QUANTUM VILLAS, because best investments are those made in quality of life


	Aquarium Roquetas Aquarium Roquetas de Mar (The largest aquarium in the province, housing sharks, rays and many other marine species. There is a touch pool where you can feel the soft, velvety guitar fish or rays, attend a lecture in the auditorium, or for experienced, certified divers, you can dive with the sharks.) Archaeological Sites Cartagena Cartagena (Cartagena has many archaeological sites. Ruins have been uncovered on many occasions when restoration has begun on old historical buildings. Throughout the old centre you will find museums with remains of Roman buildings.) Arts & Crafts Arts and crafts are just two of the many pastimes for you to enjoy here in this beautiful region of Almeria. There are a number of art and craft workshops in the local area in Vera and Albox, which have craft demonstrations and offer supplies & gifts. Beaches San Juan de los Terreros Beach San Juan de los Terreros (A beautiful beach with plenty of places to eat and drink, and a car park, which has access under the main road for safety reasons.) Calabardina Beach Aguilas (A clean and inviting beach with all the services nearby. ItŽs ideal for young families and elders due to the easy access.) Villaricos Beach Villaricos (This beach is usually quiet even when the others in the area are busy. It has lovely sand, and a shallow pool area at one end, which is great for children to play in. There is a small beach bar that serves excellent food.) Vera Playa Vera Playa (7 km of lovely, sandy, clean beach. It is one of the best beaches in the area, and has a naturist section. There are several beach bars and restaurants open during the summer months.) Garrucha Beach Garrucha (The "blue flag" beach is at the side of the harbour, opposite the town centre, and the water is very calm due to the breakwater. There is table tennis and a children's play area, together with many restaurants and bars on the promenade.) Mojacar Beach Mojacar (15 Km of empty, sandy beach. The promenade is full of bars, cafes and restaurants.) Macenas Beach Mojacar (The beach can be a little "shingly", but itŽs lovely and peaceful. You do need a car to reach the beach unless you want a very long walk. ItŽs for naturists and textiles.) El Lanchón Carboneras (A sandy beach with plenty of facilities and with a number of bars and restaurants nearby.) Los Muertos Beach Carboneras (One of the most noticeable beaches in the area after appearing on postcards. Lovely sandy beach with rock formations.) Cala del Pino Beach Calabardina, Aguilas (A small coved beach as you enter Calabardina from Aguilas, normally used for launching small recreational boats.) La Cola Beach Calabardina (ItŽs located at the entrance to Calabardina coming from Aguilas. It has no services available due to being on the outskirts of the town.) Bolnuevo Beach Mazarron (A beautiful, long beach of golden sand stretching over 1.5 km with many services and amenities nearby. There are many bars and restaurants as well as plenty of parking and easy access. Sports and recreational amenities are available here.) El Portus Beach El Portus (A small beach segregated into 3 coves, one of which is used by clients at the naturist campsite.) La Azohia Beach Cartagena (A long, sandy beach with showers, life guard and water sports.) Alemanes Beach La Manga (Golden sand of intermediate texture and always calm waters stretched over 150 m. There are a couple of very nice beach bars on the beach.) Bird Watching There are many places in this part of Spain where you can discover the numerous different species of birds. The Salinas del Cabo de Gata is a superb, major wetland area and it is the main site in Almeria for Greater Flamingo and Audouins Gull. There are also many species of waders, eagles, crested larks, black wheatears, puffins, razorbills and storks. Further inland, in the Sierra Nevada National Park, you can find over 60 species of birds including eagles, falcons, vultures and kestrels. Boat Trips Boat Trips Garrucha (Garrucha is a pretty and lively fishing town that still retains much of its original charm. The town is famous for the quality of its large red prawns, fished in the local waters. It has a large port for both commercial and leisure pursuits, and here boat trips are available.) Boat Trips Almeria (Almeria is a lively