started golf lessons in the United. Kingdom. .... as an illustration but is not binding. The final ..... the resort was
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SUMMARY
VISIT FROM...
Denise Van Outen RECENT ARRIVALS
Noël Dejonckheere
WHAT’S NEW AT LAS COLINAS
The Naranjo Community KIDS’ CLUB
Combining fun and learning WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
When playing golf is a pleasure for the senses WE INTERVIEW...
Cabell B. Robinson AWARDS
Second year running of international success THE GOLF ACADEMY AT LAS COLINAS
The Game is won on the Green TRIP OUT TO...
Jumilla, a crossroads GOOD CAUSES AT LAS COLINAS
Support for underprivileged groups
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT LAS COLINAS...
Media appearances DON’T MISS...
Cultural events in the local area EVENTS AT LAS COLINAS...
Events held at Las Colinas over recent months USEFUL INFORMATION
Useful phone numbers and addresses MASTERPLAN 2016
Tour of the amenities at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
PUBLISHED BY LAS COLINAS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Edited and designed by Publicidad líquida Photographs by Kevin Murray, Joaquín Zamora, Tourism Institute of the Region of Murcia, 123RF and the Alicante, Alcoy, Torrevieja and Villena Tourism Offices. The photographs featured in the article on Jumilla have been taken from the book Rutas Enoturísticas de la Región de Murcia, with authorisation from Jumilla Tourism Office. Printed by Pictografía Total or partial reproduction of the written content or photographs in this magazine is prohibited. The paper used in this magazine is chlorine free, following an environmentally friendly development process thereby utilising natural resources in an intelligent way and guaranteeing sustainability throughout the production process, as well as reducing environmental impacts.
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Denise Van Outen Las Colinas Golf & Country Club had the honour of welcoming the well-known British TV presenter, Denise Van Outen in May 2016. Denise was bowled over by Las Colinas during her stay. Her passion for golf and the resort then led her to return and take part in the traditional annual Copa Las Colinas tournament held a few months later, in September. The presenter has become a fantastic ambassador for Las Colinas. “I’d like to improve my game and make golf more popular among women. Las Colinas is definitely the right place for that. I find playing golf as relaxing as meditating, and Las Colinas is an ideal location, thanks to its great course, accommodation and natural surroundings,” she commented.
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VISIT FROM...
“Las Colinas is my dream location” Denise Van Outen began playing golf two years ago, when friends gave her a set of golf clubs for her 40th birthday so that she could take up the sport. Denise accepted the “challenge” immediately and started golf lessons in the United Kingdom.
Discovering Las Colinas
The presenter took part –representing Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, together with her partner Eddie Boxshall– in the Copa Las Colinas, competing against some of the most prestigious clubs in Europe.
Denise began to get more and more “hooked” on golf. And almost without realising it, she found herself playing 18 holes. Her passion for the sport (her aim now is to break 100), took her to Spain, where she could practise her favourite sport and enjoy the sunshine and a milder climate than the United Kingdom. That’s how Denise Van Outen “landed” at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. Since her arrival, Denise has been pleasantly surprised by Las Colinas. “Being at Las Colinas is incredible because I can practise golf here and I love it. But even if you aren’t a fan of the game, it’s still great because you can enjoy the Clubhouse and the excellent sushi, which is one of the best I’ve ever tried. The surroundings are so tranquil, silent and private. It’s fantastic.” This multi-talented woman, apart from being a television presenter, Denise also acts, dances, sings and writes film scripts, has found her own particular way of unwinding through golf. “I find it hard to disconnect. Apart from my daughter, who is six now, work also takes up a lot of time. For me golf is way of meditating, it’s my refuge, because while I’m playing I don’t think about anything else,” she comments.
Ambassador for Las Colinas Together with her partner, Eddy Boxshall, Denise was part of the team that represented Las
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Colinas Golf & Country Club at the annual tournament the 2016 Copa Las Colinas. After her visit to the resort in May, Denise has become a great ambassador for the Golf & Country Club wherever she goes. “Golf is seen as a sport more for men than for women but luckily that idea is changing. The number of women interested in play is growing. In fact, I have several groups of friends that play golf. They tend to be women with a comfortable economic position so that can escape to a place like Las
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Colinas for a girls’ weekend,” she explains. Denise talks on behalf of a growing generation of professional women who don’t hesitate to choose the best options when it comes to enjoying their favourite hobbies and activities, in this case golf. Denise acknowledges that she would like to spend more time at Las Colinas with her family. “I’m sure I could make new friends to play golf with, people are very friendly. I’d love to have a home here and come regularly. Las Colinas is a dream location,” she concludes.
VISIT FROM...
During her visit, Denise stayed at one of the premium villas designed the prestigious international architecture studio Woods Bagot.
Denise Van Outen’s visit to Las Colinas was covered by a range of international media
• Women & Golf • Golf Punk • Eat Drink Sleep • Sunday Brunch • Golf Monthly • Golf Magic • World Golf • Destination Golf • Golf Business News • IAGTO • Bunkered • Hotelier & Hotel Design • Iberian Properties • Travel and Tour World • Home Designer & Architect • Good Property Guide • Express Online • A Place in the sun • Right Move Overseas • Scottish Daily Mail • Golf International • Golf News Q&A
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Noël Dejonckheere A professional cyclist between 1979 and 1988, Noël Dejonckheere has found the ideal location for his second home at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. From Izegem in Belgium, Dejonckheere and his family will soon be able to enjoy the villa that is being built on their plot of land at the exclusive Adelfa Community.
