Inland Spain

Barge1914

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Assuming my errant hip is sorted in time this is our trip of inland Spain next Mar-May to see the bits inland that were just too hot on our last circuit a few years ago. Any suggestions for ‘must sees’ and ‘must stays’ along the way would be greatly welcomed.

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I'm sure @rugbyken
Will be along to sort you out..
He's your man .
You could follow the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, if the weather is too hot down south.
Loads of stopovers and facilities.
Leon ?

Astorga... ? The Chocolate town.. Google it.
Various spa towns, where you'll be welcome and enjoy some pampering.

Follow the battle towns of the Peninsula Wars.. As featured in the Sharpe books and TV..... Lots of interesting stopovers.
 
Salamanca is one of Sally's favourite places in Spain.
Stunning architecture
 
you could have a great time just visiting towns you hit with a dart lol , as paul says following the pilgrim trail is great and as an ex squaddie following the route of the peninsula war was interesting, Osuna was an unexpected pleasure and jerez de los callaberos nr badjodoz would win first prize as an aire
 
What are you interested in? If it’s bird watching then you have to visit Monfrague NP, in Extremadura. Several types of vulture, Imperial Eagle and more. There’s a convenient campsite near Malpartida de Plasencia, a visitor centre next door with a great audio-visual display and bird 🦅 tour operator who works out of the campsite. (Photos taken on phone through a spotting telescope while on the Bird Tour with José)

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Look up Morella if you haven't been. Lovely place to visit with it's hilltop fortress.
 
Pick up the Douro in Spain then follow it to Porto or as far as you want. Lots of interesting stops and sights and it gives you a direction for the trip.
 
Barge1914 said:
Assuming my errant hip is sorted in time this is our trip of inland Spain next Mar-May to see the bits inland that were just too hot on our last circuit a few years ago. Any suggestions for ‘must sees’ and ‘must stays’ along the way would be greatly welcomed.

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Tidewatcher said:
Pick up the Douro in Spain then follow it to Porto or as far as you want. Lots of interesting stops and sights and it gives you a direction for the trip.
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I've crossed the Pyrenees a couple of times, different routes and it's an amazing drive. Avoid Andorra as it is petrol fumes all the way through. Other than that I have no useful contribution. I tend to roam the countryside avoiding cities. I would however like to visit Seville. Park4night is good for en route stops.
 
Yashmac said:
I've crossed the Pyrenees a couple of times, different routes and it's an amazing drive. Avoid Andorra as it is petrol fumes all the way through. Other than that I have no useful contribution. I tend to roam the countryside avoiding cities. I would however like to visit Seville. Park4night is good for en route stops.
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We visited Seville some years ago. It was so hot we felt quite unwell. Nice city though.
 
rugbyken said:
you could have a great time just visiting towns you hit with a dart lol , as paul says following the pilgrim trail is great and as an ex squaddie following the route of the peninsula war was interesting, Osuna was an unexpected pleasure and jerez de los callaberos nr badjodoz would win first prize as an aire
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Is Osuna worth a 40 mile diversion? Jerez is on our route. I couldn’t find Badjodoz…did you mean Badajoz near the Portuguese border?
 
in my opinion it’s well worth the days diversion there is an aire parking outside a large discount supermarket ( family cash) directly across from the hospital , + another one on the far side of town the town itself was once one of the richest in spain the local duke had the monopoly on the wool trade & would only deal with merchants in his town walking around the center every other building is a palace or convent etc the facades & doorways are amazing , paul told us about the casino in the center a cross between working mens club cafe it was great we overdosed on tapas , the first two pics are jerez, the next the casino and doors in osuna , another place to pull in is ampudia wonderful old town looks like something from a sphagetti western 232038A7-910B-418F-B919-7E8324E39E25.jpeg5C0589D0-DA35-404A-A3CC-4A420ED5ADD7.jpeg01C61929-6D04-4380-A583-F2A41AA6F176.jpegBB9E61EB-F2E1-4D74-82CC-C1A912F250FF.jpeg6C8C411E-EF66-4D0C-A118-E2CCF67A3F10.jpeg
 
El Rocio: fork out for a lynx-hunting safari through Donana nature reserve.
Montfrague: definitely visit vulture rock. Consider Trujillo, home of the Spanish Inquisition and centre of the pimento industry.

We were impressed with Penafiel (20km east of Valladolid?): the narrowest castle (25m?) perched on a promontory above an ancient square with post holes which allow it to become a bullring At Easter they have a special celebration, detailed in the local museum. One of the only campsites we have used, nestled amongst trees.

We like the climb on the N502 from Cuevas del Valle into the Gredos mountains: fantastic views and easy parking at La Parada del Arriero. Then on to Avila, with its wall and large parking area (plus supermarkets).

South of Madrid, consider Cuenca: another ancient town with lovely views from the parking at the top of the hill. BEWARE: the roads are narrow and the traffic lights need to be obeyed, especially the one which looks like it controls a street which joins your route on the way up (we were lucky and only met a scooter!).

We much prefer pootling around on simple roads seeing the real Spain rather than hurtling down bland motorways.

Gordon

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rugbyken said:
in my opinion it’s well worth the days diversion there is an aire parking outside a large discount supermarket ( family cash) directly across from the hospital , + another one on the far side of town the town itself was once one of the richest in spain the local duke had the monopoly on the wool trade & would only deal with merchants in his town walking around the center every other building is a palace or convent etc the facades & doorways are amazing , paul told us about the casino in the center a cross between working mens club cafe it was great we overdosed on tapas , the first two pics are jerez, the next the casino and doors in osuna , another place to pull in is ampudia wonderful old town looks like something from a sphagetti western View attachment 63369View attachment 63370View attachment 63371View attachment 63372View attachment 63373
Click to expand...
I told you Ken is the man..
And his memory is much better than mine.
If you're heading down the motorway to Seville, the old pilgrim road runs parallel and is easy to access.
The pilgrims and cyclists still use that.
It's always worthwhile ducking out for a meal or overnight stop..
 
Just been checking..
There's a natural swimming pool, made by damming a mountain stream. With a very tempting bar nearby and a really authentic village about 400 metres away with shopping and a bar.
Piscina Natural De La Granja.



We found it when we were diverted off the motorway, NW of Plasencia.
We stayed outside the bar for 4 glorious nights swimming and meeting some wonderful locals.
Alas no fuel or ATM... Or we would have taken up an invitation to visit a village even more remote, 15 miles up in the hills.. from a couple we spent a boozy lunch with.. They sneakily paid after telling us where they lived.
Alas we gave up motorhoming and never went back
If your passing ... A must do.
 
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