Day 1: From London to a Monastic Retreat

Our trip began with an early morning flight to Madrid. After landing, we travelled north into Castilla y León, a beautiful region of wide horizons, vineyards and historic villages.

Our first stop was Castilla Termal Olmedo for a warm welcome, hotel tour and lunch. Set in a historic building, this property gave my first taste of the region’s speciality: atmospheric architecture paired with soothing thermal waters. It is an ideal stop if you  enjoy character properties and want your first day to be gentle rather than rushed.

In the afternoon we continued to our base for the next two nights: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena. Housed in a former monastery surrounded by vineyards, it feels both serene and indulgent. After a guided hotel tour and check‑in, there was time to unwind in the thermal pool, letting the journey melt away.

That evening we enjoyed a special dinner in the Monasterio de Valbuena restaurant. The focus on regional produce and careful presentation really stood out and immediately made me think of foodie couples looking for somewhere a little different for a short break. I spent the night in a historic room, with original features cleverly blended with modern comfort.

Day 2: Kitchen Gardens, Culture & Wine in Castilla y León

Tuesday began with a generous breakfast buffet showcasing fresh local ingredients typical of Castilla y León. It is always reassuring to see how a property handles breakfast, as this is a key part of many clients’ holiday experience. Here, quality and variety were excellent.

We then explored the hotel’s organic kitchen garden and met their native hens and cockerels. This was a lovely touch that really underlined the focus on sustainability and short supply chains. If you care about where your food comes from, this is exactly the kind of detail that makes a place memorable.

Inside the monastery itself we visited the “Edades del Hombre” foundation workshop. This introduced the cultural and religious heritage of the region and gave a deeper sense of place beyond the spa and gastronomy.

In the afternoon we moved from culture to wine with a visit to Finca Villacreces, a local winery. Tasting the wines on site, cycling through the vineyards, and even trying our hand at blending our own red wines, not only was it great fun, it was a highlight and something I would absolutely recommend building into an itinerary for wine lovers or for a special occasion trip.

Back at the monastery we enjoyed the Contrasts Circuit in St Peter’s Chapel, a thermal and wellness journey set within an atmospheric historic space. It is quite a unique experience, ideal for those looking for relaxation with a real sense of history around them. The day ended with a cocktail dinner and another overnight stay at the monastery.

Day 3: Into Burgo de Osma’s Storybook Streets

After breakfast it was time to move on from Monasterio de Valbuena, and we travelled on to Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma. This property, set within an impressive old building in the heart of the town, offered another beautifully blended mix of heritage and spa facilities.

On arrival we had a meet and greet, hotel tour and another delicious, leisurely lunch, followed by free time to enjoy the thermal pool. The spa facilities continued the theme of wellness woven throughout the trip, but each property had its own character and layout, which helped me understand which might best suit different types of clients.

Later we headed out to discover the charms of Burgo de Osma itself. With its historic streets, arcaded squares and mellow stone architecture, it has a very authentic small‑town feel that is worlds away from the coastal resorts many UK visitors know. It is perfect for those who like to wander, take photographs, pause in cafés and feel they are truly in Spain rather than in a resort bubble.

Dinner that evening was a tasting experience at La Argaela Restaurant, where again the emphasis was on regional flavours, careful preparation and excellent service. We overnighted at the hotel in Burgo de Osma.

Day 4: Scenic Countryside & Arrival in Brihuega

Another excellent breakfast buffet at Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma (can you see a theme emerging here), after which we checked out and set off by road towards our final base: Castilla Termal Brihuega.

The journey itself was a chance to appreciate the natural beauty of the countryside and the quaint towns en route. This region is ideal for clients who enjoy leisurely drives, wide open landscapes and discovering small, characterful places that feel largely untouched by mass tourism.

On arrival at Castilla Termal Brihuega we toured the property before sitting down to lunch – I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever been so well fed! Again, the hotel combines heritage charm with modern spa facilities and stylish interiors. Free time in the afternoon meant another chance to relax in the thermal pool and experience the wellness offering first hand.

Later we had a guided tour of Brihuega, a town known for its historic streets and, in season, its lavender fields. It has a romantic, slightly timeless feel that would be ideal for couples, as part of a self‑drive itinerary or even a special birthday or anniversary trip. In the evening we dined at the Redonda Restaurant before another overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Truffle Hunting & Spa Time

Without doubt one of the most memorable days of the trip. After breakfast at Castilla Termal Brihuega we set out for a truffle hunting experience. This was a lovely example of the kind of local, seasonal activity that can really elevate a holiday, allowing guests to connect with the land, learn about regional traditions and of course enjoy tasting the results.

For clients who like immersive experiences, from cookery classes to vineyard tours, activities like this are a wonderful addition and something I can build into a tailor‑made itinerary.

Back at the hotel, there was more time to enjoy the thermal pool and spa, a welcome opportunity to unwind towards the end of the trip. Dinner was again at the Redonda Restaurant, reinforcing the strong focus on gastronomy, and we spent our final night at Castilla Termal Brihuega.

Day 6: Homeward Bound

After our last opulent Spanish breakfast we had a private transfer back to Madrid Airport for our late afternoon flight back to the UK, but you could easily have added on a few nights to explore Spain’s capital city at the start or the end of your trip for even more variety

This trip was fantastic and I definitely found myself mentally matching different parts of the trip to different types of clients: food and wine enthusiasts, spa and wellness seekers, couples wanting a quiet but special short break, and travellers who think they already know Spain but would love to discover somewhere new and more authentic.

Who This Type of Trip Is Perfect For

Based on my first‑hand experience, this style of itinerary would work especially well for:

• Couples and adult friends: Looking for a relaxed, romantic atmosphere with great food and wine.
• Wellness and spa lovers: Who want thermal pools, circuits and treatments, but in historic, characterful surroundings rather than standard modern resorts.
• Food and wine enthusiasts: Keen to try local produce, visit wineries and enjoy tasting menus that really showcase the region.
• Culture and history fans: Who appreciate monasteries, old towns, churches and a sense of place, mixed with comfort.
• Repeat visitors to Spain: Those who have “done” the costas and are ready for something more genuine, quieter and more grown‑up.

This trip also highlighted how easy it is to pair a short break in Madrid with a few days in the countryside, or to turn this into a slightly longer self‑drive holiday linking different historic spa hotels.

Planning Your Own Spanish Escape

Experiencing these properties and towns first hand has given me a clear understanding of the different room types, spa facilities, dining options and local excursions that work best, along with how to pace the journey so it feels relaxed rather than rushed.

If you are tempted by the idea of historic monasteries, thermal spas, truffle hunting, winery visits and wandering through beautiful old towns, I would be delighted to design a trip tailored to you.

Whether you are planning a special celebration, a relaxing short break or a longer cultural journey through inland Spain, I can help you choose the right combination of properties, dates and experiences to suit your style and budget.

Contact me to start planning your own Spanish escape inspired by this journey.