This article was originally published by Maldita.es Anti-immigration sentiment grew in Spain during the summer and several disinformation narratives have been tracked in the country in recent months According to the latest CIS barometer in September, a public survey conducted by a Spanish public organization whose purpose is the scientific study of society, immigration has become one of the three main problems in Spain for 30% of those polled, while in June this was the case for only 11% of respondents we have detected several disinformation narratives about immigrants: 1.Hoaxes and disinformation associating migrants with crimes they did not commit Disinformation narratives claimed that the perpetrator was  North African but both the Civil Guard and the Government Delegation in Castilla-La Mancha — the autonomous community to which Toledo belongs — indicated that the detainee was Spanish The content was also circulating in French The video of a group of “illegal immigrants” from the Las Raíces camp allegedly vandalizing the El Junquito restaurant in Tenerife (Canary Islands Spain) also circulated quickly on social networks the images were recorded in a cafeteria of the Kenyan Parliament during protests in June 2024 Hoaxes and disinformation that dehumanize migrants by linking them to animal attacks the images showed two people having sex and there is no evidence that the young man was North African 3.Hoaxes and disinformation about the reception of migrants in towns and cities The content disseminated claims that they are staying at the Marcote-Mondariz school However, Accem, the Spanish NGO in charge of caring for these people, has told Maldita.es that they were only housed in the school during the month of August when the facilities were used for the organization of camps and other activities mayor of the Galician town of Mondariz-Balneario has told Maldita.es that the refugees were rehoused in the Hotel Cemar but Accem clarifies that “at no time is there contact between the temporary accommodation and the areas intended for students” The town of Sotrondio (Asturias, Spain) has also been in the spotlight of disinformation after the broadcasting of a video by RTPA, the regional public television broadcaster, in which it was said that the Government would send 5,700 unaccompanied minors to the town The channel issued a statement admitting the error with the total number of places the Government wants to create in all of Spain president of the Principality of Asturias (Spain) The murder of the child in Mocejón was also linked to the sheltering of 50 African people in a hotel near the scene although the person arrested by the Guardia Civil was a Spanish man Unaccompanied foreign minors were also singled out by disinformation associating them with violent acts between June and September. The video of an alleged “immigrant child” beating a woman in Spain quickly circulated on social networks although the images had actually been recorded in Malaysia in 2022 during a young man’s assault of his sister over a family dispute Earlier in the summer, a video of a group of people running around a shopping mall in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands The messages linked it to the arrival of immigrants along the coast of the islands and said it was “unaccompanied foreign minors” stealing as a group the shopping center itself told Maldita.es that the video had been recorded in December 2022 during the World Cup celebrations In August, foreign minors were also accused of being responsible for the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Zaragoza (Spain) but the National Police claimed to have no record of any similar incident on the dates indicated by the disinformers Hoaxes and disinformation associating migrants with privileges in the access to benefits The privileged access to economic aid for migrants is another recurring disinformation narrative that has not stopped during the summer. In early June, a man on TikTok claimed that “illegal immigrants” arriving in Spain received a 1,000 euro monthly allowance The social benefits of the central government and in no case are they exclusive benefits for foreigners The approval of an alleged new law allowing “North Africans” to come “illegally” to Spain and be paid 1,175 euros for a year has also been circulating since April despite the fact that there is no official document to support such a claim Coinciding with the beginning of summer and the renewal by the Government of the Verano Joven program there was also content claiming that “unaccompanied foreign minors” and “immigrants” of legal age could travel for free to both Spanish and foreign youths between 18 and 30 years of age Although the agreement foresees the development of employment programs with job offers directed to Mauritania there is no mention of this figure and people without Spanish nationality would not be able to vote in a general election Disinformation