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Return Holiday to Spain? Don’t overlook these 14 Hidden Spanish SightsPosted on October 4, 2013 by Totally Spain

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Time to go back to Spain? If you are thinking about another Spain vacation, we have 14 remarkable HiddenSpanish Sights we believe will knock your socks off. All are well known by the Spanish but amazingly, they don’t seem to get theattention internationally they deserve. No harm in that at all as it means they are much quieter than the big attractions. So, if youare planning a return holiday to Spain do consider including some of these lesser known Spanish gems in your itinerary. Youwon’t be disappointed.

1 Medulas de Leon, Leon CASTILLE & LEON

This amazing landscape – a World Heritage Site – is the result of Roman gold-mining techniques. The cultural park lies withinthe Bierzo region – which has a great wine tradition. You’ll find an information centre in the village of Las Medulas – from therethey can advise you on guided visits, walking, cycling and driving routes. The nearest city is Ponferrada (24km) which is 114kmfrom Leon city.

2 The Palace of Villadompardo (including the Arabic Baths), Jaen ANDALUSIA

The Palace of the Counts of Villadompardo, in the city of Jaen, is a beautiful renaissance style building from the 16th century.However the Arabic baths within the palace, date back to the 11th century. They were only discovered in 1913 and were restoredin 1970. You can visit the palace and the baths – and under the same roof you’ll also find the International Museum of Naive Artand Jaen’s Museum of Art and Popular Customs. Jaen is 94km north of Granada.

3 Frias, Burgos CASTILLE & LEON

This Castillian town is best known for its mediaeval bridge, hanging houses, castle and church. It dates back to the 9th centuryand has preserved its mediaeval layout and atmosphere beautifully. Curiously, the Romanesque front of the church of San Vicenteis now in New York. It was moved there when its tower collapsed. Frias is 40km from Miranda de Ebro – and we wholeheartedlyrecommend the drive along the Ebro River from Mirando de Ebro to Frias via Sobron – absolutely stunning.

Medulas de Leon. Photo credit: Trodel via photopin cc

Palace of Villardompardo. Photo credit www.dipujaen.es

Frias in Burgos. Photo credit: ferlomu via photopin cc

4 Oñati BASQUE COUNTRY

Painter Ignacio Zuloaga called it the Basque Toledo and we agree. It’s home to a renaissance university, a gothic monastery andbaroque council building so there’s something for every taste. The noble town is snugly nestled in between the mountains and ontop of caverns and streams. It’s close to the Aizkorri National Park and just 46km to Vitoria/Gasteiz and 74km to Bilbao.

5 Zafra EXTREMADURA

A wonderful mix of Moorish and Christian influences, we enjoy visiting the 15th century parador which has 9 stunning roundtowers. Also noteworthy is the 18th century Plaza Grande, the 16th century Plaza Chica and the Santa Clara convent from 1430.Inside the walls the streets are whitewashed and cobbled – outside the walls lies a modern city. It’s 62km to Merida and 136kmto Seville.

6 Sierra de Gredos CASTILLE & LEON

One of the most extensive mountain ranges of the Central System, this typically granite-based natural park draws its contoursfrom a number of separate magma convulsions. It is an area enriched with plant life and has five endemic species. Its highestpeak is Pico Almanazor at 2592m. Pictured here is Barco de Avila overlooking the Sierra. It’s 74km to Avila.

7 Ubeda (& Baeza), Jaen ANDALUSIA

Ubeda and nearby town Baeza (just 10km away) are in the heart of the olive growing countryside and a drive around the area iswell-rewarded. Its golden age was in the 16th century – which is the time when most of its spectacular renaissance stylechurches and palaces were constructed. Together with Baeza, it is listed as an UNESCO heritage site. Ubeda is home to anunbelievable five palaces – and Baeza another two. Pictured is the 13th century Santa Maria de los Alcazares Church of with its17th century facade. Ubeda is 60km from Jaen.

