#MAGICALVILLAGES - ROUTE OF ETERNAL CASTILLA-LA MANCHA from 50.618 MT

Description

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through Castilla-La Mancha, a land where history, nature and culture intertwine to create a unique experience. From the rural heart of Valdeganga to the ancient walls of Molina de Aragón, every corner of this route tells its own story, weaving a tapestry of adventures that will remain etched in the memory.

The journey begins in Valdeganga, a small and charming village located on the banks of the Júcar River, whose banks offer postcard-perfect landscapes. Upon arrival at your cozy rural accommodation, you will feel the stress dissipate as you prepare to enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant, a delight that will allow you to savor the essence of the region.

Valdeganga reveals its secrets through a small but enriching hiking trail that will take you to the Cueva de los Moros, a natural viewpoint with breathtaking views of the Júcar valley. After this contact with nature, the walk continues through the Plaza Mayor and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, jewels of local heritage that reflect centuries of history.

The journey advances towards Belmonte, a magical town that seems to be taken from a medieval tale. Its imposing castle dominates the skyline, while the Collegiate Church of San Bartolomé transports you to remote times with its majestic architecture. Here, history feels alive in every stone and envelops you in an atmosphere of timeless grandeur.

As the tour continues, you will enter the town of Brihuega, a place full of walls, castles and cobbled streets that narrate the past centuries. You will visit the imposing Castle and the charming Church of San Felipe, a testimony of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic, and you will get lost in the history kept by the Brihuega Museum.

Nature and tranquillity come with Arbancón, a village in the middle of nature where you can enjoy hiking or simply stroll through its forests, especially beautiful in autumn. Its squares, fountains and hermitages invite you to stop and reflect, enjoying the calm that only small villages can offer.

The next destination, Beteta, will surprise you with its Rochafrida Castle, perched on a rock that seems sculpted by time. Its church and the Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo viewpoint, in honour of Velázquez's disciple, complete a cultural journey full of artistic and scenic richness.

Finally, you will arrive in Molina de Aragón, a place where the medieval past is preserved intact. You will walk through its streets as if you were stepping back in time, discovering the majestic Torre de Aragón and the impressive Castillo de Molina, the second largest in Spain. The Monastery of San Francisco, today converted into a cultural center, offers you a perfect closure to this journey through the history and soul of Castilla-La Mancha.

This trip is not just a tourist route; It is an immersion in the living history of a land that will make you feel part of its eternal legacy. You will say goodbye to Castilla-La Mancha with your heart full of indelible memories and your soul enriched by its landscapes, its history and its culture. Each village has left a unique mark, from the natural landscapes to the historical monuments that narrate centuries of greatness. You take with you not only the experiences of a trip, but the eternal spirit of this land that has welcomed you with open arms. Here, the story does not end; it simply invites you to come back and discover more of its inexhaustible magic. See you soon!

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4Nights

4Destinations

4Accommodation

Visiting

Enlarge map

Valdeganga

Belmonte

Buendia

Beteta

DIA 1: ARRIBADA A VALDEGANGA

3:00 p.m – Check-in at rural accommodation in Valdeganga

Welcome and accommodation in a peaceful natural setting.

3:30 p.m – Visit to the Valdeganga Tourist Office

Purpose: stamp the tourist passport and collect information about the planned visits.

4:00 p.m – Guided tour of the old town and filming locations

Duration: 1 hour
Description: stroll through the historic center and the natural landscapes along the Júcar River, featured in documentaries about Castilla-La Mancha.

5:30 p.m – Visit to a local winery with wine tasting

Description: tour of the facilities and tasting of wines with Denomination of Origin.

6:30 p.m – Visit to saffron fields and centenary olive groves

Description: explanation of the traditional saffron production process and care of ancient olive trees.

8:30 p.m – Dinner at a traditional restaurant

Specialties: gachas, gazpacho manchego, and roast lamb.
Suggested pairing: red wine from D.O. La Mancha.
Accommodation: overnight stay in Valdeganga, in a privileged natural setting.

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DAY 2: VALDEGANGA - BELMONTE

08:30 a.m – Breakfast at the accommodation

Menu: traditional breakfast with local products.

