4-Xtremes – Part 41: On the trail of Don Quijote with Axor
Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour
The Kammermanns' latest tour is dedicated to Don Quijote. In the Castilla-La Mancha region, the presence of Spain’s fictitious national hero can be felt in many places.
Cheery overlanders: Andrea and Mike – in front of their Axor-based expedition vehicle, with which they have now driven around 107,000 kilometres.
We actually wanted to take you with us to Madrid in this article. However, this was not possible, but not because of the pandemic... for a change! No, relentless downpours meant that our foray through Spain’s capital literally got rained off. A trip to Madrid at that time would have made for a very sad photo gallery indeed! Instead, we are starting a good hour’s drive south of Madrid in Toledo, the capital of the Castilla-La Mancha region.
Toledo dates back to the Roman era and was considered to be an important weapons centre. You can still buy swords and knives here today – and even an entire knight’s suit of armour. In the old town, the balconies on both sides of the alleyways are so close to each other that if a resident wanted to borrow something from their neighbour across the way, they could very easily just pass it across! A road has been built into the mountains on the banks of the river, and you have to keep a constant eye on rocky ledges when driving.
A make-believe battle against real windmills.
Toledo is also the starting point for the Ruta de Don Quijote. This approximately 400 kilometre-long route follows in the footsteps of the fictitious Spanish national hero, famous for his battle against giants which turned out to be windmills. These windmills actually existed, and many were restored and put back into operation.
Our first stop on the route is Consuegra, a good 60 kilometres south-east of Toledo. Several restored windmills grace the top of a hill near the village. At the foot of the hill, we find somewhere to park the Axor that's sheltered from the wind. The next morning, we drive up to the windmills just before the sunrise.
On both a beautiful day...
... and at night, Toledo is a fascinating city...
... as well as being the starting point for the Ruta de Don Quijote.
This is where Spain’s fictitious national hero battled against windmills – some of which are still standing to this day.
Go and decide for yourself!
A further 50 kilometres to the east, in Campo de Criptana, the truck is unable to fit through the alleys that run between the white and blue-painted houses, so we drive to the windmills via a country lane.
We've already mentioned that Don Quijote is a make-believe character, and yet the debate over where the battle against the windmills was held is hotly contested among many villages today. We recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do so to visit at least the two villages mentioned here – and then decide for yourself!
4-Xtremes – The World Tour.
An unparalleled journey.
Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.
You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.
You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.
Photos: 4-Xtremes
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10 comments
Vielen Dank - und macht weiter so! 👍
Vielen Dank - und macht weiter so! 👍
Uns gefällt das Inland von Spanien sehr gut. Es ist extrem abwechslungsreich und nicht ganz so touristisch.
Liebe Grüsse von uns
Uns gefällt das Inland von Spanien sehr gut. Es ist extrem abwechslungsreich und nicht ganz so touristisch.
Liebe Grüsse von uns
Jetzt müsst Ihr zwei nur noch entscheiden wer Sancho oder Don Quijote ist, den die Rolle der Rosinante ist von Eurem Axor schon besetzt! 😂😂😂
Ich sage nur Top!!! 👍👍👍👍👍⛟😎
Jetzt müsst Ihr zwei nur noch entscheiden wer Sancho oder Don Quijote ist, den die Rolle der Rosinante ist von Eurem Axor schon besetzt! 😂😂😂
Ich sage nur Top!!! 👍👍👍👍👍⛟😎
Liebe Grüsse aus Spanien
Liebe Grüsse aus Spanien
Liebe Grüsse von uns
Liebe Grüsse von uns