Finca El Azahar

Deep in rural Extremadura, a 19th-century wine press – spot the original stone press in the living room where grapes were crushed by foot – has been gracefully transformed into an elegant five-bedroom guesthouse. You’ll feel serene here in big airy rooms, each with their own living spaces, and fine views out of every window to almond, olive and citrus trees that dot the eight hectares of gardens.

Breakfast on local cheeses and cold cuts, fresh fruit, homemade cakes, freshly squeezed juice. You eat under the sun-dappled pergola where you can linger over coffee before slinking down to the pool with a good book. Dinner (must be pre-booked) and a tapas menu are also available and packed with fresh produce from the olive groves and productive veg garden.

Easy to stay put but there are walks from the door, or you can drive to interesting towns – Mérida, Cáceres and Trujillo are all within easy reach.