Travel Locally: Out Liers' guide to discover Spain
Júlia Juste, the mind behind Out Liers was born and raised in Barcelona. Passionate about finding unique and beautiful places, we asked her to show us her favorite hidden gems around Spain with the goal of promoting local tourism.“
“These days of quarantine I am on the hunt for places around Spain. We are lucky to live in a beautiful country, with very diverse landscapes and traditions and very special accommodations. Whenever I think of traveling, it comes to my mind to go far, the farther the better ... But there is nothing more exotic than discovering how beautiful it is at home”
See below Julia’s secret places, now high-up in our wish list.
Casa Cueva Abovedada
In Tivenys, a town in the province of Tarragona and close to the Ebro Delta. The southern part of Catalonia and the Costa Dorada are usually overshadowed by the north and the Costa Brava. This is the area where I have spent all the summers of my life. There are no fancy restaurants or pretty shops, nor are the best outfits seen on the beach. That is why it is so charming to me. In addition to relaxing among olive trees and going shopping at the local market, you can visit the Ebro Delta (I recommend taking a bike tour) and the Fundación Miro.
For those who cannot live without their dose of modernity, you can book a visit to Solo Houses (approx 1h).
Solo Houses
These two accommodations are located in Pallars Jussà, province of Lleida. We went to spend a family weekend to celebrate my mother's birthday and I have a beautiful memory of it. I discovered Casa Boumort by chance and was surprised to find such an exquisite and secluded place. It is run by a couple from the area who after 20 years in Barcelona decided to leave everything to reform with their own hands what was once the Hostal Boumort.
Casa Leonardo is a myth in my family. When I was little, my parents went all over Catalonia in search of the best rural houses, and wrote a book. Casa Leonardo has always been among our favorites for the authenticity of the place and its owners.
Alemanys 5
Girona is a city that I’ve always loved, I never get tired of it. It is small, quiet, authentic ... and at the same time you can find places as modern as Federal Café or Alemanys 5. Alemanys 5 is a 16th century building renovated by Anna Noguera with exquisite design and finishes. It is the perfect union between modernity and tradition. The location is unbeatable since it is in the heart of the city.
Casa Josephine
Casa Josephine is in a town of 200 inhabitants in La Rioja, it has 5 rooms but you have to rent the whole house. Since I discovered it, it has become at the top of my wish list and I am already looking for friends or family who want to go and spend a vacation in that lost town with me.
The owners, in charge of the reform of the house, have an interior design studio where they want design and cultural tradition to be in harmony. Proof of this is the result of Casa Josephine.
Convento La Parra
An old convent in Extremadura turned into accommodation, where silence and tranquility continue to prevail over anything.
Aire de Bardenas
One of my favorites to celebrate a special occasion with your partner. What's better than going to the moon? The Bardenas desert is the closest thing to it in Spain. They have 2 types of accommodations, bubbles and buckets. I prefer the buckets and if they can be with an outdoor bathtub, better. I highly recommend going during the vegetable season (April-May), as it is the specialty of the area (Tudela).
Can Pardalet
A farmhouse renovated by Sandra Tarruella in Rupià, a town in Baix Empurdà. This place has everything to enjoy a real vacation with the people you love the most. A modern version of "Call me by your name".
Acusa Seca
Of course it is not the comfort that draws my attention to this place. It gives me the feeling that it is a place that gives you everything without needing anything. Lost by Gran Canaria, this accommodation is located in a cave from the 6th century.
Buena Vista Lanzarote
Lanzarote is my favorite Canary Island. For the combination of its black lands and its white towns ... and for the enormous effort of Cesar Manrique to preserve the architecture of the place. If there is an accommodation that brings all this together is Buena Vista.
Cuevas del Pino
My latest discovery: located 2 km outside Villarubia, another cave on my wishlist.