Inland Spain

Norfolk NewBoy said:
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.

Cuenca..!!!
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Cuença..
A Gem..
Take the road heading northwards up through the old town.. Just West of the newer town.
There's a big carpark with water and a helpful Street sweeper, who will show you where the water is.. ( might even be an Aire now).
There's a tourist street train that takes you up and down, as parking in the new part is tricky.
You'll see the suspended palaces hanging over the steep gorges, looking like the rear ends of Galleons.. The summer retreat of rich Madrid residents.
..
Agggh !
This is making our feet itch, just talking about it.
 
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...
Certainly looks worth a visit. Thanks, I’ll add that one.
 
Pauljenny said:
Cuença..
A Gem..
Take the road heading northwards up through the old town.. Just West of the newer town.
There's a big carpark with water and a helpful Street sweeper, who will show you where the water is.. ( might even be an Aire now).
There's a tourist street train that takes you up and down, as parking in the new part is tricky.
You'll see the suspended palaces hanging over the steep gorges, looking like the rear ends of Galleons.. The summer retreat of rich Madrid residents.
..
Agggh !
This is making our feet itch, just talking about it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. It’s already on our route. For some reason we missed it last time.
 
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...
Thanks, added to the itinerary.
 
Pauljenny said:
Cuença..
A Gem..
Take the road heading northwards up through the old town.. Just West of the newer town.
There's a big carpark with water and a helpful Street sweeper, who will show you where the water is.. ( might even be an Aire now).
There's a tourist street train that takes you up and down, as parking in the new part is tricky.
You'll see the suspended palaces hanging over the steep gorges, looking like the rear ends of Galleons.. The summer retreat of rich Madrid residents.
..
Agggh !
This is making our feet itch, just talking about it.
Click to expand...
Visit the Ponderosa bar . One of the many great Spanish bars
 
I asked my wife where she would suggest and she said " presumably they are going to Granada" (along with other major places). It's not on your map but is really worth it if you haven't been previously.

Then she mentioned "minor" places such as the Roman ruins in Merida, the wonderful bridge and gorge in Ronda, rock formations at El Torcal, Laguna de Fuente de Piedra (hundreds of thousands of flamingos at the right time of year), the Caminito del Rey at El Chorro (much safer now than the videos on youTube), all of which are within spitting distance of your route.

Enjoy - Gordon
 
Granada can be tricky.
You need to book a specific time slot for the venue . It can be done online.
Then you have find an adequate parking spot. There's a lot of organised tours and taxi traffic.

Being motorhomers, it makes sense to arrive at a quiet time.
So don't expect to roll up, when you fancy it.
We found it fascinating.
 
Zamora (towards the Portuguese border) is a fab medieval town with gray cathedral and exquisite tapestries in cathedral museum

Mirin’s is best set of Roman ruins and museum Found on-road parking with van side onto park with aqueduct in sight
 
If you follow any of the Camino de Santiago trail then you must visit the wine fountain at Ayegui in the Navarra region. Free red wine ( and water) for thirsty pilgrims! It’s next to the Monasterio de Irache.
 
Alun145 said:
Zamora (towards the Portuguese border) is a fab medieval town with gray cathedral and exquisite tapestries in cathedral museum

Mirin’s is best set of Roman ruins and museum Found on-road parking with van side onto park with aqueduct in sight
Click to expand...
Merida?

Gordon
 
Ardachaidh said:
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)

View attachment 63364
View attachment 63366
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Amazing pics. I've got this area on my list to visit as and when I'm roaming through Spain again.
 
We really like Segovia, especially the food! Frijoles. Cochinillo. And the aqueduct is very interesting. There's an aire by the bull ring, quite close to the city centre.
 
If you fancy the free wine at Ayegui there is a good Aire across the road at the sports centre. Dont forget your flagon.
 
I would agree with those suggesting Monfrague NP for anyone with the slightest interest in Birds. Plenty to see not just Vultures and Eagles.
Lots of lovely walks also if that's what you like.
 
Re visiting the Alhambra, there’s a couple of campsites about a half hour by bus, and a reasonably short walk once you’re in Granada. We stayed at Camping Las Lomas and the bus stops right outside the site.
 
Nobody has mentioned The Picos de Europa..
40 square miles of the Swiss Alps tucked away in NW Spain..
Or Santillana del Mar..
Where the courtiers wives and mistresses would avoid the hot Madrid summer, while their menfolk stayed behind to plot, connive and philander.
The local lads had a hectic time, visiting the splendid villas and servicing the visitors.
The name means, " The holy flat place by the sea.. "
It's also known as, " The town of 3 lies". It's not level, it's certainly wasnt holy and it's 7 miles from the sea
There's a famous 45,000 year old cave with spectacular paintings, nearby. Only VIPs are allowed in.
They've made a life size model for us lesser mortals.. It's Air- conned.
Both places well worth a Google . And a visit.
Agggh, the memories.. !
 
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