Why Cuenca Is Spain's Most Magical Town
Cuenca is perhaps the most magical town in Spain. So Yoly and I decided to spend a weekend at the Parador and explore this beautiful hilltop town just 2 hours from Madrid. And we had the fortune to sleep in the beautiful Parador hotel. Venga, let’s go! 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!
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OMG. Spain is beautiful
Yep!
Im leaving here
Yes, it is. I was visiting family in late Sept, 2019, in Tenerife, then 2nd and 3rd week of October in the Andalusia area. I fell in love with all of southern Spain. As soon as the travel bands are lifted, I am heading back to Nerja, and I will tour Andalusia for 14 days.
@@isaacpro08vt39 me too
So happy we went to Spain at the end of 2019 we loved every minute of it we will return when we can. We have no idea when we can travel out of Austraila again, please everyone keep safe.
My husband and l also traveled to Spain in late 2019. Barcelona for almost 2 weeks, staying in 2 different hotels/ areas for conference logistics, was a wonderful experience. We went on four Devour Tours and EVERY one was special and helped us to create some wonderful memories! We love that you are back making videos of travel and food and adding art to your discussions of history and architecture is lovely! I took a photo of a painting at the Fundacio Joan Miro because it reminded me of Yolli! It's called Flamenco and I'll pull it from my files and post it one day for you to see it! Barcelona was not my first trip to Europe, but it was one that l was able to enjoy the most, because of your tours and the videos. I was very comfortable sightseeing alone while my husband was working during the day and l do believe a lot of that was due to your videos and the BEST guides of Devour Tours. XO
We LOVE Cuenca! And my wife tried her first Cochinillo at the Hanging House. She was immediately hooked, and we've tried it all over Spain since. Hanging House is still our favorite.
I love Castilla la Mancha! Have cosy towns and cities to visit even lakes, rivers and nature.
My favorite place is Lagunas de Ruidera.
I was in Spain last year and this really makes me miss Spain so much!!! SO Beautiful... sending some love from Canada!! :)
I feel the same! We had to cancel a trip through the Pyrenees to San Sebastián due to the pandemic. ☹️
Reading and enjoying "Madrid, A Cultural History" that you recommended. A fascinating, well written history.
Mi tierra aunque últimamente me gusta ir al caribe de vacaciones
La Mancha buena comida asegurada
Los zarajos son exquisitos aunque a mi personalmente no me gusten
Si quieres visitar la Mancha te aconsejo que la visites en los meses de marzo a mayo y de septiembre a noviembre ya que el resto o bien hace mucho frio ❄ o mucho calor 🔥
Glad you're enjoying it!
I’m studying Spanish in Cuenca and I’m from Taiwan. I really love this city and I feel so lucky that I can study here. Thank you for making this video cuz even a lot of Spanish people never come to Cuenca before.
Spanish Paradors are the ultimate, to stay places i reckon. Beautiful video you two👍
Thanks Jim. Yeah, they're an amazing place to stay.
Guys, I love your videos, please continue making more. Spain has been our top 2 most visited destination over the last 5 years or so, and exploring the small towns and villages is truly magical. It is a difficult time for Spain at the moment, but I am sure the people can overcome these difficulties. Cheers.
We cannot wait to get back to Spain! Cuenca will definitely be on our list! Thank you for sharing this magical city♥️
Spain has so many magical beautiful places.......❤️
We were supposed to be in Spain right now, but the pandemic changed all that. We were going to spend 47 days in Spain. We will have to put that off until all the mess of the coronavirus is over, maybe 2022. Anyway, I love these videos where both of you interact. You guys are great!
James, your charisma is crazy. I love the passion you put when narrating. There are plenty of videos about Spain and not only and I must say yours stand out because of the way you describe the places you visit and because of your energy. Looking forward to 👀 the next one.
Thank you so much!
Hey James, if you are looking for another place to visit I really recommend my hometown Zamora. As one of the smallest cities in Spain is often forgotten but it's only 3 hours away from Madrid and it's full of modernist and romanic architecture, it's also amazing for tapas! I miss it dearly since I've been in the UK for the past 5 years. Every person I've reccomended them to go have really enjoyed it. Amazing wine area aswell :)
It's actually on my list! Yes!
