The walled town of Trujillo, in the Extremadura region of western Spain — birthplace of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro — is rich in medieval history, castles, churches and monuments. It also has Trujillo Villas, the town’s only villa rental company.
Two new properties include Villa Martires, set high up by the medieval castle built on an Arab fortress, with views across the wide open plains of Extremadura, a private estate in landscaped gardens with citrus trees, terraces and a cool slice of Roman-style swimming pool. It’s grandly decked out with wood paneling, a carved granite staircase, marble floors, beams and oil paintings — possibly why only over-21s can stay.
The Garden Cottage (£325pp per week, based on six sharing) in the grounds is less formal, with books and a Moroccan-style loggia, and can be rented together with the main house or separately. Three-course meals are available in-house — sample local delicacies such as Manchego cheese, hams and sausage from acorn-fed pigs and black honey.
* £1,125pp per week (based on four sharing), trujillovillasespana.com