They say the pandemic has taught us many things. Although, let's face it, maybe not as many as we hoped, amidst the applause and impromptu concerts from our balconies during the first days of quarantine. But one of the wisest lessons these past few years have taught us is that
sometimes you don't have to go far to travel.
These have been two summers of discovering the geography of the Iberian Peninsula and, whenever possible, traveling along our national roads in search of corners that surprised us at every turn, towns that awaited us like hidden treasures, and incredible landscapes on the edge of cliffs. After all, who said Bangkok when you can take a good
road trip through Asturias? Many people during this time have developed a taste for road trips and discovered other ways to travel around our territory. The proof is that, although taking a flight has been easy again for some time now, domestic tourism is still in vogue.
For all of you who, like us, are madly in love with road trips, at Help Flash we've prepared a list of the
three essential routes through Spain for this summer . Ready? Here we go!
CAR ROUTE THROUGH GALICIA
We're heading home, and the first of the car routes we suggest is through the land where we were born.
The Galician soul lives on in the sea, in the land, in the villages, in its traditions, and, of course, in its fabulous gastronomy. Exploring its coasts can be a true journey to the end of the earth, an earthly paradise between vineyards, sea, and Albariños, not to mention its beautiful inland areas full of history and culture. The
Costa da Morte and its steep cliffs, the
Ribeira Sacra , or the
Ruta de las Rías Altas are magnificent options for a road trip that, upon returning, will leave you with a nostalgic aftertaste, what in
Galician is known as
"morriña ." Although for a summer vacation, the route we at Help Flash are truly in love with is the Rías Baixas.
What to see in the Rías Baixas
The Rías Baixas can last several days, but we recommend exploring them slowly and unhurriedly, like a good seafood platter. We begin our route at the border with Portugal, a journey through the
Bajo Miño region , which includes visits to
A Guarda, Oia, and Tui . We head up towards
Baiona , and from
Vigo , we take the ferry to the
Cíes Islands, declared a World Heritage Site. Crossing the Rías Baixas to the tourist destination
of Sanxenxo , it's essential to make stops in
Pontevedra , the
Pazo de Lourizán , and
Combarro to see their historic granaries. And, of course, we can also visit
O Grove, San Vicente do Mar, and Isla de la Toja. To finish the trip, already en route to Finisterre, we can stop at
Isla de Arosa and
Villagarcía de Arosa , and finally, we can visit
Santiago de Compostela , with its vibrant cultural and pilgrim atmosphere and spectacular architecture that make Santiago a magical city.
A TRIP THROUGH ANDALUSIA
It's not easy to choose just one route through Andalusia: a getaway to Cabo de Gata, a vacation on the Cadiz coast, or a
road trip through the area's white villages are all idyllic summer trips. So much so that you've probably already visited them on more than one occasion, haven't you? That's why, at Help Flash, we want to tell you about a road trip that's not as crowded in summer and is perfect if you're looking for rest and relaxation.
What to see in the Alpujarra of Granada
Granada holds even more treasures beyond the Alhambra. La Alpujarra, in fact, is one of its most visited areas: over 1,000 kilometers of narrow, winding roads stretch 25 towns of vineyards, almond groves, unique architecture, and a lot of peace. A land to which musicians, artists, and writers have retired, a road trip through La Alpujarra deserves stops in
Lanjarón, Órgiva, and Soportújar , a small town that can be seen on a short walk but is surprising for its connection to witchcraft, a result of the repopulation of the area with families from Galicia, where the myth of the witches was deeply rooted. But above all, on our trip through the Granada Alpujarras, we can't miss visiting three of the villages that compete for the title of the most beautiful in the area:
Pampaneira, Capileira, and Bubión , which, perched high above, form the Historic Site of the Poqueira Ravine. As a farewell to our Alpujarras route, we can stop in
Trévelez and enjoy a delicious sandwich made with the Serrano ham that makes the town famous.
DISCOVER EXTREMADURA
For a long time, Extremadura has been largely unknown to tourists. Today, more and more people are coming to discover an area that is home to a rich Roman, Arab, and medieval heritage, idyllic natural landscapes, and outstanding cuisine. Extremadura also hides something that only those areas far from large cities and the most touristy areas still possess: true disconnection.
Route through El Jerte and the Ambroz Valley
Beyond the classic image of cherry blossoms that we all conjure up when we talk about the Jerte Valley, this area in northern Cáceres becomes a true natural and aquatic paradise in summer. A trip to Jerte is a journey to tranquility and serenity with water as the protagonist. Perhaps the most emblematic place is the
Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve , although it's also the busiest in the summer. But if you're looking for a good dip, you can also go to any of the natural pools that extend throughout the valley, or visit the seven waterfalls of the
Garganta de las Nogaledas and take a dip—holding your breath due to the temperature of the water—in what they call the Charco del Paraíso (the Pool of Paradise).
On our route through the Jerte, we can make a few stops at viewpoints, such as
Puerto de Tornavacas or the
Mirador de la Memoria , and stop in charming towns like
Cabezuela del Valle , famous for its medieval historic center, or head to the heart of the Ambroz Valley and discover
Hervás , whose center houses one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in our country. But on our
road trip through Extremadura, if there's one thing we can't miss, it's its gastronomy: potato blood sausage, Torta del Casar, the fantastic wines of the area, and its Iberian cured meats, what is known there as Extremaduran seafood.
Have you already decided on your vacation driving route? Remember that the summer season is a time when you should keep in mind some
recommendations for good summer driving , and always carry your
V16 Help Flash light in your glove compartment. As you know, it's a legal substitute for emergency triangles and will allow you to signal any incident or breakdown on the road.
