Chairman's Blog

Chairman’s Blog - Season 4, Edition 2 (July 2025)

• July, the halfway point of the year and by far and away the busiest time for us all here at La Quinta.

• Summer is beginning to get into full swing as temperatures rise, seas warm up nicely and families start their vacations.

• June was also again a very busy month with unseasonably/record hot weather and many activities taking place including our inaugural Spanish themed Olé, Olé, Monday night dinner on the 2^nd June, which was a real smash with our guests!

• We also had a fantastic attendance of 100 guests at our ‘Full Moon’ White Party on 23^rd June.

• Don’t forget to check out the events calendar on the website which details all our forthcoming summer activities. See: CALENDARfor full details.

• After our successful Radio Roadshow during May half term we were also proud to present a cheque for €3000 to a children’s cancer charity from Cartagena (see below).

• So if you are visiting this month, I hope you have a brilliant time and please do support us by using La Solana as much as possible during your stay.

• We now have 3 different menus to choose from, so there will definitely be something for all tastes including many gluten-free dishes, catering for those who are Coeliac.

• Finally, some exciting news. After a long and protracted application process, the EU funding we have been waiting for, has at last been approved and we should receive the first part of the money this week (see below).

• Let’s get on with Season 4 blog #2 then, the hot July summer edition, with updates and information for the month of July 2025, about the people, activities and events happening in and around La Quinta, La Manga Club, and the Cartagena/Murcia regions. This, as always, is sent directly to your email inbox, but it is also accessible on our website too, see…Chairman's Blog (laquintaclub.com) Enjoy!

Contacting us Here at La Quinta

 Our lovely La Quinta staff have asked me to remind you, the members of their various contact details, in order that you can direct any enquiries you may have to the right department.

1. For general enquiries it’s reception@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 121

2. For reservations and booking enquiries it’s reservations@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 131

3. For sales it’s sales@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 123

4. For accounts it’s accounts@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 124

5. For the Systems Manager it’s: webmaster@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 125

6. For the General Manager it’s: director@laquintaclub.com or +34 968 331 130

• You can also access phone numbers, or use the ‘contact us’ form for all La Quinta departments via our website: LQC DEPARTMENTS

• Finally you can contact myself, the chairman, or any of the members of the committee via this page: LQC COMMITTEE on our website.

Driving in Spain

• A warning to all of us that drive in Spain, the DGT have announced revised speeding fines.

• With fines ranging from €100 all the way up to a massive €600, it’s probably best to chill out and ease off the accelerator pedal when behind the wheel.

LMC – Emergency Contact Numbers

• Hopefully you will never require them, but here are the emergency contact numbers for La Manga Club.

• Make sure you pop them into your phone contacts, just in case.

• On resort: +34 697 650 211.

• O ff resort: dial 112.

• General medical advice service: +34 663 976 614.

The 2025 General Community Magazine

• The General Community magazine was published in early June and contains a great La Quinta promotional advert.

• It will be available at La Quinta and other establishment around La Manga Club soon.

• In the meantime here is the link to the online version: https://www.lamangaclubcommunity.com/la-manga-magazine/

Additional Winter Flights into Corvera (RMU) Airport From the UK for 2025-26 Season

• Some good news for those flying into Corvera airport with Easyjet.

• From October 2025-March 2026, Easyjet has decided to extend two of its popular UK summer routes throughout the winter.

• The two UK airports benefiting from this announcement will be Bristol and London Luton.

• For Bristol, a twice weekly flight will operate from October until the end of March 2026 on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

• Flights from London Luton will also operate from October until the end of March 2026, twice weekly on Tuesday and Saturday.

• Bookings can be made to and from both airports as of now.

Advice Regarding The Asian Tiger Mosquito

Update of Events and Activities From May/June 2025

TKO Radio Roadshow Charity Event - 28^th May 2025 

• Well, what a fabulous day we all had under beautiful blue sunny skies with temperatures in the high 20’s.

