As Spring leaps on the back of gorgeous weather, March can be contrary! There’s much to enjoy out and about – get cracking and go for it!
Stay informed online at www.costacalidachronicle.com and the blog and the relevant Tourist Office websites.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244 Market Tuesday
Wine heritage info: The Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla has authentic interiors. Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English. The Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices. To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211 or the Tourist Office or email casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
Sunday 3rd March – Artisan Market
CALASPARRA
www.turismocalasparra.es
T: 968 745 325
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra. Murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
Are you interested in having an allotment?
The local Department on Environment has agreed to rent land at the Urban Gardens for a nominal 32€ a year for local gardening enthusiasts. If you are interested, get in touch with the Ayuntamiento.
For action-packed fun: Canon y Canon Multiaventuras – offers bungee jumping, zipline, paintball, rafting, canyoning, hiking and more.
Tel 654 911 510 (English) or go through The Tourist Office.
Sunday 10th – Artisan Market @ The Sanctuary, Calasparra
CARAVACA
www.turismocaravaca.org
T: 968 702 424 Market Monday
Sunday 17th – Free 1.5hr Guided Tour of the old quarter (in Spanish) with leaflets and info boards in English. 11am from Castle/Basilica and winds downhill to the Plaza del Templete. Wear comfy shoes.
Sunday 17th – 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. Info cards in English for every exhibit and easy access for those with mobility issues.
Tel 968 795 620
The Carlos Blanco Fadol Museum of Ethnic Instruments in Barranda will enthral musos. 5% of his 4,000-piece collection rotates in the space available. 3€ (2€ disc/child 1€). English leaflets and assistants speak English. Check opening times with Tourist Office.
CEHEGÍN
www.turismocehegin.es
T: 968 723 550 Market Wednesday
Tapas and Cocktail Route ends Sunday 3rd March. 16 bars/restaurants have route maps (or tourist office). 2.50€ for a tapa & glass of wine, beer or soft drink. 6 bars/cafés offer a cocktail celebration. Special buses 1.30pm to 6pm Sat & Sun between Gran Via and the old town centre. Info on www.rutadelatapa.info
3rd – 6th March – Carnival of the Northwest
Sunday 24th – Car Boot Sale in the park Gines de Paco at the bottom of the Gran Via. Book a stall through the Tourist Office at 1€/metre.
Saturday 30th – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) to Bodegas Carreno and the school of wine. 11.30am from Plaza del Alpargatero. Prior booking via tourist office essential. Guides often speak English. Wear comfy shoes.
Sunday 31st – Artisan Market in Plaza del Castillo with over 60 craftsmen of the area. Free parking at the Marble Technology Centre situated in Carretera Murcia, approached from the West.
Archaeological See of Begastri tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.10am/11.15am/12.20pm. 2€ pp. The tour begins with a video presentation, then a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC.
Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’
Family activities including zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. They can also host any type of event. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu. Possible to book.
Open weekends 10am-5pm; week days prior booking.
Tel 968 069 202 Monday to Friday 9am-3pm
Email info@conexioncultura.es
www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
JUMILLA
www.jumilla.org
T: 968 780 237
Sunday 3rd – English & Spanish language Tour of Medieval Castle. 10.15am from Tourist Office. 2.10€.
11.30am in Spanish only with English leaflets. Reserve via Tourist Office.
Saturdays 9th & 30th – Visit the beautiful 16th century Franciscan Convent of Santa Ana.
Free Guided Tour in English 10am and 12pm Spanish. Starts from the monastery atrium. Donations welcomed. Info from Tourist Office.
Sunday 10th – Artisan Market at the Casa del Artesano in Calle Rico. Learn, observe and have a go! 10am-2pm.
Thursday 14th – Chamber Music from the Valero-Rodriguez duo @ Teatro Vico accompanied by landscape images which inspired the music. 8pm; 12€
Sunday 17th – 1½hr Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the history and culture of Jumilla includes the Ethnographical Museum. 10.30am from Teatro Vico.
Saturday 23rd – 1½hr Free English-Speaking Guided Tour of old town and Archaeological Museum. 10.30am from Teatro Vico
Friday 29th & Sunday 31st – Two charity performances of Jesus Christ Superstar @ Teatro Vico.
Friday 8.30pm – for Spanish Red Cross
Sunday 7pm – for Association of Pediatric Illnesses.
Tickets 4€/6€/9€ from Cruz Roja Jumilla.
Sunday 31st – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) about the Easter week traditions and celebrations and visits the Museo del Nazareno (1€ entry), Capilla-Museo del Rollo and other historic buildings. 10.30am from Tourist Office.
Wine and yoga alert!
Every Thursday to 11th April, Lina Lopez Lorca runs yoga sessions at Bodegas San isidro – numbers are limited so reserve your place on 968 780 700 or email enoturismo@bsi.com
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel 968 757 379) and the ethnography and 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 the Tourist Office.
