Cartagena

There are as many ways to enjoy La Manga del Mar Menor as there are shades of blue in the sea and sky, from snorkeling and swimming to siestas and sunbathing. After you take in the views of this 13-mile sand spit that separates the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor lagoon, an experienced PADI instructor will share fascinating information about the area’s marine life, including the seagrass that plays an important role the area’s ecosystem.

The greens of La Manga Club have long been associated with world-class play. The expansive resort in this sunny corner of Spain is home to three courses, a golf practice center and an acclaimed training center. You’ll play on the pro-designed South Course, originally created by Robert Putnam and later remodeled by Arnold Palmer. It is a long course – almost 6,500 meters form the white tees – with water hazards on 15 of it 18 holes and a number of surprises along the way.

Your first glimpse of Murcia will be from a hilltop upon which the church Santuario de la Fuensanta is perched. Marvel at the Baroque architecture and the altar set against a glowing golden backdrop and enjoy stunning views of Murcia and the surrounding countryside. Arriving in the historic city center, you will stroll narrow pedestrian lanes where cafés and eateries spill onto the sidewalks and history unfolds in all directions. Stop to admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Catedral de Murcia, 300 years in the making.

Thousands of years of history unfold as you stroll the streets of Cartagena and discover relics of civilizations that thrived here millennia ago. Listen for echoes of laughter and celebration in ancient structures where Roman banquets were held, and imagine the thunderous applause that rang out in the 7,000-seat Roman theater built in the 1st century BC. As you stroll through the ruins of Roman baths, you may feel certain that you detect the aroma of red wine wafting from the clay pots.

Personal chef and caterer Amor González built her culinary reputation through pop-up and clandestine dinners in unexpected locations and private gatherings at her own home-workshop, the Casa Taller Birdie. You’ll travel from Cartagena to her cottage near the Mar Menor. Inside this 19th-century house, with its traditional wood stove and bohemian-eclectic décor, the self-taught Gonzalez will guide you in making a home-style bread. Then you’ll sit down to enjoy a traditional multi-course lunch accompanied by your fresh-baked bread.

On a horse ranch owned by the same family for more than 40 years, you will come into contact with the beautiful Andalusian, a Spanish purebred horse renowned for its strength and elegance. Descended from horses on the Iberian Peninsula thousands of years ago, Andalusians are recognizable for their long, flowing manes. On the farm you will learn about this intelligent and sensitive breed and witness their grace firsthand in a training demonstration.