Murcia

Murcia is characterized by its old history of commerce and agriculture. Already its original inhabitants, Iberian tribes, established commercial relations with Phoenicians and Greeks. Lateron it became first a Carthaginean colony, then a Roman colony. (Carthago Nova, today's Cartagena still reminds of that fact). The Moors established effective and modern agricultural production, which still today is an important economic factor, thanks to their advanced technologies.
Of major touristical interest is of course the Mediterranean coast, Costa Calida ("the warm coast"), with beaches of fine sand. The salt-water lagoon Mar Menor and La Manga del Mar Menor offer great possibilities for water sports. The inland is almost desertic, and you may visit several towns which still preserve their medieval structures.
Typical cooking includes stews, salads, roasted meat, rice, and of course great sea-food along the coast. Murcia also produces wine of high quality.
The Cities
Murcia
The capital of the region, located inland.
Cartagena
The above mentioned Carthaginean Cartago Nova is of great historical importance, specially evident if you visit its museums. It also has the region's most important port.

Galicia

Galicia is known in Spain as the "land of the 1000 rivers". Those rivers cross all the region from the mountainous inland to the coast, where they form the characteristical "Rias". The coast itself offers great contrasts, from the smooth beaches of As Mariñas to the dangerous cliffs of Costa de la Muerte, the "coast of death".
The climate of Galicia is tempered, and specially in winter, with minimal temperatures of about 5 degC, quite rainy. During the summer season, maximum temperatures are around 20 degC. Galicia's richdom in water and its Rias are characteristical for its nature. At the area of Rias Altas you will find magnific beaches, impressive towns and beautiful fishing villages. Rías Baixas are worth a visit for their natural preserves and balnearies, as A Toxa. The inland shows green landscapes and romantic villages.
The first cultures which left their tracks in Galicia were Celtic, while Romans left as a legacy the walls of Lugo, the bridge of Ourense, and the Tower of Hercules. Middle Ages were marked by the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle Santiago (Saint James). Thousands of pilgrims made their way to the cathedral of the newly founded town Santiago de Compostela, and the world-famous Way of Santiago (also known as Way of Saint James or Camino Jacobeo), which is flanked with numerous churches, monasteries and chapels of high historical-artistical value, was formed.
Galicia's folklore clearly shows its Celtic and Gaelic origins, and the most characteristical musical instrument is the Gaita (bagpipe). Regional gastronomy is of great reputation for its excellent fish, Empanada Gallega (a typical pie of fish or meat), traditional sweets prepared in some monasteries (where the recipes are kept in secret jalously), and the Ribeiro wine.
Major attractions:
Santiago de Compostela
The capital of Galicia and final destination of the famous pilgimage way is certainly among Spain's most beautiful cities.
A Coruña
This city, of high economical importance, is located at a peninsula. Major attractions include the Romanesque churches, the synagogue and the old quarter which offers an interesting contrast between almost fragile buildings and massive stone palaces.
Vigo
Galicia's most populated city, with the most important port. The historic quarter is very charming and well preserved.
Lugo
Lugo is surrounded by Roman walls which are perfectly preserved, and has a beautiful Romanesque cathedral.
Ourense
Located inland, also has a beautiful Romanesque cathedral.
Pontevedra
This province is said to be one of the most beautiful of Spain, thanks to the marvelous landscapes of Rías Baixas. The city itself offers an outstanding monumental center.

Extremadura

This community is constituted of two provinces, Caceres and Badajoz, its capital nevertheless being Merida, certainly worth a visit thanks to its fantastic Roman ruins. Romans put Extremadura on the stage of history, and Merida was one of the most important cities in the whole Roman Empire. Lateron the region was for a long period of time the border between Moorish and Christian Spain. After the reconquista it arrived to new splendor with the discovery of America, when it was the cradle of several famous conquerors.
Extremadura's landscapes are characterized by the mountain ranges Cordillera Central, Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena, the plains and fertile valleys of the rivers Tajo and Guadiana, and the plain lands of Low Extremadura. Its climate is continental, with warm summers and temperatures well over 30 degC, and quite cold winters.
Extremadura has several natural parks and preserves, specially the valleys of its two important rivers are important ecological reserves.
This region has yet not been discovered by mass tourism, but it has plenty of offers if you are looking for something off the beaten track: its original popular customs and traditions, typical dresses, great artisany of ceramics, metal works (those of Guadalupe are of high reputation) and embroideries, and an outstanding gastronomy: trouts, game, sausages, cheeses, as well as excellent wines.
Major attractions:
Merida
Merida preserves some of the most outstanding Roman monuments, including a colossal theater, an amphitheater, two aquaeductus, and a bridge, not to forget about the Museum of Roman Art with its invaluable collection.
Caceres
The capital of Upper Extremadura has a beautiful old quarter, enclosed by Moorish town walls with great watch-towers. Additional attractions include some exceptional Renaissance palaces.
Trujillo
The birthplace of famous conqueror Pizarro is well known for its beautiful main square. There are also a great medieval castle and the well-preserved town-walls with seven doors.
Guadalupe
This beautiful town is dominated by a colossal Mudejar style monastery which preserves valuable works of art.
Plasencia
A beautiful town with a Gothic-Plateresque cathedral, medieval town-walls and several palaces.
Badajoz
The capital of Lower Extremadura is worth a visit thanks to its Moorish Alcazaba, town-walls and watch-towers.