09:15 a.m – Visit to the Natural Site “Las Mariquillas” and the Cave Houses

Duration: 1 hour
Description: interpretive walk through this unique natural setting and visit to traditional cave dwellings.

10:30 a.m – Visit to an artisanal sausage workshop

Duration: 1 hour
Description: explanation of the traditional production process of Manchego sausages and optional tasting.

12:00 p.m – Lunch at a typical restaurant

Specialties: Atascaburras and migas ruleras.
Pairing: young white wine from the region or light red D.O. La Mancha.

1:30 p.m – Transfer at the client’s expense to Belmonte (120 km – 1 hour and 30 minutes)

3:00 p.m – Visit to the Tourist Office of Belmonte

Purpose: stamp the tourist passport and collect local information.

3:30 p.m – Visit to Belmonte Castle

Duration: 1 hour
Description: guided tour of this medieval castle, filming location for movies like El Cid and Flesh and Blood.

4:45 p.m – Experience at the “El Puntal” Mill with milling demonstration

Duration: 45 minutes
Description: explanation of traditional flour production methods.

5:45 p.m – Visit to local vineyards

Description: walk among vines to discover native grape varieties and cultivation techniques.

8:00 p.m – Dinner at the accommodation

Manchego specialties: pisto, cured cheese, pickled partridge, or lamb stew.
Pairing: red reserva wine D.O. Uclés.

9:30 p.m – Night sky observation (Starlight experience)

Location: rural area free of light pollution.
Description: guided session to explore constellations and celestial phenomena.

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DAY 3: BELMONTE - BUENDÍA

08:30 a.m – Breakfast at the accommodation

Traditional breakfast with local products.

09:15 a.m – Visit to the Collegiate Church of San Bartolomé

Duration: 45 min
Tour of this Gothic-Renaissance church, a highlight of regional heritage.

10:15 a.m – Visit to a traditional cheese factory with tasting of Manchego cheeses

Explanation of the artisanal production process and tasting of different maturations.

11:30 a.m – Visit to lavender fields (seasonal: June–July)

Learn about the varieties, their uses in cosmetics and cooking, and local traditions.

1:00 p.m – Lunch at a typical restaurant

Specialties: gazpacho manchego and pisto manchego.
Suggested pairing: young red wine D.O. La Mancha.

2:30 p.m – Transfer at the client’s expense to Buendía (70 km – approx. 1 hour 30 min)

4:00 p.m – Visit to the Buendía Tourist Office

Passport stamp and collection of local information.

4:30 p.m – Ruta de las Caras

Walk among rock carvings in a spectacular natural setting, used in historical films and advertising.

6:00 p.m – Visit to the Walls of Buendía

Tour of the preserved medieval walls.

6:45 p.m – Visit to a local winery with wine tasting

Guided tasting and introduction to local grape varieties.

8:30 p.m – Dinner at the accommodation

Traditional regional cuisine: dishes made with local products and Manchegan recipes.
Accommodation: overnight stay in Buendía.

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DAY 4: BUENDÍA - BETETA

08:30 a.m – Breakfast at the accommodation

Traditional breakfast with local products.

09:15 a.m – Historical walk through the village

Guided tour of the historic center exploring the legacy of Fray Luis de León, Golden Age poet and humanist.

10:30 a.m – Visit to cereal and sunflower fields (in season)

Introduction to the local agricultural process and the role of these crops in the Manchegan rural economy.

12:30 p.m – Lunch at a typical restaurant

Specialties: morteruelo and gachas manchegas.
Suggested pairing: traditional red wine from the region.

2:00 p.m – Transfer at the client’s expense to Beteta (90 km – approx. 1 hour 30 min)

3:30 p.m – Visit to the Beteta Tourist Office

Passport stamping and collection of local information.

4:00 p.m – Visit to Rochafría Castle

Medieval fortress in a privileged natural setting with panoramic views of the Serranía de Cuenca.

8:00 p.m – Dinner at the accommodation

Local cuisine: traditional dishes based on mountain recipes.

9:30 p.m – Stargazing in the Serranía de Cuenca

Guided Starlight session under clean skies free from light pollution.