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RECENT ARRIVALS
“We’re very excited about the plans for our new home at Las Colinas” Why did you choose Las Colinas Golf & Country Club as the location for your villa? Because I love cycling and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is an ideal place to enjoy this sport. Plus, the weather is fantastic here. Unlike other home owners at Las Colinas, who bought a house that was already built, you decided to buy a plot in the Adelfa Community in order to build your own home. Why did you choose this option? We wanted to build a house that fitted our needs; a bespoke home. At Las Colinas we have found the right professionals to advise us and the resources needed to help us achieve this. Las Colinas offers a wide range of plots of land. Was it difficult to choose yours? Not really. As soon as we saw the plot we chose, we knew it was the perfect place for us. What type of house are you building? A villa. We can’t wait for it to be finished! The truth is we’re very excited about our new home at Las Colinas and the chance of spending time here and enjoying the surroundings. How would you rate the advice and support that you have received from technicians at Las Colinas as regards finding best design for your villa? I have to say that we’re very satisfied. The technicians at Las Colinas are agreeable and highly rigorous professionals; they listen to you and put themselves in your shoes. They really understood our needs. They’ve definitely been a great help and their advice has proved very useful. 9
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What do you like best about the Golf & Country Club? We love the area and the fact that the landscaping is so beautifully looked after here. Whenever we come, we look forward to arriving and relaxing. It is such a tranquil place…
We know you are a professional athlete; how do you rate the sports amenities at Las Colinas Golf & Country?
What advice would you give people who think it is impossible to practise such a demanding sport like cycling?
Unfortunately, we haven’t had time to try out everything yet. We’re looking forward to starting to enjoy all this.
It’s like any other sport, really. All you need is a bit of instruction and a lot of motivation!
“We’re delighted with the idea of spending time here, relaxing and enjoying long cycle rides in fantastic surroundings and climate. We’re even thinking of starting golf lessons. We can’t wait until the villa is finished!”, commented Dejonckheere.
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RECENT ARRIVALS
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Las Colinas Golf & Country Club extends its residential property offering with a new development of exclusive apartments: the Naranjo Community. All of them delivering the highest quality standards with magnificent terraces and or private gardens.
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WHAT’S NEW AT LAS COLINAS
The Naranjo Community
This image is a preliminary draft of Phase II of the Naranjo Community and is created by computer as an illustration but is not binding. The final design may undergo some changes. 13
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WHAT’S NEW AT LAS COLINAS
The Naranjo Community is an exclusive development, comprising 28 apartments for sale. It enjoys a privileged location, with views out to the Mediterranean and over woodland with native vegetation.
These spacious homes have been specially designed with outdoor life in mind and balance style and functionality to perfection. The inside blends seamlessly with the outside as the big living rooms open out onto large terraces. The apartments at the Naranjo Community will have common areas with a swimming pool, private gardens for ground floor apartments, spacious terraces on the upper floors and a solarium for penthouses. Moreover, all apartments come with a garage space and storage room, with direct access to the apartments by lift.
The apartments maintain the high quality standards of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, which has been won the award for Spain’s Leading Villa Resort for the second year running at the World Travel Awards.
For more information:
[email protected] · Tel.: +34 965 32 40 04
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Those images of the apartments are merely illustrative and not binding.
UNBEATABLE TAKE-UP RATE FOR APARTMENTS AT THE NARANJO COMMUNITY The apartments for sale at the Naranjo Community address the growing demand for high-quality, three-bedroom apartments. The product designed seems to meet customer expectations. Indeed, before building started on the first phase, 36% of the units available had already been sold. Buyers of apartments at the Naranjo Community can opt for a fully furnished package so, as soon as the properties are finished, they can move in immediately and start enjoying their fully equipped new home.
The Naranjo Community stands out for its privacy, natural beauty and integration in the surroundings.
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KIDS’ CLUB
Children will learn and have fun in a safe environment with our bilingual instructors and monitors.
At the Kids´ Club that Las Colinas Golf & Country Club organizes every summer, children can enjoy a wide large selection of sports and leisure activities with the added incentive of practising English while they are having fun.
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Kids’ Club, combining fun and learning The programme of activities at Kids’ Club* is designed for children aged between 5 and 13. It offers a huge variety of leisure and sporting activities like golf, tennis and paddle. They learn by having fun! The Kids’ Club runs in the morning Monday to Friday from 10am to 1.30pm from the beginning of July to the end of August, and includes a break with a snack to top up their energy levels. There are only a limited number of places so it is necessary to book beforehand.
And while the kids have fun and make new friends at the Kids’ Club, adults can enjoy a great day of golf on the course designed by Cabell B. Robinson, under the supervision of Robert Mitchell, the prestigious PGA professional and director of the Golf Academy at Las Colinas.
More information: +34 965 32 40 04 * Only open over the summer
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When playing golf is a pleasure for the senses The golf course at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has been recognized as Spain’s Best Golf Course in the 2015 and 2016 World Golf Awards. This accolade is particularly important as it is awarded based on an open public vote.
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WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
Since it opened in the summer of 2010, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has attained a prestigious international reputation for the design of its properties, high quality standards of its services and amenities, conservation of the natural surroundings and excellence of its 18-hole championship golf course. In 2016 Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has won the title of Spain’s Leading Villa Resort for the second time at the World Travel Awards. These awards support, promote and contribute to the development of the international tourist industry through the recognition of excellence. In this respect, winning such a prestigious prize
for the second year in a row, in a category where competitors are of a very high standard, is a great achievement for everyone involved at Las Colinas. Moreover, in 2015 and 2016, it also obtained the title of “Spain’s Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards.
A world apart to play golf The golf course, designed by Cabell B. Robinson, extends across the valley framed by hills, adapting to the unusual lie of the land and blending naturally into the landscape. The width of its fairways, the design of its extensive undulating greens, and the numerous tees at each hole give it great versatility. Apart from being suitable for professional
tournaments –from 2011 to 2017 it has been selected by the European Tour to host the second qualifying stage (PQ2), it also offers a pleasant, fun and affordable round to amateur players, as our customer satisfaction surveys consistently show. As well as the golf course, residents and visitors can enjoy the array of amenities embracing sports, leisure, accommodation and restaurants. It also includes a private Beach Club on the seafront and the International School of Falconry, a pioneering initiative in Spain that provides visitors with the opportunity of flying birds of prey during a walk through beautiful Mediterranean woodland. 19
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WE INTERVIEW...