about supposed political agreements was also spread on June 13, when messages were circulated claiming that Congress had approved the regularization of “half a million illegal immigrants” that day a vote was taken on an amendment to the totality that VOX had interposed on the popular legislative initiative (ILP) for the regularization of 500,000 people 2025 © All Rights Reserved       Privacy Statement | Cookie Declaration We may receive a commission on purchases made from links Many companies sought to further profit from the water sources by bottling the naturally sparkling water and selling it on the national and international markets. The popularity of these healthy and crisp beverages grew rapidly. The sparkling water (also known as soda water or seltzer) that was bottled at notable sources, such as San Pellegrino's Val Brembana soon gained international acclaim and became a status symbol of health The success of bottled sparkling water on the international drinks market has endured throughout the decades, with the beverage becoming increasingly common and readily available around the world. In 2019, The New York Times reported that both supply and demand for the beverage had never been higher Consumers now have many options when it comes to choosing sparkling water Voss is perhaps the most prominent example of how water, sparkling or still, can be sold not as a product but as a lifestyle. As reported by Beverage Daily the associations of luxury that people make with the brand are not by chance they are the product of marketing and collaboration campaigns that led to the cylindrical glass and silver bottle becoming synonymous with style and elegance Unlike other premium sparkling waters, Voss does not have high levels of minerals and markets itself as having an unadulterated taste (per Voss). As reported by Voss in a water quality report these low mineral levels also ensure the water doesn't alter the flavor of accompanying food or wines thus making Voss suitable for any dining occasion the company has also released a range of flavored sparkling waters These flavor-filled alternatives can be enjoyed on their own or used as a mixer in cocktails While Voss Sparkling is marketed with the brand's trademark elegance and the water itself is crisp and pure the significantly higher price point in comparison to other brands is what landed it at No Waterloo launched in 2017 and grew nearly 3,000% by 2019, as reported by Austin Monthly. The brand prioritizes flavor above all else and has an in-house team dedicated to creating new combinations. When building flavor profiles, the team experiments with more than 30 flavorings over a nine-month time period (per Waterloo) This process is very important to the company We want to create an experience where the flavor builds to a lasting finish," he said "And that takes way more time than you'd imagine It took over a year just to create something like our coconut" (via Austin Monthly) Waterloo's dedication to building unique flavors is paying off as the company has built a strong presence in a highly competitive market a fact reflected by the brand's ranking on this list The company treats carbonation as one of the ingredients as well. This ensures that even its unflavored sparkling water — sold as original — is designed with taste and mouthfeel in mind. By controlling how and to what degree the water is carbonated, the company has built a drink with a silky taste and feel (via Brit + Co) LaCroix caused a huge rise in the visibility and popularity of sparkling water during the mid-2010s, as noted by Mary H.K. Choi in an essay published in The New York Times in 2015. Many, including The Guardian attribute some degree of this success to the sparkling water's branding and minimalist branding associated with premier sparkling waters The label isn't the only thing that speaks to the new wave of sparkling water consumers — the flavors do, too. LaCroix offers an exciting take on flavored sparkling water It is due to these thrilling flavor combinations and the brand's enduring popularity that we ranked LaCroix a respectable No The company's unique approach to marketing and flavoring has had even wider implications for the sparkling water industry. The brand is seen as a key driver of the sector's future growth, which is predicted to reach a value of $67.6 billion by 2030, as reported by InsightAce Analytic (via PR Newswire) Spindrift, a Massachusetts-based company, has carved a niche for itself by only using real fruit to flavor its range of sparkling waters (per Mass Live). In an interview with Markets Insider noted how using real fruit in their water has benefited the company we believe that authenticity and real ingredients are what make us better," he said "We are committed to bringing transparency to consumers in a way that tastes as refreshing as it feels Our real ingredient message is certainly resonating with consumers and we are gaining distribution