and modern city that co-exists with the old historical town. There is a popular sports marina which you can take a boat trip or even go further a field and visit North Africa from the busy ferry terminal.) Boat Trips Mar Menor (The Mar Menor (small sea) is a warm, salt-water lake of 170 km2, with a maximum depth of 7 metres. It has great climate conditions for sailing, water sports and boat trips.) Castles Castle San Juan de los Terreros (The Castle was constructed in 1764 in the style of a coastal fort on a headland 150 metres high that stretches out into the sea. From here you have wonderful views up the coast as far as Cabo Cope and down the coast to Carboneras. Just out to sea lie two islands; Isla Negra and Isla de Terreros, both of which have been declared as natural parkland.) Castillo de Cuevas del Almanzora/Palace of Marques de los Velez Cuevas del Almanzora (A palace/fortress built in the 16th century in the Gothic style sitting high up in the town. Within its extensive grounds are the Torre del Homenaje (keep), the Marquis Palace, the Casa de la Tercia and a well.) Lorca Castle Lorca (Lorca Castle dates back to the 13th century and is a fortress of Arabic origin, which dominates the whole city.) Alcazaba Almeria (Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town is the Alcazaba de Almeria, an imposing Arab fortress once capable of holding an army of more than 20,000 men. Built in the 10th Century, it dominates the city and offers fabulous views of the area. It is considered to be one of the greatest forts in Andalucia.) Castle of Marques de los Velez Blanco Velez Blanco (Velez Blanco is on the mountainside of the Sierra del Mahimón, a few hundred metres above Velez Rubio. It is the smaller of the two towns, and the wonderful location gives it remarkable views over the Blanco valley and beyond. The pretty town is dominated by the impressive castle, which was built in 1506, and from where you can see all of Velez Blanco.) Alhambra Palace Granada One of the most beautiful and outstanding castles and palaces in Andalucia. This definitely is a "must see" place. Plan your trip to Granada out of season and try to avoid visiting in the height of the summer otherwise you will spend your day queuing. The Alhambra is built on the Sabika Hill overlooking the city of Granada. An original fortress had existed on the site from the 11th Century, but when the Nasrid King chose Granada as his capital, he began adding to the existing structure by building towers and walls and constructing the palace. Caves Cuevas del Almanzora Cuevas del Almanzora (You can take a guided tour through one of the cave dwellings by the owner who was brought up there and see just how the Almerians once lived.) Cuevas de Sorbas Sorbas (One of the largest cave networks in Europe, over 1,500 have been mapped in a 12 km area. The caves are carved by water erosion, with chasms, stalactites and stalagmites and they stretch for several kilometres.) Cuevas del Guadix Guadix (An hours drive east of Granada City, the landscape is wild and arid, taking on an almost lunar quality. It is one of the oldest settlements in Spain. Today there are an estimated 2,000 cave houses populated by over 3,000 people, making Guadix the largest cave dwelling area in Europe. Three Natural Parks are very close to the town: Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Baza and Sierra de Huetor.) Chemist Chemist Huercal Overa Church Services Anglican Chaplaincy Mojacar Turre Church Turre Cinemas Cinema Teatro (Spanish) Garrucha Cinema El Hornillo (Spanish) Aguillas Teatro Cervantes Almeria Cines Multiplex Murcia Yelmo Cineplex (Some English films) Roquestas de Mar Gran Plaza (Some English films) Roquetas de Mar Dance Salsa Dancing Lessons Garrucha Julie Bruce Dance Academy Mojacar Tablao de la Chus Vera Playa (An air-conditioned restaurant offering nightly Flamenco and Spanish dancing shows.) Dentists Centro Dental Luna (English speaking) Huercal Overa Andres J. Navarro Alonso (English speaking) Cuevas del Almanzora Centro Dental Vivadent (English speaking) Vera Diving This area is a divers paradise with unique conditions for all aquatic sports. With a varied coastline and beautiful seabed in an area with a privileged climate, diving is a true pleasure at any time of the year. Clear and translucent waters protected by an abundance of flora and