Explore Spain

Explore Spainhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spainExplore Spainhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/ecotourism-in-the-canary-islandsNomad Emma shows us the sustainable side of this Spanish archipelago as she island-hops to go cycling, windsurfing, whale-watching, and sample the local food.2021-10-26T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/ecotourism-in-the-canary-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The Canary Islands wears its volcanic origins on its sleeve – but it has a green side too, both literally and metaphorically. Island-hopping around this Spanish archipelago by ferry, I discovered secret coves, scenic cycle routes, idyllic swimming spots, eco-friendly villas, and skies studded with stars.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#cycling">Cycling on Lanzarote </a></li> <li><a href="#chilling">Chilling out on Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria</a></li> <li><a href="#nature">Getting close to nature on Tenerife and La Gomera</a></li> <li><a href="#local">Tasting local life on La Palma and El Hierro</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="cycling">Cycling on Lanzarote</h2> <p>Maybe it’s the quiet roads and steady climbs. Or perhaps it’s the wild, arid scenery: a rare mix of volcanic peaks, rocky slopes and lichen-strewn lava fields, so otherworldly, they feel like the set of a sci-fi movie. Whatever the reason, hardcore cyclists – the sporting fraternity’s self-appointed elite – love Lanzarote. And the island loves them back, organizing training sessions and multiple events, from a bike week for fit over-50s to four-day mountain bike rallies and an Ironman so grueling, it counts towards qualification for the world championship in Hawaii.</p> <p>Me? I’m no athlete, elite or otherwise. But I <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/cycling-travel-insurance">love cycling</a>, so I’d hatched a plan to jump start my Canaries island-hopping trip by renting a bike and joining the spandex-clad enthusiasts who tour this rugged, multi-faceted island on two wheels.</p> <p>You need to watch out for the wind, they told me. They weren’t wrong. It was November, and while this is by no means the gnarliest month, the 15mi (24km) per hour Atlantic breeze certainly whipped me into shape. Pedaling northeast, against the blast, was tough. But fortunately, Lanzarote is blessed with some great spots to pause for breath – pretty villages, panoramic viewpoints, and hidden coves, along with intriguing 20th-century art centers designed by local creative genius César Manrique. And when at last I was zooming southwest with the wind on my back, I felt invincible.</p> <h2 id="chilling">Chilling out on Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria</h2> <p>Bidding farewell to my bike, I hopped on a ferry from Lanzarote’s southern tip to Fuerteventura, the next island in the chain. Here, the Atlantic breeze felt like a strong but friendly force, ready to be harnessed. Dotting the terracotta landscapes are historic, Castilian-style windmills that once kept the locals well-fed on <em>gofio</em>, Canarian flour made from grains that are roasted before they’re milled to enhance their flavor and shelf-life. Signing up for <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/surfing">windsurfing</a> lessons at one of the island’s laidback training centers, I spent my mornings riding the breeze and my afternoons on Fuerteventura’s long, lovely sands, cooled by the restless air.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/canary-islands/wildmill-fuerteventura.jpg" alt="An historic stone windmill on Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain." /> <figcaption> An historic windmill on Fuerteventura. Image credit: Getty Images / Flavio Vallenari</figcaption></figure> <p>I continued west by ferry to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the archipelago’s largest city and the capital of the island of Gran Canaria. Bustling and cosmopolitan, with modernist blocks rubbing up against elegant apartments with filigree balconies, it feels very much like a Spanish city that’s broken free from the mainland and floated gently southwest, picking up traces of other cultures on the way. Catching a bus out of town, I followed Gran Canaria’s northern shore to Las Salinas de Agaete, to swim in one of three natural swimming pools sheltered from the open ocean by battlement-like columns.</p> <p>After that, utterly refreshed, I settled down with a Tropical beer to watch the sunset.</p> <h2 id="nature">Getting close to nature on Tenerife and La Gomera</h2> <p>It’s only 80 minutes by ferry from Agaete to Las Palmas’ lively cousin, Santa Cruz on the island of Tenerife. In the run-up to Mardi Gras in February, the city thrills with whistles and the thump of carnival drums. It’s always fun to be in Santa Cruz, even out of season, but I was keen to head back out to sea, so jumped on a bus to Costa Adeje, where a whale-watching catamaran was waiting.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/canary-islands/catamaran-tenerife.jpg" alt="A whale-watching catamaran sails along the coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain." /> <figcaption>A whale-watching catamaran off the coast of Tenerife. Image credit: Emma Gregg</figcaption></figure> <p>The captain had promised us a sighting or our money back. It sounded like a lot to expect, but who was I to argue? Infected by his confidence, I scanned the middle distance for diving seabirds – a sure sign that whales or dolphins may be present. Ten different cetacean species are regularly spotted in the deep channel between Tenerife and its little neighbor, La Gomera, with pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins resident all year round. Sure enough, a pod of dolphins was soon slicing through the water just beyond our boat.</p> <p>With La Gomera beckoning, it was time for another ferry trip: from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián, Christopher Columbus’ last stop in the known world before traveling to the Americas. Climbing up to Garajonay National Park in a rented electric car, I <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hiked along the steep, misty paths</a> that weave through La Gomera’s UNESCO-listed <em>laurisilva</em> (or laurel forest), a mysterious, mossy pocket of green.