Spain... Ah Spain! The only experience I have of Spain were the Camino, but I did it backwards, starting at Santiago de Compostella and unfortunately ended my trek in Bayonne. I had to cut it short that year and needed to fly back to California to catch a workshop with Esther Hicks, whom I was obsessed with at the time.
I thought I could go back afterwards and continue my journey all the way to Paris but I never did... at least not yet! There is still time as I breathe and I am now planning it except that this time I will be doing it from Bordeaux all the way down to Malaga. So in my preparation for such a journey, I started doing research on unique places to stay in Spain and here is my
Top 10 list:
1. Cabanas el los Arboles, Bizkaia.
In Southern Basque country, this boutique hotel not only offers accomodations amongst foliage and birds nests, but it also gives you colorful gypsy caravans to lay your head in. It's a haven on earth and the food they serve is out of this world delicioso!
2. Vivood Landscape Hotel, Alicante.
"84,000 m2of land in a natural setting, the Guadalest Valley. The hotel is perfectly integrated into the landscape and is spread out among trees, terraces of olive trees and nature paths. An experience that’s about much more than just sleeping, making the hotel the main destination of your trip."
3. The Granada Cave House, Granada.
*Clothing optional!
The house sits within a south facing walled garden, in a private elevated position with fantastic views over olive groves, fields and the far away Sierra Nevada mountains. The complex features a variety of accommodation with 3 guest rooms, pool, bar, barbecue area and plenty of areas to relax.
The Negratín reservoir, one of the most fascinating enclaves of the province, has the first naturist beach in the interior of Andalusia just 10 minutes away.
The house is just over an hour away from the cosmopolitan city of Granada, with it's famous Moorish architecture , bustling street bazaars and of course the incredible Alhambra.
4. The Gran Hotel Domine, Bilbao.
Across the street from the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao, the rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, some with views of the Guggenheim You can enjoy breakfast on the roof terrace with spectacular views over the museum and the River Nervion. Food options are either the gastronomic Beltz restaurant, the more informal Le Café or the stylish Sixty-One Lobby Bar.
The hotel also sports a fitness area with sauna and Turkish bath, which are exquisite!
Apart from the Guggenheim, The Museum of Fine Arts and the Maritime Museum you can also enjoy shopping at The Ensanche, the city’s shopping area, or meandering through the old town is just as delightful and enchanting an experience.
5. Casa de Triana, Seville.
Want to feel like princess Jasmine & Aladdin but in Spain? This is where you want to stay then. A historic house from the XIX century, ubicated in Betis street, the most emblematic street from the famous Triana ́s Quarter, here at Casa de Triana you can enjoy the best views from the other side of the Guadalquivir river. It is only a 10-minute walk through the bridge until you find yourself in the city centre and have a magical adventure of your own.
6. Aire de Bardenas, Navarre.
Design lovers will adore this award-winning architectural wonder on the edge of the Bardenas Reales National Park in Navarre, Spain. Choose between a bubble (excellent for stargazing), futuristic cube or one of the 10 rooms in the main house. The interiors are minimalist but they're delightfully comfortable and the restaurant serves excellent local produce.
7. Casa Bella Teepees, Granada.
This luxury boutique glamping experience only comes with four beautifully furnished Teepees, each with their own private bathroom, bbq and dinning areas. You can be sure that your stay at Casa Bella will be like nothing you have experienced before, with views on the imposing Mount Jabalcon to the East, Lake Negratin to the West and endless olive groves for your eyes to feast on. There is also a small pool and they are currently building a bar and lounge area.
8. Jabalina Country Tents, Puerto Real.
Very much like safari glamping in the middle of bulls and horses grazing in the heart of the Bay of Cadiz Natural Park surrounded by marshes, pine forests and salt marshes. With extraordinary botanical wealth, Glamping Cadiz in the Dehesa de las Yeguas, is an old family farm with almost 500 hectares of pine forest and mountains. You will want to come back!
9. Les Cols Pavellons, Cataluna.
Glass pavilions provide a unique, modern, ryoken-like experience, near Girona. In the countryside, close to the Garrotxa Volcanic Nature Reserve.
10. Casas Bioclimaticas Iter, Canary Islands.
Cool eco design villas, sleeping 2-7 guests, close to the sea at El Médano. The houses are self sufficient in power supply producing zero CO2 emissions. You have 24 houses to choose from that are each unique - I personally would like to stay in the El Gangrejo! How about you?
