when the locals dress up as Carthaginians and Romans and parade through the streets to commemorate Cartagena’s past. Mazarrón is about a fifteen minute drive from Cartagena and just north of the town is an urbanization called Camposol.
