Camping Lago Resort

Such a splendid monastery this is, built as a defensive fort by the Moors before being captured in 1194, all in a scenic and mountainous setting by the Piedra river and now easily accessible a few kilometres off the main A-2 motorway. Get to the monastery and its water gardens via a two-hour walk around its natural park, a place filled with waterfalls, caves, lakes, river and wildlife, although you might want to take a bit longer to stop off at famed spots like the Cola de Caballo waterfall and the Iris cave below its fall 50 metres down. Other hiking trails in the area are from Camping Lago Resort to La Tranquera reservoir, a popular local spot for watersports like waterskiing, sailing and canoeing as well as for fishing. Angling is also available in the nearby Piedra river. Also around – yes, you'd better stay for a couple of weeks – is the spa town of Alhama de Aragon, 15 kilometres from the campsite and filled with eight hot springs and a thermal lake at which to get on your indulgent groove.