Thursday, May 27, 2010

Experience the History of Murcia, Spain First Hand

If you like history, be sure to check out these spot during your stay at Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort in Murcia, Spain.

The Castle of Monteagudo

Before the founding of Murcia, The Castle of Monteagudo was a place where local peasants took refuge. Later, when the city became the true capital of the territory, it became a fort and defensive watchtower of the Murcian ruler who resided in the city. In times of instability, the permanent garrison of the castle was ready to alert the defenders of Murcia to the arrival of the enemy, by way of smoke signals at day or fire at night.

The Almudi Palace

The Almudi Palace is a unique, imposing building located in the Plano de San Francisco and features many columns which recall the baroque style of Murcia.
The building was once the Law Court and today it is home to the City Archives, where the administrative documentation of the city and the "Huerta" has been kept since the XIII century. It is also an art center with an exhibition room in the grandiose hall.

Catedral de Murcia

Catedral de Murcia was created in 1394 on the site of a former mosque. The Catedral has many Renaissance and Baroque elements, although its interior is fundamentally Gothic. It features a 302 foot tower whose construction was started in 1519 and took more than two hundred years to build with the involvement of many different architects.For those interested in the history of Murcia, Spain, Catedral de Murcia is the best attraction because this extraordinary building reflects the memory, time, art, and history of Murcia.

The Gran Casino Murcia

Rooted in the tradition of the 19th century, the Gran Casino Murcia offers visitors 35 slot machines and 10 table games including American Roulette, Blackjack, French Roulette, and Poker. After a comprehensive rehabilitation was conducted from 2006-2009, it has been restored to its original splendor. The Gran Casino Murcia, which originally opened in 1847 as an exclusive and elite club, now provides a very enjoyable experience for the public.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Your Murcia, Spain Vacation at Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort

How do I get to Murcia, Spain?

Murcia is served by San Javier Airport, with many international flights including Belfast, Bergen, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, Helsinki, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oslo, Southampton, Stavanger and Trondheim. Domestic flights are also available from Barcelona, Madrid and Palma de Mallorca.

Alicante Airport is an hour away and has a larger choice of domestic and international flights, including many low cost airlines.

What is there to do at Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort?

Palatinum Golf, Spa & Sport Resort provides an array of exceptional amenities for guests to enjoy. The resort features a Golf Academy which includes a 27-hole golf course, a 9 hole challenge course, ecological golf course, driving range, putting green, and chipping green. The resort also features a sport center which includes: tennis, table tennis, paddle tennis, basketball, fitness center and equestrian center.

In addition, enjoy Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resorts:

Walking and Cycling Paths
Leisure, Relaxation, and Garden Areas
Outdoor Pool
Conference Room and Internet Room
Library
Restaurant, Coffee Lounge, and Buffet
Supermarket
Full-Service Spa

What is there to do in the area?

Here are the top 5 must see sites.

1. Mar Menor- This naturally formed, warm water lagoon is one of the best places in Europe to learn all kinds of water sports. Whatever you want to do, you can do it here – swimming, scuba-diving, water-skiing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, sailing – the list is endless. The Mar Menor is separated from the Mediterranean by a narrow strip of land know as La Manga.

2. La Manga- A hot spot for vacationers offering restaurants, bars, nightlife, and daily activities. One of the most popular areas with young adults is the Zoco area.Located at the end of the La Manga strip, also known as ‘the strip’, is the San Pedro De Salinas and is famed for their mineral mud baths.

3. Plaza Julian Romea- An open square with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and the 19th century Romea Theatre. This plaza is also the home to the regional tourist office.

4. The Port of Cartagena- Due to its strategic position on the Murcia coast, it has been inhabited by several cultures which have left their mark on its artistic heritage. The Port of Cartagena is a beautiful place to visit, full of historic, leisure, and romantic locales and adventures.

5. Calasparra- Nestled in the mountains alongside the Segura River, you can enjoy river rafting, rock-climbing, hiking, and fishing. Just outside this town are networks of caves with ancient wall paintings and fascinating rock formations.

Follow Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort on Twitter!

Stay in the “know” about all things happening at Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort by following us on twitter.

By following us, you’ll be up to date on general information about the resort, as well as helpful information about Murcia, Spain, including things to do during your visit! Follow us at www.twitter.com/palatinum.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Traveling to Murcia, Spain? Enjoy These Helpful Tips!

1. Consider a Discount Card
Discount cards can get you inexpensive, or even free, entry to just about every museum in town. They can save you a fortune if you're a particularly ambitious tourist and get a lot done in a day. For some, the card will not be worth the price, but if you plan on seeing a lot of attractions in a day, work out how many attractions you're likely to get through in a day and see if the card is worth it for you.