I hope you end up going, the city could use some publicity. if you go definitely have some ice cream in La Valenciana, I might be bias but it's delicious, also Patatas bravas in a bar called Caballeros, they could rival any in Madrid
lucia Este que bien lo has descrito abalo todos los sitios que mencionas¡
Hi Lucia. I like Zamora and the surrounding area. I live about two hours away, in Chaves, Portugal. Can you believe that when we go down to the Algarve to escape the cold at Christmas time we always take the Spanish highways, from Verín to Zamora, then down the Autovia past Salamanca to Huelva and Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal. You are right that few tourists make it to Zamora. But Zamora gets more tourists than Palencia or Ourense. Those places have a hard time attracting travellers. Are you working as a nurse in the UK?
When I was there, beautiful city, I also visited Portugal and the marvelous Braganza Castle that is nearby. Tapas were different, as zamorana rice - with chorizo as English people seem to like (joking) - or cockscombs.
Thanks. Es mágica en verdad. Yo me enamoré de Cuenca con 6 años, y mi amor perdura. Es como la Cenicienta, una princesa por descubrir. Gracias por aportar tu granito de arena para que el mundo entera la conozca
Just finished watching Velvet and Velvet Coleccion.... and, now I must visit Spain! Thank you for introducing Cuenca!! What a beautiful place!!
Fantastic job guys, The Parador is truly a gem, staying at a past monastery would be such an incredible experience! I am adding it to my bucket list for sure.
What a magical place. I was already missing Spain, now you've added another town to my list of places to see. Muchos besos James & Yoli!
Me voy a casar en el Parador con mi pareja estadounidense y este vídeo me va a ayudar mucho para que conozcan más de cerca esta maravillosa ciudad, muchas gracias a los dos!! Realmente mostráis lo auténtico de Cuenca, parte de mi familia es de allí y la comida que mostráis es la mejorcita
So many memories... I lived for 5 years in Cuenca and 7 years in a nearby village. I know about every stone of the place, including the eateries, the Parador and the climb to the Cerro which I've done often with my wife, and I can tell you that you've done a fantastic job of showing it. El Bodegón is a wise choice. BTW I seem to remember that Resoli has cloves too. And morteruelo has pork liver.
could you recommend apartment to rent for 10 months my daughter is going out there in september to school
By far your best video yet. Thank you. I'm missing Spain so much these days and am looking forward to the day I can go back. Your videos make me feel like I'm there again.
Hi James. Loved this! Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo was a good friend of my father’s and was a padrino of my parents’ wedding in 1961 in Manila. He gifted them with a beautiful painting which we cherish. I visited Cuenca last year, and plan to come back and stay at the Parador! Thank you for this!
Wow! Hi 👋 my name is Giselle and I recently discovered your channel! Love it, super informative and presented in such an enthusiastic and fun way 😀 Hopefully I can visit Spain someday. I am of Puerto Rican descent so my heritage has many ties to this beautiful and breathtaking country. Greetings from Maryland USA. 😉🙃🙂
I hope 🙏 you get to go in the near future! Wishing you much love and peace ✌ 💕 💛
Magical! 😍 The second this pandemic is over I'm booking my flight over to madrid and going to here too, thanks for the vids James and Yoly! Love from Ireland
Another fantastic video, the only disappointment is when it ends! Now I really have to visit Cuenca. I love how you showcase the local food and drink and your enthusiasm for history really does fire up a yearning to learn more. I just love watching you two 🥰 thanks xx
I appreciate that Angela :) Comments like this propel us to keep going!
WOW QUE INCREIBLE VIAJE.... we’ve enjoyed this trip AMAZING friends CUENCA EL PARADOR ROOM 301 😉👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Spectacular! Thanks!
Thank you guys, you're back to your best form This type of video where you mix cuisine with tourism are the ones I enjoy the most Good camera work, bright colours
I’m from Cuenca and I love your video. Thanks for tell the story about Cuenca.
Your Videos reached a new quality, not just technically but also contentwise, great to watch and be part of it. Gracias amores, saludos desde Valencia......
Gracias Manuel
I am from india.. And i am coming to spain next month
Mi casa, mi hogar (soy escocesa) 😍
El hogar de una persona está dónde está su corazón. A veces coincide con el lugar donde nació y otras no, hay que disfrutar la vida.🙋
@@marcasabuena7503 Cierto! 🙋
Everytime you put out these types of vids, I get excited and want to visit! This is now on the top of my list to visit, so gorgeous!!!
