Since windmills alone weren't going to be enough to convince B to make the long trek from Madrid, I decided to set us up with a wine tour as well. I came across the Winebus tours via TripAdvisor. They were highly rated and had dates available for the time we were going to be in Madrid, so I decided to go ahead and book the tour.
We met up with Ignacio, the owner and our guide for the day, at a nearby hotel lobby. He said we had ended up being the only ones to book that days tour, which he assured us was a good thing as it gave us a bit more time and the chance to expand the tour a bit if we wanted. I should add that many tour companies charge an additional service fee if the tour ends up being smaller than planned, which Winebus did NOT do. We were charged 140 euros each and there were no hidden or additional charges tacked on.
Our first stop was not part of the planned itinerary. "Since it's just the two of you, would you like to see a castle?" asked Ignacio. Our answer was a resounding yes and we stopped in at Castle Belmonte for a few minutes. This is a well-preserved site, chock full of history. Built in 1456, the castle was a fortress during the Castilian Civil War and takes you back in time the minute you step inside. We only had a few minutes for photos before we had to move on to our next destination, but this is a place I added to my list of "must come back here" places the next time we are in Spain.
Back on the road, we headed to our first winery, Finca Antigua. Located in the town of Los Hinojosos, between Cuenca and Toledo, Finca Antigua is the perfect blend of modern winery and natural landscapes. The owners have worked hard to make sure that the natural vegetation and animals in the area aren't disturbed (we saw several varieties of birds and some adorable wild rabbits!) while each vineyard section is cultivated to make the most of the grape varietals. We enjoyed a walk through the vineyards and a very informative tour of the winery, culminating in a wonderful tasting at the end! Of course, we couldn't walk away without a purchase, and all the wines were very reasonably priced.
After all that lovely wine, we need sustenance! Ignacio took us to lunch at Las Musas Restaurante, which features mediterranean food and sits at the very feet of the giants I was seeking...windmills! I was entranced with both the windmills and the delicious food, as well as the views all around us. We even got to take a little tour of the windmills themselves, many of which have been restored to their original working order!
As we made our way back to Madrid, Ignacio said he had one more thing to show us. The amazing windmills of Consuegra. These windmills highlight some of the best examples of the windmills of La Mancha, sitting on a hill just outside the town and offering a breathtaking view. The sun was just starting to set as we walked around these immense beasts, and I could see for the first time just why Don Quixote thought they were worth battling.
Ignacio's tour was very informative and I was impressed with his knowledge of both his home city of Madrid and the surrounding townships. The Winebus tour was one of the more professional tours I've been on, yet was also always casual and friendly, never stuffy or boring. It's definitely something I'd consider again when we return to Madrid someday.
Don Quixote never conquered the windmills. Time and disrepair didn't conquer them either, and they stand today as a testament to Spain's history. If you ever want to go tilting at windmills while sipping a bit of wine, consider the Winebus tour during your stay in Madrid! As Ignacio said, "It's an adventure, with a glass of wine in hand!"
No comments:
Post a Comment