Cabell B. Robinson,
designer of the golf course at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
To mark the celebration of Copa Las Colinas tournament, we welcomed Cabell B. Robinson, the internationally acclaimed landscape architect and designer of the golf course at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. We took the opportunity during his visit to ask him about how he sees the course now and its evolution since it opened in mid-2010.
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“Things done well are the best option in the long term”
Your last visit to Las Colinas Golf & Country Club coincided with the opening of the golf course in the middle of 2010. If you could highlight one thing about the golf course at Las Colinas that differentiates it from other courses in Spain, what would it be? The ability shown by Gmp, the company that owns Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, to understand that if you do things well they are the best option in the long term; its willingness to make go that extra mile to ensure that everything is maintained in excellent condition. Since the golf course opened halfway through 2010, the original design has been respected and there have even been improvements made to the golf course. Today, after walking round I thought: “Well, somebody’s making me look good.” Not all golf courses are willing to put the work in. It’s always a pleasure for me to return to the course and think: “it’s improved since the last time I was here…” Troon Golf provides Las Colinas with ongoing agronomic consultancy and I think that works well. Which is your favourite hole on the course?
I wouldn’t just choose one. I like hole 14. It’s a good par 3, small and with a good variety of tees, which helps as regards the stream that protects the green. It’s a beautiful spot with a lovely landscape behind. Hole 17 is also a very important par 3. I also like hole 3, a par 5, sloping downwards, with a wide drop area. It’s long, but if you hit directly up one of the slopes, the ball rolls easily. It’s an interesting par 5, but there aren’t any obstacles hindering a good drive thanks to the width of its fairways. Moreover, you can always leverage the slopes downwards. Again, the lake opposite the green makes it a pleasant place to be. I like the bunkers to the right. Hole 8 is another of my favourites. I like how the hole flows. You have a good view of the two fairways, for hole 8 and hole 2, it adapts well to the valley and the retaining walls of the tees are very well built. It isn’t an easy hole. If you hit to the left of the fairway you can’t see the right back of the green, so if you want a full view you have to take your chance with the bunkers on the right. It’s a hole that pleases the eye and I think that’s very important to a player at the tee. It’s important to like what you see.
Cabell B. Robinson is a famous US landscape architect, responsible for designing internationally acclaimed courses like La Reserva in Sotogrande, Finca Cortesín in the Costa del Sol, Praia d’El Rey in Portugal or Royal Golf D’Evian in France. Cabell B. Robinson is a professional designer by training, he graduated from the Harvard School of Design and then went on to complete a degree in Landscape Architect from Berkeley in 1967. He is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the only member resident in Europe. Cabell B. Robinson likes designing golf courses that pose a “challenge” to players, with varying sized, differentshaped greens that allow for difficult flag positions. He takes great pains, as we can see at the golf course at Las Colinas, to blend the course into the surroundings and preserve nature.
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AWARDS
Second year running of international success For the second year in a row, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club was named Spain’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards™ 2016. This accolade adds to the prize recognising Las Colinas as Spain’s Leading Villa Resort at the World Travel Awards™ 2015 and 2016.
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A unique place to experience golf
Course assesses a wide range of specifications and features, ranging from design and the conditions of the course, to the quality of the services and customer relations. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club’s continued search for excellence has been a decisive factor in winning this prize again for the golf course designed by Cabell B. Robinson and managed by Troon Golf.
The category Spain’s Best Golf
As regards Spain’s Leading Villa
Resort, it is clear that the design and quality of the properties for sale and rent, as well as the array of top quality amenities and services provided, make Las Colinas Golf & Country Club one of the best residential tourism destinations in Europe. The World Travel Awards have been dubbed by newspapers of the stature of The Wall Street Journal, as the Oscars of the tourism indus-
After 2015 when it won a clutch of awards, keeping up the same pace in 2016 looked difficult for Las Colinas Golf & Country Club in terms of winning international accolades and recognition. However, it managed to confirm its position for the second year running as Spain’s Leading Villa Resort and Spain’s Best Golf Course for two of the most prestigious awards in the industry, namely, the World Travel Awards and World Golf Awards.
try. These awards and the World Golf Awards are decided by popular vote, which means they depend on recognition from customers, who are, without doubt, the driving force and heart and soul of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. For this reason, apart from thanking people for voting and for the support received, Las Colinas reiterates its commitment to do its utmost to improve and maintain the level of excellence
Cristóbal Guerrero and Silvia Llanes on behalf of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club and Gmp, receiving the award Spain’s Leading Villa Resort.
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AWARDS
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Awards and Recognition: • Selected to host the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School (PQ2). European Tour. From 2011 to 2017. • Best Customer Service. Mediterranean
Excellence Awards. November 2016
• No. 58 – Top 100 Golf Resorts in Europe 2017 Ranking- British magazine Golf World.
September 2016
• Spain’s Leading Villa Resort. World Travel
Awards. 2015 and 2016
• Spain’s Best Golf Course. World Golf Award.
2015 and 2016.
• No. 78 – Top 100 Golf Courses in Continental Europe 2015 - 2016. British magazine Golf
World. October 2015.
• Best Golf Resort. International Hotel & Property
Awards. Magazine Design et al. June 2014.
• Best Facility for the EMEA Region 2012. Troon
Golf. June 2013.
• Ranked in Top 10 courses on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Spanish newspaper ABC.
November 2012.
that enables it to provide the unique experience of A World Apart. In 2016, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club did not just set its sights on winning the awards it obtained in 2015 for the second time, it also achieved new accolades. In October 2016 the resort was included in the Top 100 Best Golf Resorts for 2017 by the British magazine Golf World, one of the most important international publications in the sector. And to top it all off, in November 2016, it won the Best Customer Service category at the 3rd Mediterranean Excellence Awards. 24
• Best New Facility 2011. Troon Golf. March 2012. • Top 100 European golf courses. YourGolfTravel.
