Olivia's journey: magical corners in central and southern Spain

Extremadura: Nature and tradition in its purest form

Olivia had dreamed of a quiet trip, taking in the beauty of the everyday surroundings and the authenticity waiting behind every corner. Extremadura was the starting point and Hervás was her the first stop. There, nestled among chestnut trees and wooden houses, she discovered the true essence of the Ambroz Valley. After enjoying a traditional Extremaduran meal, she made her way to the breathtaking Jerte Valley and set off on a walking tour to the Natural Pool of Los Pilones, where the water flowed between rounded stones. She sat herself on a warm rock and began to write in her travelogue. It was a perfect refuge for those seeking peace and nature.

In Plasencia, she stayed at the Parador hotel, a historic enclave combining comfort and tradition. She walked around the city at her own pace, following the recommendations of a lady in the square who insisted that she try the migas extremeñas in a small tavern in the old town. She did just that. And it was a feast.

Olivia continued on to Mérida, where the Roman past comes alive. The Roman Theatre took her breath away, especially knowing that it continues to host performances. She walked across the Roman Bridge at sunset, with the Guadiana River as her witness.

Andalusia: free spirit and wild beauty

In Andalusia, her first destination was Doñana National Park. She ran along the beach of Matalascañas at dawn, with the breeze and the sound of the sea for company. The day continued in El Rocío, where she visited the shrine and the emblematic square, feeling the spirituality of the place. She stopped at the Mirador de la Marisma natural viewing point, where she watched the birds flock overhead. 

In the Ronda mountains, she stayed at La Donaira, an eco-resort where luxury is measured in wellbeing. She practised yoga in the open air, relaxed in the spa and savoured organic cuisine made from fresh local produce, which tasted wonderful.In Setenil de las Bodegas, Olivia marvelled at the architecture carved into the rock. A local invited her to a tavern: “If you have time, stay for a while after you’ve eaten, because that’s when things really heat up.” By the time the first round of tapas was finished, the place was filled with improvised guitar music. “Here we are all one big family when we start singing!”

In Cordoba, she strolled amongst flower-filled courtyards and visited the Hammam Al Ándalus Arab baths. It was like a ritual that transported her back to Andalusian times amidst dim light, hot water and silence. Later on, the Julio Romero de Torres Museum and Plaza de Jerónimo Páez offered her other forms of beauty: eternal women on canvas and old men playing dominoes under an orange tree.

Castile-La Mancha: craft, theatre and waterscapes

In La Mancha, Olivia visited Almagro, where she experienced the theatre of the Golden Age at Corral de Comedias. Plaza Mayor square, bursting with life and outdoor terraces, was a place to chat with local residents and craftsmen, who showed her the bobbin lace technique as well as esparto grass work.Her next stop was Lagunas de Ruidera, a nature reserve between lying Ciudad Real and Albacete. There she enjoyed active and sustainable tourism in close contact with nature. In Albacete, Olivia visited Alcalá del Júcar, a spectacular village built on a rock overlooking the river Júcar and crowned by its castle of Arab origin.

Another special moment was the visit to the traditional loom of Eustaquio Rosa, in Casas de Lázaro, where not only the techniques are centuries old, but also part of the machinery, carefully preserved by several generations of artisans.The trip came to an end in Villarrobledo, with a tasting at the Pago de la Jaraba winery. Wines, Manchego cheeses and olive oil added the finishing touches to a route that celebrated authenticity, flavour and hospitality.

And you... would you like to experience all this?

This tour of inland Spain is not just a route from one destination to another: it is an opportunity to experience history, savour the local gastronomy, and connect with breathtaking landscapes and wonderful people at every turn. If you’re after an authentic experience, why not follow in Olivia’s footsteps and enjoy Slow Travel around Spain!