fauna, guarantee each dive to be an unforgettable experience. Cabo Cope Diving Centre Calabardina, Aguilas Scuba Centre Estela Aguilas Costa Almeria Divers Villaricos Scuba Dive Spain Mojacar Playa Viva Riva Diving School Garrucha Aturasub Cabo de Palos, Murcia Subparke Diving Centre Rodalquilar, Cabo de Gata English Associations There are many English associations in the area offering friendship, support and activities. Dames in Huercal Overa Huercal Overa The Royal British Legion Mojacar & Albox Fiestas Spanish Public Holidays, Saints Days and Puentes Never the ones to miss out on the chance of a party, the Spanish have a large range of national, regional and local public holidays. If you turn up in a town or a little village and unexpectedly find the streets closed and a huge procession passing through the centre, you'll just have to park up and join in the fun. Most holidays fall on a fixed date rather than a day, so if that date is a Saturday or a Sunday, you lose out in you are working. On the other hand, if the holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, it's really not worth going to work on the Monday or Friday, so it's a "puente". For example, this year, Día de Andalucía is a Tuesday, so Monday is a puente and most people take two days off. (Literal translation: "puente" = "bridge".) Here are the national holidays that are celebrated all over Spain: 1 Jan Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) 6 Jan Los Reyes Magos (Twelfth Night, when children traditionally receive their presents) 19 Mar San Jose (Father's Day) 21 Mar 2008 Viernes Santo (Good Friday) 23 Mar 2008 Dia de Pascua (Easter Sunday) (Easter Week is the week before and not the week after) 24 Mar 2008 Easter Monday 1 May Dia del Trabajo (May Day) 6 Jun Corpus Christi 24 Jun San Juan (St John's Day) 29 Jun San Pedro y San Pablo (St Peter and St Paul) 25 Jul Santiago (St James, patron saint of Spain) 15 Aug Asunción (Assumption) 12 Oct Dia de la Constitución (Constitution Day or Columbus Day) 1 Nov Todos los Santos (All Saints Day) 6 Dec Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day) 8 Dec Immaculada Concepcion (Immaculate Conception) 24 Dec Noche Buena (Not actually a public holiday but the main family Christmas meal is eaten in the evening) 25 Dec Navidad (Christmas Day) 31 Dec Noche Vieja (Not a public holiday, but of course all the big celebrations happen at midnight) Gastronomy Spain has so many different types of food on offer, from small plates of "tapas" or snacks, which are served at any time of the day in local bars, through to sumptuous, long dinners consisting of paellas, fish, roasts meats, sausages, cheeses, olives, cured hams and seafood, which are all specialties of Spain. Restaurants are classified by the Government and many offer set menus or "menu del día", which are excellent value for money and gives you the opportunity of trying some of these wonderful specialties. In Spain the thing to drink with tapas is a dry (fino or manzanilla) sherry, or a glass of tinto (red wine). Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world, having over fifty different wine regions, e.g. you can choose red wine from Rioja, white wine from Rueda and a find sparkling wine know as cava (Spanish champagne). The local fishing town of Garrucha has a local slogan that is "Garrucha, Sun and Sea food". The town is famous for the quality of its large red prawns, only fished in the local waters. Garrucha has a great selection of restaurants and bars with many excellent seafood restaurants found along the seafront serving the fresh catch of the day. They are supplied with fresh fish from the nearby port, so if you are go down to the seafront at dawn you will experience the typically Mediterranean sight of a flotilla of small fishing boats setting out to sea. Later the fishermen host a daily fish auction each afternoon at a quayside fish market, which is well worth a visit. Go Karting Garrucha Go Karts Garrucha La Manga Go Kart La Manga del Mar Menor Karting Roquetas Roquetas de Mar Golf Desert Springs Cuevas del Almanzora Valle del Este Vera Marina Golf Mojacar Cortijo Grande Turre La Manga La Manga Gym Gym Huercal Overa California Fitness Turre Gimnasio Kronos Albox Multisport Complex Mazarron Sports Complex Europa Lorca Multisports Centre Cartagena Hang Cliding In the summertime in the Natural Park