</p> <h2 id="local">Tasting local life on La Palma and El Hierro</h2> <p>Throughout my trip, I stayed in <em>casas rurales</em>: characterful village apartments and villas outside the main tourist resorts. Some were <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/agritourism">former farm buildings</a>, spruced up with eco-friendly touches. Waking to views of age-worn lava or sapphire-blue seas, I would start the day by padding outside with a bowl of local figs, bananas, or pineapple, bought fresh the day before. Come lunchtime, I’d eat like a local, dipping <em>papas arrugadas</em> (salty little potatoes) into <em>mojo</em>, a piquant sauce rich in olive oil. On my sixth island stop, La Palma, where world-class chefs conjure up delicious dishes based on parrotfish and moray eels, I tucked into a vegan version of <em>puchero canario</em>, a classic island stew stuffed with colorful vegetables, pulses, garlic, cumin, and herbs.</p> <p>From La Palma, I sailed back to Los Cristianos for a ferry to the smallest and remotest of the seven main islands in the chain: El Hierro. It’s a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Geopark, with big ambitions, sustainability-wise: its wind turbines and hydroelectric plant are designed to harness and store enough renewable energy to supply its entire population of around 11,000. On this clean-living island, light pollution is impressively low; so much so that, during my visit, the night skies seemed even more vivid than those over Tenerife and La Palma, both of which have international astronomical observatories.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/canary-islands/orchilla-lighthouse.jpg" alt="Orchilla Lighthouse, on the edge of a tall cliff on El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain." /> <figcaption>Orchilla lighthouse on El Hierro. Image credit: Getty Images / Luis Davilla</figcaption></figure> <p>Of El Hierro’s many <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-stars">dark-sky spots</a>, the clifftop near Orchilla lighthouse is one of the best. As I gazed up at the infinite constellations, Taurus shone brightly in their midst: the bull, a symbol of Spain itself, strutting proudly across a star-speckled field of deepest blue.</p> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip Notes</h2> <h3>Getting there and around</h3> <p>There are direct flights to the Canaries from European cities, and ferries from Huelva or Cádiz in Spain with <a href="https://www.navieraarmas.com/" target="_blank">Naviera Armas</a>, <a href="https://www.fredolsen.es/es" target="_blank">Fred Olsen</a>, or <a href="https://www.trasmediterranea.es/" target="_blank">Trasmediterránea</a> (27-55 hours, depending on where you depart from and which island you’re heading to). You can island-hop with the same ferry companies, or by plane with <a href="https://www.bintercanarias.com/eng" target="_blank">Binter</a> or <a href="https://www.canaryfly.es/">Canaryfly</a>. Sea voyages between adjacent islands take between 25-150 minutes. It’s easy to rent a car on any of the islands.</p> <h3>Planning your trip</h3> <p>The best times for cycling and walking in the Canaries are January to May and October to December, when the school holiday crowds have subsided and the weather is mild. For windsurfing and kitesurfing, April to September is breeziest and therefore best, but it’s not until later in the year that the surf picks up. Meteor showers peak in August. <em>Casas rurales</em> (rural self-catering accommodations) typically cost US $17-70 / €15-60 per person per night.</p>Emma Gregg 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/finding-tranquility-in-the-balearic-islandsA ferry crossing from the Spanish mainland is a great prelude to an eco-friendly island-hopping trip, discovering the calmer, greener side of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. 2021-08-18T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/finding-tranquility-in-the-balearic-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#island-hopping">The joys of sustainable island-hopping</a></li> <li><a href="#ibiza">Exploring Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, and Menorca</a></li> <li><a href="#food">Slow food, Balearic style </a></li> <li><a href="#ferry">An even greener way to visit the Balearic Islands: the Super Fast car ferry</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="island-hopping">The joys of sustainable island-hopping</h2> <p>Pedaling along a sandy track close to the shimmering, indigo-striped sea, I paused, closed my eyes and sniffed the breeze. Pine trees, orchids, rosemary, and thyme. If scents had colors, the scent of Formentera would be green.</p> <p>This supremely appealing island – Ibiza’s laidback, low-key little neighbor – has green ideals, too. The track I was following was one of its 30 or so<em> Rutes Verdes</em> (Green Routes): intertwined pathways that invite locals and visitors to leave their cars behind and explore on foot or by bike. This pleasing network had led me past sun-drenched vineyards and ancient fig trees, and beckoned me to <em>chiringuitos</em>: friendly beach bars on sands so long and lovely that I never wanted to leave. Often, mini concerts called <em>Aperitius Musicals</em> (Musical Aperitifs) offered the perfect excuse to linger.</p> <p>Formentera doesn’t have an airport, so almost everyone arrives by sea. Opting for one of the swift little ferries that shuttle between Ibiza’s Estación Marítima and Formentera’s La Savina throughout the day, my crossing had taken just 30 minutes.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/ferry-formentera-getty-177268460.jpg" alt="A ferry boat sails past the coast of Formentera, Spain." /> <figcaption>A ferry boat sails past the coast of Formentera. Image credit: Getty Images / LUNAMARINA</figcaption></figure> <p>Less conventionally, I had arrived in Ibiza by sea as well, having traveled from Britain to Spain by train, rather than by plane. Instead of catapulting myself like a missile from rainy, autumnal England to the sun-warmed Med, I wanted to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/low-impact-ways-to-see-the-world">travel lightly</a>, rubbing shoulders with the locals and arriving utterly relaxed.