in channels where they are actively seeking these types of products." The unique approach to flavoring that the company has adopted marks the brand as a cut above other flavor-centric competitors Perhaps the most notable difference between sparkling water brands is their focus on flavor versus water quality LaCroix and Spindrift spend little time expounding on where their water is sourced from or why it is of such high quality the water is seen more as a vehicle for carrying their popular flavorings starkly contrasts this sentiment by proudly highlighting the origins of its sparkling water and the fact that it remains untouched by human hands until bottling (per Castle Rock Water Company) Castle Rock's water is sourced from the springs of Mount Shasta's glacier in Dunsmuir the water is slowly filtered by numerous layers of rock The high quality of water this process produces is attested to by the company's success including the 2014 best bottled award at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting The purity in both the origin and flavor of Castle Rock marks it as a premium sparkling water and deserving of a place on this list the company's limited retail presence and lack of global distribution mean it falls short when competing for higher positions a fact that could easily change in the future With the company boasting more than 200 years in operation, it may come as somewhat of a surprise that Evian only launched its sparkling water in 2022 (via The Drum) the company seems confident about the sparkling water's success "This is the start of a new chapter for our iconic brand standing out for its true purity and freshness with just the right amount of bubbles will be just as popular with consumers across the UK." refreshing water already marks it as a leading competitor in the sparkling water industry it's the company's penchant for attractive design and unerring consistency that led to its ranking on this list "We aim to deliver Santa Vittoria from the source in northern Italy to consumers with as little environmental impact as possible We do this by offsetting the carbon emissions generated from the importation of Santa Vittoria mineral water into Australia and New Zealand."  Santa Vittoria water is sourced from the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy near the city of Bergamo (per Hotel Management). The water is low in minerals and sodium, and no sugars are used (per Santa Vittoria) The company's focus on producing pure products earned it a place on the list a position that would undoubtedly be higher if the water was more widely available Several sparkling water brands market their product as low in minerals and thus free from any flavors that may taint the water Gerolsteiner celebrates the high mineral content in its water and the associated health benefits The mineral water is sourced from the Volcanic Eifel region in western Germany One liter of the German brand's sparkling water contains more than 2,500 milligrams of minerals and elements Because the minerals are dissolved in the water your body is able to absorb them more quickly than when taking a vitamin pill Despite providing a significant amount of a person's daily mineral requirements Gerolsteiner sparkling water presents a balanced and light flavor profile While other vitamin-rich waters often have a bitter or salty flavor the company notes that the unique balance of minerals in a bottle of Gerolsteiner creates a "pleasant harmonious taste without any dormant individual mineral notes." It is this combination of health-boosting mineral levels and a pleasing taste that makes Gerolsteiner sparkling water rank on this list differentiates itself by highlighting the quality of its spring water This water is sourced from numerous natural springs dotted around Maine each meeting strict Food and Drug Administration standards To become one of the brand's sparkling products the water undergoes a process of carbonation before being finished with natural flavorings Poland Spring has sought to capitalize on the growing popularity of sparkling waters by releasing an extensive range of flavors. While many of these sound appealing, the water is best appreciated in its unflavored form. This was highlighted by one customer on Walmart: "I really love this Poland Spring Simply Bubbles Water bc I am a Diabetic; instead of plain water which it tastes like it has minerals in it A great product for Poland Spring's line-up and an excellent alternative to regular spring water." helped to cement the brand as a leader in the sparkling water industry Despite not making it to the top half of our list Perrier can nevertheless take pride in its prestigious history It is one of the quintessential sparkling water brands and Growing awareness of the negative health impacts associated with sugary soda consumption has driven consumers towards alternatives Large beverage companies like PepsiCo have adapted to this changing