Make sure your February’s not flat as a pancake; flip your diary open and get planning! Stay informed online with the Chronicle website
www.costacalidachronicle.com and blog and the relevant Tourist Office websites.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244
Market Tues
Sunday 2nd February – Artisan Market
El Zacatin artisan market goes medieval 9am-2pm in the squares of Plazas Vieja and Castillo, along Calle San Anton. Workshops for the family, demonstrations, costumes and street entertainers together with crafts and produce.
Sunday 2nd February – A free guided tour (in Spanish) of the town’s medieval history. Starts at 10.30am for approx. an hour. Tickets available from the tourist info point in the market 15 mins prior to departure.
Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla.
Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English.
Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices.
To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211, Tourist Office, or email casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
CALASPARRA
www.turismocalasparra.es
T: 968 745 325
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra.
Murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
CARAVACA
www.turismocaravaca.org
T: 968 702 424
Market Mon
Sunday 16th February – Artisan Market
A museum gem explores Caravaca’s history of skilled craftsmanship and remarkable engineering. An amazing collection of miniatures portray these skills, including Caravaca’s manufacture/export of espadrilles. Located at Calle Puentecilla No 3, Bajo.
Tel 968 795 620 for opening times.
The Carlos Blanco Fadol Museum of Ethnic Instruments in Barranda is signposted and easy access for mobility issues. 5% of his 4,000-piece collection rotates in the space available. 3€ (reduced 2€/child 1€). Check opening times with Tourist Office.
CEHEGÍN
www.turismocehegin.es
T: 968 723 550 Market Wed
Sunday 23rd February – El Mesoncico Artisan Market in the historic Plaza del Castillo with produce, crafts, music, food and demonstrations. Open from 10am-3pm with a carnival atmosphere including drumming groups, mask-making workshops and free chocolate-drenched tortas fritas.
Saturday 22nd February – The School of Wine hosts a Micro-Concert with beer tasting. Starts at 8.30pm. The cost per adult is 12€. A reservation is required by telephoning 628 408 565.
Saturday 29th February – Free Guided Tour to Bodegas Carreño and the School of Wine. 11.30am from Plaza del Alpargatero. Comfy walking shoes are necessary. Reserve a place via Tourist Office.
Until 23rd February – 12th Route of Tapas and Cocktail is celebrated. Booklets of participating venues are available at the market and tourist office; and all the 16 bars and restaurants provide tapa and a drink for only 2.50€. 6 pubs and cafes are offering tempting cocktails for 2.50€.
The Archaeological See of Begastri open Saturdays & Sundays for tours: 10am-2pm. A video presentation is followed by a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC. 2€ pp.
Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’ for family activities including zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. They can host any type of event. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu – and you can book.
Open weekends 10am-5pm; weekdays prior booking.
Tel 968 069 202 Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Email info@conexioncultura.es
www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
JUMILLA
www.jumilla.org
T: 968 780 237 Market Tues
Saturday 8th February – Free English Language Guided Tour of the old town, with time after to visit the archaeological & ethnographic museums and maybe a bodega. 11am from outside the Teatro Vico for 90 mins.
Sunday 9th February – Free Tour (in Spanish) of the many chapels (ermitas) which hail from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. 11.30am from the Jardin del Rey Don Pedro. Booking essential.
Saturday 15th February – English Language Tour of the medieval history 12th to 15th centuries. Includes bus up to the castle and then an approx. 1km walk to take in significant streets, monuments, churches and chapels, standing and remains. 11am from Tourist Office; approx. 90 mins. Wear comfy shoes. Tickets 2.10€. Please book.
Sunday 16th February – Same tour as Saturday in Spanish.
Saturday 22nd February – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of The Convent of Santa Ana del Monte in the mountains 6km south of Jumilla with stunning views over town and landscape. Follow the RM-714 south-west and signposted. Tour starts at 11am from the Monastery Atrium – donations welcome. English language tours can be arranged through Tourist Office.
Sunday 23rd February – Combine a brief visit to the Convent and Chapel of Santa Ana del Monte with a 7km walk in the beautiful surrounds taking in the Fuente de la Jarra and Fuente de la Buitrera. Free tour in Spanish (donations to Monastery welcome). 10am from the Convent Atrium.