• With TKO broadcasting live from La Quinta, an ABBA tribute band, the TKO teddy, Adrián showcasing his Tapas skills and lots of fantastic prizes donated by our seven sponsors it was very successful.

• The great news is that due to the our generous members and guests, we also raised €2100 for Pablo Ugarte children’s cancer charity in Cartagena.

• La Quinta added a further €900 from donations provided for our golf club rental, making the total €3000.

• Everything ran like clockwork throughout the day and everyone had a great time.

• It provided La Quinta with lots of advertising, promotion and allowed prospective renters, purchasers and La Solana patrons to experience all that the Club has to offer.

• I would personally like to thank TKO, our sponsors; Salazonnes Garre, Estrella Galicia, Marena Murray, La Manga Life, Vela Club, Conccord Cars and La Manga Rent a Car, and all that attended for their generosity and for embracing the event and lastly all of our hard working staff who helped to make the day so good.

La Quinta’s Spanish Themed Olé, Olé Monday Night Dinner - 2^nd June 2025

• This was the first time La Quinta has hosted a Spanish themed evening and it went down a storm.

• The food was superb as was the entertainment.

• Featuring the fabulous vocal talents of Vanessa Soul, who sang both Spanish and English songs, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all those that attended.

• The staff were also fantastic, all dressing up for the evening and Vanessa had everyone up dancing for most of the night.

• As well as a variety of themed Monday nights throughout the summer, we shall be hosting more ‘Olé, Olé’ nights on 7^th July, 11^th August, 8^th September and the 27^th October, so don’t miss them.

Fund Raising Donation Presentation to Pablo Ugarte Association - 4^th June 2025

• Following our very successful radio roadshow charity fund raising event on the 28^th May, on Wednesday 4^th June two representatives of our chosen charity, the Pablo Ugarte children’s cancer association in Cartagena, came to La Quinta to receive a cheque for €3000.

• €2100 was raised on the day, which was supplemented by €900, from donations for golf club hire at La Quinta.

• Mariano Ugarte Romero and Dori Zarco Gils, who were presented with the cheque said they were delighted that La Quinta had chosen their charity and would like to thank all those that supported it.

• I would reiterate that this is a very worthy cause and to thank again both those that donated and to our sponsors for providing some outstanding raffle prizes.

 Presenting a cheque for €3000, raised by at La Quinta’s Charity Radio Roadshow event.

 Carmen’s Long Lost Sister Visits??

• On Thursday 5^th June, Carmen had a visit from her long lost sister and look alike -‘Lorena’….or did she??……

• Is it possible for two people to have the same pure white hair?? 

Forest Fire at La Manga Club - 15^th June 2025

• On the night of the 15th June, as the result of a lightning strike, a fire started in the hilly wooded area between the Central Services Building/Las Lomas and the new Al Lio restaurant, (where Maribel used to be).

• Emergency services were called and working alongside the LMC Security managed to contain and eventually extinguish the fire. 

• The use of the LMC security drone also proved invaluable in identifying the exact location of the blaze.

• If you witness anything that resembles a potential fire, please report it to Security immediately on +34 697 560 211.

Stop Press: La Quinta Receives Confirmed EU Funding!

• After a comprehensive application process, La Quinta is delighted to have at last been awarded by the EU Subventions commission, funding to further enhance our environmental sustainability programme.

• This is fundamental in order to be able to offer sustainable tourism now and in the future and these funds will greatly assist us in our drive towards reducing our carbon footprint and to show La Quinta's firm commitment towards eco-friendly tourism.

• The funds €75K and a further €211K, will also save us a considerable amount of money and will be used initially in three areas; installation of solar panels (to provide energy/reduce costs for the commercial side of the business), for enhanced IT/security systems and to provide natural hedge barriers for the gardens of the 100 villas.

• The second phase will see the replacement of our ageing laundry items, pool heaters and A/C units.

