P a g e 1 Spanish Culture & Cuisine Trip Archena, Cehegín & El Valle Regional Park Tuesday 13 th to Friday 16 th June 2017 A leisurely 4-day trip during which we will experience some culture, nature, health & well-being, with accommodation in two lovely 4* hotels. Tuesday 13 th June 09.00 hrs: Departure from Interiors (opposite side of the road), Jávea port. 10.00 hrs: Visit to Finca La Cuta at Benissa/Jalón. The Lavender Garden is an amazing Mediterranean garden with thousands of aromatic lavender plants along with other flora and fauna, including beautiful roses. You can walk along the pathways to enjoy nature at its very best (entrance included); refreshments available to purchase. 11.15 hrs: Re-board our coach and travel on to Molina de Segura for lunch (not included) at one of the bars/restaurants near the Parque de la Compañía.
P a g e 2 13.15-15.30 hrs: Free time in Molina de Segura, then continue our journey to Archena. 16.00 hrs: Check in to the Hotel Levante in the Balneario de Archena Thermalium, one of the most important in Spain, which offers free access to two minero-medicinal water swimming pools with waterfalls, hot tub and jets. Free time: take a stroll along the river bank, visit some of the sights of Archena, or simply relax and enjoy the facilities in the Balneario de Archena Thermalium.
P a g e 3 River walk and the Puente de Hierro Monument al Nazareno Chimenea de Basilio Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Bautista Fachada Casa Grande (Town Hall) Museo del Esparto, Palacete de Villarias Or spend some time in the Museo de Archena, built in the natural area of the Segura River meadows. Opening hours: Tues thru Sat 10 am- 2pm and 4-9 pm 20.00 hrs: Dinner at hotel.
P a g e 4 Wednesday 14 th June 08.00 hrs: Breakfast: 09.00 hrs: Departure to Cehegín for a special guided tour which has been organised for our group by the Cehegín Inland Association in collaboration with Cehegín Tourism to promote, in their words, The wonderful cultural heritage and rich gastronomy of Cehegín. 10.00 hrs: First we will visit the City of Begastri on the outskirts of Cehegín, once occupied by Iberians, Romans and Visigoths and an episcopal see up until the Moorish invasion (c. 45 mins). Prior to the visit there will be a 10-minute video (English sub-titles) explaining the history of this archaeological site, one of the most important places of the late-roman period in Spain. We will then re-board our coach and travel the short distance to the old centre of Cehegín, which was declared to be of Historical Cultural Interest in 1982 as it has preserved its Moorish origin and is packed with manor houses, palaces and churches among its twisting, narrow streets. Our guided tour will include: Jaspe House (18c.) Hermitage of the Conception (16c.) Main street & castle square
P a g e 5 Saint Mary of Magdalene church Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de las (16 th c.) Maravillas or the Plaza de Toros. 13.30 hrs: Lunch is included at a local restaurant with a 3 course menu, wine, beer, refreshments, water and coffee. During our visit there will be an opportunity for wine tasting in the Escuela de Vino (Wine school) accompanied by local sausages (all entry fees included). 17.00 hrs (approx.): Re-join the coach for our return to the Hotel Levante. 20.00 hrs: Dinner Thursday 15 th June 08.00 hrs. Breakfast. 08.45 hrs: Check out and load cases onto the coach. 09.00 hrs: Departure for our visit to El Valle Regional Park which is nick-named the green lung of Murcia - wide areas of the park have been declared a Special Area of Protected Birds. There is an abundance of fauna and flora, such as the natterjack toad, red squirrels, sparrow hawks, striped necked terrapin, wild boar and golden eagles. There are more than 600 species of plants, including the aleppo pine, esparto grass, evergreen oak, rosemary, thyme, and oleanders among others; whilst the mountains of this area have been inhabited by hermits since the 5th century. 10.15 hrs: Arrival at the El Valle Regional Park Centro de la Naturaleza Visitors Centre.
P a g e 6 El Valle Regional Park Centro de la Naturaleza Visitors Centre: interactive exhibitions about the fauna and flora and the importance of the natural environment of the park. Arboretum: Close to the centre we can find the Arboretum, an old forest nursery turned into a botanic garden. It shows the different plants existing in all the climatic regions of the planet. Walk along the paved paths and discover all there is to know about the trees which grow in this regional park. We will then follow the El Valle Cultural Trail that starts at the side of the Visitor Centre and goes through the park and its history. There is a stop at the San Antonio el Pobre Visitor Centre en-route, and the trail ends at the Centro de la Luz Visitors Centre. Distance: 2.2 kms. Difficulty: Easy. Slope: 100m. See maps at the end of this flyer.
