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When the ancient Romans ruled the land that is now Spain, the Andalusian city of Carmona was an important stronghold and a busy urban centre of Roman Hispania. Sitting on a ridge rising above the River Carbones plain, the city was known as Carmo to the likes of Julius Caesar.

The regions of Spain are diverse, and each boasts its own unique curiosities. The autonomous community of Extremadura in western Spain is no different. The rolling hills and wild, open land in this region are rich in local culture.

To promote its distinct customs and cuisine, the regional government has created a network of museums called the Museos de Identidad, or Museums of Identity, dedicated to some of the foods, festivals and traditions found in Extremadura.

The northern Spanish city of Benavente may be small, but its history is long and rich. Luxury hotel Parador Benavente, which occupies the grounds of a fortress built on the orders of King Ferdinand II of Leon in the 12th century, has borne witness to much of the city's past.

Many foodies claim that cooking with fresh herbs and spices can make the difference between a good meal and a great meal. It's no wonder, then, why the food at Parador Teruel, Parador Granada and Parador La Palma is so delicious!

Spain is renowned for its rich culinary tradition. From fish and ham to stews and sweets, visitors travel great distances to enjoy the country's delicious gastronomy.

It's hard to go wrong when it comes to sampling Spanish cuisine, but the right food and drink pairing will enhance your meal.

Northern Spain is home to some of the oldest cave art in Europe. The well-preserved prehistoric cave paintings, which depict animals, handprints and abstract shapes, offer a glimpse of what life was like for our ancestors between 35,000 and 11,000 BC.

The beautiful, mountainous city of Ronda in southern Spain has served as inspiration for many artists over the centuries. British author Mary Anne Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, famously named the title character of her controversial Victorian novel Daniel Deronda.

It can be difficult to pull yourself away from the breathtaking vistas along Catalonia's Mediterranean coast. But inland within the region's mountainous north awaits an area that not only rivals the seaside in natural beauty, but is also home to many historic monuments.

Spanish cuisine isn't just wine and cheese. One of Spain's most famous dishes is the cocido, a hearty stew of different meats and vegetables. This delicious fare has almost as many varieties as Spain has regions, and the curious traveller could spend months going from place to place sampling the local cocidos.

Flickering candles, heavy incense and regional Spanish music fill the city squares of Zaragoza during its annual Festival of the Virgin Mary of the Pillar, one of Spain's most traditional celebrations. Dating back hundreds of years, the religious festival kicks off on the Saturday prior to 12 October - the Virgin Mary of the Pillar's feast - when a city official announces the start of the festivities from atop the historic city hall's balcony, and they continue through the week until the following Sunday.

For the second consecutive year, Parador Santiago de Compostela has been named Spain's top Parador by the readers of TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel website. Beating the other 94 national Paradores in the "Traveller's Choice Paradores de Turismo" ranking, the 15th century landmark located in the famed Plaza do Obradoiro - next to the Galician capital's famed cathedral - was selected by the website's patrons because of its rich architectural setting and its excellent service.

The battle was bloody and lasted for days, but when the smoke cleared over the Andalusian plain, it was clear that Napoleon Bonaparte's supposedly unbeatable troops were retreating, defeated by the scrappy Spanish army. Such was the scene in 1808 in the area surrounding the tiny Spanish village of Bailén, and today this turning point in Spain's War of Independence continues to be commemorated in an annual historical re-enactment.