MORATALLA
www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net
T: 968 730 208 Market Saturday
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
More information via info@turismomoratalla.com or tel 696 807 037
MULA
www.mula.es
T: 968 661 501 Market Saturday
Sundays 3rd/10th & 31st – Free Guided 45-Minute Tour (in Spanish) of the Roman Villa site of Villaricos. Starts 10.30am. English info boards and English-speaking guides available for advance group bookings. Info/reservations via Tourist Office.
Sunday 10th – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the old quarter with English leaflets. 11.30am from Tourist Office.
Sunday 10th – Artisan Market.
Check out the El Cigarralejo Museum and the Casa Pinatada which have several new exhibitions. More info at Tourist Office.
MURCIA
www.turismodemurcia.es
T: 968 358 749
Discover the contemporary arts centre Centro Parraga in the city centre. Tel 968 351 410
info@centroparraga.com
Friday 1st – Drama groups from Mexico and Catalunya portray the people’s loss of life and distortion of facts over the years.
Y Los Huesos Hablaron (And the Bones Spoke)
9pm for approx 75mins. 8€ pp (students/unemployed/over 65’s 4€)
Book on 968 351 410, online or on door from 7pm on the day.
Saturday 30th – The Madrid La Tristura Company perform Future Lovers; a reflection on technology and relationships.
9pm for approx 85mins. 8€ (students/unemployed/over 65’s 4€).
For Art-Lovers
The Sala Veronicas and the Palacio Almudi host some 300 works including seven Goya paintings until 28th April.
Open Mon to Sat 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm
Sun and public hols 11am-2pm.
Closed 19th/23rd/27th April. Free entry.
Tel 650 533 678; 968 358 600; 968 221 668
Art Exhibition
The Museo de Bellas Artes (MUBAM) exhibits 42 paintings mainly by Murcia artist Jose Antonio Molina Sanchez and Barjola, Hernandez Mompo and Mignoni. Focuses on the neo-figurative movement of the 60’s and 70’s.
Open Tues to Fri 10am-2pm & 5pm-8pm
Sat 11am-2pm & 5pm-8pm
Sun & public hols 11am-2pm
Free Monthly Organ Recitals in selected cathedrals and churches to June 2019 8.30pm.
Thursday 21st – enjoy a recital at the Iglesia de Santa Eulalia.
The Auditorio Victor Villegas hosts the following and more info/booking is available 9am-2pm at the box office or tel 968 343 080
Saturday 2nd – La Ziringalla, a Murcia-based traditional folk music group, present ‘Seguidillas y Tonedillas’ which represents the region’s musical past featuring a variety of string and woodwind instruments. 10€; starts 9.30pm.
Sunday 3rd – A lunchtime Classical and Jazz Concert features guitarist Carmen Maria Ros and singer/pianist Alv McMartin & rock band; tapas and a drink. 15€; 12pm
Friday 8th – The OSRM perform Mahler’s 6th Symphony under the baton of resident conductor, Virginia Martinez. 8€/11€/13€; 8pm
Saturday 9th – Sidecars, the Madrid rock group, showcase their 5th album ‘Cuestion de gravedad’. 25€/35€; 9.30pm
Sunday 10th – The UCAM university orchestra performs Music from The Harry Potter Films. 8€/12€/15€; 7pm
Monday 11th – Selection of Chopin performed by Cartagena pianist, Gabriel Escudero. 12€; 8pm
Friday 15th – The Rojas & Rodriguez company ‘Titanium’ perform a Fusion Of Flamenco and Hip Hop Dance. 19€/24€/27€; 8pm
Sunday 17th – Choral Concert featuring Las Musas choir and the Coro Joven de Murcia. 10€; 12pm
Sunday 17th – The Film Symphony Orchestra (FSO) performs Renowned Scores by John Williams. 35€/40€/50€; 7pm
Tuesday 19th – Orchestral Concert features groups from Las Torres de Cotillas and Beniajan. 3€; 12pm
Sunday 24th – The Cammerata Chamber Music Orchestra are joined by the internationally renowned violinist Lina Tur. 10€ (students 8€); 7pm
Sunday 24th – OSRM concert play Music from the Films of Walt Disney. Guest artistes and choirs also perform. A pre-concert introduction for youngsters begins at 11.15am. 10€.
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st – The Barcelona theatre group La Fura dels Baus present Carl Orff’s Scenic Cantata Carmina Burana, based on a collection of 24 medieval poems. Spectacular scene design and staging. 30€-65€; 29th – 8.30pm, 30th – 6pm & 8.30pm, 31st – 6pm.
YECLA
www.turismo.yecla.es
T: 968 754 104
Visit Deortegas Almazara to learn about their olive oil production, and buy. 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
