Chances are that if you’re a British citizen who enjoys
holidaying abroad, you’ve probably already vacationed extensively in and around
Spain. It is not only one of the most naturally beautiful and reliably
temperate countries in Europe, but it’s enjoyed a recent history of exceptional
tourism, which means the Spanish know how to keep their guests entertained.
Spanish holiday However there’s only so much of the Costa
Del Sol you can possibly explore, so for your next Spanish holiday, why not
look a little further afield and off the beaten track. La Manga (literally
translated in English as ‘The Sandbar’) is a seaside spit (a rare landform that
can be found off-coasts, like a smaller peninsula) located in the gorgeous
‘Murcia’ region of the country that only a select club of holiday makers seem
to have discovered.
If your idea of the perfect holiday is drinking till dawn
every night in a garish night club then frankly La Manga and its surrounding
area isn’t for you. If however, you’re the kind of holiday-maker who is quite
content with spending two weeks relaxing by the pool, admiring stunning views
and becoming engrossed in the local culture then La Manga might just be your
dream Spanish vacation destination.
The History
The strip of land that makes up La Manga is roughly 100
metres wide and 22 kilometres long and it effectively closes a ring around the
Mar Menor (roughly translated to ‘Minor Sea’) lagoon, almost barring it from
the Mediterranean Sea completely. The romans knew it as ‘Palus’ but its name
was changed at some point in the 17th Century to ‘Mar Chico’ (or ‘Small Sea’),
which in term became ‘Mar Menor’ many years later. The area was largely
untouched by even locals until the 1960′s when it was urbanised and turned into
a tourist resort, which became popular with vacationing Spaniards.
It’s only
recently that the British have really discovered it though and whilst you might
feel a little bit ‘outside of the club’ as a British tourist in La Manga, there
is enough of a tourist infrastructure in place to ensure a wonderful vacation
can be had by holiday makers of all nationalities.
The Geography
The land that would come to be known as La Manga was
initially a bay, which opened into the Mediterranean. Volcanic reefs at either
end held back the sediment, and the sand dragged along by the sea formed sandy
dunes that eventually connected the two disparate sections of land at either
side of the bay. The sandbar is cut off by small, natural channels, which keep
both the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor in contact; these channels or
‘golas’ are what allow sea water from the ocean into the smaller bay.
Activities
As well as the usual activities you would expect from any
Spanish beach holiday, the La Manga area is world renowned for water-sports
with its shallow waters and multiple islands. As such there are a variety of
schools for everything from windsurfing and canoeing to sailing. The local town
of Los Belones is also home to the ‘La Manga Stadium’, where the Spanish national
football club have been known to practice on occasion!
Murcia
Although La Manga itself is incredibly beautiful, you’ll
probably want to do more than just admire the scenery on your holiday.
Thankfully if you’re looking for a good bar, restaurant, club or sporting
activity, you’ll be more than catered for in the nearby of Murcia, which is but
a short drive from La Manga. Historically there is almost much to see, with the
beautiful Cathedral of Murcia to explore as well as the Santa Clara monastery
and the Monteagudo Castle, a fort which dates back to the 11th Century!
If you’re willing to think outside the box, a Spanish
holiday can be just as exciting as a supposedly more ‘exotic’ jaunt further
afield to Thailand or the Americas. There’s not only a wealth of history to
discover, but some of the continent’s most glorious beaches and a thriving
metropolitan community ready and waiting for eager, adventurous holiday-makers!
Steven Capocci is a travel writer who loves recommending new
and exciting places to visit and explore. If you fancy falling in love with the
beautiful sights of Spain, why not visit the la manga club and experience more
than just a holiday.
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