Hope you get there at some point Chris!
My wife and I stayed in Cuenca a couple of years ago and lodged in the Hostal San Pedro which you walk past at 11:41 The rooms look directly over the gorge. I remember we had a fine meal somewhere on Calle San Pedro and all the tourists were Spanish. We started the day in Ubeda in Andalusia, drove through the Despenaperros Pass on the old road, had lunch in the remarkable Plaza Mayor of Almagro before driving to Belmonte Castle. By the time we got to Cuenca it was dark but we parked at the top and had a meal in the same place as you. I'm afraid our annual visits to Spain this year have been ruined but we'll make it in October, God willing. I'm glad you had a wonderful time and shared some moments.
Spanish is the language, people are Spaniards.
@@MrSludov Very important correction in the totality of the comment. Thank you.
Wow, such a trip.
@@menchualcarazmoreno1743 Thanks. It was an epic two week holiday. From Cuenca we went to El Burgo de Osma for five days to explore the Soria and Burgos regions. After that we drove to Trujillo in one day where we stayed for three nights. I always drive through the National Parks if possible even if it takes a bit longer. The landscape and random stops and discoveries are just as interesting to me as the final destination. Trujillo to Priego de Cordoba for one night before spending the last three days chilling out in Alhama de Granada before departing from Malaga. We did it in the heat of the summer and it was one of the best holidays we've ever had.
I loved Yoli’s “okay” when you asked if she wanted to go for a 30 min walk up the hill 😂🙌🏻
A few notes 😎😂😂 Wow! Having seen the making of it, this video was one of your best. It began with a smile as the montage showed the door being locked and knowing the keys were inside and you even managed to get a pool sequence 😁. But it was disappointing to miss the cathedral pigeon. 😂 Never tried zarajo, but would love to. Too few people still eat offal in the UK, it's dying out in favour of meat wrapped in plastic. The morning walk was so worth it. I really need to go back to Cuenca. Why do you insist on dragging that poor girl up hills? To be serious for a moment, I have seen many tour videos but yours stand out. I think it is, in part, the professionalism but also the natural way you both have and the obvious passion and sense of fun. Keep doing what you're doing guys. Hasta pronto
Thank you Paul. I really love the fact that members got to see the behind the scenes, and then got to see the final product. It's a treat to know that others can share in the journey -- not just me, Yoly and Carlos (and it's often a bit journey, so it can be kinda weighty on your own!! lol)
Hey Paul! It’s cool to know the back stage ah? I like very much the intro of this and the history behind the buildings. What do you think about the behind the scenes for members? It worth to enjoy more the final video? A big hug!
@@carlomfernandez Hola Carlos. The videos are always good but seeing the behind-the-scenes first, definitely made it better. It is very interesting to see how the videos are made. Now we need to see how they are edited 😁
Jeje true!
Me alegro que os gustase nuestra ciudad, gracias por la visita
Que te crees ministro.
Eating outdoors at night, one of Spain greatest pleasures
Me encantó este video de Cuenca y la calidad videográfica es magnífica! Gracias James y Joli! Can’t wait to be able to travel again!
Me encanta como habéis hecho este reportaje de Cuenca, mi ciudad natal. Es una ciudad pequeñita, pero en preciosa, sobre todo el casco antiguo. Su comida es exquisita, a buen precio y se tarda 50 min en tren desde Madrid. Gracias por el vídeo :)
What an amazing video. Top quality professional work. If there is a tourism office in Cuenca, they should use your video to show the beauty of this amazing locale. As this place is now part of my travel bucket list, thanks to you, I am fully aware that I have to bring comfortable shoes to do all the trekking to appreciate the sights. I loved every minute of this video. Thank you so much for all the information provided. Great job, guys !!!
So glad you enjoyed it Gina - and yes I’ll share it with the tourism board :)
I love love this videos that you are posting now, last year I was looking at going to Cuenca on my May trip (this year) but because of Covid it was canceled but now I want to added to my trip next year 🙏 this was a terrific video keep up on your great work
Next year Barbara!
Let’s pray and hope that the US gets better 🙏
What a lovely place, and James and Yoli are so descriptive, and appreciative of Spain and it's wonders, You can't help but feel the urge to make reservations. Can't wait till things are back to normal. Thank you
Spent time in Cuenca in 2009. Loved it. This video was spectacular. Well done and thank you.
