Journey to Murcia
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Port
Cartagena, Spain
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$140
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Enjoy a half-day of superb sightseeing in the charming province of Murcia. Depart Cartagena by motor coach for the one-hour journey through the foothills of the Sierra de Carrascoy.
Your destination is the capital of the province -- Murcia. Settled by the Moors in the 9th century, and conquered by the Christians in the 13th century, this bustling city offers a wonderful array of architectural delights.
Stop to view the cathedral -- a medley of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. According to the account of the Fundamentum Ecclesiae Carthaginiensis, the first stone of the cathedral was placed in 1394.
Leave your coach for a walking tour past the city's highlights -- Cardinal Belluga Square, Traperia Street and Santo Domingo.
Continue to the Royal Casino of Murcia. Since its opening in 1847, the Royal Casino has been one of the leading venues of social life in Murcia and quite an exclusive setting. It is one of the most visited buildings in the region, declared a National Historic Monument in 1983.
On the return drive to Cartagena, enjoy a special side-trip as you ascend halfway up a mountain to the Monastery of the Virgin of Fuensanta. This has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. From this lofty setting, the view of Murcia is fabulous. Visit the gift shop run by Franciscan nuns, where you can succumb to temptation and purchase the nuns' famous caramel-coated almonds or other local treats.
Please note: Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.