Camping Las Cavenes

Nearby La Alberca is an absolute must for its sightseeing as well as the hikes leading into the mountains from all around it: settled before Roman times, the place is crammed with so many churches, old buildings and religious architecture that it was the first in Spain to be given National Historic Monument Status. Heritage seekers should also get along to spectacular Salamanca (55 minutes' drive), the ancient Celtic settlement that's now a student town (with a lively vibe if you're aiming to stay on into the evening for a drink). Sights to see include the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City, the Plaza Mayor and the city hall; make sure at this last to drop into Café Novelty too, the oldest coffee shop in the city and famed for decades as a haunt for writers and artists. If you're sticking to strolling rather than sightseeing on your hol, have wanders around the Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park too: the area covers a UNESCO biosphere reserve where wildlife watchers can spot species from mountain goats to wild boar, and black storks to ibexes. Staff at Las Cavenes can arrange three-day mountain training sessions on request, to prep you properly for hiking among the peaks.