Summer is approaching, a time when many people take advantage of their holidays to rest. While some opt for crowded coastal areas and heat, others prefer quieter destinations, away from the hustle and bustle. And in Álava, there are options that meet these characteristics, with rural houses.

In fact, National Geographic has published an article listing a series of establishments where one can disconnect from high temperatures for the summer season. Among them, one located in Álava stands out.

The aforementioned magazine mentions Caserío Iruaritz, an accommodation in Amurrio, located in the Aiala valley, surrounded by mountains, meadows, and trails in a perfect rural setting to forget the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature. To be precise, it is located just a few kilometers from this municipality, in the Lezama neighborhood, halfway between Bilbao and Vitoria. It is a 15th-century construction and considered one of the oldest in the north of the Álava territory.

During its rehabilitation, original elements such as stone structures, traditional distribution, the old bread oven, the hayloft, or the stable were preserved. Likewise, its rooms maintain wooden beams and pleasant decoration, but with modern services. To all this, a spacious terrace with gardens surrounded by oak and fruit trees and some interior corners next to the fireplace should be added.

This rural house allows for many outdoor activities, including hiking trails, txakoli wineries, and natural spaces such as the Gorbeia Natural Park. In its surroundings, there is also the possibility of cycling routes or even horseback riding. Furthermore, many visitors take advantage of their stay at Caserío Iruaritz to explore small surrounding towns, as well as to taste local gastronomy and visit places like the Sierra Salvada and the Orduña cliffs.

It is, in short, a different experience that has nothing to envy to the classic crowds that occur in some destinations during the summer, demonstrating that another type of tourism is indeed possible.