2011.
• No. 5 - Top 20 inspiring new golf developments 2010. British magazine Golf World. January
2011.
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“Putting or as it is often referred to as, ‘The Game within a game’, is most certainly a fundamental part of lower scores” 26
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THE GOLF ACADEMY AT LAS COLINAS
The golf professional Robert Mitchell gives us some tips on how to become “a big hitter”
The Game is won on the Green Reading the green, aiming correctly, starting the ball on line and with the appropriate speed are all keys skills that have to be mastered to become a great putter as is learning to get the ball rolling early with a consistent strike. One thing however that I feel is very important to understand if you want to become a great putter, is to learn to manage your expectations. One common complaint I hear from students is that they struggle to combine a good ball striking and putting round. One reason for this is that by hitting the ball better you will likely find more greens in regulation and face a longer putt than if you had missed the green and needed to chip. So next time you feel that you had a poor day on
the greens, consider how long your first putt was on each hole as this will give you a better idea as to the quality of your putting. Understanding that players on the PGA Tour only make, on average, 40% of putts from 3 metres can really help us to curb the frustration we all experience from time to time on the greens. From 6 metres, the world´s best only make 15% on average, so the next time you leave a long putt a little bit short, don´t give yourself such a hard time. I encourage my students to practice short putts (less than 2 metres) and to learn to avoid 3 putting as much as possible, the idea is simple, do not lose the match on the greens.
Robert Mitchell, the British PGA professional and certified AimPoint instructor in Spain since the end of 2011, runs the Golf Academy at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. Under his management, the Academy teaches an innovative teaching methodology by applying the AimPoint Green Reading and V1 swing video analysis system.
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TRIP OUT TO...
Jumilla Castle
Apart from being famous for its wines, Jumilla has a wealth of attractions worth visiting. Centuries ago, the city was famous for being a crossroads of routes and cultures, where today you can find historical and artistic remains from all the different Mediterranean civilizations. The Arabs called this prosperous territory, which is full of striking contrasts, “the beauty” and we warmly recommend you explore its narrow streets and immerse yourself in its culture, traditions and customs. Stroll through its vineyards, visit its many wineries and discover the winemaking process step by step while you enjoy the cuisine and magnificent natural surroundings in the area.
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Jumilla, a crossroads
One of the symbols of Jumilla, El Salvador church, has a Murcian Baroque façade, flanked by two stone and brick towers. Another important monument in the town is the Modernist House, known as “Doña Pepita”, with its enclosed balcony and wrought iron decorations on its facade. Next, you can visit the Town Hall and admire its ironwork balcony or stroll through its attractive inner courtyard. Pay a visit to the Municipal Museum of Ethnography and Natural Sciences, where traditional trades are on display (esparto grass, pottery and glass…) alongside a major collection of minerals from across the world,
fossils and prehistoric animal footprints. Then, delight in the architectural splendours of this beautiful town at the Artisan’s House and the Ancestral Home of “Pérez de los Cobos”, the only example of private Renaissance architecture in the Region of Murcia. But if you really want to find to discover the history of the city, walk round the Plaza de Arriba and drink in its deep rooted traditions. In this distinctive square you will find the Ermita de San José, another example of Murcian Baroque architecture, the Old Inn, the Palacio del Concejo and the Market. From this square continue your visit by heading towards the
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TRIP OUT TO...
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Iglesia Mayor de Santiago, another of the major symbols of the city in late Gothic style, the church houses a magnificent 16th century altarpiece representing the pilgrimage of James the Apostle. Visitors shouldn’t miss the late Roman mausoleum known as El Casón, as it is the best conserved funereal monument from this era in Spain and one of the best in Europe. Perched high up on a hill is the Castle, an old Moorish fortress that still looks down over the town. In 1461 the Marquis of Villena erected the Tower of Homage, bearing his coat of arms. To reach this tower, you cross the Camino del Subidor, a spectacular vantage point providing a panoramic view of the town. Apart from visiting this outstanding artistic heritage, comprising museums, streets decorated with coats of arms, archaeological remains, you shouldn’t miss the lovely gardens, which are much loved by the people of Jumilla: “La Estacada” Botanical Gardens, with 150 ornamental species of trees, bushes and other native plants; and the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro, where you take a pleasant stroll under the shade of pine trees planted hundreds of years ago. Nature in pure state Leaving behind the parks and gardens, we continue our visit to the open countryside surrounding the town. La Sierra de La Cingla, a mountainous area of great beauty and environmental value, is 30
Getting there
From Campoamor, take the AP-7 motorway towards Cartagena until exit 782 towards Balsicas Murcia, via the Mar Menor motorway. Continue to the A 30 and join the motorway towards Murcia, until exit 112 towards the A33. Continue until you are on the N344 to Jumilla.