</p> <p>I could have hopped on a ferry in Barcelona or Valencia but opted for Dénia instead. Even though a thousand years have passed since this down-to-earth Costa Blanca town was the capital of a <em>taifa</em> (Moorish principality) that included Ibiza, its connections with the Balearic Islands – known in these parts simply as Les Illes – remain strong.</p> <h2 id="ibiza">Exploring Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, and Menorca</h2> <p>Ibiza made the perfect starting point for my Balearic island-hopping trip. Its alternative, sustainability-conscious culture predates its party-animal reputation, and the island’s creative, caring side is more in vogue than ever. After sauntering around the Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa in Ibiza Town, I crossed the island in an electric rental car and treated myself to a room at an <em>agroturismo</em> – a beautiful rural hotel surrounded by succulents, wildflowers, and tucked-away coves. Instead of beats, I heard birdsong.</p> <p>From Ibiza, ferries carried me northeast to Mallorca, then on to Menorca. Once again, renting an electric car made it easy to explore off the beaten track. On Mallorca, I puttered around beautiful, secluded bays: turquoise Cala Llombards, cheerful Cala Mondragó. On Menorca, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, there were quieter coastal stretches to discover, with superb walking routes and birdwatching spots.</p> <p>I discovered, to my delight, that each island in the chain offers fresh opportunities to go sailing, swimming, and diving. Solar-powered catamaran excursions to peaceful lagoons and white-sand beaches launch from Ibiza and Formentera, both Mallorca and Menorca are superb for <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">kayaking</a>, and there are <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">scuba diving</a> sites dotting the seas around all four main islands. On Mallorca, boat trips visit the protected islets of Cabrera and Sa Dragonera, revealing hidden coves with sparkling water and some of the best snorkeling in the Med. As a water lover, I was in heaven.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/balearics-cabrera-snorkeling-getty-148881641.jpg" alt="A snorkeler swims in the waters off the islet of Cabrera in the Balearic Islands of Spain." /> <figcaption>Snorkeling along the shore of Cabrera. Image credit: Getty Images / David C Tomlinson</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="food">Slow food, Balearic style</h2> <p>I ate well during my trip, so was not surprised to learn that when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Balearic club scene to hit pause, local pleasure-seekers turned to the next best thing: food. For some, the switch from moonlit dancing to lantern-lit eating has been so refreshing, they’re not planning to go back. The Mediterranean climate is perfect for alfresco dining, after all.</p> <p>The islands’ leading restaurants – eclectic, eco-chic spaces adorned with driftwood and geometric art – serve ocean-inspired dishes such as gazpacho with smoked sardines. There are <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/eat-like-a-local-when-you-travel">slow food</a> specialities to sample, too, including Formentera <em>peix sec</em> (wind-dried ray), Menorcan lobster, and Mallorcan <em>ovella roja</em> sheep’s cheese.</p> <h2 id="ferry">An even greener way to visit the Balearic Islands: the Super Fast car ferry</h2> <p>My island-hopping experience left me longing to return to the archipelago – not least because the Baleària ferry service from the Spanish mainland has had an ultra-modern, ultra-green upgrade. Now in full service, the <em><a href="https://www.balearia.com/es/nuevo-eleanor-roosevelt/#page=1">Eleanor Roosevelt</a></em> is Baleària’s pride and joy: the world’s largest Super Fast car ferry, and the first with dual engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).</p> <p>Launched in 2021 and named after the first president of the UN Commission for Human Rights, the <em>Eleanor Roosevelt</em> zips from Dénia to Ibiza in two hours flat, with up to 1,200 passengers and 450 cars on board. While LNG is not 100% green, it produces 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions than oil or diesel, and significantly less air, sea, and noise pollution. As such, it’s an important stepping stone on the path towards net zero.</p> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>Getting there and around</h3> <p><a href="https://www.balearia.com/">Baleària</a> runs fast car ferries from Dénia to Ibiza (2hr, from US $64 / €54 for foot passengers, one way) and Mallorca (5hr, from US $66 / €56), and between Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, and Menorca. There are also ferries from Barcelona to all four islands, and from Valencia to Mallorca. Services reduce between November and April. There are bicycles, mopeds, and electric cars for hire on all four islands. Alternatively, get around by taxi or bus.</p> <h3>Planning your trip</h3> <p>Spring or autumn are lovely times to arrive in the Balearic Islands: the weather is mild and the islands have a relaxing shoulder-season vibe. Modest and mid-range guesthouses, rural hotels and <em>agroturismos</em> cost around US $70–235 / €60–200 per night for two, including the islands’ <a href="http://illessostenibles.travel/en/home-en">Sustainable Tourism Tax</a>, which supports environmental and heritage projects. For suggestions, visit <a href="https://illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/">Illes Balears</a>.</p>Getty Images / Westend61 0149690140 Getty Images A man and woman ride bicycles beside a beach on Formentera, one of the Balearic Islands of Spain.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/walks-and-hikes-in-extremadura-spainJoin nomad Emerson on a journey through some of his favorite nature reserves, hiking trails, historic towns, and off-the-beaten-path places in this little-known Spanish region.2021-07-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/walks-and-hikes-in-extremadura-spainhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Time slows down as soon as you set foot in Spain's most undiscovered region, Extremadura. But before you start exploring, take a few minutes to connect with the surrounding nature. Breathe deeply the Mediterranean forest’s pure, scented air, cross barefoot the closest cold-water stream, and become aware of the silence while contemplating the dark green slopes that skim the clear sky on the horizon.