What a wonderful video! Thank you so much for making and sharing it!
I love the resoli de Cuenca. I was there in 1995 and still long to go back and revisit Cuenca and experience the resoli again! I loved this town.
You 2 hit stride on this one. Having been to Cuenca and fallen head over heels (fortunately not literally off a balcon de casa colgada) with the city. I took my daughter on a 5 week trip through Spain and a bit of France with no destination and we ended up in Cuenca without a plan. We stayed very near the restaurant you found the first night. It was not as uptown as the Parador, but was fine and since at the top of town, gave us a long uphill walk home after happily wandering around all day. We also stopped in at the Cathedral in time for mass. It was a stunning experience. I agree that the Cathedral in Cuenca is one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced. Your video took me back to what I remember walking around the town and the essence of the place. I would agree that white wine was not the thing to drink with traditional comida manchega. Once you switched to a hearty red, all was well. Thank you so much for this fantastic video.
The cathedral was founded by king Alfonso VIII of Castile and his wife, Eleanor Plantagenet, Richard´s Lionheart sister....
So glad it transported you back Tim! :)
Thanks for sharing this adventure with us! My partner and I are freelancers and moving to Madrid at the end of the month; your videos are so helpful and motivating. Definitely planning a trip to Cuenca now, once we settle. Please keep the exploring videos coming!
Wow, I've been to Cuenca before but clearly I have not EXPERIENCED Cuenca! One of your best videos yet. What I love about your channel is that even places I've visited before look brand new when seen through the eyes of the Spain Revealed duo - James & Yoly. Thanks again for another lovely video!
So glad you enjoyed it Miriam :)
What a lovely couple! The travel with you is much fun and engaging. La Mancha features is grand to see! The ancient layered history and picturesque mystery is such a lift. Your company makes this shared travel a treat. Thank you - Muchas gracias with a start of the day! You put the smile on many. Did you catch a sight of Don Quixote? Best to you!
Benvenedos a todos yo soy arabe vivo en centro de cuenca puerta de valencia yo vivo aquí desde hace 7 meses mi encanta esa cuidad
Hola amigo! Soy de Latinoamérica como podría llegar a Cuenca?
HE CF hola muy Buenas por En el tren o en el bus desde madrid o otra cuidad de madrid hasta cuenca dura una hora así
Really nice video. You’ve upped the editing to a professional level and the rythm of all cuts is perfect! Love it!
Thank you - Carlos and a Yoly and I are very proud of this one :)
That Guerrero´s picture in 8:59 is breathtaking, like those views. Gracias por compartir la visita. Cuenca es una maravilla. Saludos a los conquenses desde Madrid.
I know - almost like a Rothko.
@@spainrevealed Yeah, same vibe. He actually lived in New York and became acquainted with all those abstracts expressionist painters. His paintings fit very well in those modern museum in Cuenca or Granada (where I think he was from) Deep traditions and modern forms. You made a incredible video. Keep up the good work.
By the way, Cuenca´s cathedral was founded by king Alfonso VIII of Castile and his wife, Eleanor Plantagenet, Richard´s Lionhearth sister...
Wow you guys have come a long way! Glad you’re doing well! Love the new video! The filming and editing is at a different level! I truly enjoyed it! Great job! Can’t wait to be able to travel again 🍺
Thank you!
Brilliant to have food and travel content again. I binge watched your previous stuff - lovely escapism during lockdown here in Cape Town. You and Yoli make a great & entertaining team for us armchair travellers, so thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Mike. More coming -- Toledo up soon.
Planning a long holiday to Spain and found your wonderful channel, each video is beautifully done.. I enjoy every second of them. keep up the good work
I'm obsessed with these not as known parts of Spain Thank you so much for sharing!!
This place looks awesome a definite must see. A great video thanks for sharing
so beautiful places, so lovely you two) thank you for your cozy, friendly and nice Spain
You have out-done yourselves. A beautiful video about a fascinating city. I agree 100% about the contrasts of ancient and modern in Spain. They make it work so stylishly, too. Thank you for sharing this lovely, magical place with us.
This video reminded me a journey which I visited Cuenca, those places are magical. Thanks for this beautiful video guys
Por favor, me quedé sin palabras
Astonishing! What language is he speaking?