consumer landscape by launching new sparkling water brands that can utilize the company's immense design I have been trying to cut out soda for the obvious terrible implications from it and sampling the market for different zero sugar/sweetener and calorie drinks [...] The flavor on these is great which makes your senses feel like you aren't just drinking a lightly flavored sparkling water." Bubly products contain only two listed ingredients: carbonated water and natural flavor This latter term is somewhat contentious; natural flavors have to be derived from plant or animal sources but can contain an array of preservatives and solvents PepsiCo does not reveal what the natural flavors consist of consumers do not know exactly what they are drinking Canada Dry is another brand that is quick to celebrate its zero calorie unsweetened nature while revelling in the ambiguity provided by the term "natural flavors." Despite this Canada Dry remains one of the most recognized brands in the sparkling water market While a large degree of this fame is due to the brand's famous ginger ale Canada Dry's sparkling water garners considerable praise in its own right but I drink Seltzer Water for the refreshing fizzy effect without all the thick diabetes causing corn syrup_ This stuff is crisp & light." A downside to Canada Dry sparkling water is that it is significantly more expensive than many other brands A twelve pack of the original can easily cost $7.99 a twelve pack of Bubly can be bought for less than half that price food brand Hal's New York filters its water five times using a reverse osmosis filtration system This is not the only way Hal's New York ensures its sparkling water is impeccably clean; a polishing system and ultraviolet treatment also ensure that almost no bacteria or microbes enter the bottles Although Hal's New York clearly values the purity of its water, this is not the defining feature of the brand. A distinctly New York-centric approach takes that honor for reasons Lewis Hershkowitz, co-founder of Hal's New York, explained to Long Island.com: "We had done some research and there was room for another seltzer in the New York market and we realized that none of the other brands out there really had that 'New York' aspect to it They were mostly focused on national brands like Seagram's Hal's New York sparkling waters come in a variety of flavors ranging from black cherry to vanilla creme While this wide selection ensures there is a sparkling water for every taste all Hal's products have a reputation for being heavily carbonated This is somewhat divisive amongst customers one of the main reasons why this brand did not rank higher on our list is a brand that takes a wholly unique approach to sparkling water Instead of adopting the seemingly ubiquitous "zero calories celebrates the inclusion of its namesake ingredient While the inclusion of ingredients like birch sap results in a can of sparkling water that contains 25 calories and six grams of sugars to assume it is less healthy than other brands on this list would be a mistake That's because it actually brings many benefits to the product including an abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties The company also produces a seltzer that contains maple sap. This beverage surprises people with its subtleness, for reasons explained by a reviewer on Amazon: "Do not expect a strong maple taste it takes 30-40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of syrup so the flavor profile of sap is quite subtle It was tough rationing my case to make it last and I found myself drinking several cans a day at times." All of Sap!'s beverages demonstrate this subtlety although options such as Ginger-Lemongrass Sparkling Water and Tangerine-Chamomile Sparkling Water offer busier flavor profiles for those that prefer bold tastes The lower levels cause the bubbles to fizz on the tongue as opposed to the harsher bubbles traditionally associated with sparkling water The distinct mouthfeel of Topo Chico is the feature that has cemented its position so high on this list; there is simply nothing quite like it Topo Chico provides a level of refreshment unrivaled by its competitors the hard seltzer has enjoyed great success in its European and U.S the flavor is fairly strong which is hard to achieve with chamomile and fits the description perfectly: it's floral and has a strong vanilla taste as well." Sound varies not only the flavor of its products The Tangerine with Lemongrass and Green Tea sparkling water contains 45 milligrams of caffeine making it a great choice to fight the midafternoon slump Other products like the Grapefruit with Lavender and Ginger Tea contain no caffeine making them suitable for every time of day and night The myriad of health benefits provided by Icelandic Glacial is why this sparkling water comes in at number 5 on our list No other sparkling water typifies the industry's longstanding association with health and