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.

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.

The Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park, one of the first in the country, is the largest protected natural area in Spain and the second largest in Europe. It’s located 102 kilometres from Jaén, framed by the expanse of olive trees that is characteristic of the Andalusian landscape, and in 1983, it was designated a Biosphere Reserve. It’s one of Spain’s most visited natural parks for its rich and varied plant and animal species. It is precisely this diverse landscape that makes it an ideal destination for lovers of hiking, biking, water and air sports and rock climbing.

Carmona stands in a privileged setting in the Vega del Corbones and is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. Up to 500 archaeological sites can be found in the region, with evidence of settlement going back over thousands of years. The Parador can be found in the centre of the city, near monuments such as the Puerta de Sevilla, the Museum of Carmona, the Plaza de San Fernando and the city’s Archaeological Complex. Explore the magnificent historical quarter and discover just how photogenic it is as you walk along the tour “Carmona, Destino de Cine” (Carmona Route, a Cinematic Destination), which takes you through the areas used for scenes in many films.

 

Just half an hour away is Seville. the capital city of Andalusia and an international synonym for light and happiness. There you’ll discover some of the most iconic monuments of Spain, such as the Giralda, the Torre del Oro, the Triana District and the Reales Alcázares. And if you prefer nature, spectacular trails await you in Carmona, such as the Cueva de la Batida and Los Pilares, and other marvellous places such as the Nature Park of the Sierra Norte de Sevilla or the Reservoir of Melonares, where you can relax or do water sports.

The Parador de Turismo "Marco Fabio Quintiliano" pays homage to the bimillenary Calagurris Nassica Iulia, the Roman name by which Calahorra was known. A walk through its historic centre reveals the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, several other churches from different historical periods, and the Episcopal Palace, which holds numerous items such as fine gold ornaments, clothing, sculptures and paintings. There are also several museums, such as those dedicated to Romanisation or to Crops, and the Museum of Easter Floats, as Easter celebrations here have been declared a festival of National Tourist Interest.

The town of Almagro was declared a Historical-Artistic Site in 1972 for its exceptional beauty and rich heritage. The best way to explore Almagro is to lose yourself in its narrow streets and discover the emblematic 17th c. Corral de Comedias, where plays by Lope de Vega and Tirso de Molina were premiered. A good time to visit it is in July during the International Festival of Classical Theatre, when you can enjoy all its magic. A walk through the streets of Almagro immerses you in history: the Plaza Mayor, with its green glazed balconies and long arcades with stone columns, or buildings such as the church of San Agustín, the Palacio Fúcares and the Convent of La Asunción de Calatrava.

 

Almagro also means nature. The National Park of Las Tablas de Daimiel is just a few kilometres away: a wetland teeming with life that you can visit by foot or on an electric bike. A little further away is the National Park of Cabañeros, the Nature Park of Lagunas de Ruidera, and the Cerro Gordo volcano. Looking for a different experience? Why not head off to Valdepeñas and discover the wine culture of the region?

A local song starts with the words “at the feet of one hundred mountains that rise all around”, and this is the case with the town of Cangas de Narcea, just two kilometres away from the Parador. The best way to discover it is to wander through its stone paved streets, full of mansion houses, palaces and churches, a reflection of the lineage of the first Asturian kings. The traditional beauty of the region combines beautiful typical buildings such as the Molino de Villajur and monuments such as the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Acebo, one of the Marian churches of Asturias.

 

More than anything, Cangas de Narcea is a natural paradise. The old stables of the Monastery of Corias are home to the Centre of the Natural Park of Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias, where you’ll find a starting point for all kinds of hiking and adventure activities in the magical place. You shouldn’t miss the Natural Reserve of the Forest of Muniellos, the largest oak forest in Spain, where brown bears and grouse – emblems of the regional fauna – can be found. Cangas del Narcea is also the home of D.O. Cangas wine, with a wine museum, cellars and vineyards open to visitors.

Cordoba, the capital of Islamic Spain, has an extraordinary monument and cultural heritage. The city has four World Heritage sites: the Mosque-Cathedral, by extension the third largest mosque in the world; the old quarter that surrounds it, the Fiesta de los Patios, and Medina Azahara.