Events & Activities in July 2025

The 27^th San Javier International Jazz Festival 27^th June - 22^nd July 2025

• Love jazz? Then you’ll love this!

• Starting in 1998 the festival has evolved into one of the most important cultural events in the Murcia region, and has achieved national and international status.

• Every year the festival hosts some of the most significant figures of the jazz world, as well as artists from other musical genres such as blues, soul, bossa nova and funk.

• For tickets and more information visit: XXVII San Javier International Jazz Festival 2025

‘Virgen del Carmen’ Festivities - 16^th July 2025

• In Spain, la Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmen), is the patron of sailors and celebrated across Spain on the 16th July

• In the Region of Murcia she is celebrated by the fishermen of the Mar Menor, known as the ‘Brotherhood’ in the St Javier area of San Pedro del Pinatar/Santiago de la Ribera on the 16th July starting at around 7pm.

• The event includes a mass, a procession (with a crowned effigy of the Virgin in sumptuous robes and carrying the baby Jesus), children’s activities, culminating in a spectacular a fireworks display.

• It is a significant tourist attraction in the area and was declared an event of international interest in 1965.

La Mar de Músicas Festival - Cartagena 18^th - 23^rd July 2025

• Showcasing artists from around the globe this important festival celebrates different global cultures through different types of music.

• The five festival stages are located strategically throughout Cartagena, most offering wonderful Mediterranean views. 

• There are 32 set-lists at the five venues which are; Auditorio Parque Torres, Cartagena, Spain , Castillo de la Concepción, Cartagena, Spain , Paseo del Puerto, Cartagena, Spain , Patio del Antiguo CIM, Cartagena, Spain & Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena, Spain

• For more information and tickets see: https://www.setlist.fm/festival/2025/la-mar-de-musicas-2025-1bd5e504.html

Simple Minds in Concert in Murcia on 19^th July 2025

• 1980/90’s Scottish super band - Simple Minds are appearing at the Bullring (Ronda de Garai s/n, Murcia, Cartagena, 30003), in Murcia at 9:30pm on the 19^th July 2025.

• Having sold 60 million records worldwide and had 24 top 40 hits during their career, it’s a not to be missed opportunity to see them in concert as part of their Alive and Kicking Tour.

• See: Entradas para MURCIA ON FESTIVAL: SIMPLE MINDSfor tickets and more information

The 45^th International Festival of Cante Flamenco - Lo Ferro - 21st-27th July 2025

• The 45^th festival of Cante Flamenco will be held this year at Calle Murillo in the village of Lo Ferro, Roldan near Torre Pacheco.

• The event, which has been running since 1980 consists of musical shows, concerts, recitals and performances that have flamenco as a common denominator and are brought together in the format of a festival.

• For more info see: www.loferroflamenco.com/ or for ticket sales: Festival de Cante Flamenco

The Abandoned Mines of San Cristóbal & Los Perules nr Mazarron.

• Located just outside of the town of Mazarrón, the mines have been around since Roman times yielding iron, lead, copper and alum and making the area very wealthy.

• The industry continued to be developed by successive cultures, finally reaching a peak in the 1840s, when mining fever was at its height.

• Mining continued until the 1950s when the mines themselves were eventually abandoned.

San Cristóbal

• The ruined mining settlement of San Cristóbal can be reached by a set of crumbling steps. There are lots of buildings to explore, a magnificent pit head and on the far side a surreal world of rocks and formations of intense colours.

Los Perules

• This mining area is akin to a psychedelic alien landscape with rocks and formations again of amazing colours and awe-inspiring rainbow water pools on the ground.

• At the top there are the pit heads, affording the most incredible views across the area.

• For more information see: Minas de San Cristóbal y los Perules : Official Murcia Region tourist site

Guided Wine Tasting and Museum Tours at Jumilla

• This tour combines a vineyard visit, wine tasting and a visit to the wine museum in Jumilla.

• The Jumilla Wine Museum has the second best viticulture exhibition in Spain, and has been open to the public since September 2018.

