Mid way between Madrid and Valencia is the historic walled city of Cuenca. The UNESCO World Heritage city is famous for its “casas coladas” or handing houses with wooden balconies that hang straight out over high cliffs. If you walk over Puente de San Pablo footbridge you get excellent views of these.
We only partially visited though to see the city; we also visited for the chance to stay in the Parador de Cuenca. Paradores are state run hotels that are set in restored castles, monasteries, convents and fortresses. This one is located in a 16th century convent just opposite the hanging houses. Everything about our time here was dreamy. The Parador also offered a dinner focused on regional and local cuisine which I highly recommend.
The Parador also has several common spaces where you can sit down and enjoy a traditional thick Spanish hot chocolate. I believe you can (and should) come enjoy one even if you aren’t a guest.
A moment of calm and luxury.
