Zielo Las Beatas

Being tucked away in the countryside (and making the most of its outdoor activities) is part of the appeal of this place. Further afield, the nature theme continues… Catch a huge waterfall on a hike to Cascada del Hundimiento (40 minutes’ drive) or follow the Roman road through Despeñaperros Natural Park (an hour and 45 minutes). Los Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park (an hour and 45 minutes) has another gorgeous waterfall. Closer by, Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park (45 minutes) is just as splendid, with 15 little lagoons and a chain of waterfalls ready to be tracked down. If you prefer to relax with a glass of red in your hand, there are several bodegas (wine cellars) around. There are several around Valdepeñas (45 minutes), including La Bodega de las Estrellas (45 minutes), a traditional winery with clay walls and oak barrels. As for those of you who want to take in some of the historic sites in La Mancha, one place is the military museum at Alcázar de San Juan (an hour and 20 minutes), which is actually based inside a 16th-century palace. Albacete (an hour and 20 minutes) is another: it has a Gothic cathedral.