Sierra Nevada Hearing Tests Salas Opticos (English speaking) Huercal Overa Hire Shops Baby Basics Equipment Hire Mojacar Playa Mobility Matters (wheelchairs, walking aids) Mojacar Playa Horse Riding Quantum Horse Riding El Saltador Titi Horse Riding - La Cueva del Lobo Mojacar Horse Riding Sierra Cabrera, Turre Costa Almeria Horse Riding Almeria Hospitals The best hospital in Andalucía is situated in Huercal Overa town centre, which is only 5 minutes away from and Los Olivares de Diego. This is a new, state-of-the-art general hospital. For anyone receiving a UK state pension, the Spanish health service is free of charge. La Inmaculada Huercal Overa Torrecardenas Almeria Lawn Bowling Indalo Bowling Club Los Gallardos Marinas Puerto Deportivo de Garrucha Garrucha Puerto Deportivo de Carboneras Carboneras Club del Mar de Almeria Almeria Puerto Deportivo de Roquetas de Mar Roquetas de Mar Juan Montiel Aguillas Club de Regatas de Mazarron Mazarron Club Náutico Dos Mares Marina Cartagena Puerto de Cartagena Cartagena Club de Regatas Santiago de la Ribera San Javier Markets Monday Antas Monday Huercal Overa Tuesday Almeria Tuesday Albox Tuesday Los Gallardos Tuesday Cuevas del Almanzora Wednesday Cantoria Wednesday Bedar Wednesday Lubrin Thursday Carboneras Friday Turre Friday Garrucha Saturday Vera Saturday Albox Car Boot Sunday Mojacar Flea Market Sunday San Juan de los Terreros Sunday Villaricos Medical Centres Centro de Salud Huercal Overa Centro de Salud Mojacar Playa Mountains Sierra Almagrera Huercal Overa This is the closest mountain range to you villa, being only 10 minutes walking distance away. This will be your view from your villa window. Sierra Cabrera Cortijo Cabrera, Turre (Cabrera is one of the most unspoiled parts of the Province of Almeria and part of the area is partially designated as a nature reserve. It is approximately 20 minutes from the long sandy beaches on the coast, yet in the rural charms of the Almeria countryside. There are many kinds of mammals living in the mountains like foxes, rabbits, tortoises and wild boar and it is also home to many species of birds ranging from sparrows and owls up to mighty eagles.) Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada (Dramatic snow capped summits with over 20 reaching heights of more than 3,000 m. making this the second highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps. There are numerous activities including hiking, biking, horse trekking, rock-climbing and of course skiing at the Sierra Nevada ski resort.) Museums Aguilas F.C. Museum Aguilas Vera Museum and Bull Ring Vera Naval Museum Cartagena Archaeological Museum Lorca Museum of the Paso Blanco (Tapestry) Lorca Angel Reinon Museum of Miniatures Caravaca de la Cruz Sanctuary Nuestra Senora de la Esperanza Calasparra La Encomienda Archaealogical Museum Calasparra Must See Towns & Places Alcazaba de Almeria Almeria Once a capital Islamic city that grew incredibly wealthy and influential and famous for its silk weaving industry, today the city still has a busy and lively port and forms the hub of the horticultural industry that now dominates the Almeria Province. Cabo de Gata Natural Park Cabo de Gata Calasparra Calasparra Murcia Episcopal Palace Murcia Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Fuensanta Murcia Mar Menor Mar Menor Plaza de Espana Aguilas The Railway Monument Aguilas Roman Amphitheatre Cartagena The Peral Submarine Cartagena Mazarron Mining Reserves Mazarron Alhambra Granada Off-Road Driving If you like feeling the freedom and discovering the beautiful, natural scenery of the semi-virgin Almeria region, you must try driving your own off-road vehicle. There are thousands of kilometres of unspoilt countryside to explore at any given time. Why don't you participate in the Quantum Share Scheme and use the off-road jeep available. Discovery 4 x 4 Tours Mojacar Playa Opticians Optica Aquera (English speaking) Huercal Overa Salas Opticos (English speaking) Huercal Overa Painting If you are an artist, you can experience some of the most stunning mountains and landscapes in Andalucia, together with beautiful old buildings and castles. If you prefer to look at other people's works, then there are numerous art galleries and museums for you to visit. Watercolour Classes Albox Painting Classes (Valerie in Parque Comercial) Mojacar Restaurants There are a large