#MAGICALTOWNS-GRAND ROUTE OF MAGICAL CITIES AND VILLAGES OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS

Arrival at the rural accommodation that we choose for you to enjoy a GENUINE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE ON THE GREAT ROUTE OF MAGICAL CITIES AND VILLAS OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS. It is a fascinating tour of some of the most beautiful and emblematic towns in Spain. Divided into two parts, this route takes us through a journey through time to discover the history and culture of each of the villages that make it up. In the second part of the route, we will visit villages such as Arévalo, Turégano, Peñaranda de Duero, Peñafiel, Castronuño, Tiedra, San Facundo, Sahagún, Becerril de Campos, Frómista, Brañosera, Cangas de Onís. Each of them has its own personality and characteristics, but they all share a great history and an exceptional cultural and artistic heritage. The Route of Magical Cities and Villas of the Ancient Kingdoms is a unique opportunity to get to know some of the most beautiful and interesting places in Spain. You will arrive at the accommodation we chose, with time to rest from the trip and choose the best outfit for tonight. We will invite you to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. Return to the accommodation to rest.

After a wonderful night you will go down to breakfast because you have to regain strength for the day ahead. Today we set off to discover the treasures of Arévalo. We start by visiting the Plaza de la Villa. It is considered one of the most beautiful arcaded squares in Spain. It is a magnificent example of popular Castilian architecture that was the nerve centre of the town in medieval times. It is flanked by the churches of San Martín and Santa María, from the twelfth century. In the space between the two, the square was configured with buildings built with the characteristic arcades and frameworks of wood and brick. Next, we will visit the Castle of Arévalo. Fifteenth-century castle refurbished by order of the Catholic Monarchs to turn it into an artillery fortress. It presents brick for these adaptation works, with the characteristic Mudejar touch, typical of the area. It has a pentagonal floor plan with a large keep and has an advanced moat with remains of defences. We will end our tour with a Hiking Route on the River Walk. A walk that combines the opportunity to get to know the cultural and natural heritage of Arévalo. The route runs parallel to the paths of the Adaja and Arevalillo rivers. It is a tour that invites you to enjoy the flora and fauna characteristic of the area and to learn about the rich historical heritage of Arévalo. After this fantastic nature tour we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Arévalo and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Turégano. It dazzles with its imposing medieval castle and historic architecture. Its cobbled alleys and serene atmosphere invite you to explore its timeless charm and rich heritage. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner in a Typical Restaurant. After a full day, return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Turégano. We start by visiting El Castillo. The castellating of the church of San Miguel over successive construction stages resulted in a building of overwhelming beauty. At the end of the twelfth century, the Battle of Alarcos took place, in which the Christians suffered a great defeat. It is possible that at that time it was decided to build a wall surrounding the hill on which the church had begun to be built. Next, we will walk through the Plaza de España. It is the center of the daily life of the people of Turegan. Located in the heart of the town centre, at the foot of the castle, it is formed as an open space around the path that connects the churches of San Miguel and Santiago. We will continue to the Church of Santiago and Pilón de Santiago. Declared a BIC in 1983, the church of Santiago is the only parish that has been preserved of the four that the town once had. Turégano today maintains a good number of pylons throughout the town that speak of its importance in times past as they were used to supply water to livestock and the population. Among all of them, the one located in the Plaza de Santiago stands out, which, according to the inscription on its front, was built in 1781, in the time of Charles III. We will end our visit in the old Jewish Quarter. One of the neighborhoods of the town still offers the characteristic configuration of the Castilian Jewish quarters. The old synagogue was located where the parish house is currently located. After this walk through history we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Turégano and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Peñaranda de Duero. Walled town with a fifteenth-century castle, its main square and the ex-collegiate church of Santa Ana. The complex formed by the Castle, the Palace of Avellaneda and the town, was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region in a local restaurant. Return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Peñaranda de Duero. We start the visit in the historic center. Walking through Peñaranda de Duero is a "journey through time". Streets that preserve the traditional architecture of adobe, stone and wood. Balconies and arcaded houses, gateways to the town, transport us to another time and everything, presided over by the imposing image of the fortress of the Castle of Peñaranda de Duero, which stands as the guardian of the majestic town from the grandeur of the Plaza Mayor. Next, we will visit the Castle. It is a large fortress that clearly dominates the hamlet, although the first defences of Peñaranda could have been erected simultaneously