Much of the cuisine of the coastal towns of Costa Calida is derived from the bounties of the Mediterranean Sea. But the inland mountain areas also yield game and meat dishes. Huertas (family farms) produce some of Costa Calida’s finest citrus fruits and vegetables. All these are combined harmoniously to create sumptuous dishes that seduce even the most demanding palates.

One cannot visit Costa Calida or Spain, for that matter without, without tasting its famous rice dish paella. Paella is a savoury dish of rice simmered in a flavourful broth, enhanced by generous helpings of shellfish, vegetables, sausages, ham and chicken. Once the lowly meal of farmers who would cook rice with whatever ingredients is available, paella has evolved into a gustatory one dish meal laden with prawns, mussels, clams, crabs, chorizo de bilbao, green peas, bell peppers cooked in olive oil. It derived its name from the cast iron pan or paellera in which it was cooked.

There are many varieties of paella such as the paella marinara which consists mainly of seafood; paella negra in which rice is cooked with the squid ink so it turns black and the more popular variation, the paella valenciana. What makes paella so special is that the slow simmering of the rice together with the other ingredients makes it absorb and combine the different flavours so that it acquires a distinctive and flavourful taste.

In Cartegena, salted fish, fish stews and paellas are the staples. The abundant supply of Mediterranean salt is used for making salted fish, a legacy from the Romans. Arros Caldero, a stew of grey mullet, monkfish or grouper accompanied by rice cooked in the same juice with bell peppers and eaten with garlic mayonnaise is a must-eat. Not to be missed are the fish a la sal oven-baked in salt; mojama (salted tuna) and the Mar Menor prawns. Pastel de Cierva, a pie filled with egg and meat with a salty sweet taste is a specialty of San Javiera.

In the town of Aguilas, moraga de sardinas (grilled pilchards) and the rice a la piedra are the bestsellers. Rape a la mazarronera, a monkfish dish from the town of Mazarron is another must-try.

If produce from the huerta is a preference, then olla gitana (vegetable hotpot), michirones (broad bean stew) and turkey cocido with meatballs are some of the select dish choices.

Heartily partaking of the tableau of Costa Calida culinary creations under the soothing breeze and the panoramic view of the sea have a way of perking up the appetite even more. Therefore, it is no wonder that the people of Costa Calida just love to eat.

Costa Calida fiestas are many and varied. Each town or city has its own special day or Patrimonio Day when it holds its own fiesta. Each fiesta varies from place to place and usually celebrates or pays homage to a saint or a religious event like the Holy Week or Semana Santa.

A fiesta may even celebrate a product of that town such as the Wine Fiesta at Jumilla or a historical event like the Roman and Cartegenian fiesta in Cartegena. Actually, Spaniards do not need an excuse for a day of festive celebration.

Costa Calida fiestas are exciting events which include spectacular processions where the town’s patron saint is paraded through the town centre carried in the shoulders of the locals. There are fabulous floats, marching bands and participants garbed in colourful costumes. Non-stop revelry well into the night with live music and dancing in the streets, an array of native food and a dazzling fireworks display await spectators.

The historical town of Cartegena has the Carthagineses Y Romanos, a lively festival held in September. This festival depicts the history of Cartegena replete with full-size replicas of its olden camps and realistic re-enactment of the battles that transpire in Cartegena centuries ago. Exciting street parades, upbeat musical shows and magnificent fireworks display accompany the festival.

The fishing town of Aguilas has the Carnival de Aguilas which coincides with the National Salsa Music Festival. The Carnival is one of the most eagerly anticipated festivals in the whole of Spain. It has been celebrated for the past two centuries. Bolnuevo and Puerto de Mazarron hold festivals that re-enact the historical battles between the Moors and the Christians. In San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and other towns, annual sea processions in honour of Our Lady of Carmen are held.

In the City of Murcia, during the Holy Week held in March, life-size polychrome sculptures beautifully painted in vivid colours done by 18th century Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo are carried over the locals’ shoulders and paraded through the streets of Murcia. The Fiesta de Primavera that heralds Easter Sunday showcases people dancing in the streets in multicoloured Murcian costumes. Another activity during this week-long festival is the heart-stopping bullfights.

The Battle of Flowers is celebrated on the last Friday of August to usher in the Feria de Septiembre. During this festival, numerous floats beautifully adourned with flowers are on parade.

Come and join the fun. Every day is fiesta day in Costa Calida.

Be it an exquisite retreat or a family getaway, Costa Calida has the beach of your dreams. From popular beaches to secluded beaches, from all-night parties to all-day siestas, from pristine sand to aquamarine waters – it is all here in Costa Calida, whatever you desire.

The Mar Menor, Europe’s largest lagoon boasts of clear warm therapeutic waters and a bevy of beaches. The suburb of Lo Pagan has two blissful beaches separated by a marina and a fishing harbour. A scenic promenade stretches to the end of these two beaches that connects them to the next resort town of Santiago de la Ribera. From the exclusive Royal Yacht club to the beautiful tranquil waters of its beaches, Santiago de la Ribera is a welcome respite from the daily stresses of urban living. Loz Alcazares has extensive beaches bordered by a four-kilometre long promenade. Inviting beach bars and restaurants line the beachfront.

Along the coast of the La Manga Strip, there are distinctly enticing “Blue Flag” beaches with powdery white sand. What is so special is that even in the height of the holiday season, the beaches never get jam-packed. The seemingly endless stretch of beaches is ideal for sunbathing, engaging in water sports and of course swimming. The relaxing warm water in the summertime is irresistible.

In the protected Calblanque Regional Park, a secluded area of rugged coastlines and hills, one can find the best golden beaches vis-a-vis craggy cliffs and hidden coves.

The beaches at La Azohia, a picturesque fishing village nestled beneath hills at Southern Costa Calida, are a colourful mixture of ash-gray pebbles and fine sand. Puerto Mazarron has two sandy beaches bordered by marinas and promenades.

Levante Beach in the town of Aguilas is a “Blue Flag” awardee. It is a favourite destination because of its modern facilities. Hornillo Beach which stretches up to 200 metres at the edge of Agulas beckons with its radiant golden sand and crystal clear warm waters. The coast of Hornillo Beach affords one a wonderful view of the enchanting Island del Fraile, truly a sight to behold.

One has only to catch glimpses of these beaches in Costa Calida to realise that they are not only beautiful; each of them is distinctly unique. So, hie off to the beach of your dreams.