Buenas noches as we sail this evening from the port of Cartagena, Spain. After an overnight trip from Barcelona, the ship arrived this morning in this Mediterranean port on Spain’s southeast coast.

My excursion today was to the region’s capital city of Murcia. After a 45 minute bus ride, we stopped at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Fuensanta, a beautiful shrine overlooking the city. 

We continued into the old town of Murcia and visited its stunning cathedral. Cartagena was supposed to host the region’s cathedral, but once the one in Murcia was built the archbishop decided he liked it better. 

We continued walking down Calle Traperia and stopped in the Real Casino de Murcia. This isn’t a gambling casino – it’s a high-society social club built in the style of a palace. 

The entrance is done in the design of the Alhambra (which I was supposed to visit tomorrow but won’t – more to come on that in tomorrow’s entry). We were able to visit various rooms including the library, salon and main hall. Absolutely stunning – reminiscent of palaces I’ve visited in Europe. 

They say it was begun in the era when global travel and archaeology was beginning and was a place where people could discuss those endeavors. Very cool. 

After returning to Cartagena, I visited its ancient Roman theater before boarding the ship for departure. I love my Roman history and this well-preserved theater was one of the first built west of Rome when Cartagena was known as “New Carthage”. 

Up next, my last stop in Spain on this adventure, Malaga. 🇪🇸