P a g e 7 Follow the trail from El Valle Centre, passing the 3 metal pilgrims, and continue on to the Santa Catalina and the Chapel of San Antonio el Pobre. The Visitors Centre San Antonio El Pobre is located within the chapel of the same name. The building dates from the 18 th century, with rooms for the accommodation of hermits and a cave dug out of the mountain: a 10-minute video in English will explain about the life of hermits in these mountains. After leaving the chapel, the trail continues up the steps next to the waterfall and on past the ruins of the Castillo de la Luz - the remains of the Arab Castle of La luz, from the 12 th century which covered almost all the hill. Continue on the trail around the castle, going through the ravine which leads to the Luz Visitor Centre and the Iberian Luz Settlement.
P a g e 8 El Valle Regional Park Centro de la Luz Visitors Centre: Exhibitions about the area including its history and a scale model of the El Valle Park. There is a large restaurant above the centre and a viewing balcony which allows you to walk all the way around, offering some stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The visitor centre is built next to the archaeological remains of a former Iberian settlement and temple dedicated to the goddess Demeter, The walk can then be continued for a further 2 kms to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of La Fuensanta: in order to light up the really impressive dome you ll need to put a 1 coin into the slot machine to the right of the door in the church foyer. There is café/restaurant nearby with stunning views over the city of Murcia. The Monastery-Church of Nuestra Señora De La Luz. A short walk from the Sanctuary (1.7 kms). Chocolate, honey and other produce can be purchased from the monks during the opening hours (10.00 hrs to 13.30 hrs and 15.00 hrs 20.00 hrs).
P a g e 9 Free time for lunch (not included). 16.00 hrs: Re-join our coach at the Sanctuary of the Virgin of La Fuensanta and travel to the 4* Hotel Golf Campoamor. 17.30 hrs: Check in and free time. 20.00 hrs: Dinner Friday 16 th June 08.00 hrs: Breakfast 09.00 hrs: Checkout and load cases onto the coach. 09.15 hrs: Departure for a scenic drive around the man-made reservoir known as the Embalse de la Pedrera; mirador and photographic opportunity. 10.30 hrs: We will stop for coffee at the Casa La Pedrera; run by Jenni & Derek Ray, the house was featured on the Grand Designs Abroad TV programme and is in a lovely lakeside setting, surrounded by a natural parkland with views across the blue waters of the lake. The house has a tea room which offers refreshments as well as selling crafts and gifts
P a g e 10 11.30 hrs: Re-board our coach and travel to Rojales, a pretty rural town beside the Segura River, which is famous for the beautiful cave houses which are located in the hills to the south of the town. Cuevas del Rodeo is a district of authentic cave houses which were carved out of the sandstone mountain by miners in the 18 th /19 th century. Many of the dwellings have been beautifully renovated and the area has become popular with artists and craftsmen, who organise art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. A popular tourist attraction is the near-by Casa de Las Conchas (House of Shells). Over many years the owner, Manuel Fulleda Alcaraz, has decorated the inside and outside of his house with patterns of shells, tiles and mirrors. He sells small shellcovered souvenirs to visiting tourists!
P a g e 11 After visiting the caves, there will be free time for lunch (not included) in one of the restaurants, tapas bars, cafes, and pubs, including an English and Irish bar, located around the town centre. 15.30 hrs: Re-join our coach for the return journey to Jávea, with a comfort stop (if required) en-route. 17.45 hrs: Approximate time of arrival at Interiors, Jávea port. Price: 245 pp, single supplement 55 pp. which includes coach transport, 3 nights half-board accommodation in 4* hotels, a special guided tour of Cehegín with lunch & drinks, and wine-tasting, entry fees (as per itinerary), and gratuities. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested and this trip is not recommended for anyone who experiences walking difficulties. Booking is now open via email. Deposit: 100 pp payable at the general meeting in the Parador on Wednesday 26 th October, or before by bank transfer. Please note that deposits have to be paid in advance to the hotels to reserve the accommodation so refunds can only be made if a cancelled place is sold on. Final Balance: due at the meeting in the Parador on Wednesday 29 th March, or before by bank transfer. Group Leaders: Angela Chantry & Tony Dearie
MAPS FOR THE EL VALLE REGIONAL PARK P a g e 12