wellness better than Icelandic Glacial The brand's water is a testament to the enduring relevance of natural sparkling water to our health While other sparkling water companies use cute designs and claims of purity to win over customers Liquid Death — a hugely successful sparkling water brand — uses comedy This is not the slapstick humor of earlier generations a type of humor that plays extremely well on social media Everybody's trying to get rid of them [...] aluminum and metal is easy to melt down into big bricks and then resell at a profit So it's really only aluminum that's consistently getting recycled and that's the high level of what the brand's all about and what we're trying to do." What's more the can fits perfectly into Liquid Death's punk aesthetic by imitating the shape of beer cans as opposed to traditional sparkling water cans Liquid Death's sparkling water only contains low levels of carbonation making it less bitter and thus approachable for a wide range of audiences To receive a diamond award from the International Taste Institute, a product must be awarded a three-star superior taste award for seven years during a 10-year window, as highlighted by Aguas de Mondariz Mondariz has achieved this exceptional feat not once but twice with both the still and sparkling waters receiving this coveted award The water sits in an aquifer for 60 to 150 years and is filtered by layers of granite which gives it a "unique texture and flavor," per the site Mondariz has received multiple awards such as the International Taste & Quality Institute's diamond taste award in 2015 and 2016 and superior taste award from 2009 through 2012 The company's exceptional taste is what landed it the third spot on our list is shaping the way folks think about this country and think about representation These flavors had not yet been represented on mainstream shelves or were relegated to a certain aisle of the store We're having conversations that are changing that dynamic." Sanzo also impresses thanks to transparency Instead of using the ambiguous term "natural flavors" each of Sanzo's products have all ingredients clearly listed This degree of information is a rarity in the flavored subcategory of the sparkling water industry — one that health-conscious consumers will be happy about Sanzo's sparkling waters do not contain added sugars Sanzo uses its products to celebrate Asian American accomplishments A current example is a special product celebrating the 10th anniversary of ex-NBA player Jeremy Lin's iconic streak of basketball performances The company takes its pairings seriously and even created a water codex to teach restaurants how to pair their sparkling waters with various dishes the strong mineral notes of San Pellegrino work extremely well with equally powerful wines crisp nature of San Pellegrino can even be used to cut through a vintage port Play Duration: 1 hour 37 seconds1h Presented by Lock in with UK based don Al Wootton ahead of his Aussie summer shows. On the scene since the late 2000s, we’re getting down with a stalwart of the underground music community before he heads Down Under later this month.Formerly known as Deadboy, Al Wootton is a producer and DJ who has released music on labels such as Livity Sound, Optimo Tracx and his own labels Trule and Amidah over the last few years. He also performs in bands Holy Tongue and Moin, as well as holding down a Rinse FM Residency. SPAIN - A spill of caustic soda in the Tea River in the town of Mondariz has caused the death of thousands of fish along two miles of the channel More than 5,000 dead fish of different sizes with a total weight of 250 kilos were removed from the river, but many still need removing, reports FaroDeVigo The pollution is thought to be due to human error which led to two thousand liters of water with caustic soda entering the river instead of through the usual system that prevents it from happening The accident was instantly realized and the emergency protocol that mobilizes the Service Nature Protection Civil Guard (Seprona) GM Ilmars Starostits scored an unbeaten 8.0/9 to win International Open GEMA63 IM Diego Espineira Gonzalez secured second position with a score of 7.0/9 GM Arian Gonzalez Perez scored 6.5/9 to be placed third Starostits also scored an unbeaten 9.5/11 to win 3rd International Open Blitz GEMA63 Both IM Jose Luis Gonzalez Trigal and FM Luis Marcos Medarde Santiago finished with 9.0/11 each and they were placed second and third respectively Total 33 players participated in the open event from four federations including Spain comprising of two GMs The tournament was held from 2nd to 7th January 2020 at Mondariz Balneario 2492) scored an unbeaten 8.0/9 to win International Open GEMA63 and finish a full point ahead of the competition 2327) finished at second place with a score of 7.0/9 2478) scored 6.5/9 to secure third position finished a half point ahead of the competition to GEMA63 International Blitz open 