Friday, May 17, 2024

Backroads: Madrid to Valencia, from capital to coast

Madrid to Valencia, from capital to coast. Start off following Vía Verdes, which are cycle routes along former railway lines. 

The route then takes you through historic and handsome towns such as Huete, Cuenca and Albarracín, over the Sierra de Altamira as well as the limestone, forested terrain of Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park. 

The last stretch is on a rugged plateau followed by a long, gradual descent. Along forests and orchards you’ll finally reach the Mediterranean sea and the great cultural hub Valencia.

36 Hours in Valencia



The whole route is on quiet roads and cycling paths; the landscapes are as beautiful as they are varied and, underway, you visit several nice, authentic villages and stunning little towns: Huete, Cuenca, Albarracín, Teruel…

  • Cycling tour of 9 stages through great nature and towns
  • Average daily distance of about 55 km/34 miles
  • 40% of the route on Vía Verde cycling paths
  • Good hotels, cafes, rental bikes and luggage transport
  • ‘Challenge!’ version: the same route in 7 stages
  • Discover the preserved medieval city of Cuenca, with its arresting position high above the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar Rivers 
  • Bike through Alicante and Costa Blanca regions, from limestone cliffs and woodland to whitewashed villages overlooking the sea 
  • Savor authentic paella from vibrant Valencia, the birthplace of this beloved dish 
  • Marvel at whimsical rock formations in Ciudad Encantada, including the Sea of Stone and the Mushrooms 



La Bicicleta Café – Madrid, ES

La Bicicleta Café in downtown Madrid sees itself as a hub for likeminded individuals, a creative workspace, and a venue for all sorts of bicycles. Nip by for a quick pre-ride coffee, or attend one of La Bicicleta’s events. They live stream races, which makes professional cycling that bit more social if you come down in a group to watch, or just raise your head every now and then from your laptop to see if the break sticks. 

Website: facebook.com/labicicletacafe


  • La Fabrica – Girona, ES

    The Meier’s strike back. La Fabrica is the third venture from former pro Christian Meier and his wife Amber, who also run Espresso Mafia and The Service Course. While Espresso Mafia focuses on the coffee, La Fabrica is primarily known for its delicious food as well. A visit to Girona wouldn’t be complete without at least one brunch at La Fabrica. 

    Website: lafabricagirona.com


    Website: federalCafé.es


When asked why we ride our bikes, ‘freedom’ is usually one of the first words to bounce off our lips. But cycling doesn’t just enrich our lives with a sense of liberty, it also connects us to the people we ride with, to our own bodies and our wellbeing, as well as to the landscapes and cultures we cycle through.  
*** love the cafe name in UK  lookmumnohands.com

 Hot property: five homes for sale in north-west Spain From a traditional Galician-style stone villa to a contemporary house with floor-to-ceiling mountain views



House, Pontevedra, €4mn

Where Just outside the small town of Gondomar in the Galicia region. The coastline at Playa América is a 10-minute drive away, while further up the coast the cities of Vigo and Pontevedra are both less than 40 minutes by car.
What An 18th-century manor house that was fully restored in 1970. Laid out in a U-shape around a central patio, it has six bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a south-facing solarium and a terrace lined with striking arches.
Why The property’s 10 hectares of land, located on a south-oriented slope, include an outdoor swimming pool as well as oak and walnut trees.
contemporary house with dark wood veranda, floor to ceiling windows and abundant greenery

House, Oviedo, €1.995mn

Where In the Montecerrao area of Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region. The property is surrounded by greenery with mountains in view, while the city centre can be reached in 15 minutes on foot. Gijón, a coastal city on the Bay of Biscay, is a 30-minute drive away.
What A contemporary house with seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms across nearly 840 sq m of interior space. There is a double-height studio area which could be used as an office or library, as well as an indoor heated swimming pool with changing rooms.
Why In addition to several terraces the house has abundant floor-to-ceiling windows, which bring in natural light and views of the nearby Aramo mountains. Hiking trails at the foot of the mountains are about 30 minutes away.
stone villa surrounded by trees and lawns

Estate, Tui, €1.25mn 

Where In the foothills of Monte Aloia. which is in southern Galicia. The nearest town is Tui, which sits right on the River Minho marking the border between Spain and Portugal. Vigo airport is around 20 minutes away by car.
What A traditional Galician-style stone villa which dates back to the mid-19th century, with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms across 644 sq m of interior space. On the first floor, five of the bedrooms share a balcony that overlooks the outdoor pool.
What The 2.5-acre estate comprises a manicured garden with orchards and entertainment areas, as well as private land made up of forests and streams.
house with shuttered windows, clad in purple-ish-pink flowers with canopied patio in foreground

House, A Coruña, €2.65mn

Where Near the small coastal town of Bergondo, and a 20-minute drive from A Coruña, a port city and one of the financial centres of Galicia. Santiago de Compostela, the region’s capital and destination of the Camino pilgrimage, is 45 minutes away by car.
What A 600 sq m house with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. The property also includes a caretaker’s house, a private chapel and an additional building. The three-room living space on the ground floor leads on to a glazed porch to the side of the building, and the basement has a games area with billiards.
Why The property has large shuttered windows looking out on to the well-tended garden, which is catalogued with native species. The outdoor space also includes a covered swimming pool and dining area.
stone house with tower, large stone forecourt with fountain

House, Voto, €1.175mn

Where On a hillside in the rural area of Voto, which is part of the autonomous region of Cantabria on Spain’s northern coast. Santander airport is about 40 minutes away by car.
What A five-bedroom, six-bathroom restored tower house with 473 sq m of interior space. It has an outdoor dining area and an adjoining estate of more than 8.5 acres.
Why The original contract for the 1617 construction of this property is stored in Cantabria’s historical archive. While the house retains some period features such as stone walls and archways, there are contemporary fittings in the bathrooms and kitchen.
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