</p> <p>Then, you’ll be ready to visit Cáceres and Badajoz provinces – Spain’s two largest – that make up Extremadura.</p> <p>I was raised here, and I couldn’t think of a better way to get inspired to write this article than to travel back home.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#parks">Landscapes and parks in Extremadura</a></li> <li><a href="#cities">Cities: Mérida, Cáceres, and Plasencia</a></li> <li><a href="#festivals">Traditions and festivals</a></li> <li><a href="#food">What to eat in Extremadura</a></li> <li><a href="#favorite">My favorite off-the-beaten-path places</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="parks">Landscapes and parks in Extremadura</h2> <p>Distance allows us to see things from different perspectives and rediscover, as travelers, the places we visited long ago as locals. This happens whenever I go back to the timeless and underrated Extremadura.</p> <p>The vistas vary from endless <em>dehesas</em> (meadows) – where cows, fighting bulls, sheep, and black Iberian pigs graze peacefully under the shadows of evergreen cork and holly oaks – to mighty waterfalls, dense woods, and mountain chains.</p> <p>I remember with affection the spring day my best friend Alberto got his driving license, and we went on a road trip to Valle del Jerte. We left Plasencia’s Valcorchero granite outcrops and reservoir, following the winding river until we sighted the marvelous cherry blossom valley in all its splendor – and dare I say it rivaled <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/japan/march-hanami-cherry-blossom-viewing-japan">Japan</a>.</p> <p>This is not the only breathtaking place in the region – 31mi (50km) to the south, is the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park of Monfragüe. Located in the very heart of Cáceres province and crossed by the Tagus River, it’s among the best places in Europe for wildlife spotting (such as wild boar, red fox, and otters), birding, and <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-stars">stargazing</a>.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/extremadura-el-salto-de-gitano-getty-1138103306.jpg" alt="El Salto del Gitano lookout in the Biosphere Reserve and National Park of Monfragüe, Spain." /> <figcaption>El Salto del Gitano lookout. Image credit: Getty Images / Elena Pueyo</figcaption></figure> <p>To see why the Arabs called this place The Abyss, venture along the 10mi (16km) internal Red Route via El Salto del Gitano lookout, reaching the 9th-century castle watchtower for sunset. An unforgettable experience.</p> <p>I also love the surreal aragonite crystal formations of the cave of Castañar de Ibor and the ancient, <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/best-of-the-blue-ridge-mountains">Appalachian</a>-type landforms at Villuercas Ibores Jara UNESCO Global Geopark, about an hour’s drive southeast of Monfragüe</p> <h2 id="cities">Cities: Mérida, Cáceres, and Plasencia</h2> <p>I've found that most people I've crossed paths with can’t locate Extremadura on a map despite having visited Spain, and I don't blame them. It’s easy to overlook that a country is more than just its capital and major cities.</p> <p>But here, far from Madrid and Barcelona, the rich legacy of Vettones, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews, and Christians can be found all over the territory and has influenced the culture, architecture, gastronomy, and traditions of western Spain.</p> <p>I like to walk the Ruta de la Plata pilgrimage path with a twist: paying homage to Extremadura’s World Heritage sites. I start by visiting the well-preserved Roman Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, whose origins date back to 25 BC, and then the harmonious architectural amalgam of styles of the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe and Old Town of Cáceres.</p> <p>Forget about maps after passing through the impressive Arco de la Estrella – the main gate to the walled enclosure. To find Cáceres’ hidden gems, just walk around its intricate alleys and ask locals for the places they love. Mine are by Cuesta del Marqués: Yusuf Al-Burch Arabic Museum House, the views from San Francisco Javier Church’s bell tower and Baluarte (bastion) de los Pozos and Olivar de la Judería park.</p> <p>Last but not least, there’s Plasencia, where my home is. Within the old city walls are renaissance palaces, Romanesque churches, a Jewish quarter and a cathedral complex with priceless artistic wealth, whose peculiarity is to have an unfinished Plateresque New Cathedral attached to the Old one.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/extremadura-cathedral-of-plasencia.jpg" alt="Exterior of the Cathedral of Plasencia, Extremadura, Spain." /> <figcaption>Cathedral of Plasencia. Image credit: Emerson Mendoza Ayala</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="festivals">Traditions and festivals</h2> <p>No matter when you visit Extremadura, you’ll find interesting and entertaining cultural festivals celebrating local traditions.</p> <p>To chase away the evils and leave the past behind, Piornal villagers throw a few thousands enormous turnips at Jarramplas, a (perhaps not so fortunate) neighbor who personifies a cheerful devil and goes around the city beating a drum each 19th and 20th of January.</p> <p>Across the mountains in Valle del Ambroz, Hervás remembers and relives the period of coexistence between the Jewish and Christian communities by organizing Los Conversos cultural festival during the first week of July, including theatrical plays, concerts, poetry readings, and projection mapping.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/extremadura-street-hervas.jpg" alt="A charming street in the town of Hervas, Spain." /> <figcaption>A street in the town of Hervás. Image credit: Emerson Mendoza Ayala</figcaption></figure> <p>Spring is the best season to stroll around Plasencia’s cobblestone streets, but I also encourage you to visit in summer, when it hosts the Martes Mayor on the first Tuesday in August. The city travels back eight centuries in time, recreating the medieval market’s atmosphere with live music, traditional <em>montehermoseña</em> clothes (with their colorful, tasseled hats and richly embroidered sleeves), handcraft stalls, and food from the neighboring comarcas.