Page 426 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

Eating & Sleeping / GETTY IMAGES ©

Segovia 2 Salamanca 4
5 Restaurante 5 Mesón Cervantes Castilian €€
El Fogón Sefardí Sephardic €€ (www.mesoncervantes.com; Plaza Mayor 15;
(%921 46 62 50; www.lacasamudejar.com; Calle menú del día €13.50, mains €10-22; h10am-
de Isabel la Católica 8; mains €15-25, tapas from midnight) Although there are outdoor tables
€2.50; h1.30-4.30pm & 5.30-11.30pm) Located on the square, the dark wooden beams and
within the Hospedería La Gran Casa Mudéjar, atmospheric buzz of the Spanish crowd on the
this is one of the most original places in town. 1st floor should be experienced at least once;
Sephardic and Jewish cuisine is served either on if you snaffle a window table in the evening,
the intimate patio or in the splendid dining hall you’ve hit the jackpot. The food’s a mix of platos
with original, 15th-century Mudéjar flourishes. combinados (meat-and-three-veg dishes),
The theme in the bar is equally diverse. Stop salads and raciones (large tapas servings).
here for a taste of the award-winning tapas. 4 Microtel
SPAIN 30 HISTORIC CASTILLA Y LEÓN
Reservations recommended.
Placentinos Boutique Hotel €€
4 Hospedería La Gran (%923 28 15 31; www.microtelplacentinos.
Casa Mudéjar Historic Hotel €€ com; Calle de Placentinos 9; s/d incl breakfast
(%921 46 62 50; www.lacasamudejar.com; Calle Sun-Thu €57/73, Fri & Sat €88/100; aW) One
de Isabel la Católica 8; r from €80; aiW) of Salamanca’s most charming boutique hotels,
Spread over two buildings, this place has been Microtel Placentinos is tucked away on a quiet
magnificently renovated, blending genuine street and has rooms with stone walls and wooden
15th-century Mudéjar carved wooden ceilings beams. The service is faultless, and the overall
in some rooms with modern amenities. In the atmosphere is one of intimacy and discretion. All
newer wing, the rooms on the top floors have rooms have a hydromassage shower or tub and
fine mountain views out over the rooftops of there’s a summer-only outside whirpool spa.
Segovia’s old Jewish quarter. Adding to the
appeal, there’s a small spa and the restaurant
comes highly recommended. Zamora 5
5 El Rincón
Ávila 3 de Antonio Contemporary Castilian €€€
(%980 53 53 70; www.elrincondeantonio.
4 Hotel El Rastro Historic Hotel € com; Rúa de los Francos 6; mains €19.50-26,
(%920 35 22 25; www.elrastroavila.com; Calle set menus €11-65; h1.30-4pm & 8.30-11.30pm
Cepedas; s/d €35/55; aW) This atmospheric Mon-Sat, 1.30-4.30pm Sun) A fine place offering
hotel occupies a former 16th-century palace tapas in the bar, as well as sit-down meals
with original stone, exposed brickwork and a in a classy, softly lit dining area. Amid the
natural earth-toned colour scheme exuding range of tasting menus there’s one consisting
a calm understated elegance. Each room has of four tapas for €11, including a glass of
a different form, but most have high ceilings wine. In the restaurant, dishes are classic
and plenty of space. Note that the owners also with a contemporary twist, such as Galician
run a marginally cheaper, same-name hostal scallops served in onion leaves. Reservations
(budget hotel) around the corner. recommended.

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