December 14 Free guided tour of Santiago de la Ribera in San Javier

The Pearl of the Mar Menor tour illustrates the history of Santiago de la Ribera through its most important buildings

This relaxed tour takes in the locality of Santiago de la Ribera on the shore of the Mar Menor and includes some of the most important historical buildings in the area. These include the tower of Torre Mínguez, which was the forerunner of the fishing village we know today, the Academia General del Aire (the officer training centre of the Spanish air force, whose alumni include the present King of Spain, Felipe VI, and his father Juan Carlos) and the Casa Grande, the first structure belonging to the tourist industry which has become so dominant in the area.

Also included are the Modernist palace of the Conde de Campillo and the Real Club de Regatas, which at the time of its construction was revolutionary in its design. There are also models of the aeroplanes which have been used over the last century or so at the Academia General del Aire, on the way to the seafront promenade and the beach of Castillico.

The tour, which is held in Spanish on this occasion, begins at 9.30 at the tourist office of Santiago de la Ribera (in Calle Padre Juan) and lasts approximately two and a half hours. Participants are advised to bring plenty of drinking water and appropriate footwear for the 5-kilometre walk.

Reservations for the free tour should be made online here and further information is available from the tourist office of Santiago de la Ribera (telephone 661 572285, email turismo@sanjavier.es).

For more local information visit the tourist offices of San Javier or go to the home page of San Javier Today.