</p> <h2 id="food">What to eat in Extremadura</h2> <p>We tend to undervalue what we have on our doorstep, venturing as far as possible from home, thinking that we already know our region and have sampled all the products our country offers – often to realize later how wrong we were. For example, on my last visit home, I tried <em>chafaina</em> (a traditional stew made with lamb meat and offal) for the first time – it tasted much better than it sounds or looks.</p> <p>Extremadura has very delicious and diverse local food, as well as a unique gastronomic and social experience: <em>el tapeo</em> (where you order a drink and get tapa for free).</p> <p>I like to order freshly baked toast, spread with tomatoes and <em>jamón ibérico de bellota</em>, seasoned with regional extra-virgin olive oil, <em>Pimentón de la Vera</em> (locally made, smoked paprika) and a pinch of salt.</p> <p>It’s great to try homemade tapas as you move from bar to bar: <em>Torta del Casar</em> (a creamy cheese made from goat’s milk), <em>zorongollo</em> (roasted-pepper salad), paprika-spiced <em>patatas revolconas, caldereta</em> (goat meat stew) or <em>migas</em> (a shepherd’s dish created with breadcrumbs, meats, vegetables, and garlic, seasoned with paprika), accompanied with craft beer – including the regional specialty, the award-winning cherry beer – a generous glass of Ribera del Guadiana or <em>pitarra</em> homemade red wine.</p> <p>In Plasencia, there's a <em>Feria de la Tapa</em> (tapas fair) in Sept/Oct, with a long list of participating bars – and every year you can vote for the best tapa.</p> <h2 id="favorite">My favorite off-the-beaten-path places</h2> <p>The Gorge of Hell (or <em>Garganta de Los Infiernos</em>) Natural Reserve is by far my favorite place to explore when I come back home. It’s the perfect place to chill and refresh every summer and there are numerous options for outdoor activities – <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">trekking</a>, canyoning, canoeing, paddle surfing, and <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/mountain-biking">mountain biking</a> trails.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/spain/extremadura-los-pilones-getty-466381127.jpg" alt="Los Pilonas natural pool in Garganta de Los Infiernos Natural Reserve, Extremadura, Spain." /> <figcaption>Los Pilones natural pool. Image credit: Getty Images / estivillml</figcaption></figure> <p>Once, I joined a local association on a nocturnal hike starting at Los Pilones natural pool. We walked into the wild under a starry sky on a full-moon night, and even heard wolves howling in the distance. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.</p> <p>For introspection, I love to visit the history-rich county of Las Hurdes, where the echoes of legends – about elves, the <em>Macho Lanú</em> (a mythological billy goat/human creature), enchanted Moorish princesses, and much more – are passed on from one generation to the next. This isolated shepherd's refuge has innumerable hidden architectural treasures and welcomes all those who are ready to embrace nature and dive into their culture.</p>Emerson Mendoza Ayala 0 Emerson Mendoza Ayala Overlooking Gabriel y Galán Reservoir, Extremadura region, Spain.

Catalan Skyscrapers in Barcelona | Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/catalan-skyscrapers-in-barcelonaCatalan Skyscrapers in Barcelona | Travel StoryMon, 09 Mar 2020 19:17:58 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/catalan-skyscrapers-in-barcelonaBaggage on El Camino de Santiago | Spain Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/baggage-on-el-camino-de-santiagoBaggage on El Camino de Santiago | Spain Travel StoryFri, 21 Jun 2019 22:57:45 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/baggage-on-el-camino-de-santiagohttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-eat-like-a-local-in-catalunyaTravel to Barcelona with Edwina Hart as she visits the famous La Boqueria market to take a cooking class, and explores the streets on a tapas tour.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-eat-like-a-local-in-catalunyahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The people of Catalonia are very proud their traditions and food. Spanish dining is about taking the time to cook, and really enjoying the final dish. Throughout her foodie adventures in Spain, Edwina learns from the locals - the experts in Catalonian cooking.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-authentic-spanish-food-in-catalunyaTravel to Spain with World Nomads’ Edwina Hart as gathers authentic experiences of Spanish food in Catalonia.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-authentic-spanish-food-in-catalunyahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Edwina gets involved with the local produce by planting rice, fishing for sea bass in the Mediterranean, and cooking ancient Catalonian recipes with local grandmas, all the while connecting with the people and the country through food.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-reflections-on-foodie-heaven-in-madridTravel to Madrid with World Nomads’ Nicola Moores as she discovers the local produce of Spain.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-reflections-on-foodie-heaven-in-madridhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Join Nicola as she discovers how to bring ciders to life, and how to distinguish between six different types of strawberries. Nicola also visits the second largest fish market in the world - Mercado de San Miguel - where she tests gooseneck barnacles - a unique, and almost phallic in appearance, local delicacy.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-local-food-connections-in-madridTravel to Madrid with Nicola as she ponders her adventures in the Spanish city.