Spain is a prize package of a country. Large by European standards, it is blessed with an incredible geographic range, from sunny beaches and rugged coastlines to snow-capped mountains to rolling plains and everything in between, making it ideal for walking and hiking tours. Its long and glorious history means that everywhere you turn there is a story, and because of that unique history it offers a diversity that newcomers may find surprising. Made up of multiple distinct regions that ultimately united into one country, Spain offers an incredible variety of potential experiences yet is compact enough that it is possible to get around fairly easily and pack a lot into a relatively short trip. From breath-taking natural landscapes to grand cities, Spain has got it all: art, architecture, pageantry, castles, cathedrals, and all that history, with gastronomy and wine that make it a food lover’s paradise. Is there any other country in the world that has Museums of Ham? Hopping from place to place, sampling tapas, or the more refined Basque-style pintxos, tasty paella or fresh-caught seafood paired with local wines, or dipping churros into the thickest, richest hot chocolate…listening to the haunting music, watching passionate dancers, or giving it a try yourself—Spain is just a pleasure, a romantic’s dream. And what makes it really fun, to top it off, is that the Spanish people are out, too, especially at night, enjoying their cities’ streets and large squares, open-air bars and restaurants or colorful festivals. Lively, vivid and proud, Spain offers a world of culture that is alive and kicking.
It is impossible to summarize Spain in just a few paragraphs. There is just too much going on; you could spend a lifetime and fill a hundred volumes trying to capture its allure. But there are a couple of bucket-list items worth picking out in a first stab. The Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James), for one, is an ancient network of various walking, cycling and horseback riding routes that lead to the town of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (in north-western Spain), where the remains of the apostle St. James are said to be entombed. There is a shrine and a cathedral there. The mythic journey, replete with symbolism and folklore, has drawn pilgrims for centuries; their stories have been immortalized in classic literature. The Camino still draws the faithful, but also active travellers from all over the world, attracted by the history and the beauty of the area. Quaint villages, dramatic landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage sites dot the paths in every direction. A sense of camaraderie unites those who travel the Camino, whatever their reason for making the trek. Walking even a part of it offers a physical challenge and a feeling of achievement at the end of it, but also a sense of having done something historic, of having joined in a timeless journey. It’s unforgettable.
Again, this is just scratching the surface in Spain, but another trip of a lifetime is the route going through the southern Andalusia region, with its pueblos blancos (white villages), the legendary cities of Seville, Córdoba and Granada, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba and the Alhambra in Granada are must-see monuments. In the ruined Alhambra palace, there is a tile plaque on one wall that says, roughly translated, that “the greatest tragedy would be to be blind in the Alhambra.” Coming upon that sentiment suddenly, in such a magical place, is powerful; it really is that beautiful. This is the part of Spain where Moorish culture was best established and lasted longest; it left an indelible, evocative stamp.
There’s more, so much more in Spain. It’s all there to discover:
» Spain – Andalusia Cycling tour
» Camino de Santiago – The Portuguese Way hiking tour
» Portuguese and Spain Cycling Tour
» World Heritage Cycling Tour
» Mythic Camino de Santiago Cycling
By Holly Blades