The Ricote Valley, where visiting and being there mean connecting

Recharge the batteries with slow tourism experiences in the valley where time runs at a different tempo

There are still some places where it seems life has found a different tempo, and the Ricote Valley is one of them. Here, while the rest of the world has broken into a run, life is taken at a stroll.

The historic citrus orchards, the irrigation ditches which have criss-crossed the countryside for centuries, the little town which maintain their own character and essence, and the slow pace of life make this one of the best examples of social sustainability in the Region of Murcia.

In this valley, tourism doesn’t change the land, it’s the land that changes the visitors.

The valley of retaining authenticity

More and more travellers are looking to escape mass tourism destinations and resorts to discover place where it is still possible to make a connection with local culture, the landscape and the people who live there.

And the Ricote Valley, just half an hour by road from the hubbub of the regional capital, is precisely that kind of place.

Well-known as the last Moorish enclave in Spain, it maintains and unique character and identity, built around the importance of water, traditional agriculture and a way of life which is inseparable from the rhythms of nature.

Accommodation marked by the land

Amongst the lemon and orange trees and with the quiet murmur the River Segura in the background stands “La Joya del Valle de Ricote”.

This tourism establishment is located on an agricultural plot of land where citrus fruit is grown, and slow, rural tourism has become a mainstay of the whole philosophy of the project.

When asked about the importance of protecting and maintaining the authenticity of the Ricote Valley, the owners respond with phrases such as the following:

"Our gusts are looking for something which is not that easy to find!”

“We welcome more and more people who need to get away from the hurried pace of daily life. They are seeking peace, tranquillity, authenticity and experiences through which they can connect with the places they visit.”

“The best experience is the simplest experience”.

What makes this area different?

“The Ricote Valley is still a real place. Here travellers can walk through centuries-old orchards, learn how citrus fruit is grown, talk to the locals or simply sit and listen to the water flowing along the irrigation ditches.”

“Often what our visitors appreciate most is precisely the simplicity of what they experience.”

Tourism helping keep the valley alive

Social sustainability also consists of creating opportunities for those who live in the area.

For this reason, projects like La Joya work together with local producers, agricultural tourism ventures, guides and small businesses within the valley, helping tourism to generate benefits which remain within the community.

The luxury of slow tourism

In a time when many people are looking to do something a little different, the Ricote Valley preserves what cannot be created artificially: authenticity.

Perhaps this is the reason why people who come here tend to talk about it as one of the best kept secrets of the Region of Murcia.

A place where the landscape, the culture and the people are all part of the same story. And where travelling can mean something as simple as feeling you’re part of the area.