number of restaurants just a few minutes away from the development, and a couple of bar/restaurants are within walking distance. The Pepper Tree/El Pímentero Huercal Overa (Traditional Sunday Roasts, Menu del Dia) La Esperanza Villaricos (The restaurant overlooks the small harbour in the village of Villaricos. Great seafood menu and the views of the harbour are wonderful.) Restaurante Azul at Hotel Tikar Garrucha (In the quiet peaceful setting of the restaurant, you are surrounded with original paintings by some of the best local artists while you savour the selective cuisine and discover wines from around the world from their international bodega. Soft Jazz Guitar every Thursday night) Terraza Carmona Vera (Traditional Spanish restaurant with an extensive and varied menu and great wine list. The staff are friendly and helpful and the service is impeccable.) Rock Climbing Just a few minutes away in Huercal Overa and Puertocico where there are some wonderful rock climbs and the local rock climbers meet at the weekends. Also in the summertime it is wonderful to rock climb in the Natural Park in the Sierra Nevada. Rowing The rowing lake in Cuevas del Almanzora was built two years ago to hold the Mediterranean Games and is now used by the local rowing club. Shopping Centres Parque Comercial Mojacar Playa Thader (the largest shopping centre on the Mediterranean coast) Murcia Nueva Condomina Murcia Mediterráneo Almeria Gran Plaza Roquestas de Mar Skiing The most southerly ski resort in Europe Sierra Nevada (45 minutes from Granada City, there are 45 pistes of varying degrees of difficulty as well as cross-country skiing circuits.) Spas Valle del Este Hotel and Spa Vera (The stunning hotel and golf course is situated on the outskirts of Vera, near to the E15/A7 motorway. You can pamper yourself at the hotelŽs Spa facilities, which are some of the best you will find in the region. As well as spa, you can try sauna, Turkish bath, hydrotherapy, or visit the Wellness Salon for various treatments.) Las Baños de Fortuna Fortuna (The small town of Furtuna is situated about 25 km to the northeast of the city of Murcia at an altitude of 240 metres and the town is blessed with hot springs. The land around the town is usually very dry looking, but water rises to the surface in the form of thermal springs that have been enjoyed since the Romans occupied this area. Today the spa (los Baños de Fortuna) is an important centre for hydrotherapy and a wide range of health and beauty treatments are available.) Specialists Orthopaedic - Ortopedia Tecnica Huercal Overa Chiropractor - Garrucha Medical Centre Garrucha Supermarkets Mercadona Huercal Overa Super Ole Huercal Overa Lidl Huercal Overa Intermarche Huercal Overa Ten Pin Bowling Thader Murcia Gran Plaza Roquetas de Mar Bolera Las Sirenas La Manga Theatres Theatre Almeria Theatre Roquestas de Mar Theatre Cartagena Theatre Lorca Theatre of Romea Murcia Theme Parks Oasys Mini Hollywood Tabernas Texas Hollywood Tabernas Lorca Workshop of Time Lorca Ruined Gold Mining Village Rodalquilar, Almeria Towns & Cities CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA Cuevas del Almanzora is one of the oldest towns in the province and lies in the fertile valley of the Almanzora River. In the early 19th century silver was discovered in the Sierra Almagrera Mountains. The news quickly spread and Cuevas del Almanzora became home to many a fortune hunter. The town got it's name from the many artificial caves in the nearby hills once inhabited by the miners. This was the start of an age of splendour for the town. The impressive legacy of this silver rush can be seen all around from the elegant family houses of the mining barons to the grand avenues, churches and statues. Many of the grand old houses remain and it is well worth walking around the old town of Cuevas to gaze at the impressive architecture and many are still inhabited. A number of these can be found in the Plaza de la Constitución and around the Town Hall. There are many places of interest, especially: The Castillo de Cuevas del Almanzora. It is a palace/fortress built in the 16th century in the gothic style sitting high up in the town. Within its extensive grounds are the Torre del Homenaje (keep), the Marquis Palace, the Casa de la Tercia and a well. It is joined to the palace by what was once a drawbridge. The Marquis