Nestled in the foothills of the Picos de Europa in Asturias, Wild Finca is demonstrating how nature can flourish when space is given to recover. Over the past eight years, the 13-hectare former dairy farm has been transformed from overgrazed pasture into a thriving mosaic of wildflower meadows, ponds, woodland edges and wildlife corridors, creating an important refuge for biodiversity in northern Spain. 

Rewilding in Green Spain

Founded by wildlife storytellers and conservationists Luke Massey and Katie Stacey, Wild Finca was established in 2018 with a vision to restore both the landscape and people's connection to nature. Situated within one of Spain's most biologically rich regions, the project demonstrates how smaller-scale rewilding initiatives can contribute to ecological recovery while complementing the wider natural landscapes of Asturias and the Picos de Europa.

What was once managed pasture has evolved into a diverse habitat supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife. Wild Finca has recorded more than 113 bird species and over 30 mammal species, including 16 species of bat, alongside reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and native flora. Seasonal visitors include red-backed shrikes, European nightjars, woodcock and redwings, while resident wildlife ranges from roe deer and red squirrels to hedgehogs, salamanders and emerald lizards.

A Haven for Wildlife

The surrounding region is already recognised as one of Europe's most important wildlife destinations. Asturias is home to species such as the Cantabrian brown bear, Iberian wolf, Cantabrian chamois and a variety of birds of prey, including vultures and goshawks. By creating a patchwork of habitats and allowing natural processes to play a greater role, Wild Finca provides additional feeding, breeding and shelter opportunities for many species that move through the wider landscape.

The project's approach combines habitat restoration with careful land management. Rotational grazing systems, the protection of wildflower areas and the creation of ponds have encouraged increasing numbers of insects, amphibians and other wildlife. Recent years have seen growing populations of species including glow worms, wasp spiders, marbled newts and Iberian singing frogs, demonstrating the ecological benefits that can emerge when habitats are restored.

Connecting People with Nature

Alongside its conservation work, Wild Finca aims to inspire greater engagement with the natural world through educational resources, nature experiences and community outreach. The project is rooted in the belief that ecological restoration and human wellbeing are closely connected, encouraging visitors and followers to discover how even small spaces can support biodiversity and foster a deeper appreciation for nature. 

As interest in nature-based travel continues to grow, Wild Finca offers an inspiring example of how conservation, biodiversity and rural life can come together in the heart of Green Spain. While modest in scale, the project highlights the remarkable wildlife, landscapes and environmental initiatives that continue to shape Asturias as one of Spain's most distinctive nature destinations.

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk.

International appeal in La Rioja is already rising. In 2025, the region welcomed 142,848 overseas visitors, up 16% year on year. UK arrivals, however, remain notably low. Just 13,000 British travellers visited La Rioja in the first eleven months of 2025, making it the least visited Spanish region by the UK market. With fewer than 0.1% of the 18.1 million Britons travelling to Spain choosing La Rioja, the region currently trails behind Navarre and Castilla-La Mancha, underlining the opportunity for growth in 2026.

For those looking to discover the region in 2026, UK tour operators are responding with a range of tailored itineraries showcasing the very best of La Rioja. Three standout examples include:

A taste of authentic Spain with Kirker Holidays

Kirker Holidays’ five-night La Rioja escape puts food and wine centre stage. Based first in Peñafiel, one of Spain’s great wine cities, and then at the 4* Hotel Eguren Ugarte in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria, expert Tim Clarke will introduce some of the finest winemakers in Northern Spain. Highlights include the innovative Viña Ijalba, who pioneered the revival of Rioja’s classic grape Graciano, the state-of-the-art Viña Real winery and lunch at the farmhouse of Contino, the oldest ‘single estate’ Rioja bodega. There is also a day in Haro, the wine capital of La Rioja, and Briones to visit the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, one of the best wine museums in the world.

For more details, visit www.kirkerholidays.com

Cycling through La Rioja culture and history with Headwater 

Headwater’s six-day itinerary explores the heart of Spain’s celebrated Rioja wine region, following quiet country lanes past vineyards and wine museums. The route allows for discovery of UNESCO World Heritage-listed monasteries in San Millán de la Cogolla and includes part of the Camino de Santiago. Other highlights include the medieval towns of Laguardia and Ezcaray, tastings at renowned bodegas and soaking up the sun in lively pintxo bars.

For more details, visit www.headwater.com 

Nature awaits with Audley Travel

La Rioja’s scenery is as dramatic as it is diverse. The Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park is a haven of mountains, forests and wildlife, home to deer, wild boar and birds of prey. In the Parque Natural de las Lagunas Glaciares de Neila, a series of glacial lakes – including Laguna Negra, Cascada and Tejera – create one of the northern Spain’s most beautiful high-altitude settings. For walkers and photographers, Las Calderas Gorge provides waterfalls, rock formations and natural pools in a dramatic canyon environment.

For more details, visit www.audleytravel.com

For more information on Spain as a tourist destination, visit https://www.spain.info/en/

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk

The list recognises villages which are excellent examples of rural tourism with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyle. Included destinations must have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.

The three villages in Spain: Alquézar, Aragon; Rupit, Catalonia; and Guadalupe, Extremadura, all meet the criteria. 

Alquézar, Aragon

The small medieval village of Alquézar is situated in Huesca, Aragon, by the foothills of the Pyrenees and within the Sierra Natural Park near the Canyons of Guara. The town holds samples of rock art which are declared a World Heritage Site in the Vero River Cultural Park. The collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, declared an Historic-Artistic Site, stands above the village with a cloister of Romanesque capitals and its organ, as well as numerous hermitages.

The town has worked to create a sustainable tourism model to combat regional depopulation by making rural tourism a business activity linked to heritage, the environment, and people. After its success, the Aragonese Government is looking to extend similar plans to other municipalities within the area.

Click here for more information. 

Rupit, Catalonia

The Medieval town of Rupit lies a day trip (98km) from Barcelona. The village is famous for its stony houses, streets, squares, and bridges which are indistinguishable from the surrounding cliffs. The name Rupit even derives from the latin rupes, meaning cliff - or rock. The historic centre boasts the Sant Joan de Fabregues church and Rupit Castle, dating back to the 10th century AD. The thousand-year-old village now relies on tourism, offering services ranging from mountain biking guided tours to the Sallent Waterfall, to exploring Pedretes Cave, underneath the Rupit hanging bridge.

Click here for more information. 

Guadalupe, Extremadura

Located in the region of Las Villuercas in Cáceres province of Extremadura, Guadalupe is a historic village with cobbled streets and traditional architecture, including heritage buildings like the 14th Century Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The typical mountain village, declared an Historic-Artistic Site, grew under the wing of the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Guadalupe is also an excellent showcase for the regional cuisine. Local dishes tend to be simple but with ingredients of excellent quality: Iberian sausages, ajoblanco (a cold soup with almonds, garlic, bread and olive oil), migas (breadcrumbs with chorizo and bacon) and caldereta de cordero (lamb stew).

Click here for more information.