Bridge in Aguilas

06 February 2023

8 days from £950pp

A warm welcome awaits at the friendly, family-run Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel. Back by popular demand, this fantastic Bridge holiday is a marvellous opportunity to discover delightful Águilas on a beautifully unspoilt stretch of Spain’s Costa Calida.

Family-run hotel with friendly staff and beautiful seafront location
Includes a guided tour of Aguilas and a boat trip around the harbour
Includes a guided excursion to historic Cartagena
Two excellent golf courses nearby

Bridge in Águilas, Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel

In the heart of Murcia’s Costa Calida, the charming town of Águilas enjoys a warm microclimate making it the perfect place to soak up some winter sunshine and play Bridge. We are thrilled to be staying in the Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel Spa & Base Nautica, which, with its stunning Mediterranean views overlooking Juan Montiel Marina and the Bay of Poniente de Águilas, proved hugely popular with First for Bridge guests. A stroll along the attractive seafront promenade takes us to the historic centre of Águilas with its ancient buildings, hilltop castle, Roman baths, and fabulous city square where tapas bars spill out onto the pavement. There are some great local seafood restaurants close to the harbour awash with colourful fishing boats sitting side by side with sleek yachts. Golfers won’t be disappointed with two excellent courses close to the hotel.

Included excursions

We discover the historic city of Aguilas first by boat sailing around its beautiful coastline, after which our guide will take us through its main streets and squares. We visit the interesting Aquarium Museum for the Sea Interpretation and the vast mineral loading pier situated at Playa del Hornillo.

Our second excursion takes us to Cartagena. After a panoramic bus drive, we will stroll through the streets, squares, and most emblematic highlights, to learn about the intense history of this millenary city. We include a visit to its magnificent Roman theatre, the 1888 submarine invented by Isaac Peral, and the panoramic lift that takes us to the top of Mount Conception, with superb views of the city and port.

What to expect from this Bridge holiday:

Our Bridge programmes will vary according to the length of your break, and, in addition to playing Bridge, we try to include interesting Bridge seminars, hosted by your Bridge Director.

Your duplicate Bridge will be available every evening between 7.45pm and 11.15pm and we endeavour to vary these evening sessions, balancing between teams and pairs, with at least one Swiss style event during a two-week Bridge break.

Bridge will also be offered some afternoons between 2.30pm and 4.45pm. These sessions are normally given over to open pairs/teams.

During your Bridge holiday nothing is obligatory and you can play in as many, or as few, Bridge sessions as you wish. We don’t forget you are on holiday and our Bridge programmes also allow time to relax and the opportunity for you to explore the surrounding area.

7 nights accommodation on a half-board basis
Wine and water with dinner
Flights from London Gatwick to Murcia
Manchester flights available at a supplement
Return airport transfers
Varied bridge sessions with Masterpoints and prizes awarded
Two morning seminars
Services of our friendly bridge hosts and EBU qualified director
Guided tour and boat trip of Aguilas
Guided Excursion to Cartagena

Hilary & David Powell

Hilary and David Powell are new First for Bridge Hosts and are looking forward to making your bridge holiday restful and enjoyable.

They are both retired IT professionals and have done a variety of voluntary jobs since their retirement. They now play bridge regularly at several local bridge clubs and in county competitions. David has represented Kent on several occasions in the annual Metropolitan Cup. Both are on the committee of Bromley North Bridge Club and Hilary is currently Club Chair. David is a qualified club director and bridge teacher and Hilary is an experienced scorer.

Sarah Amos

Sarah is the third generation of her family to be hooked on bridge, following after her mother and grandparents. She started playing over 35 years ago and began teaching and directing not long after. She is probably best known as a top-level Tournament Director in both Wales and England. Sarah has been trying to play more bridge since moving to South Wales five years ago and is delighted to have made it to the Welsh Lady Milne twice.

She spent a large portion of her working life helping to run a family restaurant with her brother, sister-in-law and mother and really enjoyed managing the front of house and assisting with wedding and events planning.

All of her work now involves various aspects of bridge, directing all sort of events from club games through congresses to internationals; teaching beginners and improvers; and latterly helping players and clubs get online and keep playing through the pandemic.

Fly from London Gatwick

Return flights from London Gatwick are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Fly from Manchester (supplement applies)

Picture of - Fly from Manchester (supplement applies)

Return flights from Manchester are available on our arrival and departure dates for an additional supplement, including one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Dates:

06 February 2023: 8 days

Prices:

Holiday prices are per person and flights included
Twin/double room to share: from £950
Twin/double sea view room to share: from £1025

Room for sole occupancy: from £1100

Sea view room for sole occupancy: from £1250

One bed junior suite to share: from £1070

Deposit: £350

Flight supplements:

Manchester - £45

Overview

A delightful family-run hotel, the Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel, Spa & Nautical Base boasts a beautiful location on the seafront at Águilas on Murcia’s Costa Calida. With friendly staff, excellent facilities, relaxing public lounges and just 126 light and spacious bedrooms, the hotel lends itself perfectly to our First for Bridge holidays.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s spacious restaurant. In the evening, the buffet-style dining with show cooking includes an excellent selection of both local and international dishes, local wine and mineral water. Drinks are served in La Taberna and the Piano Bar, and there are stunning sea views from the hotel’s beautiful terrace, which is the perfect place to enjoy lunch, coffee or an aperitif.

Hotel facilities include an indoor and outdoor pool with sunbathing area, paddle tennis, mini-golf and bike rental. Offering excellent views over the Mediterranean, the Don Juan Spa has thermal pools, whirlpool and sauna, which along with massage and beauty treatments are available for a charge.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All rooms are equipped with the following

En suite bathroom with low sided bath and hand shower attachment, hairdryer and toiletries
Floor to ceiling windows (top half opens)
Individual air conditioning / heating
Satellite TV with a number of UK channels
Complimentary WiFi
Direct dial telephone
Safe deposit (complimentary)
Minibar (charge applies)