Published 18 July 2026 | Events

TL;DR: Mario Park in Roquetas de Mar enhances visitor comfort with new Balinese beds, online reservation options, and ongoing facility improvements, making summer visits easier and more enjoyable.

New Comfort Features at Mario Park This Summer

New Balinese Beds for Relaxation

This summer, Mario Park in Roquetas de Mar has introduced a dedicated area of Balinese beds next to the family pool. Designed for visitors seeking extra comfort, this new space offers a chance to alternate between fun and relaxation. Since opening, the Balinese beds have received a warm welcome from guests who appreciate having a reserved spot to rest throughout their visit. This addition reflects the park’s increasing focus on comfort alongside entertainment.

Planning Ahead Made Simple

Mario Park has expanded its online services to improve the visitor experience starting before arrival. Through the park’s website, guests can now organize their trip in advance, securing spaces such as the popular Balinese beds or preferred and VIP areas. Many of these spots, especially the Balinese beds, tend to sell out quickly, sometimes well before the visit day. This system ensures that late arrivals no longer have to worry about finding a good place, allowing visitors to begin their day with peace of mind.

Continuous Upgrades to Facilities

Alongside new seating areas, Mario Park continues to invest in upgrading its infrastructure. This includes refurbishing various installations, enhancing landscaping, and maintaining high water quality standards. These improvements help create a more pleasant environment from arrival to closing time. The park’s commitment to these details aims to support a comfortable and hassle-free visit for families seeking both excitement and relaxation.

Balancing Fun and Comfort

Mario Park’s approach goes beyond adding new attractions season after season. The emphasis this year is on ensuring each family member can enjoy the day in their own way—whether kids are splashing in the pools, thrill-seekers are on the slides, or parents and companions unwind in the shaded, reserved rest areas. This balance is part of the park’s ongoing effort to respond to visitors’ evolving needs and preferences, making each summer at Mario Park a more memorable experience.

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Published 18 July 2026 | Events

TL;DR: Estival 26 brings culture and heritage back to Antas ’ historic square with talks by experts in archaeology, aerospace, sports, ornithology, and local history through July and August.

Culture and Heritage at Antas Estival 26

Diverse Programme Opens with Archaeology

The new festival Estival 26, initiated by the Antas Town Hall and cultural association Argaria, aims to breathe life back into the town’s historic centre. It kicks off on Wednesday, 22 July, with a presentation by Margarita Sánchez Romero. Sánchez Romero, an archaeologist and professor from the University of Granada, will share insights from her latest work, *Lo que el cuerpo nos cuenta*. As vice-rector of University Extension, she brings academic depth to the festival’s opening event.

Local Talent and Sporting Achievement

The festival continues through August, highlighting Antas’ connection to contemporary achievers. On Tuesday, 18 August, a conversation entitled *Un antuso en la carrera espacial* will feature Javier Irigaray, the festival director, alongside René Molina, a young engineering student from Antas. Molina is part of the Faraday Rocketry team at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, which holds the national university altitude record for rocket launches and won the European University Rocketry Challenge in Portugal last October.

A few days later, on Friday, 21 August, Estival 26 turns to motorsport. José Antonio Aznar from Cuevas del Almanzora, one of Spain’s most decorated rally and mountain race pilots, will share stories from his remarkable career. His impressive trophy collection includes multiple Spanish Mountain Racing Championships and Andalusian Asphalt Rally titles, underscoring his prominence within the national motorsports scene.

Nature and Heritage on Display

The festival also explores the natural environment on Tuesday, 25 August, when ornithologists Enrique Fernández and Miguel Ángel Gómez discuss the rich birdlife of the Levante Almeriense region. Their talk covers the variety of species that live and migrate through both inland areas and the coastline, illustrating a lesser-known but vital aspect of local heritage.

Finally, on Tuesday, 2 September, the programme concludes with a historical perspective from Antonio Rubio, an archaeologist affiliated with the University of Granada’s bioarchaeological research group, Memolab. Rubio will focus on El Garcel, an archaeological site near Antas first studied by Luis Siret and later by Pilar Acosta and Manuel Pellicer in the 1970s. Although their research was never fully published, the site remains crucial for understanding the area’s past.