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-local-food-connections-in-madridhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Join World Nomads’ Nicola Moores on her journey through Spain as she reflects on her experiences as a nomad. From meeting the local people to experiencing the cultures and traditions, Nicola discovers that traveling to places far away from home can be life-altering. </p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-foodie-explorations-in-madridTravel to Madrid, Spain, with World Nomads’ Nicola Moores, where she makes a series of local food connections.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-foodie-explorations-in-madridhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>It’s said that the best way to connect with a country when traveling, is to meet the locals. And one of the best ways to connect with locals, is through the sharing of food. From a flirty chef who cooks up pigs ears, to some Madrid cool-cats who share their ancestral Paella recipe, and a Spanish knife wizard - Nicola begins to understand why food is one of the most exciting things about traveling in Spain.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-plate-spain-culinary-delights-in-andaluciaAube Rey Lescure shares a series of poetic vignettes from her culinary road trip through Spain.2017-06-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-plate-spain-culinary-delights-in-andaluciahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The sun, the sea, the land, and the people make Andalusia truly special. Join World Nomads’ Aube Rey Lescure on a road trip through Spain as she shares a series of poetic vignettes from her culinary adventure to ignite your senses, and inspire you to visit the hills, rivers, and farmland of Andalusia on the country’s southern coast.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-passion-people-and-culture-in-andaluciaJoin World Nomads’ Aube Rey Lescure as she travels through the southern region of Andalusia for the ultimate food tour.2017-06-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-passion-people-and-culture-in-andaluciahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>There are a lot of traditions in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia that have been passed down from generation to generation, and kept within families. Everywhere Aube goes, she meets locals who are passionate about food, giving her a real sense of appreciation for every bite of food, or sip of wine she takes. Travel with Aube as she explores Malaga market, learns how to harvest seaweed, and rides a tractor with a local farmer.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-interesting-cuisine-in-andaluciaJoin Aube Rey Lescure on a culinary adventure across Andalusia, a region in southern Spain.2017-06-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/passport-and-plate-spain-interesting-cuisine-in-andaluciahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Here, she tries some of the country’s most intriguing dishes that you won’t find on every menu. Discovering there is a lot more to Spanish food than paella, tapas, ham, and cheese, Aube tries some delicious and adventurous alternatives.</p>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-juan-roca-visionary-chefMeet Joan Roca, a visionary chef who believes that food can be a powerful catalyst for fostering education and social inclusion.2017-06-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-juan-roca-visionary-chefhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>I might have been miffed by having had my butt kicked in foosball by Joan Roca, one of the world’s greatest chefs. In fact, just the opposite was true. We had both laughed so hard during our match and anyway there was a bigger story to be told, one we each believed in deeply and that had drawn us together.</p> <p>If you’re interested in the world of food, it doesn’t take long before the name Roca crosses your radar – as in Joan, Josep and Jordi, the legendary brothers of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain. To say they’ve achieved it all in the 30 years since opening their restaurant is not hyperbole. With 3 Michelin stars, a year long wait list and innumerable honors that place El Celler perennially atop the world’s best restaurant lists, what else remains?</p> <p>Beyond the accolades, there was another, more lasting story to be told – one of legacy, family and shared humanity. The main reason I wanted to profile Joan in Off the Table was our shared belief that food can be a powerful catalyst for fostering education, awareness, conservation and social inclusion. Joan is amongst a handful of visionary chefs around the globe bringing attention, focus and resources to this vision. </p> <h2>Note it: </h2> <p>In a country where food culture is rivaled in passion and diversity of opinion only by soccer, Girona holds a special place of honor. Here, there is an uncanny streak of world-leaders.</p> <p>Before the Roca brothers recent dominance in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants* list taking the #1 or #2 spot each of these last 6 years, there was El Bulli in Rosas, the legendary mold-breaking restaurant of Ferrán Adria, less than an hour’s drive to the coast, which held title of the world’s #1 restaurant a record 5 times.</p> <p>*Restaurant Magazine complies The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. While no means strictly objective, is has become the most influential list globally.</p> <h2>Go there: Restaurant Can Roca</h2> <p>Can Roca (not to be confused with El Celler de Can Roca) is the working class neighborhood restaurant of Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca’s parents, serving hearty, traditional Catalan fare for the last forty years.</p> <p>The 35 member team of El Celler has staff meal here every day before service back at El Celler. Keeping them continually connected to what matters most – family, memory, roots and tradition. </p> <p>Restaurant Can Roca</p> <p>Ctra. de Taialà, 42, 17007 Girona, Spain</p> <p>Tel: +34 972.20.51.19</p> <h2>For the sweet tooth: Rocambolesc</h2> <p>The idea of Rocambolesc was brought about by the vision of Jordi Roca, El Celler’s pastry chef, to recreate the dessert cart that used to trolley around El Celler, and bring it to the streets of Girona. While municipal regulations put a dent in their ambulatory plans, they ended up ‘parking’ the cart and opened Rocambulesc ice cream and sweet shops.