Until June 14 Calasparra rice gastronomy festival in Águilas

15 local restaurants in Águilas are taking part and a special boat trip is available on 14^th June

The local gastronomy of Águilas has much to recommend, including the delicious seafood and the locally sourced meat and vegetables, but the latest gastro event in the town instead features one of the most outstanding products from elsewhere in the Region of Murcia.

Rice fields are not a common sight in Europe, but in Calasparra in north-western Murcia the climate, landscape and soil have lent themselves to rice growing for many centuries, and this was in fact the first cereal crop in the world to be awarded Denomination of Origin status (in 1986). On this occasion the local Hosteaguilas restauranteurs association in Águilas is holding a celebration of the product at 15 restaurants in the town, each of them offering a special rice dish on the menu until Sunday 14^th June.

The establishments taking part are Bamboo, Casa Bartolo, Centro de Interpretación Cuatro Calas, Club Náutico de Águilas, Costa Azul Playa, El Tiburón, El Varadero, Gaviota, Ginés, La Chimenea, La Taberna Mediática, La Veleta, Pecado, Poseidón, Sol y Mar, Venta de Tébar and Zoco del Mar.

In addition, on 14th June a special boat trip on the Don Pancho followed by rice served at Restaurante el Varadero is taking place, with tickets priced at 12 euros (including a drink with the rice). Registration is available now through the regional tourist board website here. The boat leaves the port at 12.00 midday.

For more local events, news and visiting information, contact the tourist office of Águilas (telephone 968 493285) or go to the home page of Águilas Today.