JUMILLA TOURIST OFFICE Plaza del Rollo, 1 - C.P. 30520 T.: +34 968 780 237
[email protected] www.jumilla.org http://www.murciaturistica.es
a great place for a trip. There are cave paintings in the Abrigos del Barranco del Buen Aire, a World Heritage Site and listed as Heritage of Cultural Interest, and the Sierra de Los Gavilanes is a key meeting point for trekkers looking for exciting routes. Another of the distinctive routes through this legendary landscape runs through Sierra de La Pedrera. Famous for its environmental, geological and historic richness, you can see the Miraflores Aqueduct from here, dating from Roman times; as well as the Pontón Aqueduct and the Cantera de Santiago quarry, where many of the blocks of stone used to build the Church of St James were extracted. You can also visit other archaeological treasures such as cave paintings or etchings from the Bronze Age, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, or the fossil deposits at Hoya de
la Sima. La Celia mines contain an exceptional apatite deposit of international importance found in volcanic rocks known as ‘jumillita’. At the Parque Regional Sierra del Carche you can find a host of trails, ravines and Mediterranean vegetation where you can practise a variety of sports. For instance, you can go paragliding, climbing, hang gliding, caving, and, of course, hiking along the long trails that crisscross the area. The route also provides a Municipal Shelter, which is available to groups of hikers free of charge. Along the route, travellers will find interesting old buildings such as the 17th-century well Pozo de la Nieve and the 19th century Cuco de la Alberquilla. Beauty spots of note include the summit Madama del Carche, the ravine Barranco de la Guarafía, the Sanguijuela Fountain and the salt flats. 31
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GOOD CAUSES AT LAS COLINAS
Grandes Ilusiones Magic Festival 2016 is a resounding success For another year running, Las Colinas has collaborated in one of the most eagerly awaited fundraising events of the year in the city of Murcia: the International Fundraising Magic Festival, Grandes Ilusiones
In this initiative the Gmp Foundation dedicates 100% of funds raised to a social cause. This year, the proceeds were donated to a project to set up an open classroom in an inclusive school, employing ABA methodology for children with autism, developed by the association Abamur. The festival included magic and fantasy street performances by Civi Civiac and Carlos Adriano. The former put on the show “El Gran Zampano”, with which they won the World Championship of Street Magicians in 2014,
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and Adriano demonstrated why he is one of the big names in comedy magic today. The Gala Performance at the Teatro Circo put on Anthony Blake’s show “+ Allá de la Imaginación”, where the mentalist amazed the audience from start to finish. At the Family Gala, Black & White Magic from the Dominican Republic, Civi Civiac from Huesca, Reynold Alexander from Puerto Rico, Sylvester the Jester from the United States and Carlos Adriano from Argentina all took the stage. In the afternoon, Dani DaOrtiz
Making a dream come true Thanks to funds raised at Grandes Ilusiones, the 2016 International Fund-Raising Magic Festival, the first open classroom in Spain using ABA methodology for children with autism was opened at the school Colegio Antonio de Nebrija in Murcia. This project has been developed by the association Abamur. The following authorities attended the opening ceremony: Noelia Pina, President of the Association Abamur, receives the funds raised through the event from Francisco Fernandez, Director of the Gmp Foundation.
from Malaga, a master in closeup magic, thrilled the hundred people who had the immense good fortune to get a ticket to his performance. And in the evening the International Gala closed with spectacular performances
from Arkadio, Huang Zheng from China, Juan Mayoral, Sylvester the Jester and Norbert Ferré from France, winner of the World Championship of Magic Grand Prix, all presented by Javi Martín. All of the galas were sold out.
María Isabel Sánchez-Mora, Minister of Education for the Murcia Region; Ana Millán, Director of Innovation and Diversity; Francisco Fernández, Director of the Gmp Foundation; Noelia Pina, President of Abamur; José Alberto Monseco, Project Coordinator and María Dolores González, Head of the Colegio Antonio de Nebrija. In their speeches, all highlighted the importance of setting up a classroom of this nature in an inclusive school. Six children with ASD aged between 6 and 12, are taking part in the project, although the pilot experience and its conclusions are expected to improve the lives of many more children in years to come, given the scalable nature of a programme like this.
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GOOD CAUSES AT LAS COLINAS
Fund handover ceremony at the Moby Dick club.
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club contributes to the 17th Gmp Foundation Paddle Tennis Fundraising Tournament In 2016 Las Colinas did its bit for the Charity Paddle Tennis Tournament for companies that the Gmp Foundation organizes every year.
The aim of this 17th tournament was to finance #El-ProyectoDeMiVida, a pioneering programme from the Polibea Foundation aimed at creating a rehabilitation programme for people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). It is an initiative project in which patients, supported by professionals and family members, decide how far they want to go, involving themselves actively in the recovery process. The charity paddle tennis tournament was held at the Iberia Mart Paddle Center in Madrid. The thirty plus companies taking part managed to raise 44,450 euros, an amount that will make it possible to carry out this pioneering rehabilitation plan. The ceremony to hand over funds was held at the Moby Dick club where the magician Karim acted as master of ceremonies. Karim got the evening off to a lively start with card tricks before giving the floor to Gloria Alemán, President of the Gmp Foundation, who presented a cheque for the funds raised to José Féliz Sanz Juez, President of the Polibea Foundation. #ElProyectoDeMiVida focuses on working in the personal and family sphere with people with Acquired Brain Damage (ABI), especially on aspects relating to personal care, food, dressing, following medical recommendations, leisure and free time, transfers, mobility and travel, looking after the home and use of support products plus any other areas deemed appropriate. The overall aim is to enable people with ABI to manage their daily lives independently.
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The Dalma Foundation paints Christmas at Las Colinas Employees from Las Colinas take part in the 1st Race against Cancer in Elche Las Colinas Golf & Country Club encouraged its employees to support good causes under the slogan “Let’s all collaborate, you run and we’ll register you”
In 2016 Las Colinas encouraged its employees to take part in races for good causes by defraying the costs of registering for the race concerned. Several members of staff donned their running shoes and joined the race organized by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Elche to raise funds for cancer patients. The start and finish of the race was the Plaça de Baix and the competition covered a distance of 10 kilometres. There was also 4-kilometre solidarity march through the orchards, along the river bank and round the old town of the city.
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club wishes its customers and collaborators a Merry Christmas with a charity card showing images created by people with intellectual disability at the art workshops run by the Amanecer and AMI3 Foundations, in the framework of the project Conturegalo run by the Dalma Foundation. The Dalma Foundation seeks to integrate people at risk of social exclusion through creating sustainable projects. Conturegalo Integración is the first Special Job Centre, subsidised by the Madrid Regional Ministry for Employment and Women, which aims to support workplace integration workshops run by other social institutions. It collaborates with over 60 organizations and encompasses groups of people affected by disability, extreme poverty, drug addiction, abuse, etc. There are over a thousand indirect beneficiaries of the programme.
