Costa Calida a Driving Adventure in Spain

Seasoned travelers to Spain who are looking for a new adventure should

consider a road trip. Costa Calida is a superb starting point and home base

for a day trip by auto. There are few better ways to see the beauty of the

Spanish coast up close and personal. From the majestic mountains, to the

white sand beaches and sparkling blue-green Mediterranean Sea, the scenery is

breathtaking.

Costa Calida, located in the Murcia region of Spain, is gaining popularity

with tourists. Rivaling neighbor coastal regions, such as Costa Blanca and

Costa Almeria, the area offers some competitive advantages. It lags behind

its coastal neighbors in urban development. This means that accommodations (

hotels, villa rentals, resorts, etc.) in this region are often cheaper.

Much of the region's natural beauty has been preserved. Where development has

occurred, the goal has been to build in harmony with nature. Much of the area'

s commercial and residential design blends with the surrounding environment.

Trees, beaches, and mountains have been left largely undisturbed. The result

of this careful planning may be evident in a recent World Health Organization

report.

WHO rated the province of Murcia the cleanest in Spain. The clean air is just

one more boost for tourism along Costa Calida.

Tourists can start their Spanish holiday at any number of Costa Calida

accommodations. Self-catered holidays are extremely popular in Spain.

Choosing a rental villa, private residence-for-hire or other self-catered

accommodation allows travelers freedom to determine their own schedules. Self-

catering is also less expensive. This is a great option for holiday-makers

who prefer to spend most of their time sightseeing.

For tourists who long for a pampered vacation, there are a number of all-

inclusive resorts to choose from. Clubs and resorts offer recreational

activities, superb cuisine and even entertainment for children.

Seeing the sights of Costa Calida by auto is relatively easy. Many local

attractions are within a day's drive or less from the region.

For foreign travelers visiting Spain for the first time, hiring a local

driver may be a wise option. A local guide will be more familiar with driving

laws and the idiosyncrasies of Spain's highways. This is especially true for

visitors from outside of Europe and the UK. Visitors who are unfamiliar with

driving in Spain may have difficulty getting around. It may also require

obtaining a special driver's license.

Depending on where a tourist's accommodations are, some cities also have

excellent public transportation systems. The cost is usually fairly minimal.

Taxi service is also reliable, but can get costly depending on travel

distance. A better option may be to join up with a bus tour. Companies run

regular bus trips to attractions and sites in areas surrounding Murcia and up

and down Costa Calida.

Traveling by bus allows tourists to relax and not worry about driving. Guides

are professional and knowledgeable about the areas they visit. It's an

excellent way to learn about the rich history of Spain while seeing the

sights.

It's well worth a visitor's time to take a road trip even without making any

major stops. The entire Costa Calida can be driven in just a few hours. The

variety in terrain and the contrast between cities and villages makes driving

Article submitted Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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