Pleasant temperatures. Days that lengthen with more hours of light. And natural or historical environments that conquer. It is a perfect time of year to do outdoor activities and give ourselves a disconnection that will give us enough energy to return to our daily routine until the desired summer vacation.
This season thus becomes a kind of summer prologue for a first and delicious dip. And in a necessary spring epilogue to connect with nature and take full advantage of incredible places, without the crowds of summer or the limitations that the mercury demands when it skyrockets.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy cycling. A vehicle that, in addition to not polluting, contributes to improving our health and making us happier – it generates endorphins –, gives us more freedom on our getaways and allows us to enjoy what the landscape offers in a more relaxed way.
Cycle tourism has become a great healthy and sustainable alternative and an increasingly popular option among travelers. Hence many accommodations opt for it. This is the case of Paradores, which already has 27 of its establishments adapted to bicycles, almost 30% of the entire network. They have a repair and washing area, offer associated rental services in the vicinity and propose personalized routes, which the accommodation itself creates to provide unique experiences, in places of great historical value. The appeal is undeniable. And even more so when you can combine it with good breakfasts, which include typical delicacies from the area and dishes prepared at the moment (to leave with your batteries well charged); with wonderful meals, with a purely regional flavor, in its idyllic restaurants; and with a refreshing swim in the pool, to relax at the end of the adventure. Pools from which, by the way, you usually enjoy impressive views of the surroundings. Tempting?
In a privileged place in La Mancha, in the heart of Ciudad Real, we discover a Castilian house, with captivating architecture and a warm atmosphere, perfect for rest and disconnection, where the Parador de Manzanares is located. It does so just a stone’s throw from three unique natural paradises: the Cabañeros Natural Park, known as the Spanish Serengeti, where you can see large birds of prey, deer, roe deer or wild boar up close; the Ruidera Lagoons, a lagoon complex of great beauty, thanks to its crystalline waters and the waterfalls and streams that connect the sixteen aquifers to each other; and the Tablas de Daimiel, a unique wetland in Europe where the waters of the Gigüela and the Guadiana meet, which sees thousands of birds pass by on their migratory routes.
The accommodation cannot offer a better letter of introduction to enjoy the many routes and activities in the area (ask at the Parador about the Nature for the Senses program and discover what the life of a shepherd is like, how the cultivation of the olive tree is developed or how a La Mancha farmhouse that has one of the most important wineries of the 19th century works). Of course, get on your bike – the hotel has a rental service – and let yourself be carried away by how much this place offers.
Don’t forget that, upon returning from the promenade, a wonderful pool awaits you, surrounded by gardens, where you can take the first dip of the season, starting next June 1. To complete the experience, try the migas del pastor, the exquisite shoulder of Manchego suckling pig, and the tasty Manchego ratatouille at the restaurant. In the afternoon a nice walk through the historic city of Almagro awaits you. A cultural finishing touch to your adventure.
Next stop: Carmona. One of the historical jewels of Andalusia for its more than 500 sites that testify to its ancient past. Cobblestone streets and ancient monuments in every corner that will make you feel like you are in another era. Seville is the perfect distance to come visit it and enjoy its elf and charm. But also at the ideal distance to feel in another place and disconnect. The Parador de Carmona, located on the ruins of an old Arab fortress from the 14th century, will become the best refuge to combine history, culture, nature and relaxation. As soon as you enter, you are greeted by an Andalusian-style palatial setting, full of pointed arches, that seems straight out of a fairy tale: a wonderful patio that pays tribute to its past – to the times of the now disappeared Mudejar palace of Pedro I of Castile, which he found here the ideal place for your romantic encounters, impressive panoramic views of the Vega de Corbones landscape, a restaurant with the best of regional cuisine and a serene and refreshing swimming pool, open from March to October, to cool off after a pleasant bike ride through the surroundings.
Be sure to visit the Cueva de la Batida or los Pilares, the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park or the Melonares Reservoir. Also, let yourself be advised by the accommodation and try one of the circular routes, aimed at avid pedallers, such as the one that passes through La Campana, Fuentes de Andalucía or Marchena.
From the top of the imposing walled fortress of Baiona, one of the most beautiful in Spain, which was once besieged by fearsome pirates, a world of possibilities opens up for lovers of history and cycle tourism. With the Parador de Baiona as your starting point, you can embark on exciting bicycle routes that will take you to discover the natural and cultural treasures of the region.
Cycle along the paths that wind along the coast and discover spectacular beaches, such as Barbiera, Ribeira and Concheira. And go to the viewpoints of the Torre del Príncipe and the Virgen de la Roca, from where you can see the impressive Cíes Islands, true jewels of the Atlantic. But the adventure doesn’t stop here. There are routes for experienced cyclists, such as the one that takes you through Santa Marta Beach, Petroglifos Outeiro dos Lameiros and Miradoiro do Cabo Silleiro. Ask at the Parador!
And after a day full of emotions, it won’t hurt to immerse yourself in total calm and enjoy a swim in the pleasant pool (open from June 1 to September 30). Then you can recharge your batteries at the Parador’s restaurant, Torre del Príncipe, or at its gastronomic space, Enxebre A Pinta. A whole array of regional dishes, fresh fish and exquisite seafood to savor the most authentic Galicia.
If you want to discover, in the heart of a Mediterranean oasis, the charms of this region on two wheels, the Parador de Benicarló becomes your best option. A picturesque corner of the Costa del Azahar, recently renovated, which is ideal not only to enjoy the three beaches of the town (La Caracola, Morrongo or La Mar Xica), also to discover how much awaits you in the surroundings. : the old Iberian towns of Puig de la Nao and la Tossa, the castle of Peñíscola or Xivert, the Ebro Delta… The possibilities are endless, and even more so when you have the option of getting on the bike and undertaking one of the routes proposed by the Parador. A hotel, surrounded by gardens and with terraces overlooking the sea, from which you can hear the sound of the waves.
Opened in 1935 as a hostel and converted into a Parador over the years, it captivated Manuel Hazaña (there he set his ‘Velada de Benicarló’) and Antonio Machado (who, while fleeing into exile in France, spent a night in the original hostel). A corner with history and charm perfect to succumb to all the pleasures of a good trip. This will be contributed to by its tempting swimming pool, open from May to October and perfect for relaxation and recreation. And also the seafood cuisine of its restaurant La Arrocería, where, in addition to the star product that gives it its name, fresh fish and artichokes from the area take on a special role. You won’t want to leave.
Only half an hour separates Valladolid from Tordesillas. A historic town that invites you to immerse yourself in its glorious past. The Treaty Houses (where Spain and Portugal divided the world) and the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara are living witnesses of that time. A place of history, whose surroundings are full of activities for the most adventurous: from bicycle rides along picturesque routes to exciting journeys along the Pisuerga River. The area offers a lot: the historic Valladolid, the emblematic Castillo de la Mota in Medina del Campo or the possibility of enjoying wine tourism, thanks to the proximity to important designations of origin such as Rueda, Toro, Ribera del Duero and Cigales, which which adds an extra touch to the experience.
And to enjoy all this, the best option is the Parador de Tordesillas, protected by a lush pine forest and embellished by a well-kept garden. A manor house, with the vocation of a palace, as its imposing columns attest, which combines the Castilian charm with the modernity of its facilities: an outdoor pool (open from June 7), a heated pool and a jacuzzi that will become a real gift after exploring the area.