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GOOD CAUSES AT LAS COLINAS
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, supports research into Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome Von Hippel Lindau syndrome is a rare inherited disorder, which consists of a mutation in the VHL tumour suppressor gene, leading to the formation of tumours in many different parts of the body made of newly formed blood vessels. According to the latest medical research, the incidence of VHL syndrome is 1 in 36,000 individuals, in other words, out of every 36,000 births, one infant is born with this condition. The most common symptoms of VHL syndrome are cysts and tumours in the retina, brain, spinal cord, kidneys, pancreas or inner ear. There is no cure at present but knowledge of the symptoms and genetic research make early diagnosis possible, preventing secondary complications from the spread of tumours. Las Colinas joined the charity tournament organized by the Spanish Alliance for Families with VHL at the Escorpión Golf Club (Bétera), to raise funds for research into this disease. A holiday at Las Colinas Residences for several people was donated as a prize, which the winner, Victoria Palau, enjoyed in the company of her family.
Victoria Palau, winner of a holiday at Las Colinas Residences
Las Colinas supports the CRIS Cancer Foundation The CRIS Cancer Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and financing of research projects in order to treat and find a cure for cancer. In 2016 it organized a gala dinner in London under the slogan “A Night of Heroes”, which included a charity auction to raise funds. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club supported this initiative again this year by donating a holiday for four people at the one of the apartments at Las Colinas Residences, including a falconry experience and green fees, at the auction. The lucky winner was Sean Roy who bid £1,900. The event managed to raise £250,000.
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WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT LAS COLINAS...
“International success of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club” ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY THE CHINESE MAGAZINE SCCHINA
Over recent years, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has consolidated its international presence, illustrated by the interest that the resort has stirred in this Chinese magazine. In this comprehensive article, published at the beginning of 2016, the magazine mentions the key features of Las Colinas and refers to the international success achieved by the resort during 2015.
“Although it only opened six years ago Las Colinas is already one of the best golf courses in Spain” ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY THE DANISH MAGAZINE DANKSGOLF
The journalist Claus Rødgaard Thomsen visited Las Colinas Golf & Country Club and the result of the visit was a splendid article where we can read comments such as “it’s an excellent course, there’s no doubt about that”. The journalist highlights the seamless way the villas blend into the golf course, saying “players don’t have to be worried about the ball falling into anybody’s back yard” and adding that “the feeling of space is one of the great strengths of Las Colinas. It offers views out to the mountains and the sea and the open countryside is home to a large number of birds of prey…” “Las Colinas, a real pleasure” FEATURE FOR THE FRENCH MAGAZINE GOLF OXIGEN
That a publication of this stature, dedicated to the world of golf, should describe Las Colinas as “a real championship golf course”, is not something to be taken lightly. Especially when the magazine adds that “Las Colinas Golf & Country Club deserves its reputation not just because of its hospitality but also because of its amenities, small details like water bottles in the buggies and the omnipresent Marshall who oversees play politely but firmly”.
“Living the Spanish dream… and playing golf too” FEATURE FOR THE BRITISH MAGAZINE WOMEN & GOLF
The journalist Alison Root, who came to Las Colinas to interview Denise Van Outen, ended up writing a long article full of delightfully spontaneous comments, for instance, when describing the exclusive villas in the central island of the resort she made the following mental note “I must keep buying lottery tickets.” The journalist gives a very positive review of the resort, finishing with “Las Colinas defines itself as a world apart and, after staying at this relaxing and tranquil place, I must say I have to agree”.
“Las Colinas, one of the best courses I’ve found in a long time” ARTICLE FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS BRITISH MAGAZINE BUNKERED
This feature in the well-known British publication dedicated to the world of golf is particularly important not just for the description it gives of the whole golf course at Las Colinas, but also because it includes the opinion of Andrew Jowett, the head professional at Gleneagles. In his review, Andrew states he was impressed with the amenities and the experience, adding that he would like to return to Las Colinas soon.
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ALICANTE
ALCOY
DON’T MISS IT…
VILLENA
ATALAYA CASTLE EL PALMERAL PARK
CHRISTMAS
El Palmeral park is a great place to spend a day out with kids, as there are large open spaces for them to walk about, run around and play in among the profusion of palm trees and trails. It has an artificial lake and rivers that you can cross using the wooden bridges.
This festival has been declared of National Tourist Interest and is listed as an expression of Intangible Cultural Heritage, bringing together hundreds of visitors wishing to experience firsthand the message and emotions transmitted by this centuries-old parade to celebrate the coming of the Three Kings. It has been celebrated without interruption since 1885.
ALICANTE BONFIRE FESTIVAL MUSEUM The different stages of the city’s famous bonfire festival held in June, Las Hogueras de San Juan, are on display here. This festival has been declared of International Tourist Interest. You can view the collections of effigies saved from the flames (ninots indultados), bonfire models, traditional dress, etc. The museum also has an audio-visual room that projects festival sequences from over the years.
www.alicanteturismo.com/
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Villena is identified with its Atalaya Castle, and its outline on the horizon evokes the cross-pollination of Moorish and Christian cultures. It was declared a Historic Artistic Monument in 1931 and, is now protected further as Heritage of Cultural Interest. The castle dates back to the 12th century and has witnessed a range of historical events from the Moorish occupation to the Spanish War of Independence.
LA SARGA CAVE PAINTINGS
MOORS AND CHRISTIANS FESTIVAL
These extraordinary cave paintings were discovered in 1951 in the rocky shelters at Barranc de la Cova Foradada, near the small village of La Sarga. They represent three different types of Iberian schematic prehistoric art from the east of the Iberian Peninsula, which vary in colour, execution and theme. The paintings at La Sarga have been declared Heritage of Cultural Interest and listed since 1998 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Recognized as a festival of National Tourist Interest, the Moors and Christians Festival in Villena is a highly participatory event. An explosion of colour, jubilation and music, which fills the streets for five days where thousands of people dressed as Moors, students, warriors and farmers act out their parts. Fourteen troupes take part in the festival, seven for the Moors and seven for Christians, each comprising several hundred men and women.
www.alcoyturismo.com/
www.turismovillena.com/
Villena
From here at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, we would like to propose some places and events to put on your agenda. We hope that you won’t miss anything, that you’ll discover new ways of spending your free time and that you’ll become familiar with local traditions and fiestas, along with some of the most picturesque places near Campoamor.