Catalonia

Best known apart from the capital, Barcelona, is of course the Mediterranean coast, Costa Brava, with ample beaches and mild climate, doubtlessly a first rate touristical attraction. One shouldn't forget anyhow that Catalonia offers as well high mountain ranges, the Pyrenees in the north, the curious formations of Montserrat, the inactive volcans of Garrotxa, and a wide plain area in the region's center.
Catalonia has a very marked culture of its own, most evidently of Mediterranean tradition, and is distinguished of most other Spanish regions in several aspects, not at least by its language, Catalonian (although everybody speaks and understands Castilian Spanish perfectly). Certainly it is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Spain, thanks to its long tradition of international commerce.
The coast offers ideal facilities for all sorts of water sports, but everywhere you will realize about that special talent to combine the beauty of nature or monuments with modern attractions, a main reason why Catalonia developed into one of the preferred touristical destinations.
Catalonia's excellent gastronomy is characterized by seafood, rice dishes, wines of great international reputation and traditional desserts like the famous "Catalonian Cream".
Major attractions:
Barcelona
Catalonia's capital, located at the Mediterranean Sea, offers the structures of a true metropole. Among its most outstanding sights are the Gothic Quarter and the works of architect Antoni Gaudi.
Costa Brava
Certainly one of the most famous Spanish coasts, stretching from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona. It is of great natural beauty, with steep cliffs and romantic small coves.
Girona
A beautiful historic city with the old Jewish Quarter among its major sights.
Figueres
The birthplace of great painter Salvador Dali. Its main attraction is of course the museum dedicated to the artist, showing a collection of some of his finest works.
Costa Dorada
The Golden Coast, stretching from south of Costa Brava to Tarragona, offers apart from its great beaches and beautiful landscapes towns of outstanding beauty, such as Arenys del Mar, Sitges (with the highly interesting museum of Cau Ferrat) and Castelldefels.
Tarragona
An important city of the Roman empire, still preserving outstanding monuments: the aquaeductus, an amphitheater and the Tomb of the Scipios, located at the seaside. Close to Tarragona there are the monasteries Santes Creus and Santa Maria de Poblet, both of high historic-artistic interest.
Lleida (Lerida)
Located inland in a mountainous area. Most interesting is its cathedral, "Seo", built between 12th and 15th century.

Castilla y Leon

Castilla y Leon is not only the largest region of Spain, but as well the largest region of all the European Union. The elevated plain is limited by the the mountain ranges Sistema Iberico to the east, Cordillera Central to the south, Cordillera Cantabrica to the north and by Duero river towards Portugal.
Castilla y Leon came together in 1983, when the regions of Castilla la Vieja and Leon were united. Both have been central areas of Spanish medieval history, and the importance during that epoch is still evident in many cathedrals, monasteries, castles and fortificated towns, many of which are preserved in perfect state. Apart of its great monumental patrimony, Castilla y Leon offers as well natural parks and kilometers of practically virginal nature, with woods of oaks and cork-oaks.
Gastronomy is distinguished by excellent meat, in particular of lamb, and vegetables like the famous creamy beans of Avila. Artisany and popular celebrations show a rich and varied folklore, often of archaical roots and almost unknown to a wider public.
The Cities:
Salamanca
Salamanca's great historical importance is due to its University, one of the oldest of Europe. It is a city of outstanding beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Segovia
Segovia's most famous monument is certainly its colossal Roman aquaeductus which dominates all the town. Additional attractions include the Alcazar and the Gothic cathedral.
Avila
A beautiful historic town, entirely enclosed by impressive Romanesque walls.
Burgos
A monumental town well worth a visit. The famous cathedral,one of the greatest examples of Gothic style in Spain, is its most outstanding attraction.
Leon
Formerly the capital of the region, it gave its name to the Community. The city's most famous monuments are its great Gothic cathedral, the church Basilica de San Isidoro with valuable Romanesque frescoes in its crypt, and the San Marcos monastery of Renaissance period. Close to Leon you may visit the legendary Roman gold mines Las Medulas.
Zamora
Zamora is a beautiful medieval town with a magnificent cathedral and several great Romanesque churches. Nearby there are the 8th century Visigothic church San Pedro de la Nave, and Lago de Sanabria, the largest lake of Spain and the only one of glacial origins.
Valladolid
The capital of Castilla y Leon has one of the most important sculpture museums of all Spain, and the famous Easter week processions are of great touristical interest. The city itself is monumental, and in its surroundings there are innumerable castles. It is said that in Valladolid the most correct Castilian Spanish is spoken.
Soria
In Soria, located at Duero river, you should pay special attention to the magnificent Romanesque churches.
Palencia
Medieval town with outstanding Romanesque monuments. Among the major attractions are the beautiful cathedral and the interesting archaeological museum.