This is the real, raw, authentic Spain and it's magnificent...
Wonderfully secluded...
Located high up in the mountains of the Teruel region of Spain between Barcelona and Valencia, one and a half hours from the coast, in the state of Aragon, Mas de la Serra (meaning 'farmhouse of the mountain') couldn't be more remote. I arrived by night and so at first I didn't realise the extent of my seclusion; the only clue was our ascent up a 5 km dirt track that meandered its way up from a quiet, mountainous road, deep into the wilderness. When we woke up the following morning and looked out of the window, it really hit home how wonderfully isolated I was - forget back, this was the beyond of beyond. Some 1000 metres above sea level, the surrounding terrain is rugged, vast, humbling and spectacular. Pine trees line the mountainsides like patches of stubble and well nurtured almond groves in the immediate vicinity yield delicious nuts which attract herds of Ibex (mountain dwelling deer, similar to the Chamoix) that often stroll through the hotel grounds.
...Mas de la Serra, 'more than the mountain' in Catalan, is exactly what it claims to be...
Peruvian twist
The hotel itself oozes rustic charm; originally a finca, each room preserves its former character. For examples, the widescreen television in one of the sitting rooms sits above the original horse troughs where the stables used to be! It's the perfect harmony of old and new and it's little character traits like this that make the hotel so unique. Mi casa su casa couldn't be more fitting here, with log fire places dotted around the place, teak panelled and flagstone flooring and Morrocan tadelac bathroom rendering, you feel right at home as soon as you enter the front door. One room even has a Victorian bathtub and Margaret Thatcher's old loo... don't ask! The icing on the cake is the couple that run the place, Luis and Jenny from Lima: friendly, gracious, highly knowledgeable on the area, and make dangerously delicious Pisco Sours! Jenny also cooks up mouth watering cuisine with a Peruvian twist.
Real, raw, authentic Spain
Temperatures reach up to 36 degrees in the summer, so basking by the infinity pool is tempting. But if you get restless, there are numerous treks, horse and bike rides into the stunning surrounding countryside, canoeing on the nearby lake and plenty of fishing in the tributaries of the Ebro river. Truffle hunting is also a favourite as is a tasting at the nearby Venta D'Aubert winery or one of the many local cheese producing homes. Visits to nearby medieval towns such as Valderobres, Fuentespalda and Le Fresneda for Menu Dia and a stroll around are also great ways to spend your time.
This is the real, raw, authentic Spain and it's magnificent. If you ever manage to drag yourself away from the coastline, venture up here and I guarantee you won't regret a thing, one of our favourite Spanish hotels. Contact Original Travel for all our Spain Holiday Ideas.