with its repopulation, between the middle and end of the fifteenth century. It has a great similarity with other castles in the riverside region, such as Peñafiel. The monumentality and construction quality makes it considered one of the most impressive castles in the province of Burgos, which earned it the declaration of Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. Inside the Tower of Homage, the Castle Interpretation Centre has been installed. Next, we will visit the Palace of Avellaneda. It is a Renaissance palace from the first third of the sixteenth century, and the years of construction were between 1515 and 1530. It was built by Don Francisco de Zúñiga y Avellaneda, III Count of Miranda. It is from the First Spanish Renaissance, in the Plateresque style and perhaps one of the first palaces in the style of the Italian Renaissance to be built in Castile. In 1923 it was declared a National Historic Monument. In this architectural jewel some of the best carved roofs in Castile and Mudejar and Plateresque plasterwork are preserved. After this historical tour we will learn about the winemaking tradition of Peñaranda de Duero on a visit to the La Cárcel Underground Winery, located on the ground floor of the City Hall. In addition, we will taste a wine in an artisanal ceramic glass. We will then invite you to eat at a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Peñaranda de Duero and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Peñafiel. Mesmerize with its iconic castle and vineyards that hug hills. Wine history, with its Wine Museum and panoramic views attract those seeking cultural authenticity and natural beauty. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on some of the region's specialties, in a typical restaurant. After a full day return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Peñafiel. We start by visiting the Church and Convent of San Pablo. In the old fortress of Alfonso X El Sabio, the Infante Don Juan Manuel built in 1324 the current Gothic-Mudejar convent where he was buried. This emblematic monument of Peñafielense was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931. The exterior of this Asset of Cultural Interest stands out for the exuberance of the arches made of brick, in Mudejar Gothic style, which contrast radically with the rich decoration of the funerary chapel of the Manuel, built two centuries later in Plateresque style. Then we will visit the Regional Museum of Sacred Art. It is located inside the Church of Santa María (Plaza de España), where this museum space shows its visitors a large part of the artistic heritage of religious themes of both Peñafiel and the region. Next, we will visit the Casa de la Ribera Museum. It allows the visitor to delve into the life and customs of the people of the early twentieth century. A group of actors embodies the inhabitants of the house in the past, in a representation full of interactions that make the tourist experience unlikely situations in our days, but everyday in the Peñafiel of a century ago. We will end our tour with a visit to the Provincial Wine Museum with Tasting. We will then invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Peñafiel and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Castronuño. Located in the province of Valladolid, in the heart of the D.O. Toro. In addition to its wines, it has a rich historical and cultural heritage, such as its Gothic church of Santa María del Castillo. At the end of the afternoon you will arrive at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out to dine on one of the typical dishes of the region, in a Typical Restaurant. After a full day I return to the accommodation to rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Castronuño. We start by visiting the Church of Santa María del Castillo . It is a building built in the first half of the thirteenth century, with characteristics of an advanced Romanesque, under Gothic influences, larger than a conventional hermitage. Sta. Mª del Castillo was declared a BIC monument (Asset of Cultural Interest) in 1962. Inside, on the main altar, it houses an important pathetic Christ of Rhenish origin from the fourteenth century. A carving of which there are only two others in Spain. Next, we will walk through the Underground Cellars. The subsoil of Castronuño is pierced by numerous cellars and underground excavations. The origin dates back to between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries and they have traditionally been used for winemaking. Currently, there are two winery districts, Parque de la Muela and Calle Miralrio. We will finish our tour by doing a Hiking Route in the Riberas de Castronuño Nature Reserve. With more than 8,400 hectares, the Riberas de Castronuño – Vega del Duero, become in their own right the only space in the province included in the Network of Natural Spaces. It has various fauna species, both aquatic and birds, and a chromatic variety that gives it its different plant species, such as poplars, reedbeds or holm oaks. We will then invite you to lunch, in a typical restaurant. We will then say goodbye to Castronuño and continue to the next Magical Town on our route, Tiedra. A charming pre-Roman village, it captivates with its history and nature. Cobbled streets, medieval castle and rural beauty attract visitors in search of authenticity and tranquillity. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Before returning to the accommodation, visit the Tiedra Astronomical Center. Both day and night, the Tiedra Astronomical Centre offers you astronomical observation sessions through 2 telescopes. One allows us to observe the sun and other planets and the other brings closer more distant and less bright objects such as nebulae and galaxies.

