With the heat of the day getting warmer, it's the perfect time to escape to nature. The start of summer, which began on 21 June, invites you to immerse yourself in landscapes bursting with life, colour and freshness. From high mountain spots to oases hidden among the rocks, here are six spectacular destinations in Spain to kick off the new season.

In the north-west of Aragon, among mountains that whisper stories of shepherding and deep-rooted traditions, the Valle de Hecho invites us to discover its purest essence. This corner of the Pyrenees, located in the heart of the Valles Occidentales Natural Park, remains a little-explored treasure, but one full of charm, a paradise for lovers of hiking, mountain biking and climbing.

Its trails wind through lush forests, hidden waterfalls and villages with soul, such as Urdués and Gabardito, where the pace of life is still linked to nature. The Selva de Oza, with its centuries-old beech forests and ravines, is a spectacle that captivates at any time of year, and the ascent to the Ibón de Acherito offers memorable views.

Not far away, history takes centre stage, a place to rest but also to continue enjoying a charming and relaxed atmosphere. A medieval village that preserves the spirit of its past in every cobbled street and every walled corner. We are referring to the Parador de Sos del Rey Católico, a place that blends into the landscape, respecting traditional architecture and offering a refuge with superb views. From its rooms, you can gaze on the surroundings where you can continue to enjoy nature, proving that summer can also be an adventure in the mountains.

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The beginning of summer marks the start of the holidays for many, but not everyone is looking for beach and pool getaways. For those who prefer less travelled routes and out-of-the-ordinary experiences, the O Courel Mountains offer a refuge where nature imposes itself with its freshness. This corner of Galicia, far from the crowds, unfolds a tapestry of glacial valleys, ancestral forts and oak and holm oak forests that envelop slate villages, creating a landscape that seems to be anchored to another time.

Here, the trails lead to hidden spots such as the Rugando pools or the Poza das Mulas, natural oases where the crystal-clear water invites you to immerse yourself in complete harmony with the environment. This Galician geopark is much more than a visual spectacle: it is a time capsule that preserves millions of years of history in its barely altered landscape.

To complete the experience, we recommend staying at the Parador de Monforte de Lemos. A former monastery transformed into a refuge for travellers looking for more than just a destination. From its Baroque walls, the panoramic views over the Galician region offer the perfect end to a trip that celebrates this season in a different way.

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Every year, between late spring and early summer, the Teide National Park becomes a natural spectacle that is difficult to find anywhere else. This is the time when the Tenerife bugloss (Echium wildpretii) covers the volcanic landscape with its intense flowering, turning the slopes red and forming a striking contrast with the arid and rugged terrain of Tenerife. This endemic plant, which grows up to three metres high and blooms only once before disappearing, transforms the environment into a vibrant scene that seems unreal.

Admiring it without damaging it is part of the commitment to this fragile environment. There are guided tours that allow you to get up close and learn about its importance and the care needed to preserve its ephemeral beauty. It is a unique, almost magical experience that only Tenerife can offer.

And to enjoy this wonder in all its splendour, the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the immensity of this national park. Located at an altitude of over 2,000 metres and surrounded by the imposing silhouette of the volcano, this mountain retreat offers a stay where the landscape remains the real star of the show. From its windows and terraces, the view of Mount Teide dominates the horizon, and at nightfall, a clear, starry sky makes the experience unforgettable.

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Granada is much more than the Alhambra. Although its impressive Nasrid legacy attracts visitors from all over the world, summer also invites you to discover its most natural landscapes, where the heat is tempered and the surroundings offer a perfect respite.

Because sometimes, the lesser-known corners are the ones that hold the best surprises. In the Valle de Lecrín, very close to the Alpujarra, the Barranco de la Luna is one of those places where nature unfolds its magic. A narrow canyon sculpted by water over centuries creates a landscape that seems to come from another world. The contrasts of light, the rock formations that defy time and the vegetation that makes its way between the walls of the gorge make this route an immersive experience. Among crystal-clear pools, fossils embedded in the stone and the unique moon-shaped rock, the walk becomes a constant discovery.

But if there is one thing that defines Andalusia, it is its ability to combine nature and history in a single trip. And that is where we offer you the Parador de Granada, where the Nasrid legacy and Renaissance splendour coexist in perfect harmony and where you can relax while enjoying the best of the city.

The Parador is a refuge where the past and the present merge. Its courtyards, cloisters and Mudejar details tell stories of power, art and evolution, offering a stay where history comes to life in every corner. From its windows, the Alhambra unfolds before the traveller's gaze, reminding us that there are places where natural beauty and the weight of history are masterfully intertwined.

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In the height of summer, far from the beaches and the hustle and bustle, there are destinations where history and nature coexist in surprising ways. One of them is Las Médulas, in El Bierzo, a landscape capable of surprising even the most experienced traveller.

What are now reddish hills covered with lush vegetation were, almost two thousand years ago, one of the most important gold mines in the Roman Empire. The ingenious extraction technique used by the Romans changed the terrain forever, leaving a landscape of contrasts that invites you to explore its trails and look out from the Orellán viewpoint, where the views are simply breathtaking.

Like the Parador de León, close to these landscapes, it is an impressive place where you can continue to enjoy an extraordinary and unique space, where architecture, art and history will envelop you in a way that is difficult to surpass. A perfect alternative for discovering places with soul this summer.

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On the border between Salamanca and Portugal, the Pozo de los Humos is one of those wonders that impresses from the very first moment. The River Uces plunges from a height of 50 metres, creating a curtain of water and vapour that envelops the landscape in an almost mystical atmosphere. The roar and force with which the water hits the ground contrast with the tranquillity of the dense forests that surround it, home to protected species and trails that offer spectacular views. It is not uncommon to come across mountain goats or even spot a lynx, immersing visitors in the wildest essence of Castile.

After this immersion in nature, there is nothing better than diving into the youthful atmosphere of Salamanca, enjoying its main square, its bars and, of course, its architecture. The Parador de Salamanca is the perfect place to stay. From here, travellers can explore the streets of the city and discover some of its most iconic spots and relax without the usual hustle and bustle of the city centre.

For those looking for even more, there are gems such as the Basilica of Santa Teresa in Alba de Tormes and the Sierra de Béjar, perfect for hiking and mountain lovers, close to the city.

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