</p> <p>There are now locations in Girona, Barcelona, Madrid and Platja D’Aro. </p> <p>Rocambolesc</p> <p>Original Location: Carrer Sta. Clara 50, 17001 Girona</p> <p>Tel: +34 972.41.66.67</p> <p><a href="http://www.rocambolesc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rocambolesc.com</a></p> <h2>Take the pilgrimage: El Celler de Can Roca</h2> <p>Considered a global pilgrimage site for many food enthusiasts, a tasting menu at El Celler de Can Roca lasts 3 to 4 hours. Many diners would say their memories last a lifetime. Can you plan a year (or more) in advance, and arrange your trip around the meal of a lifetime? If yes, you’re in luck, because El Celler is worth every minute of the journey.</p> <p>El Celler de Can Roca</p> <p>Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona</p> <p>Tel: +34 972.22.21.57</p> <p><a href="http://cellercanroca.com/" target="_blank">http://cellercanroca.com</a></p>Jim Kane 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-catalonias-coastJim Kane goes shrimping for a day with Carlos and his crew on Catalonia's Coast, to find out how Palamos shrimp are caught and sold at the market.2017-06-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-catalonias-coasthttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>However, I had no idea of exactly what it entailed to bring this difficult catch to market. It was high time to find out, so I connected with Carlos and his crew, who graciously accepted me as an honorary member of their shrimping team for the day.</p> <p>It’s no surprise that the three deckhands I accompanied with were tough, seasoned, no-nonsense fishermen. More surprising was how nurturing they were with me as a newbie, how eager to teach their craft and how generously they shared both their table and their lives.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#fisherman-experience"> Be a Fisherman for a Day </a></li> <li><a href="#notes"> Note It </a></li> <li><a href="#recipe"> Recipe: Fisherman Fideos with Seafood </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="fisherman-experience">Go there: be a fisherman for a day</h2> <p>Palamos is located along Spain's Costa Brava, about an hour from Girona, and 90 minutes from Barcelona. </p> <p>Palamos shrimp (<em>gambas de Palamos</em>) are considered among the most flavorful crustaceans on earth.</p> <p>This ‘<em>Pescaturisme</em>’ (fishing tourism) experience can be organized via the <a href="http://pescaturismepalamos.org/index.php/es/" target="_blank">Fishing Museum of Palamós</a> (website is in Spanish, Catalan and French – sorry, no English).</p> <p>For more info, call: +34.972.600.424, or email: <a href="mailto:infomuseu@palamos.cat" target="_blank">infomuseu@palamos.cat</a></p> <h2 id="notes">Note it</h2> <p>While this experience is immersive and unique, it's not for everyone. Not for the faint of heart, nor for late risers, nor for travelers in a hurry, nor for those with a need to be constantly in motion, and not for those with an aversion to being on the high seas for hours.</p> <p>The day is long, conditions aboard are fairly basic, and the seas can be rough, depending on the day or hour.</p> <p>Travelers who participate will join a genuine shrimp trawling crew for their full day on their normal schedule (approx. 6:00am - 5:00pm). Travelers are expected to obey the captain as if he were a commander – because aboard the boat, he is! And because this experience could be dangerous for those who don’t heed instructions.</p> <p>Get ready to work. Get ready to chill. The bulk of the physical work for the crew takes place when they’re dropping their 1,000 meter lines into the ocean in the morning, and again when they pull those lines and sort the catch in the afternoon.</p> <p>During those two times, it’s like watching linebackers perform a ballet – power, precision and plenty of movement. In between, there is lots of time to chill, write in your journal, admire the open sea, snooze, talk with the captain and crew and share lunch, which is cooked aboard by a member of the crew.</p> <h2 id="recipe">Recipe: Fisherman <em>fideos</em> with seafood</h2> <h3>Ingredients:</h3> <ul> <li>300 gr. fideo pasta (very thin short pasta - breaking thin spaghetti into 2” length pieces also works as a back-up)</li> <li>200 gr. squid (cut into rings)</li> <li>6 large shrimp (unpeeled and head on)</li> <li>1/2 onion</li> <li>500 ml. fish broth</li> <li>2 cloves of garlic</li> <li>1 sm. can crushed tomatoes</li> <li>Olive oil, to taste</li> <li>Salt, to taste</li> </ul> <h3> Method:</h3> <ul> <li>Heat olive oil in the base of a sauté pan over medium heat.</li> <li>Peel and thinly slice the cloves of garlic and add to the sauté pan.</li> <li>Chop the onion into thin strips.</li> <li>When the garlic turns golden, add the chopped onion to the same sauté pan and brown both together over low heat.</li> <li>in another sauté pan, heat olive oil over a medium flame and add the shrimp (head on and unpeeled).</li> <li>Add the crushed tomatoes to the opinions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes over a low flame.</li> <li>Cut the squid rings into small pieces.</li> <li>Add the squid to the shrimp and cook over a low flame.</li> <li>Incorporate the fish broth into the browned onions, garlic and olive oil.</li> <li>Blend the the entire mixture (broth, onions, browned garlic and crushed tomato) in a blender until smooth.</li> <li>Add to the cooking shrimp and squid and reduce for 5 minutes over low heat.</li> <li>Once reduced 5 minutes, add the fideo pasta (or any very thin short pasta) to the shrimp, squid ‘broth’.</li> <li>Cook 10 minutes (adjust the time to the type of pasta used).</li> </ul> <h3>Give It:</h3> <ul> <li>Plate and serve.</li> <li>Share generously with friends and family.</li> </ul> <h3>Get It:</h3> <ul> <li>Cherish your newfound culinary rock-star status.</li> <li>Enjoy the ensuing shower of love and admiration.</li> </ul>Jim Kane 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-bikes-and-blowtorches-barcelonaMeet Jordi Herrera, renowned chef and owner of Manairó, Barcelona. See why unique techniques help him achieve gastronomic goals.2017-06-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/off-the-table-spain-bikes-and-blowtorches-barcelonahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>It was clear at first glance that Jordi was a motorcycle enthusiast. His street cruiser’s engine was still warm when we arrived, and it would’ve been natural to think the blowtorch, welder’s mask and industrial equipment laying about was intended for repairs and customization. In a sense, it was – but for food – not the bike.