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short break in Avila, Spain is an ideal choice especially for people
who live Madrid or plan to visit this area of Spain. Avila is well-known for the
amazingly intact wall surrounding the city, for being the birthplace and home
of Santa Teresa of Jesus (a devout Catholic nun famous for writing poems dedicated
to Jesus to in which she expressed her devotion to Him) and for sweetmeats made
by local nuns and sold in small shops throughout the city. Especially "yemas"
made with egg yolks and sugar. A trip to Avila is a treat at any time of
year, but we especially enjoy Avila in the freezing Winter temperatures or in
the Autumn. Few cities and surroundings give you the opportunity to travel back
in time in such a special way. Places to visit in the city of Avila,
World Heritage Site - The City Wall (11th century), this
is Avila's most emblematicand spectacular monument. It surrounds the old town,
illustrating the wealth, power and influence this fortified city enjoyed centuries
ago. Beautifully illuminated at night. Look for the impressive Alcázar
and San Vicente gates.
- The Cathedral of Avila (10th - 14th century),
temple fortress
- Convents: The Convent of Santa Teresa, the Convent
of Las Madres and the Convent of Santo Thomas…
- Chapels: The Chapel
of Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles, and of San Segundo...
- The four
posts: magnificent views of the city and the city wall, a pleasant 15 minutes
stroll away from the center and an ideal place from which to take photos
- Museums
and exhibitions: The Provincial Museum of Art, the Museum of Oriental Art,
The Serrano Palace
Shopping in Avila: Take advantage of the
fact that the nuns of the Convent of Santa María de Jesúis (nuns
of the Order of Saint Clare) and the Monastery of Santa Anathe make delicious
sweets, biscuits,chocolate and cakes. You don't have to go to the convents to
buy them - all the local shops selling things typical of Avila stock them. You
can also buy some beans (judias) from nearby Barco de Avila, which are said to
be the best beans of the whole of Spain (use them for this bean
and chorizo stew recipe). There is a modern shopping center on the outskirts
of the city which you pass if you arrive on the motorway from Madrid. If you like
religious articles then you will enjoy the numerous little statues and images
dedicated to St. Teresa in particular and the Catholic church in general. Eating
out in Avila:
Restaurants: There are three in the city that stand
out. El Almacen (creative cuisine, Salamanca Road no. 6 Telephone: 920
25 44 55), Doña Guiomar (classic cuisine and also some innovations
Tomás Luis de Victoria no. 3 Telephone: 920 25 37 09), Alcaravea
(cheaper than El Almacen and for the younger crowd Plaza de la Catedral no. 15
Teléfono: 920 22 66 00).
Tapas: Another possibility are the
excellent tapas bars located in the city (El Sol, El Tablón, La Oca, Casa
Postas...) Avila cuisine: Meat is the most important dish, the famous
Avila veal - dark Iberian meat of an exceptional standard, from one of the oldest
protected breeds in Europe. The roasts are exquisite (piglets, lamb...) In addition,
the pulse dishes are exceptional, especially the beans froms 'Barco de Ávila'.
The goat cheese from the Tíetar valley is also excellent not to mention
the 'yemas' and 'glorias' (pastries and cakes) from the Santa Teresa convent.
Also try the "patatas revolconas", potatoes flavoured with spicey chorizo.
Throw all caution to the wind, and resolve to live on fruit and salads for a week
after your visit. .JPG) Accommodation
in Avila - Hotels: Our recommendation is the Parador
of Ávila (****), strategically set within the city walls.Although
it is now possible to find other attractive alternatives, including:
- Ávila
Golf Hotel (****), a modern hotel with a golf course and spa, perfect for
those who want to combine culture and leisure (see
photos and read more)
Ávila Province
Magnificent countryside and places to visit. The most important and attractive
villages are Arenas de San Pedro, Arévalo, El Barco de Ávila, Hoyos
del Espino and Piedrahita. We strongly recommend a visit to the nearby villages
of Piedrahita and Barco de Ávila, where you can enjoy a meal in the Casino
(in El Barco) or in the Gran Duque in Piedrahita. Sierra de Gredos
(the Gredos mountains). This place deserves a special mention. You can access
the north face which gives easy access to 'la plataforma' through Hoyos del Espino
(Circo de Gredos, La Laguna Grande..). If you can, set aside a whole weekend to
visit the area of Gredos, especially if you enjoy walking. Stay in the recently
reformed Gredos
Parador. Related links:
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