Paradise Found
Review Submitted: May 4, 2011
Date of Stay: March 2011
The Liebana Valley and the 'Big House' at Olmares really is one of those truly special places and we can honestly say that in many years of travelling far and wide we have never found anywhere so perfect. If you love stunning mountain scenery, not the harsh rocky type but the sort that is filled with dramatic mountain peaks that tower over verdant valleys filled with ancient oak forests and an abundance of flora then this is the place for you. These secretive and properly wild mountains and valleys are comparatively unknown and little visited, they are a true bastion of exciting wilderness and home to wild boar, brown bear, eagles and wolves, completely uniquely..in Europe certainly. My kids..boy 13 and girl 8 loved it..the 'Big House' is a beautiful, big old village manor house filled with history and character that sits magnificently on the side of the valley with views from every beautifully shuttered window, that each deserve individual awards. The real great outdoors is right on the doorstep and after a couple of days of driving off to further flung walking spots [of which there are loads!] we realised after a massive breakfast at the huge old kitchen table that demands such breakfasts, that all we had to do was don our boots and head in any number of directions from the front door to find some proper wilderness adventures right there. It's real 'Boy's Own' stuff..wild boar tracks everywhere, sticks to whittle and streams to dam..when we were there it was sunny and warm [in April] and we didn't see another soul!
The other great piece of news, for all of us, was that the valley is filled with some absolutely fabulous local inns and restaurants, not the prissy michelin type, but small places run by charming people that serve some of the biggest, freshest and tastiest steaks you'll ever eat and washed down with delicious local wines. Of course, there is all sorts of other delicious local fare on offer and which we enjoyed, but the steaks took the biscuit and all at a very reasonable price!
The house is full of books to read, maps and guide books, Suzanne and Richard have lived in the valley for years..know everyone and everything and are hugely welcoming and helpful.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Romantic Getaway
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