| Hitting the Right Note |
 Dear Travel Clinic, As an ardent fan of music and of Spain, I’d love to take a trip to one of the country’s famous jazz festivals. My wife and I are both in our 60s and would rather stay somewhere near the concerts, preferably within easy walking distance, but in a quiet location without too many crowds. We’d also like to be somewhere affordable that has a bit of choice of other activities. Could you suggest the best festival for us? Peter Jones, Manchester
Travel Clinic is sponsored by Cordoniu - Pioneers of Cava since 1872 scroll down to see our exclusive cocktail recipe. Dear Peter, Murcia International Jazz Festival runs from the 2nd to the 5th May. It is often overshadowed by its bigger cousin in San Javier later in the year, but this quieter affair may give you the chance to see more of the acts that you want to in calmer surroundings. Highlights in 2006 included Dave Holland, Arturo Sandoval and Kurt Rosenwinkel. The festival is held in the impressive Teatro de Romea in the centre of the city, founded in 1862 and rebuilt twice after terrible fires destroyed parts of the building. Its grand appearance belies its relatively small size, so make sure you book tickets well in advance for the acts that you’re both most keen to see. Other than the festival, of course, there is still plenty to see in a city that is still relatively unvisited by overseas tourists. Muria is an ancient Moorish town, and its winding streets and mosques converted to churches in the old quarter still show the marks of its cosmopolitan past. The cathedral, itself a former mosque, is the most notable monument in the city, easily recognizable by its unusual tower. The Baroque and Gothic façade could trick you into thinking you’re in Rome, and the interior is an eclectic mix of periods and styles. The 15th century Vélez Chapel is a fine example of the Plateresque movement, and is not to be missed for fans of Spanish architecture. One of the nicest things about Murcia is that the lack of tourism makes hotels in the city very competitive, and it’s quite easy to find a clean, central hotel for a very reasonable price. The three-star Hesperia Murcia is almost universally praised for its location, large, clean, modern rooms and friendly, mainly Spanish-speaking staff. The hotel is a short walk from the Teatro through the picturesque narrow streets of the old town, and is fully air-conditioned with free wireless internet access and satellite TV if you fancy a night in. The hotel offers some of the best value rooms in the city, starting from around £40 per night for a standard double room. Situated further from the Teatro, but still within walking distance, is the Hotel Arco de San Juan. The building was originally a count’s palace dating from the 18th century, which has been refurbished and converted into a four star hotel. The décor is a little faded, but there are interesting paintings on the walls and the rooms, although small, are even cheaper, starting from around £34 per night for a double room. It is also very easy to get around the region by bus or on the excellent Spanish trains, so you could take day trips out of the city if you feel like all the music is getting too much for you. Cartagena, the region’s second city, is well worth seeing for its Roman ruins. Why not visit the world’s first ever submarine, built in the city in 1888 but rejected by the Spanish Navy as they believed it had no future? At the same time you could pop into the nearby restaurant Baradero, a firm favourite with locals and those in the know, and sample a dish of caldero, literally translated as ‘cauldron’, a rich risotto-like fish dish typical of rustic home cooking in the region. Departure Board Direct delivery Eurocamp is offering a new service this year to make life easier for families travelling with young children. By logging on to www.eurocamp.co.uk, holidaymakers can order everything from nappies to infant sun cream, and have it delivered direct to their Eurocamp accommodation. With increasingly tight luggage restrictions and no luggage allowance for children under two, this new system should really lighten the load for harassed parents. Flexible friend Mallorca Farmhouses has expanded its hotel section to meet customer demand for more flexible options. Now those planning a break that’s longer than the standard seven days can combine a self-catering break in one of their beautiful villas with a few nights in one of their select hotels. They now have 26 hotels across Mallorca, including the newly added Hotel Puro in Palma, a modern boutique hotel in the old town. Prices start from £128 per night, per room on a bed and breakfast basis. 
Cava Pom Passion What you will need: A handful of pomegranate seeds 5ml of Lemon Juice 10ml Sirop de Gomme 100ml Cordoniu Reserva
Place the pomegranate seeds, lemon juice and sirop de gomme into a glass beaker. Add ice and shake. Single strain and pour into a glass. Top with Codorníu Reserva and gently stir with a bar spoon. |
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