Verín is a beautiful town in the province of Ourense on the banks of the river Támega. It’s home to the Cabreiroa and Sousas water springs, places of interest such as the Plaza de la Merced, the Plaza Mayor, the walkway along the river Tamega, the Alameda gardens, among others, and the outstanding Medieval fortification of Monterrei, today a Parador de Turismo.

The city of Santiago de Compostela, declared a World Heritage Site, is inextricably linked to the Camino de Santiago. Its Cathedral is one of the most visited cathedrals in the world, and the Plaza del Obradoiro is a world pilgrimage centre through which thousands of pilgrims pass every year. The Parador de Santiago de Compostela, originally built as a pilgrims’ hospital, has played a major role in the history of this area, which today houses a spectacular museum.

Visiting Olite is to enter a never-ending fairy tale. The town is crowned by one of the most beautiful Gothic-civil complexes in Europe. The best way to discover the historical quarter is to lose yourself in the cobbled medieval streets. There you’ll discover a wonderful place full of large stone houses, amazing Renaissance and Baroque palaces and beautiful churches, such as Santa María la Real and San Pedro. All of this is added to the romantic bewitchment of the Parador to transport you to another age of legend and fantasy.

 

Olite is synonymous with incredible places. If castles are what you’re seeking, close by you’ll find the walled enclosure of the Cerco de Artajona, along with Ujué and San Martín de Unx. And just 35 kilometres away is Puente La Reina, with its famous Romanesque bridge of 7 arches, right one the Way of Saint James. A little further away is Pamplona and its wonderful tapas bars. If you prefer nature, the Laguna de Pitillas, the best bird watching observatory in the region is just a short distance away. Or you can go and marvel at the spectacular landscapes of the Mirador de los Pirineos and the Natural Park of Las Bardenas Reales, and authentic American desers in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Olite is also surrounded by wonderful forests, such as El Señorío de Bertiz, the Robles Milenarios de Jauntsarats, the Forests of Quinto Real and Leitzalarrea and the famous Selva de Irati.

Hondarribia holds the title of being one of the most beautiful towns in Guipúzcoa. Its historic quarter, maritime atmosphere and good cuisine make this town a leading tourist attraction on the Cantabrian coast.

Vic is the capital of the county of Osona. It lies next to the Sau reservoir and the Les Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area. A stroll through its historic centre is a walk through the past and history. A signposted route points out thirty-two buildings of historical, architectural or artistic interest. Highlights include the 2nd century Roman temple; the 14th century walls; the cathedral, which mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical art; the Market Square and the Town Hall. Vic also has one of the best collections of Romanesque art in Europe on display in its Episcopal Museum. And, spread over various areas of the city, as a permanent pictorial exhibition, you can see the paintings of Josep Maria Sert.

Most of the historic centre of Pontevedra is pedestrianised. It is home to treasures such as the Basilica of Santa María La Mayor, a jewel of Gothic architecture, and the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, a chapel with a scallop-shaped floor plan which is beautifully illuminated at night. Another point of interest is the Museum of Pontevedra, whose collections are spread over five different sites: the Convent of Santo Domingo, the Sarmiento Palace, the Castro Monteagudo building, the García Flórez building and the Fernández López building.

Ferrol es una ciudad marinera que mantiene el encanto de su origen pesquero en sus calles y tradiciones. Los barrios de Ferrol Vello, el barrio modernista de La Magdalena, las Murallas de La Cortina del siglo XVIII, o los castillos de San Felipe y la Palma son parte de sus atractivos. Como también lo es el Arsenal Militar, construido en el siglo XVIII y estrechamente ligado a la historia de la ciudad como centro de construcción naval. En el interior de su recinto se encuentran el Museo de la Construcción Naval, el Museo Naval y la Biblioteca de la Zona Marítima del Cantábrico.

Founded in 25 BCE by the emperor Augustus, Mérida is home to the most important Roman settlement on the peninsula. The best way to discover the city is to wander through its olds streets and see spectacular monuments such as the Roman Amphitheatre, Circus and Theatre, which has been the backdrop for the International Festival of Classical Theatre since 1933. Other sights not to be missed include the National Museum of Roman Art and the city’s magnificent Arab heritage, such as the Alcazaba and the Archaeological Complex of the Morería.

 

Mérida is much more than the city, Nearby you can see prehistoric structures such as the Dolmen of Lácara and the burial sites of Huerta Montero, and visit the Roman reservoirs of Proserpina and Cornalvo, where you can relax in the bathing areas and bars. If you like nature, you’ll be amazed by the Natural Park of Cornalvo, while the tremendous biological wealth of the National Park of Monfragüe is just a little further away. And if golf is your game, you’ll find an excellent course just 8 kilometres away from the city.

The best way to discover León is by wandering through its exceptional historical quarter, where you’ll be amazed by its cathedral, a gem of the Spanish Gothic style that is internationally famous for its 13th c.-stained-glass windows. Your walk will take you past other spectacular monuments such as the Real Colegiata, the Palacio de los Guzmanes or Gaudi’s Casa Botines de Gaudí, and if you feel like relaxing for a while, stop off at the beautiful Plaza Mayor, or continue along the streets of the famous districts of the Barrio Húmedo and Barrio Romántico , or find out more about the city’s fascinating history and art at its many museums.

 

León is surrounded by a truly exceptional heritage. Nearby are the historical cities of Astorga and Ponferrada, the headquarters of the Templar knights, or discover unique buildings such as the Mozarabic monastery of San Miguel de la Escalada. The region also offers impressive sights like the Caves of Valporquero and the Hoces de Vegacervera, and many hiking trails, such as the Roman Gold Trail, which takes you into the World Heritage landscape of Las Médulas. And for the more daring, the Valle de Anciles offers an exclusive safari of bison and Pottoka horses.

Guadalupe is a beautiful town that nestles in the heart of the Geopark of Villuercas-Ibores-Jara, in Extremadura, one of the most unique landscapes in the region. The best way to get to know it is by losing yourself in the cobbled streets and discovering the traditional buildings, such as the Royal Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a monumental Gothic-Mudejar sanctuary declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you’re here, you shouldn’t miss the Plaza de Santa María and the old Jewish quarter, or the local museums, which contain works by Goya, El Greco, Pedro de Mena and Juan de Flandes. Everything forms part of a unique setting that will take you back to another age.

 

Guadalupe is surrounded by a unique landscape that brings together culture and nature. Nearby you’ll find beautiful routes such the Isabel la Católica Trail, which follows the footsteps of the famous queen, impressive buildings such as the Hermitage of El Humilladero and the Arca del Agua, and charming mountain villages such as Cañamero, Logrosán and Berzocana. And if you’re looking for a different kind of experience, the Parador offers exclusive Starlight activities for stargazing.