Summer? The perfect stopover to escape the heat wave and enjoy the finest gourmet cuisine
Just an hour separates the city of León from a spot that seems to exist apart from the hustle and bustle of summer. In Sahechores de Rueda, next to a lake that invites you to stop and cool off, the landscape changes, the air grows fresher, and time seems to pass differently. It’s one of those places that rarely appears on major tourist itineraries, but one that travelers on motorhome remember for years to come.
There, Abuelo Aitalas awaits us—a project that proves the best stories come from the land.
When a cheese shop becomes the heart and soul of a destination
Long before the restaurant existed, there was already an idea. LaQuesería Abuelo Aitalas,a family-run business owned by the Fernández family, was founded with the goal of making the most of the milk from their own herd by producing artisanal cheeses that capture the character of this region of León.
Each piece begins its journey at the farm and continues at the cheese factory, where raw sheep’s milk is patiently transformed into fresh, creamy, and aged cheeses that have earned the recognition of experts and visitors alike. There are no shortcuts. Time remains just another ingredient.
That same cheese then makes its way to the restaurant table, where it is part of a simple, authentic cuisine in which local produce takes center stage.
The Fernández siblings, Paula and Marcos: The Return That Made a Dream Come True
Large rural projects often have one thing in common: someone decided to return.
While Marcos maintains a connection to the countryside and tends to the flock—ensuring the traceability of the entire supply chain—he also plays a vital role in the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, making him a key element in ensuring the project functions as a whole.
Paula, for her part, returned after studying and working abroad, convinced that a small town in León could become a culinary destination.
Paula’s vision went far beyond simply opening a restaurant. She envisioned a place where visitors could understand the entire journey of the product, learn about the cheese farm, sample its creations, enjoy the natural surroundings, and discover that rural tourism can be innovative without losing its authenticity. Together with Marcos, they have succeeded in turning “ Abuelo Aitalas ” into a project where tradition and modernity go hand in hand.
Today, that commitment generates economic activity and jobs and attracts travelers who are looking for precisely what is becoming increasingly rare: authenticity.
A stop that makes you want to stay
For travelers visiting España Discovery, Abuelo Aitalas is a stop that combines nature, cuisine, and relaxation. The spacious area at motorhomes, right by the lake, allows visitors to enjoy the surroundings at a leisurely pace before continuing on to the Picos de Europa or returning to León.
As a member of the ED ecosystem, please note that there is a fee for using the service area. However, if you’re traveling with the ED Guide or App, you can enjoy up to 24 hours of free parking, provided that during your stay you dine at the restaurant or purchase products from the cheese shop.
If you’d like to extend your stay beyond that time, you can do so by paying the fee set by the facility.
The Luxury of Traveling Slowly
With another summer expected to bring extreme temperatures to much of Spain, more and more travelers are seeking destinations where the scenery is as refreshing as the atmosphere.
Sahechores offers exactly that: water, nature, cuisine, and people who have built a project with deep roots.
Because traveling with ED has never been just about finding a place to park. It’s about discovering stories worth telling, producers who love what they do, and places that still have the power to surprise.
"Abuelo Aitalas" is, without a doubt, one of those stories.
If you’re not yet part of the España Discovery ecosystem, maybe now is the time to get the Guide or the App and start discovering places where true luxury isn’t about the destination, but about the people who make it possible.
Get your guide HERE