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Inglés: DAY 5: BETETA

08:30 a.m – Breakfast at the accommodation

Traditional breakfast with mountain products.

09:30 a.m – Exploration of the natural surroundings of the Serranía de Cuenca

Interpretive walk along accessible trails with panoramic views, rock formations, and native vegetation.

11:00 a.m – Visit to an artisanal sausage factory

Learn about the traditional production process and enjoy tastings of chorizo, salami, and cured loin.

12:30 p.m – End of the trip and return

Group farewell and transfer to departure points.

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Meeting point

Rural accommodation in Valdeganga

Itinerary

Day 1: Valdeganga

Day 2: Valdeganga, Belmonte

Day 3: Belmonte, Buendia

Day 4: Buendia, Beteta

Day 5: Beteta

Included

❖ 4 nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinner (fixed menu), in rural, local, or charming accommodations.

❖ Available or similar accommodations:

➢ Valdeganga – Casas Rurales Huerto Del Abuelito

➢ Belmonte – Casa Palacio Buena Vista or Hotel Palacio del Infante or Hotel El Bálsamo

➢ Buendía – Apartamentos La Fuente

➢ Beteta – Hotel Los Tilos or Balneario Solán de Cabras

❖ Available or similar restaurants:

➢ Valdeganga – Restaurante Los Murcias or Café Bar Flax

➢ Belmonte – Restaurante La Cochera or Asador La Cañeta

➢ Buendía – Restaurante Buendía or Restaurante Casa de Las Médicas

➢ Beteta – Restaurante Los Tilos or Restaurante Casa Tere

❖ The route is available starting from 1 person.

❖ The base price includes all services with your own vehicle.

❖ Insurance. (Check specific conditions)

RESERVATIONS:

❖ To choose the ideal hotel or service for you and your special occasion from our carefully curated selection, call us at 935 66 66 61 or write to us at booking@thegenuinetravel.com.

❖ Our team will personalize every detail of your reservation according to your preferences so you can enjoy a truly unique experience.

Excluded

❖ Flights

❖ Transportation

❖ Lunches

❖ Drinks

❖ Fuel

❖ Tolls

❖ Breakfasts and dinners: Any dishes outside the pre-arranged menu will be considered an extra cost and must be paid directly by the client at the establishment.

❖ Everything NOT mentioned in the included section.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

❖ Weather conditions: TGTE is not responsible for adverse weather conditions that may affect the development of the route. In case of cancellation or modification of activities and services due to climatic events, refunds or compensations are not considered.

❖ Food intolerances and allergies: It is the client’s responsibility to inform in advance of any food intolerance or allergy.

❖ Client responsibility: TGTE is exempt from any liability for damages, injuries, or accidents the client may suffer during the route, scheduled activities, or any other circumstance arising from their participation in the trip. Premium insurance included. (Check specific cases)

❖ Modifications due to closures or schedule changes: TGTE is not responsible for itinerary changes caused by facility closures, schedule modifications, or operational adjustments of visited locations due to seasons or special events. In these cases, alternative options will be proposed based on availability.

❖ Late arrival to activities: It is the client’s responsibility to arrive on time for scheduled activities. In case of delay, the activity will be considered canceled without a refund.

❖ Official schedules and out-of-schedule changes: Activities will take place according to the established official schedules. If the client wishes to make changes or schedule activities outside the official schedule, this may be arranged at an additional cost, subject to availability. It is recommended to check in advance to manage necessary adjustments.

❖ Confirmation voucher: Once the reservation is reconfirmed, TGTE will provide the final itinerary along with confirmation of all services included in the trip. During the entire route, the client must have either a printed or digital copy of the confirmation for presentation at the establishments.

❖ Stamp your Magic Passport: During the journey, you will have the opportunity to stamp your Magic Passport, recording the villages visited. There are two available formats:

➢ Physical format: Can be requested and collected at the tourist office of any Magic Village.

➢ Digital format: Available through the Magic Villages App, where you can digitize your physical passport or keep a digital record.

Becoming a Master Traveler is easy: just keep stamping your passport at each destination and enjoy the experience to the fullest.