It is said that Esther Williams called Spain’s Mar Menor “the largest swimming pool in the world.” In fact, it’s a large body of shallow, warm water separated from the Mediterranean by a narrow strip of sand called La Manga. La Manga is just wide enough in places to allow for a road and beachfront properties on either side. If you’re the kind of person that likes the idea of seeing the sun rise over water out one window, and later watching it set — over water — out another, then this is the place for you.

Visiting in October, La Mota beach at San Pedro del Pinatar was not overly crowded although I’m guessing that may not be the case at other times of the year. With a marina and mountains in the distance, Mar Menor provides a calm setting for a day in the sun. There are also docks at the adjacent salt marshes (just down the promenade, past the windmill and opposite the beach) where you can cover yourself in the “medicinal muds”, which are said to assist in everything from skin problems to arthritis.

Ezequiela’s windmill lends a decidedly Spanish accent to the La Mota beach area of San Pedro del Pinatar.

Taking the ferry across Mar Menor to La Manga gives you an idea of the scale of this body of water, and offers a seaside view of many of the resort towers that line the shores.

My home for the night would be the nearby Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort & Spa, which could be a destination in and of itself.

My room overlooked the pool to the right, and the beautifully designed housing development that surrounds the resort, to the left (below). I photographed the sunset, had yet another phenomenal Spanish meal, and went to bed looking forward to another day of exploring the region of Murcia in the morning.