Palace is a two-storey mansion conceived as a symbol of the military might of the Marquis of Vélez. At present it is the Museum of Contemporary Painting and Sculpture. The Tercia, built in 1773 as a granary, now houses the Cuevas Archaeology Museum on the ground floor and the Archive and Municipal Library on the upper floor. The Parish Church de la Encarnación. Founded in the 18th century in the Baroque style it has been protected as a national monument since 1982. The main altar displays a valuable painting of the Last Supper. The Hermitage of San Pedro de Alclalá. It houses the image of the patron saint of Cuevas del Almanzora. The Convent of San Antonio.. Built in 1651 in the Baroque style, it is dedicated to San Antonio of Padua and was once a charity hospital. Vera Vera is a very prosperous town and has many stores, is rich in handicraft and the amount of tourists is constantly increasing because of its well-known cuisine. There are fancy restaurants, as well as the popular Spanish "Tapas". There is a street market every Saturday. In the close surroundings, the biggest and most impressive golf clubs on the Almeria coast is the "Valle del Este" golf club. For sight-seeing the most important sights are: the church "La Encarnacion" which was built in the XVI century in a modern style, and its alter painting is in baroque style. The Royal Hospital "San Augustin" which was also built in the XVI century, the monastery "La Victoria", the chapel "Espirtu Santo", as well as the historic town museum and the fountain called "Cuatro Canos". There is a wonderful lookout point that had been a medieval settlement. The view from the "Plaza de la Gloria" square is also wonderful. Mojacar Mojacar, with its hilltop village and beach resort offers both history and space for relaxation and recreation. Mojacar pueblo (town) is a picturesque sight of whitewashed buildings and steep and winding, cobbled streets. Perched high on a hill in the Sierra Cabrera, it overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is a haven for people with an interest in the arts as it offers a unique charm and relaxed atmosphere. The symbol of Mojacar is the "Indalo", in the shape of a man holding an arc between his outstretched arms. It is said to bring protection and good luck and is often painted on the front of houses. The symbol is thought to be 4,500 years old and is associated with the Neolithic paintings found in the caves of Velez Blanco. Just 2 km away from the pueblo is Mojacar Playa (beach). The beaches are 17 km long, with a large part being designated an area of natural beauty. Only 7km have been developed and they consistently earn European Blue Flag awards for cleanliness. The beach area is now a lively resort, with many beach bars, restaurants, discos, hotels and shops. There is a full range of watersports on offers, including jet skiing, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving. You can take a flight in a micro light over the beach, try paragliding. hiking, rock climbing, biking or horse riding. Aguilas The town of Aguilas is surrounded by agricultural land and is bathed by the Mediterranean sea along 28 kms of lovely coastline. Aguilas offers a good variety of outdoor activities, from climbing or hiking through areas of splendid beauty, to diving in warm waters replete with magnificent fish and vegetation. The town offers art exhibits, concerts, theatre and much more. The Carnival of Aguilas, which has been celebrated for the past 200 years, offers ingenious costumes of all shapes and colours, and the entire town celebrates on the streets in the one of the largest shows in the area. The view from the impressive castle, San Juan de la Aguilas, which was used by Greeks, Romans and the Moors, is truly marvellous. Vets Clinica Veterinaria Andarax Huercal Overa Clínica Veterinaria Panda Huercal Overa Vera Clínica Veterinaria Vera Water Parks Parque Aquatico Vera Mario Park Aquatico Roquetas de Mar Water Skiing The Costa de Almeria is an outdoor paradise like no other. Its beaches are famous the world over for their sparkling blue waters and most of the coastal resorts offer the most dazzling array of sporting facilities including water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba-diving and jet-skiing. Wine Museum of Wine Bullas, Murcia Bodegas (Wine Tasting) Jumilla Yoga Yoga Classes Mojacar Playa