2315) and FM Luis Marcos Medarde Santiago (ESP 2183) finished with 9.0/11 and they were placed second and third respectively according to their tie-break scores The 15th International Chess Festival GEMA63 was held in the Galician town of Mondariz Balneario and consisted of two tournaments - Ist International Chess Open GEMA63 from 2nd to 7th January 2020 in which 33 players participated from four different federations including Spain comprising of two GMs IIIrd Blitz GEMA63 International Chess Tournament took place on 4th January 2020 with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds The organization of the festival thanks all the players for their presence in the tournaments and invites them to the next edition of the festival Complete standings Complete standings We have launched the ChessBase India App. Check out this amazing resource! Android for now - Download the app now Follow Tweets by @ChessbaseIndia ChessBase India is proud to be the official partner of chessbase.com reporting on events in India Like our Facebook page for more Indian chess updates The all new ChessBase Premium Account which gives you access to ten amazing online ChessBase services like PlayChess Become a part of the ever-growing ChessBase India Youtube Channel. Subscribe now and stay update with our awesome video content.  The TimesPonder a villa holiday in Spain and you might instantly think of Andalusia or Alicante in the sunny south Yet the country’s lesser-known northern regions Galicia and Cantabria shouldn’t be overlooked if one of the country’s more off-the-beaten-track corners sounds like an appealing proposition Each of these holiday homes is special — whether an amazing feat of engineering with glass walls or because they showcase traditional Spanish design with terracotta rooftops and hand-painted tiles in fabulous locations Galicia is probably the most famous northern region thanks to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela with its cathedral and crinkle-cut coastline and islands Asturias and Cantabria are green and verdant with national parks and mountainous panoramas The Basque region is where you’ll find seaside stunner San Sebastian to be paired with La Rioja next door for a matching bottle of red even if you choose a home you might not want to leave for your week’s stay these properties will still immerse you entirely in the landscape You’ll recognise some established villa agencies here but if you’re a fan of distinctive architecture you should familiarise yourself with smaller What’s for sure is that finding these homes isn’t as easy as it is to live in them so I’ve done the sifting and searching for you Here are 24 villas in northern Spain that would be a thrill to sleep in Our travel journalism is written and edited by independent experts to inform inspire and advise our readers about the best choices for your holidays We also feature properties and itineraries from a specially selected list of trusted operators These buttons and adverts are clearly signposted and provide direct links through to external sites Wild shores and wondrous seafood in the far northwest A CoruñaGalicia is sometimes called the Wales of Spain but if the principality looked like this we’d all be heading over the Severn Bridge each summer surfers and fishermen gather in equal numbers Where there isn’t glass there are salvaged timber boards so you have a home that is hip and historic.Details Sleeps up to eight Seven nights from £2,873 (dezanovehouse.com) Pontevedra Rustical Travel is a small agency that offers some of the lesser-known regions of Spain This house in the city of Pontevedra has sea views and lies less than a mile from Bueu beach yet is located among forested hills with hiking trails setting off from your back garden gate It’s a traditional stone house with exposed timberwork but it has been restored with modern travellers in mind and includes a contemporary kitchen and skylights.Details Sleeps up to ten DononThe “before” photo of Camino de Playa would show a dilapidated bodega while the “after” photo would show a thoughtful conversion into a holiday house that sleeps eight and a little “cabana” nearby (for two adults and two children) You can still see the bodega walls and terracotta tiles but what makes the place liveable are the replacement glass panels that allow light to flood in where there was once darkness Santiago de Compostela is one hour’s drive away.Details Sleeps up to 12 Seven nights from £2,147 (urlaubsarchitektur.de) 500 hilly wineries surround the lovely old town of Haro lush river valleys and hopelessly pretty hill towns and that’s what you have here: a cocoon-like home within a striking steel-and-wood shell replete with everything you could ever need and a light-flooded living area and kitchen all of which look out to the mountains of Els Ports Natural Park owing to one half of your shell being made of glass vegetable garden and an indoor-outdoor lounge so