</p> <p>Along with the blowtorch was a centrifuge, a small bed of nails and a steam vapor machine and hypodermic affectionately dubbed the ‘<em>enculadora</em>’ (ass-skewer) which was used to cook crustaceans from the inside-out in as little as 10 seconds. All tools of the trade for a chef inventor who has always danced to the beat of his own drummer.</p> <p>Jordi was more renaissance man than gear geek. His inspirations came from da Vinci and Einstein more than fellow chefs. As he was as much a scientist and sculptor, as a renowned chef.</p> <p>It didn’t take long for us to hit it off and dive in, blowtorching tenderloin and thyme on the bed of nails, talking philosophy and fatherhood while walking to his fishmonger and taking a high adrenaline spin around the neighborhood on the back of his bike. </p> <p>Before leaving, I spotted Jordi’s motorcycle jacket. '<em>Sons of Gastronomy’ </em>and a steer skull logo was boldly<em> </em>emblazoned across the back. A fitting motto for this culinary rebel: daring, defiant and always pedal-to-the-metal on the road to greater understanding.</p> <h2>Go There: Restaurant Manairo</h2> <p>Manairo, the name of chef Jordi Herrera’s well regarded restaurant in Barcelona,<em> </em>is taken from a forest fairy from Catalan folklore. The decor is equally fantastical, with touches such as painted bird cages as light fixtures and atmospheric pieces of art throughout the intimate space. </p> <p>Restaurant Manairó</p> <p>Carrer de la Diputació, 424, 08013 Barcelona, Spain</p> <p>Tel: +34 932.31.00.57</p> <p><a href="http://www.jordiherrera.es/manairo/" target="_blank">http://www.jordiherrera.es/manairo/</a></p>Jim Kane 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/spain/going-urban-a-guide-to-spains-top-citiesReady to explore Spain's top cities? From Barcelona to Bilbao, here's a selection of the most popular places to go.2025-05-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/spain/going-urban-a-guide-to-spains-top-citieshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p><span><a href="/explore/europe/spain/off-the-beaten-path-spain" target="_blank">Spain is a popular destination</a> for beach holidays as well as adventure, educational and business trips. Its coastline has beautiful beaches and there are striking mountains across the country, especially in the North. </span></p> <p>There are many tourist attractions, such as impressive architecture and art galleries, demonstrating Spain’s unique history and culture. Visitors can choose their travel destination according to their interests as the country’s cities and rural areas are quite different from one another. Here is a selection of the most popular places to go to.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#barcelona"> Barcelona </a></li> <li><a href="#granada"> Granada </a></li> <li><a href="#madrid"> Madrid </a></li> <li><a href="#alicante"> Alicante </a></li> <li><a href="#bilbao"> Bilbao </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="barcelona">Barcelona</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Barcelona is situated in northern Spain and its inhabitants are Catalan, which is also the language they speak. Although it is a big tourist destination it maintains its local identity of being a stylish place with a laid-back café culture. The architecture in Barcelona is famous for being designed by Antoni Gaudi and is unusually rounded, swirly and colourful. The Sagrada Familia church is his most ambitious project and years after his death it is still being built. </span></p> <h2 id="granada">Granada</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Granada is located in south Spain and is a great place for art and experiencing a bohemian, care-free environment. Most of Spain was under Muslim rule for some time in the 8<sup>th</sup> century and this is most evident in the South. Granada has a mix of Christian and Muslim architecture and is known for its palace-fortress, the Alhambra, the world's biggest remaining medieval Islamic palace. Granada is a melting pot of cultures and artists and worth a closer look.</span></p> <h2 id="madrid">Madrid</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Madrid is Spain’s capital and its financial and political centre. It is also an excellent place for culture with the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums. Madrid has small winding streets in its medieval section and spacious boulevards in more modern parts. The central area between the Palacio Real and Puerta del Sol is known as ‘mile zero’ and is popular with tourists. It is a short walk away from the city’s main street called Gran Vía.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="/travel-insurance/destinations/spain">Traveling to Spain soon? Learn why you should consider travel insurance.</a></strong></p> <h2 id="alicante">Alicante</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Alicante is a very popular tourist destination because of its beautiful coastline and long sandy beaches. It has long wide seafront promenades that locals and tourists like to walk up and down at night. Often there are cafes on one side and street markets on the other. There are a considerable number of Africans in Alicante who work in the street markets selling their goods. Baroque buildings stand in the city’s historical central area.</span></p> <h2 id="bilbao">Bilbao</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Bilbao is in Spain’s Basque region and has a unique culture and cuisine. The restaurants in Bilbao are renowned and very popular. Basque Cider is often drunk in Bilbao and the city has beautiful art and architecture. There is the Euskalduna Palace and the famous Guggenheim museum. The Old Town is also an interesting place to see as it full of busy streets, historic mansions, a gothic cathedral and pretty little boutiques and bars.</span></p> <h3>What is your favorite Spanish city? Tell us why your love it.</h3>Getty Images/Alf 1624493104 Getty Images The Casco Viejo is the name for the old town and is the medieval barrio of Bilbao