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Think not
of Spain
as just
sun, sand
and
high-rise
hotels.
Spain has
an expanse
of land,
rich in
history,
unique
landscapes
and
unrivalled
beauty. An
area that
has its
own
individual
attractions
and is
fast
becoming a
holiday
destination
in its own
right.
Welcome to
'Green
Spain'.
Generally,
the area
covers
Galicia,
Asturias,
Cantabria
and
Pais Vasco
(Basque
Country).
All the
regions
are joined
by a
double
boundary,
the
coastline
to the
north with
its
cliffs,
beaches,
tiny ports
and major
cities and
the
mountain
range to
the south
with its
snow-capped
peaks and
hidden
valleys. |
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Culture
and
history
Green
Spain
has
been
inhabited
since
the
dawn
of
time
and
everywhere
you go
you
will
see
fragments
of
past
civilisations.
Caves
in the
Basque
Country
are
rich
with
prehistoric
paintings.
Megalithic
monuments
adorn
Llanada
and
the
Alava
part
of
Rioja.
Roman
history
is
well
represented
especially
surrounding
the
road
to
Santiago.
Galicia
offers
numerous
stately
homes,
monasteries
and
monuments
to
history.
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Nature
With
such a
wide
expanse
of
land
with a
variety
of
landscapes
it is
inevitable
that
nature
is to
be a
top
attraction.
In the
Basque
Country,
valleys,
wide
and
narrow
are
covered
by
maize
fields,
grazing
lands
and
woods.
Mountainsides
are
sprinkled
with
oak
and
beech.
The
Basque
coastline
offers
pale
beaches
and
fishing
villages.
Asturias
is a
total
contrast
with
its
dizzy
peaks
offering
perpetual
snow.
Here,
bears,
deer
and
wild
boar
roam
unhindered.
Natural
parks
are of
huge
proportions.
The
coast
offers
countless
placid
beaches.
Within
Galicia
you
will
hear
the
howl
of the
ever-present
wolf.
Explore
national
parks
such
as the
Saja
National
Reserve
(pictured
above).
The
freshness
of the
rain
ensures
a
healthy,
green
landscape. |
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Sport
and
leisure
The
diversity
of
landscapes
is
equally
matched
by the
diversity
of
sport
and
leisure
opportunities
available
in
Green
Spain.
If the
visitor
wishes
to
stray
from
the
visiting
of
ancient
cities
or one
of the
hundreds
of
beaches,
then
time
could
well
be
spent
travelling
between
the
chain
of
campsites,
rural
guesthouses
or
Paradores
that
runs
through
all
the
regions.
Some
of the
most
active
sports
are to
be
found
here,
including
windsurfing,
water
sports,
climbing,
hiking,
cycling,
horse
riding
and
canoeing
as
well
as
some
of the
more
mechanical
sports
such
as 4x4
trips.
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