Cartagena is a surprise for many tourists. Outside the walls, the terrain appears unfriendly, or even primitive. Yet, inside the city the architecture is both ancient and beautiful. Like many European cities, Cartagena has an exciting blend of the old and the new. Restoration of the ancient city is an ongoing process and ensures that future generations will have the ability to see what is currently known.



The lifestyle in Cartagena is typically laid back. Along the coastline you can find warm beaches and a variety of activities. Scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, and swimming are just a few of the coastal excursions awaiting guests. The countryside offers cycling, hiking, horse riding and even explorations of the ancient City of Murcia.

The hillside city of Cartagena also has the Aguire House. Victor Beltri, a modernist architect, designed this beautiful home. The facility is now a museum of modern art. The Calblanque Regional Park is a stretch of coast for naturalists. This area is free of commercial structure and offers hiking, cycling and some breathtaking views from the mountaintops. The mountains in this part reach nearly 1,000 feet. The park offers salt lagoons and a visual treat with many natural birds and fowl.

The Civil War Shelters Museum is currently within galleries that were excavated out of La Concepcion, a hill in Cartagena. These galleries were used during bombing raids. These structures were created to shelter over 1,000 people. However, construction was incomplete by the time the war ended. The facility is now used to teach younger generations about the struggles and triumphs of that era.

The House of Fortune is a fascinating stop in Cartagena. Constructed around 1 B.C., this structure is elaborate with decorated floors and painted frescos. The home gets its name from an inscription in the courtyard. Fortune lies beside an ancient Roman road.

A more unusual location to visit is the Autopsy Theater. This fascinating building is a museum of medicine and chronicles the history throughout time in Cartagena. The octagonal facility was constructed in 1768 to be used as a medical theater. This is where medical students learned about anatomy. The building has been renovated into the museum and lies in close proximity to the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Caridad Church is another historic landmark and remains home of the city's patron saint. The church is filled with artwork and visitors are welcome. Inside are sculptures by Salzillo, such as the famous "Crucifixion." Along with a Rococo altarpiece, visitors can enjoy paintings from the 1800s by Manuel Wssell de Guimbarda.

Lodging facilities in Cartagena are divided into three categories: budget, mid-range and luxury. There are also package deals that calculate your flight along with your hotel costs to simplify your travel expenses.

Resorts there offer first-class experiences for the tennis fan. Tennis courts are often the heart of the resort facility. Courts are surrounded with floodlighting. You can play at any time of day or year.

The resorts have a reputation for hosting some of the finest competitions in the realm of tennis. The Davis and Fed Cup events have both been held here and the ATP has also held events there. The location is the winter training location for Britian's Lawn Tennis Association. If that isn't enough to pique your interest for the location, it's also the official training location of the Bavarian Tennis Federation.

The reason for the tennis popularity of this regions resorts has more to do with their structure and features than mere history. One resort has a total of 28 tennis courts throughout. Variety is the key: guests can choose from over twenty clay courts, four AstroTurf courts and four hard surface courts. Other activities include paddle tennis courts, squash and many other sports-related services like equipment shops, equipment rental services, fitness centers and a host of other accommodations and luxuries. With exciting night life and extraordinary cuisine, tourists visiting Cartagena will have great reason to visit again and again.