We left the Atlantic air of Biarritz, France, and headed south into Spain, settling in for a long drive through a landscape that seemed to get warmer with every kilometre. The road stretched on beneath a blazing Spanish sun, with golden hills and wide-open countryside replacing the green of the Basque coast.

Our destination was the tiny village of Morille, just south of Salamanca a wonderfully quiet stop that felt a world away from the busy tourist routes. It was the perfect place to slow down, breathe, and experience a little of rural Spain.

From Morille, we made our way into Salamanca, a city full of history, beautiful golden stone and grand architecture. We wandered through the cathedral and along the old streets, taking in the remarkable details everywhere we looked. Even the smallest carvings seemed to have a story to tell like this wonderfully weathered lion on the Salamanca library.

And, of course, no visit to Salamanca would be complete without sitting down for a coffee in the Plaza Mayor, watching the city go by while surrounded by some of Spain’s most beautiful architecture.

Next stop Portugal!