Olivia's journey: Magical places 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 and the authenticity of every corner. Extremadura was the starting point and Hervás was the first stop. There, nestled amongst chestnut trees and wooden houses, she discovered the essence of the Jerte Valley. She headed to Los Pilones Natural Pool, 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, 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. He 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 he visited the Sanctuary and the emblematic square, feeling the spirituality of the place. He stopped at the Mirador de la Marisma, to watch the flocks of birds.

In the Ronda mountains he 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 that tasted like a garden and pampering. In Setenil de las Bodegas, Olivia marvelled at the architecture carved into the rock. A neighbour invited her to a tavern: "if you have time, stay for after dinner drinks, which is where it really gets good". By the time the first round of tapas was finished, the place was filled with improvised guitar music. "Here we are all family when we sing".

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, 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.

Castilla-La Mancha: crafts, theatre and waterscapes

In La Mancha, Olivia visited Almagro, where she experienced the theatre of the Golden Age at Corral de Comedias. Plaza Mayor, bursting with life and terraces, was a place to chat with neighbours and craftsmen who showed her the bobbin lace technique as well as esparto grass work. The route continued to the Lagunas de Ruidera, a natural park between Ciudad Real and Albacete. There he enjoyed active and sustainable tourism in 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 were the finishing touch to a route that celebrated authenticity, flavour and hospitality.

And you, do you dare to discover it?

This tour of inland Spain is not just a route between destinations: It is an opportunity to experience history, savour the local gastronomy and connect with landscapes and people that surprise at every turn. If you are looking for an authentic experience, follow in Olivia's footsteps and enjoy Slow Travel around Spain.