HBDV1, Vila do Castro, O Barco de Valdeorras, North Spain
This splendid country hotel, originally named "Pazo Dos Florez", built in 1630, has rightly been declared a building of historic and artistic importance.
At the top of a hill in the hamlet of Vila do Castro, it overlooks the impressive Valle del Sil and the town of O Barco de Valdeorras, where the Romans came seeking gold. Vineyards, olive and chestnut trees provide a most agreeable backdrop, inviting walks on the estate.
With its six unusual arches across its frontal facade, it has been beautifully and sympathetically restored without any pretensions. The halls, bedrooms, the library, the chapel, the portraits and paintings of the ancestors of this stately home are all original and authentic.
Transporting you way back in time, with well tended gardens with centuries old boxwood trees and a fascinating ethnographic museum with carriages and coaches from the C17th, modern services and comforts are certainly not forgotten!
The covered swimming pool (seasonal), the spa and a massage service, the tennis court and padel tennis, the bar and restaurant (one of the best in the area) provide you with the best of facilities. And the friendly and attentive staff will ensure your stay is a pleasurable and relaxing one.
Restaurant (open to the public)
Cafeteria/bar
Breakfast room
Sitting rooms
Porch and terrace
Covered swimming pool (seasonal)
Sauna
Massages
Tennis court
Padel tennis
Gardens
Ethnographic museum with carriages dating back to C17th
Library
Chapel
24 hour reception
Open air covered parking
WIFI
Buffet breakfast served in the breakfast room.
Renowned restaurant - one of the best in the area. Not fancy, but very good regional dishes and more innovative dishes too, using high quality local produce. You can dine in the restaurant or in the porch. Lunch and dinner. Excellent value menu del dia. A la carte too. Friendly and attentive service.
The hamlet of Vila do Castro sits peacefully at the top of a hill, overlooking the impressive Valle del Sil and the town of O Barco de Valdeorras, once a centre of the mining and slate industry, now much more important for its wine production with origins since Roman times.
On the Via Nova, the Roman route linking Rome with Galicia and Portugal, the "winter route" of the Camino de Santiago (between Ponferrada and Santiago) passes by here.
Surrounded by olive trees, chestnuts, vineyards and mountains, it is situated between the Ribera Sacra, with its ancient monasteries and churches and the stunning gold mines of Las Medulas in El Bierzo, Leon. A trip to the nearby medieval monastery and church of San Miguel de Xagoaza should be on your agenda.
Walking and cycling are especially rewarding with magnificent wildlife, and canoeing or a memorable boat trip on the Rio Sil, an experience not to miss.
Yet, no visit would be complete without a tour of the area's wineries, many of them still traditional - underground with peculiar chimneys called "refugallos", used for ventilation and keeping the temperature just right to produce excellent, quality wines. The unique landscape of reddish and slate soils, watered by the Sil, Xares and Bibei rivers, combined with an extreme climate, are perfect for the Mencia and Godello grape varieties. You will get hooked! The Romans did.
The local gastronomy goes along with the robust wines - botello (a local charcuterie dish), knuckle of pork, fresh trout, wild mushrooms and chestnuts are among the specialities.
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With 40+ years’ experience designing holidays in Spain & Portugal, our friendly, expert team offers personal service from booking to your return. While away, you’ll have ground support from local agents.
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