Consuegra and its famous windmills
Attention dear urbanite! Listen to your inner countryman and enjoy these days of rural life and great dishes that will fill you up, along with a few delicious wines, while you chat about the divine and the human while warm. Afterwards, a relaxed walk and a good read. This is what the body asks of you.
**CONSUEGRA AND CORRAL DE ALMANGUER (TOLEDO, CASTILLA LA MANCHA) **
In these towns on the La Mancha plateau, in the heart of Toledo, young people go to Madrid. We will do the trip in reverse.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: because you meet bakeries like García Lajara's in Corral de Almaguer where everything is so visible that you feel like just another pastry chef and the prices of their exquisite cupcakes are to take them by the kilo. Furthermore, it is the perfect town to stock up on premium Manchego cheeses –there are the Montecusas– and organic wines to accompany them.
MOVE A LITTLE: Take a selfie like Sancho Panza and Don Quixote with the Windmills of mother-in-law You cannot miss this route.
TOWN EAT: It is saffron season and the saffron roast kid of the historic El Alfar restaurant, is a classic.
A BONUS: The visit to the farm Pinuaga Wineries , to taste their wines, and the walk around the farm put the finishing touch.
A bit of wine tourism is always a good idea
**CARDEÑA (CÓRDOBA, ANDALUSIA) **
The ranching lifestyle the region of Los Pedroches it is his stamp. That and the natural value –perfect for hikers– of the Cardeña Montoro Natural Park that surrounds this little town full of charming rural houses.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: Because this town is the perfect starting point for a weekend of walking a lot through the meadow and the mountains.
MOVE A LITTLE: One of the most spectacular routes is the Valdelagrana Bridge , which will take you through the Loggers' Path to the Yeguas River. Although there are others like the ones that take you to Blue Already Cherry Tree Village that can be done on foot or by bicycle. In the Venta Nueva Visitor Center they will give you all the clues.
TOWN EAT: At the end of the hiking day, nothing like eating the famous Cardeña Iberian suckling pig in the restaurant Michael House , accompanied by a few wines.
A BONUS: At the ** Finca Las Lagartosas , in Villanueva de Córdoba **, the farmers themselves will tell you how the dehesa is lived in the first person.
Sierra de Cardeña and Montoro, where nature rules
**SUSÍN, TRAMACASTILLA DE TENA AND PIEDRAFITA DE JACA (HUESCA, ARAGÓN) **
A short walk from Madrid, this region is full of stories of depopulation, of towns that try to rise from their ashes and also of heroines, of those who fought for a lifetime so that the place where they were born would not be completely abandoned.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: Because the story of Susín and Angelines Villacampa germinated in an association, ** Mallau **, which today continues to work and meets on the last Saturday of each month to continue restoring the town as Angelines did.
MOVE A LITTLE: The region organizes several family routes through these towns for these holidays, such as the one that crosses the forest of witches of Betato , between the towns of Tramacastilla de Tena and Piedrafita de Jaca. A path that after a track leads you into one of the most beautiful beech forests of Alto Gálego.
TOWN EAT: To get warm, the plate of migas with chorizo and grapes in the shelter of Telera it is the best.
A BONUS: The Jaca Cathedral is worth a visit, and the nearby Casa Fau bar , to drink wines and tapas after covering the cultural file, too.
Cathedral of Jaca
**JIMÉNEZ DE JAMUZ (LEÓN, CASTILLA LEÓN) **
In this town where almost the entire population once lived on pottery , today there are less than five artisan potters who continue to practice it. Even so, the culture of clay continues to be something very close (in sight of its museum) and Even Gaudí himself came here for the mud to cover the Episcopal Palace of Astorga.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: For its cellars carved into the rock on the outskirts of the town, next to the riverbank. Underground cellars made with pick and shovel , in an artisanal plan, today many of them are restaurants.
MOVE A LITTLE: a getaway to Astorga, the capital of the Maragatería , It may be a good choice. Know its impressive cathedral, take the Roman route through the city , and tapas a bit trying the best sausages in the area is a great plan.
TOWN EAT: One of the reasons why travelers choose Jiménez de Jamuz is this, to eat at ** Bodega El Capricho ,** where in an old cave winery they serve marinated beef, beef, washugyu.
A BONUS: Beef tripe is delicious.
In Jiménez de Jamuz almost the entire population once lived from pottery
** VILLAGE OR MAZO AND FOLGOSO DO COUREL (LUGO, GALICIA) **
the of or mallet is one of those stories that fill other places with hope that, surrounded by a spectacular natural environment, decide to get down to work and rebuild a town to dedicate it entirely to rent: Everything from weddings to yoga and meditation retreats are held here, although they usually close it around these dates to continue restoring it. In that case, stay at the nearby and charming Folgoso do Courel.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: Because today it is an example of sustainability and respect for the environment in the heart of the spectacular Serra do Courel "the last Galician forest" that preserves its primitive configuration and where towns and villages from Lugo and Leon converge.
MOVE A LITTLE: Its multiple hiking routes while putting you on the path of birds of prey, roe deer, foxes, such as the route that accesses the Pequeno River or the more than 90km of signposted routes of O'Courel.
TOWN EAT: In the Merchant's Houses you have to get between chest and back a Galician stew with pigs raised in the open air.
A BONUS: In As Laceiras , a town in Salcedo, Fernando Peña and his wife are leather artisans who also organize all kinds of activities.
Folgoso do Courel
**FROG CAMP (GUADALAJARA) **
This town that does not reach 150 inhabitants is one of the most beautiful in the black architecture of Guadalajara.
BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: Because strolling through its labyrinthine streets will make you disconnect and, furthermore, it is the perfect place to stroll with children.
MOVE A LITTLE: You can't miss the surroundings. If you are one of those who recharges energy by hugging the trees, you have to meet the Hollow Oak , a mythical tree in the area and also take a walk to the Viewpoint of the Fountain of the Frogs , with views over the Ocejón peak.
TOWN EAT: Here is hunting time. Sure, with a good glass of red wine. Proof the wild boar and the deer in La Fragua , in the same locality.
A BONUS: The route through Black Towns It will take you through charming villages but if you don't feel like a lot of road, you can go to Campillejo, a very close village and whose parish church, completely in black slate, is a marvel.
Campillo de Ranas, one of the Black Towns of Guadalajara