TORREVIEJA
www.turismodetorrevieja.com/
Campoamor San Javier
Cartagena
MAY FESTIVAL
FESTIVITY OF CARTHAGINIANS AND ROMANS
LAS LAGUNAS DE LA MATA Y TORREVIEJA NATURE RESERVE This protected area spans 3,700 hectares of wetlands, recognized internationally since 1972 for its environmental interest through the Ramsar Convention. It comprises two salt lagoons: Torrevieja Lagoon and La Mata Lagoon. The former is pinkcoloured and home to the salt industry in Torrevieja while the latter is green and is the location for the park Information Centre. It’s an ideal location to enjoy a relaxing walk.
Murcia
CARTAGENA
Caravaca festoons the streets in preparation for its festival, which has been declared of International Tourist Interest. The May festival in Caravaca is unlike any other in the world and is bursting with passion and vitality. The Santísima y Vera Cruz celebrations, plus the Wine Horses, Moors and Christians festivities are held from 1 to 5 May, but the fun starts in March when preparations get underway.
Alicante
Orihuela Torrevieja
CARAVACA
SEA AND SALT MUSEUM The Sea and Salt Museum offers a fascinating display of the customs, crafts and popular traditions from the coastal village of Torrevieja, linked over the centuries to the sea and salt. Salt crafts feature prominently, exemplified by the intricate boats made out of salt, a tradition unique to Torrevieja.
Elche Caravaca de la Cruz
Alcoy
Locals and visitors alike can relive the feats of the years of Carthaginian domination and defeat by the Romans over the ten days of festivities. The nights teem with fun, people and entertainment where you can sit down to dinner with Scipio in person.
ROMAN THEATRE
FUENTES DEL MARQUÉS The area of Fuentes del Marqués, catalogued as a Historic Site, is one of the main attractions of Caravaca de la Cruz. This natural beauty spot is a natural park located two kilometres from the town. The special microclimate of the area, with its natural springs, means abundant plant and animal species thrive here.
www.turismocaravaca.com/
The Roman theatre in Cartagena was built between the 5th century B.C. and the 1st century B.C. in the city of Carthago Nova, Cartagena today. It accommodates 7,000 people and was used up to the 3rd century, after which it lay hidden by buildings constructed over the theatre site. It was discovered in 1988 by an archaeologist from the University of Murcia, Sebastián Ramallo Asensio, who led excavations to reveal the original site and nowadays it can be visited as part of the Roman Theatre Museum. In 1999 it was recognized as Heritage of Cultural Interest in the category of important monuments.
www.cartagenaturismo.es/
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Mediter Real Estate Team
Belfry Team
EVENTS AT LAS COLINAS...
Goodwood Team
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club holds its traditional Copa Las Colinas competition Only 5 days after receiving the accolade Spain’s Leading Villa Resort for the second year running at the World Travel Awards 2016, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club held its classic competition, the Copa Las Colinas, from 11 to 13 September. The famous British TV presenter Denise Van Outen attended the event as ambassador and also took part in the tournament as a member of the team representing Las Colinas Golf & Country Club together with her partner, Eddie Boxshall, and two members of the golf course team. Among the clubs competing at Copa Las Colinas it is worth mentioning the four times host of the Ryder Cup, The Belfry. This course, like Las Colinas in Spain, was the winner of the World Golf Awards 2015 and 2016 in the category of the UK’s Best Golf Course. Other British clubs, apart from The Belfry, taking part in Copa Las Colinas included: The Centurion
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Club, Stoke Park Country Club and Goodwood. Gardagolf Country Club, winner of the award for Italy’s Best Golf Course in 2015, completed the trio of teams from prize-winning developments at the World Golf Awards. Other exclusive European clubs at the tournament were Ternesse Golf & Country Club from Belgium and Château d’Augerville, located on the outskirts of Paris. All the teams arrived at Las Colinas for the welcome event on 11 September, a day before the start of the first round. The tournament was a team Stableford competition, with the two best individual scores for each hole. The scores were added up after two rounds and, of course, Denise Van Outen was there to hand out the prizes. The team from The Belfry won the competition, scoring 182 points, followed by Mediter Real Estate with 180 points in second place and Goodwood was third.
The first Las Colinas Ladies Open Day tournament kicks off In 2016, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club held the first Las Colinas Ladies Open Day tournament. The Individual Stableford competition was played in two categories (0-17.4 and 17.5-36). The winners were Paula Serakova and Hanka Whitecross After the tournament, the prize-giving ceremony was held during lunch on the terrace of the restaurant UNiK CAFÉ. There was also a prize draw among those taking part with prizes such as a golf weekend break at Las Colinas Residences and other surprises. During the day, the women home owners at Las
Colinas and members of the golf course were able to benefit from special discounts. And women who were new to the game also had the chance to try their hand at the sport with Robert Mitchell, PGA professional and instructor at Las Colinas Golf Academy, who offered tips on how to take your first steps in the world of golf.
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Las Colinas Golf & Country Club continues to enhance its customer service Las Colinas Golf & Country Club continues to do its utmost to achieve the highest quality standards in customer service. In pursuit of this goal, it has set up an innovative communication system with players on the golf course via the buggies using technological advances to digital scorecards. This enables constant monitoring in order to respond better in any situation that could occur during the round with the buggy. For instance, if the battery gets low players can change vehicle before they even realise this is the case, at any location on the course. Direct communication between customers and golf staff is also possible through messages on the buggy screen. This new system improves game time management, which avoids “traffic jams” on the course. We urge you to come and enjoy the experience and see how it is possible to adapt technological advances by integrating them in the surroundings naturally.
