Camping Los Robles

The world’s first wind and solar powered catamaran – the Helios-Sanabria – is available to ride on for views of Spain’s largest glacial lakebed through a glass floor. Generating zero emissions, zero liquid discharge, zero waste and – somewhat eerily – zero decibels, a ride on this boat from the Custa Llago jetty three kilometres away is quite the experience and comes highly recommended for explorer and scientific sorts. A short drive around the lake’s perimeter will take you to San Martín de Castañeda monastery, a 12th-century building housing the nature reserve’s visitor centre. There's all the info here one could ever need about the hiking routes that network the area, as well as details about the wildlife and plant life surrounding it (including 142 bird species and no less than 1,500 varieties of plant). Among the many local historic towns and villages, the standout is perhaps Puebla de Sanabria, 13 kilometres from base. Have a look at the striking town square fringed by historic buildings such as the 17th-century town hall, then wander along to the 12th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Azogue village church; after that, time to head up to the town's Castillo for spectacular views, armour to try on and a camera obscura to squint through.