life at El Caracol is about immersing yourself in the local landscape — by hiking even simply viewing — rather than off-site day trips.Details Sleeps up to eight Seven nights from £1,317 (hostunusual.com) CretasWhat a backstory: creative young couple — he French she Spanish — buy a huge plot of wilderness to indulge their passion of “collecting great modern architecture” oaks and red rocks on the Aragon-Catalonia border will house 15 holiday homes each designed by an internationally acclaimed architect a 45m-diameter ring (like a mini version of Apple Campus with a courtyard and 20m pool in the centre and the living spaces and bedrooms arranged around the periphery Sliding walls made of glass can all be opened up We could tell you that Solo Circle is within day-tripping distance of Els Ports Natural Park Costa Brava beaches and the city of Tarragona but if you choose to leave this house during your stay you’re missing the point.Details Sleeps up to six Beyond foodie San Sebastian come craggy mountains SieroThis is the first of two “nature houses” featured in this list (see below) These are homes vetted and sourced by the Netherlands-agency Natuurhuisje which specialises in rural vacation homes that enhance local biodiversity and which donates two per cent of its turnover to local nature projects This cottage is in a hamlet of just six homes and has astounding mountain views framed artfully by low stone walls and wiggly country lanes The owners recommend doing little more than “walking to pick chestnuts or blackberries” but Gijon and Oviedo are also nearby.Details Sleeps up to six Seven nights from £518 (naturehouse.co.uk) Fly to Asturias-Oviedo or fly or take the ferry to Santander RodilesSurfers and swimmers come from afar to gorgeous Rodiles beach — often voted Spain’s best or a short drive if your rental car is laden with body boards and a picnic Imagine an old terracotta-roof cottage with a modern extension and a long hydrangea-trimmed lawn; that’s what you have at the Cider House where the lounge (in the new bit) has high ceilings and a single window with cinema-screen views while the kitchen is teeny with traditional tiles and ancient low beams and happens also to be on the edge of Selorio a hamlet with a butcher and restaurants.Details Sleeps up to five SalamancaIf all affordable housing looked like this Designed by the Salamanca local and winner of a 2021 Architecture MasterPrize for small architecture the clay-rendered one-storey units (there will be 84 eventually) are like futuristic rural refuges they were built with Salamanca families in mind with open-plan living to promote social unity affordable retreats set among olive groves and vineyards is 20 minutes up the road.Details Sleeps up to five near AstorgaWe include this grand five-bedroom villa because it’s so rare to find a place of such size that remains back-to-basics in style and is With a cobbled courtyard trimmed by galleried walkways and painted in noble colours it’s as if you have your own estate for the week Thick stone walls make for impressive window seats — and even better forest views — and original timber beams conclude the historic picture The icing on the cake is a long rural driveway that keeps the real world at bay.Details Sleeps up to 16 Seven nights from £1,480 (naturehouse.co.uk) La CerdanyaFrom one angle this could be a classic mountain holiday home with rough-hewn stone walls and exposed timber beams it could be Frank Lloyd Wright’s sunny Spanish escape with a sleek pool and pitched-roof rooms that jut away from the main house into the sky like sun rays cycling or golfing at one of Spain’s oldest courses next door you have the house’s Mercedes classic convertible and a Mercedes ML320 at your disposal.Details Sleeps up to 16 This historic granite house on a hill works on both fronts — you can reach the area by ferry (either Portsmouth to Bilbao or Plymouth to Santander) and then get everywhere on foot once you’re here Not only are the Picos de Europa so close you can smell the snow and pines (one guest said that “the views will take your breath away”) but you have village shops and restaurants within walking distance as well as the swimming pool of the local campsite in summer All this and the home feels private and rural pear and apple trees and a river winding through the lawn.Details Sleeps up to ten La PedrosaUsing Cantabrian stone and traditional Basque building methods the owner and architect Laura Alvarez has created a new home that looks as if it’s centuries old you appreciate its 21st-century sensibilities such as two opposing glass walls giving equal importance to sunset and sunrise or the glass-box shower cubicles that let light through There’s a timber hot tub with widescreen views of the Valles Pasiegos hills — it’s wall-to-wall greenery in these parts with cows often feeding on the lawn Take the ferry or fly to Santander or Bilbao Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Twitter