Lovers of art should visit the Saorin Painting Museum, a small museum of works by the local artist, Jesus Lozano Saorin and others from the area. Includes sculptures and canvasses.
Reserve guided visit on 660 959 631.
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel 968 757 379) and the Ethnography & Natural Sciences Museum (tel 968 780 740) which also offer various workshops for all the family at various times.
Wine buffs can contact a choice of 15 bodegas affiliated to the Ruta del Vino for guided visits for small groups or individuals and to buy produce. Liaise with bodegas as most will attempt to coordinate groups and provide a relevant language-guide; or enquire through Tourist Office.
MORATALLA
www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net
T: 968 730 208 Market Sat
Tours to the Rock Art of Moratalla are available encapsulating prehistoric to medieval styles and worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status. There are several routes and modes of transport – details on www.turismomoratalla.com, info@turismomoratalla.com, or tel 696 807 037
MULA
www.mula.es
T: 968 661 501
Market Sat
Sunday 9th February – Artisan Market
El Cigarralejo Museum and Casa Pinatada with relatively new exhibitions may have escaped your attention to-date – info from Tourist Office.
MURCIA
www.turismodemurcia.es
T: 968 358 749
The Auditorio Victor Villegas:
Sunday lunchtime ‘Family Concerts are back! Performed by the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra, six events are scheduled between September and March – book early as very popular.
More info/booking 9am-2pm at box office
Tel 968 343 080
Season tickets for 2019-20 are on sale, featuring 24 concerts and dance performances. Tickets for individual events are also available – booking early is recommended.
Friday 7th February – The OSRM and Coral Orpheus Choir perform Verdi’s Requiem under the baton of resident conductor Virginia Martinez. 8pm; tickets 12€-20€.
Wednesday 12thth February– The Bodyguard Musical graces the stage: 12th & 13th 8.30pm/14th & 15th 6pm & 9.30pm/16th 5pm. Tickets 19€-44€.
Sunday 16th February – The duo Kinetic Percussion join with guest Alberto Marquina and play around 30 different instruments in a midday concert followed by tapas snacks and drinks and a chat with the performers. Tickets 15€.
Monday 17th February – The trio Metamorphosi perform three works by Beethoven. 8pm. Tickets 15€.
Tuesday 18th February – Eduardo Fernandez includes three Beethoven piano sonatas in his performance. 8pm. tickets 10€.
Saturday 22nd February – Acclaimed concert pianist Grigory Sokolov is a treat not to be missed. 8pm. Tickets 25€-35€.
Sunday 23rd February – Continuing the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, actors Javi Chou and Manuel de Reyes contemplate him being alive in the 21st century. This family concert aimed at youngsters starts at 11.15am with a pre-concert discussion of performers’ lifestyle and the music they’ll enjoy. Concert starts at midday. Tickets 10€.
Friday 28th February – Me Cuesta Tanto Olvidarte revives the 1980s and 90s with their tribute to super-group Mecano. 9.30pm. Tickets 25€-35€.
Saturday 29th February – The Royal Film Orchestra perform scores by John Williams, Ennio Morricone and Hans Zimmer – 8 Oscars and almost 70 nominations between them! 8pm. Tickets 34€-50€.
Art Exhibition – The Palacio Almudi hosts ‘Origenes’ which presents a view tracing developments since the transition to democracy forty years ago; 123 artists exhibit 213 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, videos, digital and more.
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm
Sun & Fiestas 11am-2pm
YECLA
www.turismo.yecla.es
T: 968 754 104 Market Wed
Saturday 1st February – Free Guided Evening Tour celebrates the Fiestas of San Blas. 5.30pm in the Parque de la Constitucion alongside the Teatro Concha Segura. Visit the theatre, Basilica, museum and more. Finishes at the ‘Niche of San Blas’ for a traditional bonfire with locals leaping over it and sharing of wine and dried fruits.
Visit Deortegas Almazara to learn about their olive oil production. Limited places – they will try to fit you in with a group or accommodate your group. 8€ pp includes a blind tasting of various oils, a healthy breakfast and a comprehensive guide to the nutritional benefits, origins, production techniques and much more. English-speaking staff has to be pre-booked on request.
Tel 968 969 644
Email info@deortegas.com
www.deortegas.com