Much more than wineries...

Normally when we go on vacations or for a long weekend, we tend to organize everything till the minimal detail (I say "we" referring to the usual practice, because normally I'm a complete exception to this rule), which may turn your holidays even more stressful than the normal week routine...

As I said before, I will be the exception to this rule, usually quickly look at some guides or blogs to see what to do, where to eat and visit, but usually we just follow our intuition when we are already there.





 

In last weekend's trip the surprise factor was completly enhanced. Apart from visiting the wineries Portia, a birthday gift from my friend Ana, we hadn't anything planned... which in this case was clearly a good choice ... In terms of tourism, the weather forecast could not be worse: cold and rain. For this reason, as I wrote on yesterday's post, we decided to choose a comfortable hotel to stay - Hotel Boutique & Spa Capítulo Trece, and the plan was no more than rest and rest...





 

We left Madrid by mid-morning, and after 150 kms between rain and some snow we arrived Maderuelo. After the check in in the hotel we asked for some advice about where we could have lunch and then come back to the hotel for the planed target: a nap!

 

Following the recommendation we went to lunch at Ayllón, a medieval village where after the great lunch at La Tenada del chispano we went for a little walk and, as it didn't stop raining we returned to the hotel to rest ...

On Sunday, after the wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we visited the winery of Portia, that you'll be able to read about it tomorrow here on the blog. We had lunch in Aranda de Duero, and as it stopped raining, we went through the Parque Natural del Río Hoces Riaza where for the first time in my life I saw vultures, Gyps fulvus, which made me recall the afternoons spent with the Owl Group observe birds in the nature reserve of the Tagus estuary in Portugal ... 

A pity not to have a little more zoom for pictures and take a closer look ...

Finally, taking into account the weather conditions it was really a great surprise this two-day trip on the region of Castilla y León, Spain.



Travel roadmap:

Lengh: 2 days

Region: Castilla y León, Spain





Where to sleep: Maderuelo - 150 kms north of Madrid

What to see:





Ayllón

Maderuelo

Parque Natural del Río Hoces Riaza (home to the park is in Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela)

Wineries in the region of Ribera del Duero

Where to Eat:

La Tenada del Chispano (Ayllón)

El Lagar de Isilla (Aranda de Duero)

Casa Pablito (Corral de Ayllon)

A new chapter in Maderuelo

Javi and Isabel are writing a new chapter in the history of the medieval village of Maderuelo...

Due to the bad weather forecast for the weekend we looked for  a comfortable and charming hotel where we could relax and "switch off" from the stress of the previous week... Today I still think that if I put the keywords: rural housing, rest, zen, kindness in a search engine the result would certainly be: Hotel Boutique & Spa Capítulo Trece...

Every detail has been carefully thought and installed. From the exterior of the building that cannot be differentiated from the surroundings to the excellent quality of materials that, despite the bad weather conditions, allowed us to relax in total comfort.

With only 5 rooms we stayed at the "hide of the wind", ( a bedroom with a large bathroom, wireless as in all the hotel and plenty of light. And if you are concerned about cold?! The excellent quality of materials and radiant floor took care of it ...

Downstairs, there are the other special areas. Apart from the breakfast/dinning room and the living room, there is a small Spa composed by a sauna and a jacuzzi where we enjoyed alone an hour of relaxation with a perfect ending, a natural fruit juice prepared at the moment!

As I started this post, this space would not be the same without the enormous value added by all the details that its owners daily take care of ... The delicious breakfast that both carefully prepare, the permanent concern to help us on where to visit, where to eat, what wines to buy, if we'd rested well, or if something was missing but, at the same time with the right distance for to let us an atmosphere as relaxed and romantic as possible.

 

As an improvement opportunity, to serve dinner or a snack on Sunday, so after relaxing in the spa you do not have to go out from hotel to have dinner ...

I end as I started this post, wishing Isabel and Javi many years to writing the "thirteen chapter" of the history of Maderuelo ...

Where?

C / San Miguel # 18 40554

Maderuelo Segovia, Spain

TEL: 921 556 395

FAX: 921 125 696

EMAIL reservas@capitulotrece.com

WEB www.capitulotrece.com

Walking around:

- Natural Park del Hoces Riaza

- Aranda de Duero

- Ayllón

- Wine Region "Ribera del Duero"

The best piglet I tasted in Spain...

Duque is a traditional Spanish grill, divided in dining rooms all with a very typical decoration.

I recommend you to begin by the regional starter (Entrante Segoviano - beans, and different types of sausages) and then  choose between piglet or lamb, both cooked in wood oven, the major "stars" in this restaurant.

Nevertheless I must confess that in Duque the piglet, with only 21 days... is my favourite.

If you ask me what do I prefer, the way they prepare it in Bairrada, (Portugal) or here, I'll surely tell you "depends on where I am..." as despite the raw material is very similar they have very different flavours what makes both experiences completely different. 

 

Where to find it:
Duque
C/ Cervantes, 12
Segovia, Spain
+34 921 46 24 87
www.restauranteduque.es


How much:
Average price: 40€

Segovia, you must try the 152 steps to feel it!

Segovia, city declared world heritage by Unesco is a very interesting destination just one hour away from Madrid (about 85 kms)...

Nevertheless I must confess that the main reason that drove me there was to taste its famous piglet.

Must see:

The aqueduct, an impressive Roman construction is the typical postcard of city.

The Cathedral, the last gothic cathedral built in Spain

 The Alcazar. The Royal Palace is the best way to prepare your Stomach for the lunch in a great restaurant in the city center. It's only 152 steps to reach the Tower Top

Finally, for lunch I recommend you piglet or Lamb in Duque Restaurant.