Have an early breakfast and head out to discover Tiedra Castle. There was a first castle in Tiedra from the tenth century that is mentioned in the Romancero de Zamora, but the fortress that we can see is a little later, from the twelfth century. Built on the edge of the moor, the castle is dominated by a graceful 33-metre keep completely surrounded by a parade ground in which rooms such as stables, kitchens, bedrooms... It has a basement, three floors and the impressive rooftop viewpoint. We will continue with our tour and visit the Tiedra de Lavanda Interpretation Center. First interpretation centre dedicated to the world of lavender: A journey through its varieties, places and cultivation methods, how aromas are extracted or its presence in our culture and customs throughout history. It is located in the vicinity of extensive lavender plantations, and also has a variety test field in its facility. Visit their store dedicated to the sale of dried flowers, soaps, sachets, bouquets, essential oils and handicrafts. We will end our tour with a Honey Beekeeping experience Setentaynueve. The best way to learn about bees is to put on your suit and go see them. We offer you this activity where we show the most important aspects of the life of bees and beekeepers, having a good time in nature, you will value the work of these workers! Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Tiedra and continue to the next Magical Town on our Route, San Facundo. It is a town surrounded by nature that invites you to disconnect. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation. 

We will start in the Plaza Mayor, where the traditional stone and wooden houses that surround this picturesque corner are located. Afterwards, we will go to the Church of San Facundo, which stands as a symbol of the town. We will continue to the Pilgrims' Fountain, where we can refresh ourselves with fresh mountain water. Then, we will follow a trail that will take us to the enchanting Argutorio River. We will walk along the water, among lush trees and small waterfalls. Later, we will visit the restored San Facundo Mill, a place full of history where we will learn about the ancient milling techniques of the region. From there, we will go up to the Mirador de los Montes de León, where we will enjoy spectacular views of the valley and the mountains that surround the town. At the end of our tour, we will return to the center of the town to have a well-deserved feast. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will say goodbye to San Facundo and continue our route to the next Magical Town, Sahagún. Medieval city with a rich Historical Heritage and 6 BICs, including: the Royal Monastery of San Benito, the Church of San Tirso and the Monastery of San Pedro de las Dueñas. It also has D.O. Tierra de León. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Sahagún. We will start by visiting the Sanctuary of La Peregrina. It was a Franciscan convent founded around 1257, today the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim is located on the outskirts of the town, sitting on a hill. Next, we will visit the Church of San Lorenzo. Built entirely of brick, it is the other jewel of Sahagun's Romanesque. Perfect geometry of Moorish brick presents the same architectural characteristics as that of San Tirso, plan, naves and apses, as well as a magnificent four-storey tower that decreases in height. We will end this tour by visiting the Pantheon of King Alfonso VI of León. Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Sahagún and continue to the next Magical Town on our Route, Becerril de Campos. Declared a BIC in 2004, a visit to its Church of Santa Eugenia and the house of the stars: San Pedro Cultural, a twelfth-century church converted into a cultural centre, is a must. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Becerril de Campos. We start by visiting San Pedro Cultural. If Becerril de Campos is recognized as the town of the stars, it is thanks to San Pedro Cultural, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Province of Palencia. It is an old Romanesque church from the twelfth century that has now been converted into a centre dedicated to astronomy, thanks to a surprising restoration that sought to respect the existing ruin. We will appreciate the Torre Múdejar de San Martín. The church of San Martín was built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The entrance to the church was through a cobbled atrium and its portico was supported by Romanesque columns. We will finish our tour by walking through the Solar System. In Becerril de Campos you can "walk" through the Solar System reproduced to scale through its streets at a scale of 1:10,000,000,000. Although the planets have been depicted all over the town, they are tiny in an almost empty Solar System. If the Solar System were the size of the locality, the planets would be just small dots, almost grains of sand. Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Becerril de Campos and continue to the next Magical Town on our Route, Frómista. In the heart of Tierra de Campos, it is emblematic on the Camino de Santiago. He stood out in 1066 with the foundation of the Monastery of San Martín, whose Romanesque church is a notable historical legacy. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation. For a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Frómista. We start by visiting the Church of San Martín de Tours. It was built by order of Doña Mayor de Castilla as part of a monastery, now disappeared. Its style is related to the Romanesque of the Palencia area and to the cathedral of Jaca. In the twelfth century, it became dependent on the Cluniac priory of San Zoilo in Carrión de los Condes. Throughout the Middle Ages, it changed hands several times and suffered additions during the fifteenth century, later removed in the restoration undertaken in the nineteenth century. The iconography of its capitals and corbels is a striking testimony to the art and spirituality of the time. Next, we will visit the Vestigia, Legend of the Camino Museum. Located in the church of Santa María del Castillo, it is an audiovisual show that allows visitors to delve into the history of the Camino de Santiago and Frómista, thanks to panoramic screens, 3D images, talking statues or giant books. A 35-minute tour that offers a different, playful and didactic visit. Then we will take a short Boat Ride on the Camino Juan de Homar. Explore the beautiful Canal de Castilla from the unique perspective of this sightseeing boat. Sailing in the land of fields, traveling part of the Camino de Santiago is a different experience. Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Frómista and continue to the next Magical Town on our Route, Brañosera. The oldest town, in the province of Palencia. Rich history, founded in 824, preserves ancestral traditions. Rural charm, living testimony of centuries-old heritage in a breathtaking natural setting. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Brañosera. We will start by visiting the Church of Valberzoso. The primitive church of this town was the monastery of Santa Eufemia. Today, the Church of Santa María la Real stands at the highest point of the village. The structure has a single nave with an open doorway to the south wall, a belfry at the foot and a semicircular apse preceded by a presbytery. Although masonry and ashlar are used, golden sandstone ashlar predominates. Next, we will visit the oldest town hall in Spain. This small town was recognized by Congress as the first type of organization among settlers in Spain or, in other words, as the oldest town in the country, as its town charter dated 824 was recognized as the first granted in Spain. We will finish our tour with a Hiking Route in the Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre Natural Park. The natural, scenic, faunal and botanical value of the Palencia Mountain led to its declaration as a Natural Park under the name of Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre in the year 2000. Beyond its undeniable tourist attractions, the Palentine Mountain is a highly sensitive space, the natural habitat of the brown bear and the capercaillie, as well as various botanical species specific to these places. Then we will invite you to eat a typical dish of the region, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Brañosera and continue to the last Magical Town of our Route, Cangas de Ónis. At the foot of the Picos de Europa with the Sanctuary of Covadonga, the Lakes, the descent of the Sella in a canoe, King Pelayo, the cheese of Gamonéu..., all this and much more is Cangas de Onís. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner, in a Typical Restaurant. Return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Cangas de Ónis. We will start by visiting the Basilica of Covadonga. The first construction in the Holy Cave dates from the times of Alfonso I the Catholic, who ordered the construction of a chapel to commemorate the victory of King Pelayo against the Muslims. The current carving of the Virgin of Covadonga dates from the sixteenth century and was donated to the Sanctuary of Covadonga by the Chapter of the Cathedral of Oviedo in 1778. In the cave is the tomb of King Pelayo. The Basilica of Covadonga was inaugurated on September 7, 1901, and Pope Leo XIII granted it the dignity of a Basilica. It is a neo-Romanesque style monument built entirely with pink limestone from the vicinity. Next, we will appreciate the natural beauty of Los Lagos de Covadonga and the Picos de Europa National Park: Cangas de Onís, and specifically Covadonga, is the main access to the Park, through the road that leads directly to Los Lagos; the climb offers a complete panoramic view of all the possible landscapes of the Picos de Europa. The National Park is an excellent example of high mountain Atlantic ecosystems, with a high ecological interest, extraordinary natural beauty and the survival of a unique ancestral culture, pastoralism. We will end our tour with a fantastic Nature Hiking Route. Before the farewell of this magnificent route we will invite you to eat in a local restaurant.