Building Knowledge and Community

Estival 26 embraces a broad definition of heritage, weaving together the historic past, present excellence, and future potential. Javier Irigaray emphasises the festival’s mission to highlight various dimensions of Antas’ identity—from ancient sites and natural surroundings to local figures making national and international impact. The goal is not only to entertain but also to foster an informed, thoughtful community.

Pedro Ridao, mayor of Antas, expressed pride in the town’s commitment to cultural offerings and heritage preservation. He noted that initiatives like Estival 26 and ongoing events such as *Los Jueves del Museo* enrich summer evenings while cultivating more knowledgeable and engaged residents. This festival supports Antas’ reputation as a place where culture and history are valued and actively preserved for future generations.

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Published 18 July 2026 | Events

TL;DR: The Costa de Almeria region hosted a major flamenco and culture forum for international tourism professionals, showcasing flamenco’s cultural richness and its role as a key attraction in Andalusia.

Flamenco Tourism Forum in Costa de Almeria

International Forum in Almeria

Costa de Almeria recently welcomed the Foro Flamenco y Andalucia Cultura 2026, a significant event organised by Turismo Andaluz to promote flamenco and Andalusian culture to the world. About thirty tourism professionals from countries including Argentina, Belgium, China, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Mexico, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates gathered in the region for this week-long initiative.

The event’s first leg took place in the city of Almeria, featuring a guided night tour of the city’s Cathedral-Fortress led by Juan Jose Martin, the cathedral’s dean-president. Participants were then treated to a welcome dinner in the cathedral cloister, featuring live performances by flamenco artists Anabel Veloso (dancer), Rocio Zamora (singer), and guitarist Gabriel Perez.

Exploring Flamenco’s Tourist Appeal

A key part of the forum took place in the auditorium of the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Realism (Murec), located in the old provincial hospital of Almeria. This museum is unique in Spain, devoted entirely to contemporary Spanish realism with works from renowned artists like Zuloaga, Sorolla, Romero de Torres, Antonio Lopez, and Maria Moreno.

During the forum, experts discussed flamenco’s status as a universal cultural heritage and how it has evolved into a prominent tourism product. Liam Howarth, flamenco guitarist and strategic consultant, opened the session with a presentation on flamenco’s journey from heritage to an excellent tourism offering.

Further panels focused on innovation in marketing flamenco experiences and insights from travel professionals who integrate flamenco into their tours. Key speakers included Julio Ojeda, founder of Dunacandela; Trinidad Blanco, CEO of Ideas Market Experiences; and the archaeologist and co-founder of Iverem Patrimonio Cultural, Jose Fernando Corrochano.

The afternoon session closed with a discussion featuring specialists and flamenco artists. Notable participants were Norberto Torres, a historian of flamenco guitar; Ana Mar Garcia de Quero, a flamenco singer and the first woman from Almeria to earn the Superior Degree in Flamenco Singing; and Carlos Gonzalez Marcos, luthier and conservator at the Almeria Guitar Museum.

Experiencing Flamenco Locally

The forum also incorporated hands-on cultural activities. Delegates participated in a ‘Flamenco Gymkhana’ that included visits to the Spanish Guitar Museum ‘Antonio de Torres’ and attendance at the flamenco performance ‘Vengo Jondo’ by the Marco Flores Company, part of the 59th Flamenco and Dance Festival of Almeria.

Beyond flamenco, guests enjoyed an adventure day exploring the natural beauty of Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park by 4×4 vehicles and boat, blending culture with the region’s stunning landscapes. The forum was supported by several local institutions, including the Almeria City Council.

Building on Flamenco’s Cultural Strength

This initiative highlights how flamenco remains a powerful cultural driver for Costa de Almeria and Andalusia at large. By bringing together tourism experts and flamenco practitioners, the forum has underscored the genre’s ongoing relevance and potential to attract visitors from around the globe.

The combination of cultural immersion, expert knowledge exchange, and local experiences at the forum demonstrates Costa de Almeria’s commitment to deepening flamenco’s international profile while offering tourists authentic cultural encounters.

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