Experience Spain authentically

The region in the south of Spain is located in Europe, but the Orient is omnipresent here. It offers something for every taste: impressions from the works of Antoni Gaudí and the famous “shop window of Barcelona”, the Ramblas. The Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s most famous masterpiece, the Castell la Suda – once the seat of the kings of Aragon -, the charming town of Ronda, known as the cradle of bullfighting, and the many idyllic villages in the middle of the mountains that make up the special charm of Andalusia.

Nobody was left out on this trip! Within just a few weeks, countless kilometres were covered in the motorhome, unforgettable photos were taken and countless moments full of laughter and enjoyment were experienced – including, of course, the delicious tapas, which have a special place.

It is hardly possible to describe all the experiences, but here is an overview of the KUGA TOURS itinerary, which is also highly recommended in retrospect. The starting point was Barcelona, from where we travelled through the fertile countryside with views of the Pyrenees to Lleida. Zaragoza, the residence of the kings of Aragon, impressed with its spacious Plaza del Pilar, the baroque basilica and the magnificent Gothic cathedral of San Salvador.

On the fourth day, the route led via Huesca, past the spectacularly red Mallos de Riglos, to Jaca. This important stop on the Aragonese Way of St James was complemented by a visit to the Monasterio de Leyre before the journey continued to Pamplona. There they enjoyed a café cortado in Hemingway’s favourite bar. The route continued along the Way of St James and the Ebro to the picturesque Rioja, a region that tells its history and solidarity with its exquisite wines. Haro, the wine capital of Spain, offered the opportunity for a wine tasting before travelling via Palencia to Valladolid, an important city of art and former residence of the Spanish kings.

The other stops were like a journey through Spanish culture: Salamanca with its enchanting historic centre, the beautiful towns of Escorial, Alba de Tormes, Avila and San Lorenzo de El Escorial. On the fourteenth day, the halfway point of the trip, the famous “cochinillo asado” (suckling pig) in Segovia was not to be missed. Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, was also visited – a city full of historical treasures, impressive architecture and excellent gastronomy that left lasting memories.

From Toledo, we travelled on to the vast plains of La Mancha and finally to Andalusia, often referred to as classic Spain. Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain, enchanted us with its rich history, magnificent architecture and culinary highlights. Inviting restaurants were everywhere and the variety of tapas was simply impressive.

The journey led through olive groves to Jerez, famous for sherry, the breeding of fine Andalusian horses and as the centre of flamenco, which the group was able to experience at first hand. Back on the coast, they travelled via Marbella and Malaga to Motril and from there along the mighty Sierra Nevada to their final destination: Granada. The sound of the name alone awakens longings, and the Moorish palaces of the Alhambra and the Generalife transported us to another world.

The south of Spain once again impressed us with its diversity. Time flew by and looking through the photos quickly brought back the wanderlust.

Looking back, the strong cohesion of the group was impressive: many unforgettable impressions, cheerful evenings and wonderful shared experiences. While some continued their journey to Portugal or France, others returned home – to Germany or Switzerland. Behind them all lie four and a half eventful weeks full of ¡Viva España!