• Housing the history of the Jumilla’s wine culture, the tour encompasses all of the tasks and works related to the vine and wine.

• The guided visits are 15€ per person, including the museum tour, a guided tour of the vineyards, and a delightful wine tasting of four local wines, tapas, and a cheese board.

• For more information and to book please call 968 975 942 or visit:casadelaermita.com/en/c/wine-tourism-7.

• Casa de la Ermita or RUTA DEL VINO JUMILLA

Visit the Bolvonegro Straits 

• Crossing over a narrow canyon formed by the Alhárabe river, the Bolvonegro Strait is one of the most spectacular places of natural beauty in the Murcian Region and has fascinating stone formations carved by the Moratalla river.

• Take a walk through this picturesque area and see cascades, rock pools and natural formations with a wooden bridge at the end of the route, which crosses the river and where the highest and narrowest rock sculptures can be found.

• After this there is an open area where the water is dammed and where a path back along the river is located.

• How to get there. Take the road from Moratalla to Calasparra (RM-715). At KM18 there is a crossroads with a signpost to Paraje Bolvonegro on the left. Take this track for approximately 1km where a sign indicating the beginning of the path can be found.

The Murcian Fairytale Fortress Near La Azohia

• The scenic Castillitos Military Battery, locally known as Batería de Castillitos, is a real hidden treasure.

• Built between 1933 and 1936 to prevent enemy ships entering the bay and attacking the port of Cartagena this is an impressive construction built in an ornate style reminiscent of an ancient medieval castle.

• Inside the towers are gun control bunkers, with the highlight being the huge 381mm guns with 17m long barrels.

• The Castillitos Battery can be visited for free and is open all year round.

• Getting there: The location is about an hours drive from La Manga and can be found at: Batería de Castillitos RM-E23, 30868, Murcia.

• Although there is a steep drive along a winding road, at the top, there are some breathtaking views, which definitely makes it worth the journey.

Members Photographs 2025

• Thank you all once again for the great photos you have sent to us throughout last year. These are available to view on our ever growing members gallery, see the here: Members' hotos (laquintaclub.com)

• But please do continue sending them in to us in 2025 from your visits to La Quinta….we really want to see more of your wonderful experiences, so keep ‘em coming!

• Just email them to Angel - and he will gladly add them all to our members gallery for you.

• We’ve already got a lot of great photos in the gallery, but we are looking forward to increasing them and to seeing your 2024/25 shared memories.

Also Please Don't Forget to: 

• Check out our website where we have lots of other useful information particularly in the info+ section (visit +Info (laquintaclub.com).

• See our event planner (Events' calendar (laquintaclub.com) for activities taking place at the club.

• Use the members forum where you can swap, exchange, rent or sell weeks and share information, ideas, suggestions or just ask questions. If you haven't signed up yet, please visit:La Quinta at La Manga Club - Official Forum - Index (laquintaclub.com)to register.

• Visit, like and leave feedback or comments on our social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and LinkedIn and read our articles in Murcia Today ,
  La Manga Life and the General Community magazines.

• So, another busy and successful month behind us and an equally busy one to come with the school holidays about to commence from mid July onwards.

• The weather during June was exceptional, with temperatures more akin to those expected in July.

• We have lots to offer during the coming month, from a daily kids club, 2 x kids discos, pool parties and a variety of Monday evening dinner dance events with great entertainment.

• Something for everyone to enjoy!

• I do urge you again, to continue to support La Solana and all our events as much as possible, to help with our income generation for the benefit for the club.

• Finally as you are probably aware, it has been a challenging few weeks for the committee and myself, but I hope that the distribution of the ‘positioning statement’ has helped to clear up any ambiguities and detail the decisive actions we are taking for the benefit of members and in the interests of the club.

• I am sure that if you are visiting this month, you will have a great time.

• We are here, waiting to make it a fabulous #LaQuintaSummerOfFun2025 for you all.

• Take care.….Mark.