Activities in Sucina, Alicante
- Blue Flag Beaches: Started in 1987, the Blue Flag Campaign annually recognises those beaches with excellent environmental conditions and services. The distinction is bestowed by the European Federation of Environmental Education.
With Blue Flag beaches, historical towns, world-class golf courses, dramatic mountains and a luscious lagoon all within easy striking distance of Sucina, your daily activities will be as varied as they are enjoyable. Within town, there's a health spa with pool, sauna and gym.
Beaches
Where to start!? A big problem considering some of the finest Blue Flag beaches in Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida all sit within a 30 minute radius of Sucina. Generally, Costa Blanca's beaches are lively, long white and lovely, while Costa Cálida's are less dramatic but a lot more personal. Some Cálida beaches west of Cartagena can only be reached by foot or by boat, which means you'll usually have less company.
We could go on to tell you about each and every beach ad nauseam, like mentioning Jesuitas-Cala Rincón's white sands contrast nicely with its red sandstone bluffs or that Cala de las Mulas' fine sands feel lovely between your toes, but we won't because that will spoil all your fun finding out about each on your own! Well, we will tell you that Cala de las Mulas is a nude beach - we want you to be surprised by the beaches, but not shocked by them!
Importantly, almost a dozen of the beaches around Sucina offer safe wheelchair access to the beach and sea. Facilities include special walkways to the seashore, amphibian chairs, rest areas with sunshades and special furnishings, and showers with bathing chairs.
Mar Menor
This 170-sq-km stunning saltwater lagoon (the largest in Europe) is separated from the sea by a narrow 22km-long strip of land known as La Manga. Its crystal clear waters are never more than 7m deep, which ensures water warm enough to swim in all year round. Besides swimming, the Mar Menor is perfect for sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling.
The water's high salt and iodine concentrations are also reputed to have medicinal properties - feel free to cover yourself in the therapeutic mud of the Mota de la Calcetera near Lo Pagan beach (it's supposed to work wonders!).
Sections of the Mar Menor are an important ecological reserve and host numerous bird species. In September, you'll have the chance to witness the extraordinary migration of flamingos (they rest at Mar Menor en route to Africa).
The 44km worth of beaches of Mar Menor are also just heavenly to lounge on. Some of its nicest sands are found on the beaches of Santiago de la Ribera, San Pedro del Pintar and Los Alcazares.
Golfing
Wage war with your irons and delight your desires with your drivers on some of the area's grand golf courses. The stunning, newly minted 27-hole Mosa Trajectum course is nearby, while the La Finca, one of Spain's most renowned new courses, and courses Villamartin, Las Ramblas, Campoamor and La Manga are all within a 20 minute drive. By the end of 2006, you'll be able to ride your bike to an amazing new course, Peraleja, set just outside town. All 18 holes were designed by Seve Bellasteros and it may just top La Finca as the top course in the entire region - right on your doorstep! Two other courses may also be built near Sucina in the coming years. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, you don't have to make room for an umbrella in your golf bag!
Cartagena
Less than 20 minutes from Sucina is the seaside city of Cartagena. It has a rich history dating back to 223 BC when Hasdrubal stormed into the tiny settlement with his army from Carthage and made it his new capital. Cartagena's name actually has its origins from this time, when Hasdrubal renamed the village Carthago Nova (New Carthage). The Arabs then smoothed it to Cartajana.
Today it's home to Spain's largest naval base (they plan on being ready the next time the Carthaginians attack!). More importantly, it hosts some fascinating vestiges of its Roman and Carthaginian heritage. Climb (or take the lift) up to the Castillo de la Concepción for a panoramic view, explore the Punic Wall or delve into the Roman ruins of Augusteum and Decumanus. There are even remains of a Roman Amphitheatre that lie beneath the old bullring!
Murcia
Straddling the Río Segura, this laid-back university city with a remarkable past has plenty of day trip potential from Sucina as it's only 30 minutes away by car.
Founded by Muslims in 825 AD atop a former Roman colony, the town flourished until being captured by Alfonso X of Castilla and Léon in 1243. Its wealth grew and in 1358 the massive Catedral de Santa María was built. Things reached an apex in the 18th century, when the wealth of its silk and agricultural sectors were booming. It was at this time that the cathedral was bestowed with its sumptuous baroque façade.
Things took a turn for the worse in the 19th century, with Napoleonic troops looting Murcia in 1810 and subsequent outbreaks of the plague and cholera. The first half of the 20th century was equally unkind as the city was the scene of many Spanish Civil War battles in 1936.
Several museums delve into the city's amazing history and thankfully, the enthralling cathedral still stands for you to marvel at. Don't miss the cathedral's stunning 15th-century Gothic Capilla de los Vélez and be sure to climb the 92m tower for an astounding view.
Parque Natural de Sierra Espuña
Less than an hour from Sucina is this amazing park, with its limestone peaks, hiking trails, carrasco pine forests and remote mountain villages. Besides hiking, the park and surrounds offer mountain biking, rockclimbing, fishing and kayaking. In the winter, you'll see its mountain precipices gleaming white with fresh snow.