Thank you for these beautiful posts. You guys are a hoot to!!
It's great to see you travelling again. I hope your collaboration with Paradores will go on for a good while. More Paradores and more old man bars please! I need more of this type of content to sustain me until I can go back to Spain.
Thank you for your terrific videos of Spain, a country I love. I need another life to see all that I’ve missed in this one. Hello from Oz.
What a beautiful country full of history
Brilliant thanks for the info
Ole ahí mi Cuenca querida.
I love the way you filmed this. Very well done... Thank you so much. I pray that soon everything will be back to normal in Spain... Love you both
Thanks Jimmy!!
Beautiful video of a beautiful place - Cuenca is now definitely on my list of places for a weekend away.
Loved seeing your video profiling my town here in Spain! I feel very lucky to live here and be immersed in its beauty everyday 🙂
Un vídeo PRECIOSO! LIKE
Hi guys, one amazing place ane I loved the video! ! Thanks for sharing! ! ✌️😊😊
Wow, just wow! Thanks a lot for the great video! I can't thank you enough for revealing such hidden gems!
Cheers mate!!!
Another WOW IDIOT!
So grateful to be able to live vicariously through you and Yoly. during lockdown!
Such an amazing town, it's truly magical, when i was in madrid i was thinking weather i should visit cuenca or not, now i regret not visiting it, but hopefully when i come to spain soon first thing i will visit barcelona and cuenca. Thank you for this video :)
Fantástico reportaje,como siempre pareja...sois muy buenos 👍🏻
Outstanding... thank you
Thank you for the tour of this magical town. More medieval towns please. Great videos.
We went to Cuenca a couple of weeks ago - beautiful place and the modern art museum was an unexpected bonus, loved it.
Beautiful vídeo, as usual! 👏👏👏
Wow, beautifully shot
That was so interesting. Thank you
Cuenca es maravillosa y su gente también
Been really looking forward to this after seeing the Insta stories. So pleased you are featuring Paradors - would love you to do more as we want to do a full tour just staying in them. Great to see you out and about.
Cheer Robin!
Os habeis puesto mirando a Cuenca mutuamente :) Buen video.
Glad to see that you guys enjoyed our beautiful city near Madrid. We have tasty food, friendly people, magic places and nature arround the city so everyone who comes to Spain should visit us! Un abrazo de un conquense para la próxima visitad lugares de la serranía! 😀
Muchas gracias por tu reportaje de mi tierra, me emociona que Cuenca traspase fronteras, muchas gracias, es un orgullo.
As like most good videos, I usually find them by accident. You guys are so enjoyable to watch, videos very informative and so infectious..keep ‘em coming please.
Wow, Amazing place, Beautiful, magical, and everything. I always run out of words to describe the places you show us. 👍. Would you believe me if I told you that we had a few lessons in prose about Don Quixote of La Mancha, of all places in India way back in the mid 70s and I have become a fan of Spain ever since.
Forbidden to say WOW in Spain, dontcherknow?
@@rossbrown6641 I don’t, no one told me yet. Not James or Yollie.
Wow awesome view!
James y Yoli, una obra de arte. This is a beautifully made video. Bravo!!
Thank you Steve - I'm glad you enjoyed it!
And massive shoutout to Carlos, the editor I work with.
Your Spain videos are the best. I keep looking around for other videos but can’t find any that are quite as enjoyable. They’re either too much like a documentary, or too amateurish. I’m not really a foodie, so I like your weekend trips to small Spanish towns the best, but the tapas crawls are fun, too. It fun to fantasize about sitting in these little restaurants and bodegas eating authentic local Spanish dishes.
Me gustp mucho este nuevo estilo de video...intro, como Contando una historia y cinematico .. Genial
One of the best travel videos I've watched (and being stuck home for the past year I feel like I've seen them all!) Fantastic work guys. James does a great job narrating and Yolanda is incredibly likable and charming!
Thank you!
Great video guys. Thankyou. Greetings from México
Beautiful guys, just beautiful! Great job on the video. Era el siguiente nivel.
My wife and I love your video, we can not wait til next year so we can visit Madrid, we visit Madrid every year. We were in Madrid in March 2020 but we had to leave early do the coronavirus, hope next be better. Next year when we visit Madrid we will visit Cuenca. Thanks for info. Keep the videos coming.
What a beautiful video!!!