2. Visit Museums on Their Free Days
What's better than cheap? Free! Lots of museums in Spain are free on certain days or at certain times in the day. You'll find them to be at lot busier at this time, but don't let that put you off - you can always go again!


3. When in Granada, Eat Tapas
It’s very possible that in Granada, you can actually eat for free! With every small (usually alcoholic) drink you buy at a Granada bar, you’ll get something to eat. While at some bars, you may only get small dishes, others offer very generous portions like a burger and fries! Granada isn't the only place in Spain where you can get tapas for free, but it is probably the best.

4. Business hours
The typical Spanish business day is generally cut into two by the lunch period. Many stores, for example, are open from about 9 am until 2:30 pm and then again from around 5pm until 9pm.

5. Know How to Tip
Tipping in restaurants is optional. Restaurant menu prices include a service charge, but most people leave some extra change if they're satisfied with their service. If you feel inclined to leave behind a little something, 5% is perfectly fine and 10% is quite generous.

6. Currency Exchange
You can exchange money at airports, banks, travel agencies, and at major hotels; the latter generally has the worst rates. It is always a good idea to travel with some foreign currency and to pick up some euro before arriving in Spain.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Visit The Romea Theater in Murcia, Spain

When visiting Palatinum Golf, Spa and Sport Resort in Murcia, Spain, be sure to spend some time at the Romea Theater.

The Theater was built in the 19th century and named after the famous local actor Julian Romea. It is located in the Julian Romea Square at the northern end of the Arab city wall.


The theater still offers a wide range of productions all year round. The shows are reasonably priced and tickets can be bought on the day of the show.


For more information regarding Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort and other local attractions, please visit http://www.palatinumresort.com/.

Experience the Quaint Town of El Mojon

A great place to check out during your visit to Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort in Murcia, Spain, is the small village of El Mojon.

El Mojon is an old fishing village that features a beautiful beach and is located adjacent to a nature center. The nature center contains many different bird species including pink flamingos.

A short distance from El Mojon you will find the Regional Park of Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar, which is the most important wetland region in all of Murcia. While a good portion of this park is privately owned, a portion is open to the public. The open area encompasses pine trees, dunes and sandy beaches with transparent waters which can be visited by foot or bicycle.

Also, be sure to visit the Puntas de Algas which is one of the three points of water exchange between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Top 10 Travel Tips Before Your Trip to Murcia, Spain

1. Register your travel plans with the State Department. It is a free online service that can be found at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help if there is a family emergency back at home and you need to be contacted.

2. Be sure you do your research on entry requirements to your vacation destination. Each country is different and requires different things which means you may end up filling out many forms of documentations. The earlier you take care of this, the more comfortable you will feel about your vacation.

3. Make copies of important documents like your passport and credit cards then leave a copy back home with someone you trust and bring a copy with you. If something does happen and you lose an important document you will have the necessary information to resolve any issues that may arise.

4. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling overseas if you plan to withdrawal money or put charges on your card. This will prevent them from putting a hold on your account if they believe your information has been stolen.

5. Depending on where you are going and what you are doing while you are there, be sure you are up-to-date on the different immunizations the country recommends. Most immunizations last a long time and may come in hand for future travel plans.

6. Check with your health care provider to determine whether or not you will be covered by your insurance when traveling. If not, it’s a good idea to invest in traveler’s insurance. You never know when an accident may happen and it is important to be covered, especially in a foreign country.

7. If you cannot live without specific electronics while vacationing, be sure to buy an adaptor before you go. The chances of you finding one at your destination are slim and if you do, it will most likely be expensive.

8. Learn a few key phrases of the language spoken in the country you will be visiting like how to find a bathroom or how to ask for direction. It will help you get to where you are going and will show respect to those in the country.

9. Be conscious of what you are packing. Try to bring the least amount of stuff you need for your vacation to avoid being weighted down with multiple bags if you end up having to carry them. Also, if you plan on shopping at your destination pack an extra bag in your luggage to accommodate for your new purchases.

10. If you have a long flight ahead of you plan accordingly. Try and book the best seat you possibly can for your needs. Next, be sure to bring along a comfy travel pillow, eye cover, and something to keep you busy on the plane like a book.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Visit the Museum Salzillo in Murcia, Spain

The Salzillo Museum, a museum dedicated to the famous 18th century sculptor Francisco Salzillo, should be included in your must see sites when visiting Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort in Murcia, Spain.

The museum was founded in 1941 and currently showcases the work of this famous Spanish sculptor. Here you will find that most of his sculptures have been neatly preserved and are exceptionally exhibited for the public to experience.

Sazillo was one of the best Spanish Baroque artists dedicated to religious sculpture and his works definitely show off his passion for religion.

For more information regarding Palatinum Golf, Spa, and Sport Resort and other local attractions, please visit http://www.palatinumresort.com/.