Discovering the Altiplano of Granada

Would you like to stay in a cave and feel like a troglodyte for a couple of days? In the Altiplano of Granada you have the opportunity to stay in a cave with all the services, from kitchen, lounge or even fireplace. And that, enjoying an interior temperature of 20º both in winter and in summer.

• I recommend that you stay at the hotel Cuevas Al-Jatib y Alcobas, where you can not only sleep in a cave house but also enjoy the Arab baths and the gastronomy of its restaurant.

After the trip it's time to relax in the Arab baths in the Al-Jatib caves where you can enjoy two different rooms; one with cold water and the other with hot water. Relax your body, soul and mind by alternating between the different temperatures and giving yourself a moment of self-care.

• The price for the hour and a half session in the Hamman is 8 euros for adults and 5 euros for children. If you also want to enjoy a massage, book it in advance.

There is no better way to start the route through the Altiplano of Granada than with a dramatised visit to Baza. Hand in hand with the characters that gave character and personality to the city, you will be able to get to know the most emblematic places and buildings. From the Arab baths of the Almohad period to the CIYA, where you can see a replica of the famous lady of Baza. All this while you stroll around the city and listen to the stories and legends that bring it to life, including its fervor for the Cascamorras festival.

• The dramatised visits are organised by "El Caserón de la Loca", a team of creators made up of professional actors, historians, entertainers and cultural managers. To book the visit you can write to Eugenia at eugeniaguia31@gmail.com or contact them on Facebook at @caserondelaloca

To end the day, there is nothing better than recharging your batteries in a local inn to try the local products.

• Take the opportunity to taste the local wine, the stuffed peppers and the delicious cheese.

Did you know that you don't have to go to Turkey to fly over gullies and fairy chimneys? Feel the excitement as the balloon swells, you soar through the air and the sun begins to tint the horizon with orange and red tones. In the Altiplano of Granada you can feel as if you were in Cappadocia while enjoying the Geopark of Granada. 4,722 km² which is one of the best continental geological records of the last 5 million years, including fossil remains of large mammals that lived during the Quaternary Period.

• The best way to enjoy the Geopark is from the heights with a balloon ride at dawn. The company Glovento Sur organizes trips from Guadix for 165 Euros which will allow you to soar to almost 2,000 meters above the Geopark during one hour of flight.

Enjoy an authentic country breakfast accompanied by a visit to an old oil mill. The building, now converted into a rural house, is a 16th century Mudejar style house from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the Lamerín ravine and the Sierra Nevada in the background.

• Look at the esparto grass mats that were used in the old presses.

Have you ever done a route on a segway? If you've never experienced it in the Altiplano of Granada you have the opportunity to put your balance to the test with Eco Activa Turismo as you take a route that will take you to the best viewpoints. From there you will be able to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Negratín reservoir while observing the geological richness of the place. To finish the experience you will be able to enjoy a tasting of Galera cava and La Sagra cheese while the sun falls and tints the reservoir with red and orange tones.

• If you don't dare to try the segway you can go by bike, car or on foot, but don't forget to go to the viewpoint of Jabalcón.

To finish the day I recommend you to go to Cortijillos de Campocámara, a small village where you will be surprised to find a restaurant with a gastronomic level that exceeds the expected. Local products, a magazine presentation and dishes made with love and charm. I recommend the artichokes and the duck cannelloni.

• If you still have some energy left, you can end the day with a star workshop in the Sierra de Baza. It is organised by the company Azimuth Spain who, in this privileged environment without light pollution, will explain the main constellations to you through a telescope.

To start the morning, a nice and easy walk along La cerrada del río Castril, a route of about 2km that takes us to the riverbank through footbridges built on the old railway sleepers. You will be surprised by the rock wall, the hanging bridge, the small tunnel that leads to a waterfall and, above all, the green tones of the vegetation. After the walk you can go up to the Peña de Castril or return by the same route, to continue the morning visiting Castril, a village hanging from the hillside which is a beautiful representation of the white villages of the south.

• If you have time, take the opportunity to visit the Castle of Castril, a border castle from the Islamic period from which you will enjoy a beautiful view.

Calling it a forest may be an exaggeration, but in the Sierra de Sagra you can enjoy the first examples of sequoias brought to Europe. Known as "Las mariantonias", the 30 sequoias on the La Losa estate are over 170 years old. The tallest ones are over 50 metres high.

• If you would like to visit the 13 largest sequoias, you should contact the Cronos Patrimonio y Cultura association in Huéscar at cronospatrimonioycultura@gmail.com. The visit costs 15 euros and lasts one hour. If you don't want to pay, you can freely visit the rest of the sequoias that are in a second stand.

One of the typical dishes of the Altiplano is the Segureño lamb. Therefore, if you want to live an authentic gastronomic experience, come to this restaurant where you can try it along with other delicious dishes.

• If you are a vegetarian or lamb is not your thing, I recommend the salmorejo with salad or the local mushroom soup.

It's time to bring the food down and nothing better to do that than a bike ride through the settings of the film Intemperie. While cycling through the landscapes of Galera you will have the opportunity to get to know the Sigmitas and the Cave of the Masters. And if you don't feel like cycling, you can always do the route on an electric bike with the company Eco Turismo Activa. This way, the slopes will be a little less steep.

• Don't miss the opportunity to visit the archaeological site of Castellón Alto, which is right next door. Here you can see how they lived during the Argar culture, in the Full Bronze Age. Moreover, it was here that the mummy of the Man from Galera was found, one of the best preserved mummies in Europe.