Win a trip for two to Cuenca

The winner of the competition we run during the Welsh Hay on Wye Festival was Mrs Sandra Eros who won a fantastic trip to Cuenca, one of Spain’s 13 World Heritage Cities.

Mrs Eros travelled with her husband and, going by her own account, she loved every thing about the trip. All this was made possible by the invaluable contribution of Cuenca Turismo and Paradores. We flew them to Madrid where they took the new AVE (Spanish estate of the art high speed train) service to Cuenca. They stayed at the fantastic parador of San Pablo, a former Dominican convent, courtesy of Paradores de España, and where hosted by Cuenca Turismo that provided a guide to show them around this beautiful city.

The following excerpts have been taken from the lovely account that Mrs Eros wrote on her return:

“In the summer of this year Thomas and I were lucky enough to visit Hay on Wye, near Wales, where there is an annual literary festival.  We went to the Spanish Tourist booth and left our name and address with them, never dreaming that we would win a free weekend in Cuenca…

We were treated like royalty.  Our air fare and train fares were paid and we were lodged in a magnificent Parador, which was formerly a convent in l662…The furniture in the Parador was antique and there was a fountain in the grounds and in the large spacious corridors there were comfortable sofas, armchairs, flowers and beautiful paintings…

Cuenca is one hour by train from Madrid.  It is historical and has a most dramatic landscape.   I never tired of gazing at the huge yellowing stone rocks and the green valley…St. Pablo Bridge is fascinating.  It had five arches before the l6th century…The city was founded by Berber tribes from North Africa around the eighth century… Our guide recommended that you buy gifts in the Centre de Artesania, which was formerly the old Church of Santa Cruz.   There are some beautiful ceramics on sale…

All in all, we will never forget our memorable visit to Cuenca and the kindness of the Spanish Tourist Office personnel.”

Further info:
Cuenca
Paradores
Spanish World Heritage Cities