Other Spain Tourism Guide - Other Spain

Extremadura - Badajoz & Merida Roman Ruins

Autonomus region Extremadura certainly is an area of 'extremes', situated on the far western side of Spain bordering Portugal. To the north around the Parque Nacional Monfrague stunning sierra peaks are wooded dotted wtih green valleys and pretty villages. This area is a haven for wildlife, and birdwatching and walking holiday territory. The Ruta del Emperador winds across the north in the footsteps of Carlos I culminating at the Monasterio de Yuste at La Vera.

Some of Spain's finest Roman ruins sit within the city of Merida and in Badajoz, Spain's closest city to the Portuguese border, discover the remains of Arab walls, an Alcazaba and sample some ancient Extremadura recipes in some of Badajoz's restaurants around Plaza de Espana. The Badajoz area also produces its own wines. Zafra to the south is known as mini Seville and occupies a stunning location at the foot of the Sierra de Castellar. Zafra's rich heritage includes an Alcazar dating from the 15th century. For more tourist information on this dramatic Spanish region see Extremadura's regional tourist webguide right.

Asturias - Oviedo, Gijon & the Picos de Europa National Park

Rural Asturias is a natural paradise, as many travellers are increasingly discovering. As well as containing some of Spain's most beautiful natural parks - notably the Picos de Europa, Asturias contains some vibrant city breaks including Oviedo, Gijon and Aviles. Coastal Asturias city Gijon offers a full arts and entertainment programme, alongside a selection of museums.

On the coast Asturias holds more delights including a selection of pretty fishing village bases such as stunning Llanes with its pretty beach bays, choice of golf courses and stunning coastal and inland valleys. Asturias Airport is located on the coast at Castrillon just 15 km west of Aviles, 40km west of Gijon and 47 km north of Oviedo. The highlight within Asturias has to be the stunning Picos de Europa natural park, most of which sits within the Asturias region.

Pyrenees Catalan Skiing Holidays Spain Ski Resorts Val d'Aran & Vall de Boi

The Catalan Pyrenees stretches all the way from stunning Cap de Creus on the coast west towards popular Spanish ski holiday resort Val d'Aran. Spectacular landscapes and some of the best skiing in Spain await in all the top Catalan Pyrenees Skiing resorts including Vall de Boi, Port Aine, La Molina, the Espot area and Val d'Aran).

Catalan Pyrenees ski holiday resorts such as Val d'Aran and Vall de Boi have superb quality tourist facilities including a choice of high standard accommodation, numerous restaurants and entertainment such as shops, swimming pools, discos, adventure sports, ski clothing and equipment hire and ski schools. It's all here - Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and a host of other outdoor leisure sports all year round such as white water rafting, kayaking and mountain biking. For a comprehensive guide to all the Catalan Pyrenees ski resorts, and which skiing resort offers what check the Visit Catalan Pyrenees webguide linked right.

Basque Country, La Rioja & Navarra

The Basque Country (Euskadi or Euskal Herria in Basque and Pais Vasco Spanish) sits to the far north of Spain bordered by Cantabria on the coast to the west, Navarre to the east and to the south by La Rioja. Main cities Bilbao, cultural centre and art mecca with the stunning Bilbao Guggenheim as artistic centrepiece, and San Sebastian now hub for the some of the finest restaurants in Spain, are both served by airports. The Basque Country has three provinces - Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya to the north and Alava in the south. The third airport in the region - Vitoria is located just 8km west of Vitoria Gasteiz.

South of the Basque Country, La Rioja is world renowned for its best red wines, coming from most of the vineyards situated around the Rio Ebro and Haro quite near the Basque Country's southern border. The region's main airport is Logrono which is a mere 15km east of the city's centre.

The Navarra region, once a Basque heartland but now independent contains a variety of characters. The Navarran Pyrenees sit to the north of the region, whilst the south is distinctive for its plains and cereal crops. The historic pilgrimage route down from France to Santiago de Compostela runs through the Navarra region.

Main city Pamplona lays claim to one of the most riotous festivals in Spain - the Fiesta de San Fermin. Connecting flights from the UK are to either Madrid or Barcelona, then into Pamplona.

Cantabria Region Spain

Beautifully green Cantabria, the small northern Spain region bordering Asturias west and the Basque Contry east, has a spectacular coastline, matched by the equally stunning Picos de Europa National Park which pushes into the region from Asturias. The stunning Medieval Cantabrian town of Santillana del Mar makes for a delightful Spanish base indeed (see Santillana del Mar accommodation listings here on Iknow Spain). Ferries to Santander are easily hooked into from the UK from Plymouth (see Ferries to Santander weblink right). You can take your car too!

Cantabria's coast on the Bay of Biscay is renowned for its sublime rugged cliffs dotted with picturesque seaside resorts and some pretty fishing villages. Both Cantabria and Asturias contain some of Spain's most beautiful coastline. Push into the Cantabrian interior for some equally stunning walking territory around the Picos de Europa with high peak Pena Vieja reaching 2613m. Cantabria's green landscapes are no accident, you get the rain up here, and it's not unheard of to see rain in Cantabria in August. Average summer temperatures however are still well up around 22 degrees centigrade. As well as ferries to Santander, Cantabria's main city and entrance point, you've also direct flights to Santander Airport (just 5km south of the city) from London Stansted (with connecting flights from Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona and elsewhere internally in Spain).

