< PreviousLuxury Travel GroupCastles andhistorical treasuresMoving north across the plains of La Manchainto Central Spain, picturesque Toledo standsas perhaps the historical centre of the nation, abeautiful medieval city sitting atop a hill thatonce served as the capital of Spain beforeMadrid was built. North of Madrid and an easyday-trip from the capital city is El Escorial,once the centre of the Spanish empire duringthe time of the Inquisition, and Segovia, notedfor its spectacular Roman aqueduct whichspans one of the city's squares. Further north inCastile-Leon is Salamanca, known for itsfamous university and abundance of historicarchitecture. Galicia in northwestern Spain ishome to Santiago de Compostela, the endpoint of the old Way of St. James (Camino deSantiago) pilgrimage route and the supposedburial place of St. James, with perhaps themost beautiful cathedral in all of Spain at theheart of its lovely old town. NortheasternSpain has a couple of historical centres to note:Zaragoza, with Roman, Muslim, medieval andRenaissance buildings from throughout its twothousand years of history, and Barcelona withits medieval Barrio Gòtic neighbourhood. Luxury Travel GroupLuxury Travel GroupMuseums, galleries andexhibitions of classic andcontemporary art.Spain-since the start of the twentieth century-has given the world some of its most emble-matic and original artists-notably Picasso,Salvador Dali and Joan Miro, many of whoseworks can be admired in museums and galle-ries in different parts of Spain. The main artgalleries are located in big cities, notablyMadrid (Prado, Riena Sofia), Barcelona(Picaso, National Art Museum of Catalonia)and Bilbao (Guggenheim). The Spanishlanguage is as diverse as its nature. Not onlySpanish is spoken but five languages andmany dialects. In Catalonia on the northerncoast to the Mediterranean Sea people speakcatalà; in Valencia and its region, people speakvalencià; in the Basque Country in the north ofSpain people speak euskera ; in the west inGalicia galego is spoken and in the rest peoplenormally speak castellan (often referred to aspure Spanish).Fine cuisine, tapas,excellent wines,and gourmet products.Twothings common across the whole of Spainisthe nations dedication to excellent food andfiestas. Eating in Spain is an important socialeventthat is not to be rushed. Sobremesa is thetimetaken after a meal to enjoy conversationatthe table. The Michelin Guide for Spain(and Portugal) 2015featureseight restaurantswitha three-star rating, 21restaurantsin thetwo-star category and 154restaurantsin theone-star. The 3 Michelin star restaurants are:QuiqueDacosta (Dénia), Akelare, Arzak,MartinBerasategui (San Sebastian), El CellerdeCan Roca (Girona), Azurmendi (nearBilbao), DiverXO (Madrid), Sant Pau (SantPolde Mar near Barcelona). Tapas (Pintox inBasque), small appetisers served throughouttheday with drinks are a popular choice. Eachregionhas its own speciality dish and usuallyeachbar has its own speciality tapas. Typicaldishesare Fabada, Paella, Gazpacho, Cocidoandmany other plates based on a largeselectionof fresh fish and top quality meats.Typicaltapas are tortilla, pulpo, croquettes,curedham, etc. Spain is also one of the largestproducersof quality wine like Rioja, RiberadelDuero, La Mancha, and the famous Jerezsherry, to name a few. All regions of Spainproduce, and are famous for, speciality cheesesandcured meats. Luxury Travel GroupFIESTAS AND CELEBRATIONSFiestas and celebrations symbolise the very essence of Spain and theSpanish people. In every single city, town and small village there is afestival uniting the locals, usually vibrant, involving elaborate costu-me and food! The biggest festivals of international fame are theRunning of the Bulls-Pamplona, the fireworks of Las Fallas inValencia, the mock battles of Moros y Cristianos in Alcoy, SemanaSanta in all of Andalucia and the massive Feria de Abril in Seville. Inall of Andalucia there are bullfighting, flamenco, music and winefestivals whilst in small towns you’ll come across all kinds of festivalssuch as a snail festival in Lleida, sardine festival in Galicia, seafoodfestival in O’Grove and a paella festival in Sueca.THE SANFERMINES-PAMPLONAFrom July 6th-14th every year the Sanfermin fiesta is celebrated inPamplona. When the chupinazo (ceremonial rocket) is fired the cityexplodes into life. Thousands of people from all over the worlddescend on the city, which dresses up in red and white. For nine daysthe streets turn into a feast of friendship, joy, music and non-stoppartying, to the rhythm of the charangas and the peñas. The Encierro(Bull Run) is the only moment of the day when the party stops, andgreat tension descends on the route just a few minutes before the bullsstart their 'run'. The surge of emotions culminates in the bullring at theend of the run. The fiesta continues with caldico (clear broth) chocola-te with churros (long doughnuts), the Gigantes (ceremonial giants) andCabezudos (carnival figures with big heads), the aperitif, the bullfightin the evening, or the fireworks at night. These then give way to all-night partying.SEMANA SANTASemana Santa, Holy Week is a week-long religious celebrationpreceding Easter Sunday or Pascua. Elaboratly decorated floatsemerge from churches bearing the images of Virgin Mary and thecross of Jesus, and make their way through the streets, carried by aprocession of hooded penitents before returning back to the church orCathedral. . Luxury Travel GroupNext >