Castillya La Mancha
Castillya La Mancha is one of the hotest regions of spain and is famous for its arid planes.It is a land of fairytale castles, wine and the famous windmills immortalised in Miguel Cervantes´ Don Quixote (the best selling book of all time after the bible).
Property prices in the region are steadily increasing due to the plans for the new home of a Las Vegas style gambling and leisure complex. It´s one of the most ambitious projects of its kind that Europe has ever seen and it has put the world spotlight firmly on a previously overlooked region which, until now, had only a 400-year-old novel as its major claim to fame.
Construction work on the project, announced at the end of November 2005, is due to start towards the end of 2006 in the province of Ciudad Real, 190 kilometres south of Madrid. It will include a 50,000 square foot casino, a luxury hotel with 850 rooms, a 30,000 square foot spa centre, a shopping mall and a 3,000 seat theatre. Due for completion in 2008, the scheme is the brainchild of American entertainment giants Harrah´s who operate several luxurious gambling centres in Las Vegas including Caesar’s Palace which is probably the most prestigious casino resort in the world.
Albacete is well known for its wine production and The ancient city of Cuenca is famous for its hanging houses, Gothic Cathedral and Museum of Abstract Art. Local delicasies are simple but tasteful, with game, stews, sausages and the famous Manchego cheese. Combine these with the local wine and you have the perfect meal.
