In Miguel de Cervantes's classic work, Don Quixote, the aging, eponymous hero of the story spots a line of windmills in the distance. Mounted on his trusty steed, with lance in hand, Quixote charges at the windmills, mistaking them for giants attacking his beloved country. At Consuegra, just a few miles south of Toledo, Spain, you can see some of these windmills, and even climb to the top of one of them to see a restored mill in working condition.

I occasionally encounter a bus load of tourists when I visit the mills of Consuegra, but more often than not it's just me and my little group of 2 to 8 travelers, exploring Spain on a tour designed by Hand Crafted Travel. Off the beaten path from most tours, we can discuss Cervantes and Quixote, and enjoy the views, where the only other sounds are the whistling wind, and the slow creak of the mill's blades.

Tags: Castilla-La Mancha, Consuegra, Windmill