In 2014 when Gary & I ventured on our first Spanish road trip, we’d planned a circular route from Santander (where the ferry disembarked) down through Spain heading south and picking up the pleasures of Toledo, Granada, Ronda, Jerez & Seville en-route.

But our final destination before jumping back on the ferry was Salamanca in Castile and León.

Why there I hear you cry?

Well, we were searching for a town or city that not only was historic; but also one that we never really knew much about.

And so pleased were we to find this delight. Looking back, we would’ve loved to have stayed longer, as Salamanca has given us some great lasting memories, one of which I will get to shortly.

The first surprise for us was the Plaza Mayor, built in the Baroque style, this square is truly grand and so elegant, even just visiting Salamanca to see the Plaza Mayor was worth it.

While the plaza is bustling with families having fun during the day, it is in the evening when this square comes into its own. Surrounded by galleries and arcades the restaurants, cafes and bars come alive at sunset.

It was too good of an opportunity to pass on, so we grabbed ourselves a little table and enjoyed a glass of Cava.

We also found the tapas here to be fantastic, row after row of tempting; bites and there was just too many to choose from.

Additionally, if you bought a drink, you were given a free tapa. We had experienced this before in Granada, but I don’t think it is so common in Spain anymore, perhaps it is regional.

Gary and I had a full day to enjoy historical Salamanca, so we set off on a voyage of discovery. Firstly, finding the two Cathedrals that Salamanca is so proud of.

The Old Cathedral which originates from the 12th century was completed in Romanesque/Gothic style, and the south façade is so incredibly detailed.

Then came the New Cathedral much larger and was built between the 16th and 18th centuries and was constructed in the Gothic/Baroque styles.

Amazingly damage can still be seen on the New Cathedral, which was a result of the devastating earthquake in Lisbon in 1755, some 300 miles (470km) away.

This ancient city can also boast to have founded Spain’s first university in 1134, which is one of the oldest in Europe, in 1218, it was given the royal charter.

Keep an eye out for the infamous “frog” can you spot it?

Sitting perched on a skull the tiny frog can barely be seen within the intricate plateresque façade.

(Click on the picture for a larger version)

If that wasn’t enough, Salamanca’s history even goes back to the Romans, evidence of this is the Roman bridge crossing the Tormes river. Although restorations were made in the 16th century, 15 of the arches that remain are Roman.

After deciding on Salamanca as a destination, we did a bit more digging and found out that it has an Art Nouveau & Art Déco museum at Casa Lis. If you enjoy this style of architecture, then you must visit while in Salamanca.

It is because of this museum that I am continually reminded of Salamanca, in our hotel was a beautiful Art Déco lamp, it’s gorgeous – can anyone see where this is heading?

Well, it turns out you can buy these lamps at Casa Lis….Gary didn’t take too much persuading, honestly!

Oh yes, then it was Gary’s turn to indulge his passion, “Cars”, who would have thought there would be a car museum here, how’s my luck.

I was previously thinking I had got away lightly on this trip, with only seeing one motor racing circuit, and that was Jerez, but we topped it off with seeing Fernando Alonso’s F1 Renault at the Museum of Automotive History.

We left Salamanca feeling we wanted more, which is always a good thing. I also think it was because we had felt, we discovered somewhere which had eluded a lot of tourists, it also made us try a bit more of our choppy Spanish vocab.

Our accommodation for the two nights we were in Salamanca, was at the luxury Grand Hotel Don Gregorio. It was a excellent hotel and in a central location to the town (also they had the lovely Art Déco lamp). The parking was valet only, as your car was kept offsite.

Does the thought of wandering around Plaza Mayor, enjoying tapas & the odd vinho tinto tempt you? We thought it might.

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