Mismatch of Cáceres
We are talking about five places that bring together the best ingredients to disconnect: small villages to stroll full of interesting plans, delicious gastronomy and with museums that are gems that will leave you with your mouth open.
MALPARTIDA DE CACERES, CACERES
Estremadura and its landscapes should be much more on our weekend agendas. This town just 15 kilometers from Caceres , with a Main Square charming where to try the toasts of potato maker (local black pudding with paprika from La Vera) is perfect in every way. Proud of his roots (it is no coincidence that the museum-archive of Extremaduran transhumance ), the storks fly over it, who have also chosen it as one of their favorite destinations.
Views of the Vostell museum from the Barruecos
But if something has projected the name of Malpartida in the world, it is the Los Barruecos Natural Monument , a destination in itself. The beauty and spectacularity is such that even the series of Game of Thrones he had his eye on it to make it one of his season seven scenarios. This landscape dotted with curious stone masses rounded by erosion is the habitat of numerous species.
WOW FACTOR!: As you walk through this area, you will come across one of the most delicious museums in Spanish geography: the Vostell Museum , located in an old wool laundry and created by the German artist Wolf Vostell in 1976 , a lover from Extremadura who became hooked on this land when he met the artist from Extremadura Mercedes Saved. Conceptual art is its forte and it hosts works by artists from the Fluxus movement (among them, those of Yoko Ono ) . Around the museum, its peculiar sculptures and a lot of walking trails that surround the pond and will lead you to the remains of the neolithic village.
The Vostell Museum, an unexpected secret
LARRES, HUESCA
This little town of no more than 100 inhabitants is one of those that is worth going to just for breathe the air that comes from the mountains High Galician and get lukewarm to stews, stews and grilled meats. If you are from ski , There's nothing more to speak of. You are in your habitat.
If not, on the banks of the river Aurin , the plan in Larrés is to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Aragonese pre-Pyrenees. The Route of the Romanesque churches of Serrablo It is a more than appetizing option. It is also an ideal point to visit the Ordesa National Park . One of the most recommended excursions by road, lasting an hour or so, is the one that leads you from Larrés through the Pineta Valley until the Bielsa National Parador , at the foot of Lost Mount.
WOW FACTOR!: Once you've dropped your bags and you've marked a good route through its surroundings, the Drawing Museum It is one of those visits that do not leave you indifferent. Its about unique dedicated exclusively to this genre in Spain. Housed in the late medieval castle of the town, the views from its location are fantastic, and inside, more than 4,000 works by 800 artists cover artistic drawing, illustration, comics, architecture, design, graphic humor...
Most of them are works donated by the artists themselves to the association that launched it, the Friends of Serrablo , to whom, in turn, the last noble owners of the castle gave the property for this purpose. Also, if you fall in love with some of his works (and, believe me: there will be many that will touch your heart), you will be able to sponsor a drawing.
The museum is located in the castle of Larrés
MARBELLA, MALAGA
It is true that this city sells itself. Its climate and atmosphere sometimes seem more caribbean than Mediterranean and visiting it out of season is a real luxury. It is best to wander around old town , surrounded by the remains of the Arab wall of the citadel, and enjoy its squares and fountains, where the orange blossom scent is the main character.
The widest of all its small squares is the Orange Square , built at the end of the 15th century when Fernando El Católico conquered the city. They would be located there, in addition to the still existing Hermitage of Santiago (which was previously a mosque), the City hall , the mesons, the jail , the Casa del Corregidor, and several large mansions. It had many different names and other tree species - horse chestnuts and palm trees - until, in 1941, they were replaced by orange trees. very close, in the the church square , another old mosque -the main one- was reformed in the XVI and became the Church of the Incarnation.
WOW FACTOR!: taking to the streets Wind among small boutiques, alcoves and churches, the plan of the old Bazan Hospital It will surprise you. This Renaissance building with Gothic-Mudejar details currently houses the charming Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving , the first museum specialized in ancient and contemporary engraving.
His collection was donated to the city more than two decades ago by Jose Louis Morales, a researcher of Spanish art of the 17th and 18th centuries. Currently, it has more than 4,000 works between engraving, lithography, serigraphy, xylography, digital printing, etc, of first-rate firms such as Pablo R. Picasso, Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura, Manolo Millares … Of the latter, an exhibition is currently being shown that covers all of his work: Discoveries Thousands 1959-1972.
The Church Square, in Marbella
VILLAFAMES, CASTELLON
This municipality in the interior of the province of Castellón is another one that deserves a getaway on its own: stroll through what is known as "village of artists " will take away all the stress that you have accumulated. From the castle, the views of the Sierra de les Conteses they are spectacular. Its narrow streets, especially the area of the quartijo , they will transfer you to the Middle Ages, and the cave paintings of ** L'Abric del Castell ** will remind you that this place's relationship with art goes back practically to its origins.
Something special, of course, floats in the air. And so, between comings and goings through the charming little streets you can escape to the nearby Desert of Las Palmas , a natural park in which green is the protagonist (despite its name). There are several hiking trails from where you lose sight of the profile of Benicassim .
Also, if you prefer, you can immerse yourself in the wine roots of the region, because you are also perfectly located to visit some of its wineries . By the way, don't hesitate to order the traditional “ cooking pot ” -stewed black pudding with legumes and vegetables- and the Tombet , a spectacular lamb stew to finish off the getaway.
WOW FACTOR! : A perfect plan to digest these plates is to delve into the cultural universe of Batlle gothic palace become the Museum of Contemporary Art Vicente Aguilera Cerní . It was founded and directed by this essayist, historian and critic, and in its rooms you can go through the history of the Spanish avant-garde.
In Villafamés there is much to see
BENALMADENA VILLAGE, MALAGA
More than known for the coast, Benalmádena Pueblo, ten minutes from its maritime counterpart, still preserves the spirit of the old town. Let's forget about the beach for a moment (I know it's hard), but we'll focus on stroll through its alleys , have some tapas and enjoy the weather and the views of the Mediterranean from above.
Once we are imbued with the local spirit, the surprises begin with a visit to the largest buddhist stupa in europe , which symbolizes the enlightenment of the Buddha; will leave you speechless. Its 33 meters high, its elegant appearance in white and gold -which can be seen from almost anywhere in the villa- and its open space with sea views will make you want to to meditate inside caressed by the Mediterranean breeze.
WOW FACTOR! : The truly unusual happens when we go into the streets of the town and come across what is possibly one of the best pre-Columbian art museums from Spain. Its funds come from the private collection of Philip Orlando Garcia -Murcian , a painter, poet, writer and, above all, anthropologist of Mexican origin, who donated them to his adopted town, transforming his residence into this spectacular cultural space of free entrance. Among the innumerable pieces of great value of the Aztec and Mayan culture, the museum has the most complete collection of female fertility relics.
Who would say that the streets of Benalmádena hold a pre-Columbian museum?