Central Spain - Castilla y Leon & Castilla La Mancha

North east of Madrid the northern plateau region of Castilla y Leon is vast and borders numerous other Spanish regions as well as North Portugal to the west. Within the region are some of Spain's most stunning cities including university city Salamanca with its astounding architecture and Segovia with its picture postcard castle, and both Leon and Burgos cathedrals are memorable sights indeed. Fine Spanish dining is certainly on the menu is Castilla y Leon - food is more a work of art in this area. A number of airports serve the region including Leon, Matacan/Salamanca, Villafria Airport/Burgos and Villanubla Airport/Valladolid.

South of Madrid, Castilla La Mancha contains the striking city of Toledo, a positive feast of medieval architecture and cultural hotspots. Mountain ranges in the region include the Montes de Toledo, the Serrania de Cuenca and the stunning Sierra de Alcaraz. Thanks to Cervantes, who put Castilla la Mancha on the map over 400 years ago, the region attracts considerable interest for its Don Quixote links. The Ruta de Don Quixote well marked walking path, with plenty of windmills along the way, can be broken down into sections. (see Castilla La Mancha tourist webguide right for a complete guide to the Don Quixote walking route). Other highlights in the region include stunning Cuenca, a hub for modern art and World Heritage site for its fine Medieval architecture. Plenty of chance to sample the fine wines from the La Mancha vineyards alongside the regions famous Manchego cheese.

Galicia Tourism & Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Galicia, the Spanish region covering the far north western tip of Spain, is like Cantabria and Asturias beautifully green. The climate here is distinctive for its rainfall, so expect some. Galicia is known particularly for its main urban centre Santiago de Compostela, declared a World Heritage City in 1985. Since the Middle Ages Santiago de Compostela has been a mecca for pilgrims heading for the cathedral built over proported grave of St James. Today Santiago's medieval streets are a joy to wander. The lavishly ornate baroque facade of the city's Catedral de Apostol, built mostly between 1075 and 1211, is a stunner. The Cathedral of St James still attracts numerous pilgrims and tourist walkers too from around the world, with many taking the well marked old Camino walkways to it. 'Walking the Way of St James' from Muxia and Fisterra to Santiago is a particularly popular route.

Elsewhere in the Galicia region the rugged coast is a wild affair in parts, distinctive for its stunning high cliffs and deep inlets with intermittant beach bays, pretty fishing villages and some low key resorts on the Rias Baixas pushing down towards Portugal. The Galicia coast is at its most wild around the northern tip of Cabo Ortegal. Main routes into the region from the UK are via Galicia's two main airports, Santiago and A Coruna. The Roman walls and historic centre of Lugo are not to be missed, whilst port cities A Coruna and Vigo offer a choice of art galleries and museums in their cultural centres.

Pyrenees Aragon Spain Ski Resorts Astun, Formigal, Candanchu, Panticosa & Cerler

The Aragon Pyrenees contain some of the highest peaks in the range (Cerler is the highest ski resort), and most will point to them as Spain's most dramatic Pyrenees mountains on the Spanish side. The best of Spanish skiing and walking holidays are in the area, with renowned marked trails such as the Camino de Santiago heading towards pilgrimage site Santiago de Compostela running through stunning Aragon Pyrenees villages such as Jaca.

Main commercial centre Huesca offers a delightful old town with historic cathedral and a selection of museums including the Museo de Huesca which contains works by Goya. Popular and well known Aragon Pyrenees skiing resorts, all with excellent ski facilities, including Astun, Panticosa, Formigal and the Candanchu close to the French Border. Formigal has the liveliest apres-ski, and is best for beginner, intermediate and family skiing holidays. A number of airports, both French and Spanish, serve the Pyrenees. Heading into the Aragon Pyrenees, on the Spainish side access into the area is via Barcelona, Bilbao, Girona, Zaragoza and Pamplona airports.

Andorra Skiing Walking Activity Holidays Spain

Sitting snugly into the Pyrenees between Spain and France, Andorra undoubtedly contains the best of the Pyrenees skiing. A considerable amount of money has been spent on sprucing up Andorra's ski resorts in recent years, and it's paying off with increasing numbers of skiers heading to Andorra, especially for family skiing holidays. Best family skiing holiday resorts in Andorra include learn to ski hotspot Arinsal north west of Andorran capital Andorra La Vella and the ever popular Soldeu north east of Andorra la Vella.

Not just skiing however pulls visitors to Andorra. Outside of the winter months Andorra is a hotspot for numerous outdoor leisure pursuits with winter skiing areas such as Pal offering walking holidays alongside horse riding, go karting, archery and mountain biking. Challenging walks await in this autonmous region around walking hotspots such as the Ordino area (see Ordino webguide right). Move outside of capital Andorra La Vella along one of Andorra's three main roads (Andorra is just 25km from the north to the south, and 29km from east to west) and discover Andorra's many rivers, lakes and mountains offering everything from gentle family walks to full on long treks. The Andorran Mountaineering Federation has divided up the main Andorra treks into seven 14km stretches. Checkout the Andorra Official Tourist guide right for details.