Oñati – the Basque Country. Photo credit: svet via photopin cc

Zafra Extremadura. Photo credit: Antonio Fiol via photopin cc

Sierra de Gredos. Photo credit: p_v a l d i v i e s o via photopin cc

Ubeda, Jaen. Photo credit: . SantiMB . via photopin cc

8 Cudillero ASTURIAS

A beautiful fishing village that appears to drop straight from the hillside down into the old fishing port. Great for eating seafoodplatters and some picture-perfect maritime walks to the new marina. It’s on the Camino de Santiago on the Northern Way so you’llsee quite a few pilgrims with shells in the area. It’s 50km away (by car) from Gijon and 58km from Oviedo.

9 Arcos de la Frontera ANDALUSIA

A warren of narrow streets and white-washed houses, Arcos’ name derives from its location at the frontier of the clash with theMoors in the 13th century. You should visit the churches, castle, city hall and enjoy the vertigo-inducing views from the wallsdown to the valley. Do not drive your car inside this walled city if it’s much bigger than a Mini. It is 36km from Jerez.

10 Trujillo EXTREMADURA

Founded by the Romans and fortified by the Moors in the 13th century, Trujillo was enriched financially and architecturally by itsmany immigrants who made their fortunes in the Americas. See the Plaza Mayor, three palaces, the Torre del Alfiler, threechurches and castle. It’s 45km to Caceres and 88km to Merida.

Cudillero, Asturias. Photo credit: javier.losa via photopin cc

Arcos de la Frontera, Andalusia. Photo credit: Shemsu.Hor via photopin cc

Trujillo, Extremadura. Photo credit: MiquelGP54 via photopin cc

11 Chinchon MADRID

Infamous in Spain for the aniseed drink which is produced in the hills around the town – the town’s almost circular plaza isoverlooked by lovely galleried houses from the 15th and 16th centuries.Offering relatively little to do other than enjoy the mainsquare, this charming town is a great place to do just that. Enjoy a few hours with a drink or a meal in the plaza and watch lifetake place around you. It has three big festivals each year – in March for the Anis, in October for its garlic and bullfighting takesplace in the main square in October also. It’s located 21km from Aranjuez so it’s a pleasant add-on to a trip there. It’s 46km toMadrid.

12 Los Valles Pasiegos CANTABRIA

Between the bay of Santander and the northern Merindades region of Burgos, you’ll find the valleys of the River Pas. It was once aregion where herdsmen – called pasiegos – moved their herds up the valleys in the summer months and down in the coolerseasons. Many of the Summer stone houses can be found at the peaks of the Valles Pasiegos – such as the ‘cabana’ in the photobelow taken at San Roque de Riomiera – which is 40km from Santander. Expect to read more about this area if the localgovernment secures the private funding for a cable-car route.

13 Albarracín ARAGON

Hidden in between the Sierra of Albarracin, this mediaeval town with its reddish tones is located on a spectacular platformperched on top of the Guadalaviar River. The walls, which appear to climb up the hill behind the city, date back to 10th century(although some sections were rebuilt in the 14th century). The streets are long, narrow and winding – and the views areenchanting. Visit the Plaza Mayor and see the hanging houses that wouldn’t look out of place in Cuenca. It’s 38km from Teruel.

14 Cies Islands (including Rodas beach) GALICIA

An hour’s boat trip from Vigo or 40 mins from Baiona will take you to the Islas Cies – consisting of Monteagudo Island,Lighthouse Island and San Martino Island. The last two are joined by Rodas Beach which is adored by writers and photographers.This stunning set of remote islands with white sand and crystal water overlooks the entrance to the Vigo estuary. The area wasdeclared a national park in 1980 and is home to the largest colony of seagulls in the world. There is a visitor centre, shop andrestaurant on the islands.

Chinchon, Madrid. Photo credit: druidabruxux via photopin cc

Los Valles Pasiegos, Cantabria. Photo credit: Jozelui via photopin cc

Albarracin, Aragon. Photo credit: sergioski1982 via photopin cc

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Cies Islands. Photo credit: PincasPhoto via photopin cc

Planning a return trip to Spain and looking for something out of the ordinary? Why not contact TotallySpain.com by phoningSpain: +34-942-637358 USA: 1-888-717-4514 UK: 0871-6660214 or GET IN TOUCH or REQUEST A QUOTE and let us atTotallySpain.com put together a customised package including accommodation, travel, tickets and guided-tours for Spain’sHidden Gems.

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