This tour at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula will take you through bucolic mountain landscapes of spectacular beauty. We start in Ávila, the highest capital of a province in Spain to arrive after five days of pedaling in Salamanca, the city that houses the oldest active university in Spain. Both cities offer countless delicious, picturesque and tasty corners. You will be expoilded by their exquisite gastronomy aboundant in quality local products and prestigious wines from the region. The route will bring us closer to the central massif of the Sierra de Gredos whose highest peak, Almanzor, will look at us from its 2,592 m. of altitude. Quite easily, we can even contemplate some of the wild goats grazing on the inclined slopes of these mountains.
The town of Ávila is known by its medieval walls. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. It is also one of the towns with the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches. We love the ambience at Plaza del Mercado Grande, a charming space to enjoy coffee and take in on the daily routine of locals.
Built between 1926 and 1928, under the rule of King Alfonso XIII, it would eventually became the first hotel in the Paradores network. Many years later, its walls welcomed the first meeting to draw the master lines of the current Spanish Constitution. The building is located in a spectacular setting at a walk distance of the central massif of Gredos.
Barco de Ávila dominates the banks of the river Tormes. History says that the first people to settle on its promontories were the Vettones, a celtic people who stablished their castro (town) where the actual castle is set. The names of some of the towns around Barco also tell us of its Muslim past, names such as Navamorisca, Navalmoro or Navamures.
This mountain village – listed in 1975 as of cultural interest – deserves a gentle stroll though its beauteous streets. Renound for its well preserved architecture with woody balconies, surprising ‘batipuertas’ – a sort of half-doors protecting the main entrance – and running water channeled through the streets, Candelario brings to our walks the scent of past times.
Located in the Sierra de Francia, La Alberca is surrounded by magnificent woods of chestnut trees and oaks. It was once inhabited by converted Jews – people who had to give public proof of its true conversion to Cristiany. That is why in many of its doorpost we can still read religious inscriptions. From medieval times, under the rule of Alfonso IX, the region was repopulated with French people and that is why the name Sierra de Francia. Here we find again a well preserved traditional architecture which takes us back to the
past.
Its name tells us about the abundance of water in this small town which belongs to the province of Salamanca. The place is also known for the skill of its stonemasons, who made themselves a name by extracting and beautifully carving the stone of granite, so plentiful in the area. The most important buildings in town are a good sample of their craft.
Salamanca is synonymous with University life, monumental buildings and fiesta. Its ambience is equal to none in Spain and it is also an insuperable place if you want to enjoy
a glass of wine with tapas. This great Castilian town on the banks of the river Tormes takes pride of its two cathedrals, one of them in Romanic the other in Gothic styles, its countless historica buildings, many of which are home to its University departments and, arguably the most beautiful main square in Spain.
Should you like to spend extra nights in one of the locations, please let us know in your inquiry and we will give you a quote