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EVENTS AT LAS COLINAS...
Andy Mossack, enamoured by Las Colinas The fame of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club transcends borders. And after hearing about the resort the famous British travel writer, Andy Mossack, didn’t hesitate to pay Las Colinas & Golf & Country Club a visit to discover the incredible experiences offered here. Andy admits he loved his experience at the Las Colinas International School of Falconry, where the writer was bewitched by the “penetrating eyes and beauty of Aloha”, an impressive bird of prey with which he shared a pleasant walk through the Mediterranean woodland and enjoyed the thrill of the thousand-year-old art of falconry. In his account, apart from highlighting the amenities at Las Colinas and the golf course, Mossack emphasized the respect for nature at the resort. “It’s admirable how the natural landscape has been conserved and protected at the Las Colinas development, which is not very common in this Mediterranean area. This philosophy really does convey the feeling of being in a world apart and makes the resort unique. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is a rare find in the tourist development business: as it provides the opportunity to enjoy life during your holiday surrounded by nature,” the writer states.
Live music and an international flavour during the summer nights at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club To liven up summer nights, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club organizes evenings where live music and gastronomy are the stars of the show. In 2016, visitors and residents could enjoy authentic Argentinian barbecues in the company of The
Liverpool Band playing versions of The Beatles hits or enjoying live music from Los Cabriolets. Traditional Indian cuisine also appeared on the menu, accompanied by a show by El Camarote de los hermanos Marx or The Rockets, who played a programme of international hits.
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EVENTS AT LAS COLINAS...
For another year running, Las Colinas brings together promising young golf players at the PQ2 84 players, from over twenty countries from five continents, met on the golf course at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club to dispute the second stage of the European Tour qualifying school (PQ2) 2016. Four of these “promising young players” taking part were Spanish: Carlos del Moral from Valencia, Jordi García Pinto from Catalonia and Antonio Hortal and Javier Gallegos from Madrid. The 18 players to qualify played the final stage a week later, the last step to achieving one of the most important aims of a professional golf player, the European Tour card. Two of the places were awarded after a play-off among 5 players which James Allan and Andrea Maestroni eventually won. The Dutch player Maarteen Lafeber, winner of the Dutch Open in 2003, also took part.
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
SUPERMARKETS
112
Mini Market de Las Colinas +34 865 770 762
HOSPITALS
SuperSano www.supersano.es +34 965 201 243
Hospital Quirón de Torrevieja www.quironsalud.es/torrevieja +34 966 921 313
bioTremol www.biotremol.com +34 966 618 873
Hospital Los Arcos www.murciasalud.es +34 968 565 000 Hospital de Torrevieja www.torrevieja-salud.com +34 965 721 200
24-HOUR PHARMACIES María Lahoz Pharmacy +34 965 208 284 Ciudad Jardín Pharmacy Orthopaedics www.farmacia24honline.com +34 965 177 463 Conde Lumiares Pharmacy +34 965 245 613
VETS El Cabo Veterinary Clinic www.clinicaveterinariaelcabo.com +34 965 150 606 Carolinas Veterinary Clinic www.clinicaveterinariacarolinas.com +34 965 254 305 Alacant Veterinary Clinic www.clinicaveterinarialacant.es +34 965 227 680 Jeremías Veterinary Clinic www.clinicajeremias.es +34 965 246 645 AMIC Veterinary Centre www.amicveterinario.com +34 965 215 528 San Vicente Veterinary Clinic (open 24 h) +34 965 668 582 La Florida Veterinary Clinic www.veterinarialaflorida.com +34 965 287 184
USEFUL INFORMATION
Oikomo +34 865 776 644
SHOPING MALLS La Zenia Boulevard Shopping Mall www.zeniaboulevard.com +34 966 761 530 The Outlet Stores www.theoutletstoresalicante.es +34 965 664 498 Gran Vía Alicante Shopping Mall www.ccgranvia.com +34 965 250 642 Puerta de Alicante Shopping Mall www.puertadealicante.com +34 965 112 169
RESTAURANTS UNiK CAFÉ (Las Colinas Golf & Country Club) +34 965 324 004 enso sushibar (Las Colinas Golf & Country Club) +34 965 215 829 El Rincón del Sibarita www.elrincondelsibaritadondiego.blogspot.com.es
Restaurante Rebate www.restauranterebate.com +34 966 723 432 Restaurante Villamartín Plaza +34 966 765 298 Restaurante argentino Aberdinangus www.aberdinangus.com +34 965 321 300 Restaurante Las Villas www.restaurantelasvillas.es +34 965 320 005 Restaurante Club Náutico Campoamor +34 965 321 024
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES Tourist info San Miguel +34 966 723 466 Orihuela Costa Tourism office +34 965 304 645 Tourist info Pilar de la Horadada www.visitpilardelahoradada.com +34 966 767 068
LOCAL POLICE Police station (Central Telefónica) +34 965 107 200 Office space for delegations +34 965 149 969
+34 965 264 714
Urban support +34 965 149 966
La Taberna del Gourmet www.latabernadelgourmet.com +34 965 204 233
CIVIL GUARD
Restaurante Venezuela www.restaurantevenezuela.com +34 968 18 15 15 Restaurante Barlovento www.restaurantebarlovento.com +34 966 921 182 Restaurante Las Cuevas www.lascuevas.ecsocial.com +34 966 723 432
(Spanish Gendarmerie) Civil Guard (Spanish Gendarmerie) Alicante www.guardiacivil.es +34 965 145 660 Civil Guard (Spanish Gendarmerie) +34 965 242 702 Alicante Port Civil Guard district +34 965 211 761
Restaurante Casa Carmelina www.casacarmelina.com +34 628 202 865 45
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MASTERPLAN 2016
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