I have to admit it, Andres Araya, Managing Director of Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Spain has done it again - he has surprised and awed me! I would never had envisaged the transformation of the spacious, beautiful yet spartan twelfth century church of Santa Maria de Retuerta Abbey into a casual lounge space which almost felt cosy and intimate in contrast. This was the setting for the recent … [Read more...]
Conclave of Leading Culinary Minds at Spain’s LeDomaine Hotel
Sardón de Duero, Spain – April, 2014: Leading culinary media from around the world convened 28th – 30th March 2014 at Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, the historic winery and hotel estate in Spain’s Duero wine region, for an unprecedented conclave to explore the evolution of gastronomy. World-renowned Spanish chef Ferran Adrià presided over the seminal event which marked the first ever meeting for … [Read more...]
5 of the best visits…
As we come to the end of a year full of exciting new travel stories, it is time that we shared 5 of our best experiences... On a recent press trip to Toulouse, Midi-Pyrénées where violet is the emblem, Alexandra was given the opportunity to visit the "La Maison de la Violette" on board a barge anchored on the Canal du Midi. She informed us that when stepping aboard, your senses are … [Read more...]
Behind the scenes with Inside Luxury Travel
Inside Luxury Travel has become one of the most famous luxury travel programmes in the world - why - well, simply in my view due to the drive, stamina, style and ambition of one man, Varun Sharma. We caught up with Varun when filming one of our clients, Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine near Valladolid in Spain and asked him to explain the success of his show and his key ingredients for a good … [Read more...]
A Roman Engineering Feat in Segovia, Spain
When travelling home from Abadia Retuerta LeDomane, en route to Madrid, I stopped off in the ancient city of Segovia for a brief moment to marvel at one of the most incredible engineering projects I have ever seen. The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, located just by the Plaza del Azoguejo, is now - quite rightly - a protected UNESCO world heritage site. It apparently dates back to around AD50 - … [Read more...]
Valladolid is capital…
Once the capital city of Spain, Valladolid is steeped in history. Queen Isabella I of Castile married King Ferdinand of Aragon in the city. It was in this most regal of cities where Philip II of Spain, who was also Phillip 1st of England was born... ...and in 1506 Christopher Columbus died. A playwrights paradise, Miguel de Cervantes wrote his opus Don Quixote - considered to be the first … [Read more...]
Feeling Medievel in Peñafiel
High on a hill overlooking the plains carved by ancient river beds is the medieval boat shaped fortress Peñafiel Castel. Sailing the sky for centuries, this limestone fortification has long been a symbol of everlasting defence of the Castile and Leon region. Visitors to the castle can tour for free and even pop into the Provincial Wine Museum, built into the left side of the walls (a small … [Read more...]
HotelFacts: #6: The Hedge Museum
For the sixth in our Hotel Facts series, we return again to Spain, the Castile y Leon area and Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine - a privately owned historic winery and hotel estate dating back to the twelfth century. This obelisk, above, signposts the location of the property's outdoor sculpture exhibit - The Hedge Museum. Perfectly coiffed hedges form a mini-maze, hiding and revealing a collection … [Read more...]
HotelFacts: #4: A hotel with its own church
Returning to Spain for the fourth in our Hotel Facts series, we once again, turn our attention to the Castile y Leon area and Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine - a beautiful medieval hotel and winery estate set within rows of vineyards. The church of the former Santa Maria de Retuerta Abbey has been sensitively restored and once again holds public events - both ecclesiastical in nature and secular. This … [Read more...]
HotelFacts: #2: The Stork's Nest
For the second in our Hotel Facts series, we turn to Spain - the Castile y Leon area to be precise and Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine - a stunning hotel & winery estate dating back to the twelfth century. On the bell tower of the former Santa Maria de Retuerta Abbey, eagle-eyed guests may spy an extra large bird’s nest – the spring and summer home to a returning stork family and their young … [Read more...]