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Fall in the Irati
Forest of northern
Navarra
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Navarra
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This vibrant region
in the north of
Spain, famous around
the world as the
setting of one of
Spain's greatest
family celebrations,
the Fiesta de San
Fermin, in homage to
its patron saints,
and the Feria del
Toro, the Festival of
the Bull and the
encierro, the
"running of the
bulls", has for
generations produced
some of Spain's best
produce, especially
its fabulous white
asparagus, tender
artichokes and
renowned piquillo
peppers, staples for
any gastronomic
chef. The
regions also produces
an abundance of
excellent wines grown
in the fertile lands
stretching south from
the capital city of
Pamplona to the rich
lands of the Ebro
river, bordering La
Rioja Alta and
Alavesa. Both
its reds (tintos) and
rosés
(rosados) are
considered to be
among the finest in
Spain.
Navarra is a land
rich in diversity and
natural heritage,
including the Orgi,
Irati and Quinto Real
Forests in the
Pyrenees, the famous
caves of
Urdazubi/Urdax,
Zugarramurdi, the
witches cave on the
border with France,
and the mysterious
cave of Mendukilo In
the Larraun valley.
Here you will also
find the Arbayun
River Gorge, the
longest and most
stunning of all the
gorges in Navarre and
gorge of Lumbier with
its colonies of
griffon vultures.
Gyps fulvus,
nesting on its
sheer rock faces.
This unique part of
Iberia also includes
the Bardenas Reales
Nature Park, a unique
semi-desert landscape
measuring 42,500
hectares in
southeastern Navarra,
used as a backdrop in
"The World is Not
Enough", is a
favorite for hiking,
cycling and horseback
riding.
The Sierra of Aralar,
a 208-acre mountain
range in the
Pyrenees, is a
paradise filled with
meadows, forests and
rocky bluffs, perfect
for hiking.
The Baztan and Roncal
Valleys are two of
the most beautiful
and serene in the
country. The Baztan,
a land of noblemen
and Indianos, is
filled with
picturesque villages,
farmhouses and
traditions. The
Roncal Valley,
situated high in the
Pyrenees, on the
border with France
and neighboring
Huesca, is alive with
ancient traditions in
the seven villages
that make up this
valley, offering
outstanding
gastronomy and
unspoiled nature.
The providence is
also the home of
several well-known
historic monuments,
including the Castle
of Javier, the
birthplace of San
Francisco Javier (St
Francis Xavier),
patron saint of
Navarre. The
Cathedral of St. Mary
in Tudela, built in
the twelfth century
over the town's main
mosque. The
Collegiate Church of
Roncesvalles in the
fog-shrouded
mountains of the
Pyrenees, a landmark
on the Camino de
Santiago (Pilgrim's
Way). The Convent of
San Francisco in
Sanguesa where it is
thought that Saint
Francis of Assisi
founded the first
Franciscan community
in Sangüesa la
Vieja. The historic
12th century churches
of San Miguel and San
Pedro de la
Rúa in
Estella, where you'll
also find the Palace
of the Kings of
Navarra in the square
of San
Martín.
The Royal Palace of
Olite, located 42 kms
south of Pamplona,
was the seat of the
Court of Navarra
until its union with
Castile in 1512, and
was one of the most
luxurious mediaeval
castles in Europe. It
served as the Court
during the reign of
King Carlos III 'el
Noble', which is
repeated during its
annual Mediaeval Fair
in August.
The Romanesque bridge
of Puente la Reina,
the Queen's Bridge,
dating from the 11th
century, marks the
convergence of the
two routes on the
Pilgrims' Way to
Santiago in Navarra -
the 'Jacobean' route
via the pass at
Roncesvalles, and the
Toulouse-Somport
route and has been
the meeting point for
pilgrims over the
centuries.
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The historic Plaza
del Castillo,
Pamplona
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Pamplona
and Los
Sanfermines
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Pamplona, along the
banks of the Agra
River, was founded in
75 B.C. by the Roman
general Pompey on the
ancient Vascon
settlement of
Iruña, and is
the capital of the
Ancient Kingdom of
Navarre. The Old
Quarter, surrounded
by walls and watched
over by towers and
belfries, is a
medieval city of
narrow streets, small
squares, churches and
noble houses. The
modern city of nearly
200,000, is filled
with large parks,
charm and beauty,
perfect for
discovering on
foot.
A visit to the city
would not be complete
without stopping in
some of the numerous
bars in which the
people of Pamplona
maintain the
tradition of taking a
pintxo (tapa) and a
local glass of the
wine while they
discuss current
events. If your
interest is more in
the rich gastronomy
of Navarra,
Pamplona's
restaurants offer the
best of traditional
cuisine, along with
the latest and best
culinary trends.
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Meeting a cabezudo in
the Town Hall Square
during the
fiesta
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Los
Sanfermines
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Over the years
"Sanfermines" has
become synonym with
the word 'fiesta' as
Pamplona welcomes
thousands of
visitiors from around
the world in July of
each year, when for
nine days the streets
of the old city turn
into a feast of
friendship, joy,
music and non-stop
partying, all to the
rhythm of the
charangas (bands) and
peñas
(clubs).
Join
Iberian Traveler
& Maribel's
Guides in Pamplona
with Peña
Seattle de
Sanfermines
for the Fiesta de San
Fermin and the
encierro, the
"running of the
bulls". The fiesta
begins with the
opening ceremony,
the
chupinazo
, at noon on the 6th
of July in the Plaza
Consistorial as the
rockets explode high
overhead announcing
the start of the
Fiesta.
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Iberian
Traveler is
recognized by the
Tourist Office of
Spain and the
Government of Navarre
as one of the leading
experts on the fiesta
in Pamplona.
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Bodegas Muga,
Haro
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La
Rioja
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The Rioja Alavesa is
the one section of
the three wine
producing regions of
Spain's Rioja, which
is located in the
Basque Country.
The other two are
designated as the
Rioja Alta and the
Rioja Baja. A
tiny section of
neighboring Navarra
also belongs to the
Rioja D.O.,
Denominacion de
Origen.
Arguably, some of the
very best Rioja wines
are produced in the
Alava
region.
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Plaza Nueva in
Bilbao's Casco Viejo,
the Old
City
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Pais
Vasco
- (Basque
Country)
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The Basque culture
and people possess a
mysterious quality.
Neither French nor
Spanish, the Basque
language and way of
life are centuries
old.
Descended
from unknown origins,
the Basque speak
Euskera - an ancient
language unlike any
other. It is spoken
by about 20 percent
of the
population.
A
part of "Green
Spain," the Basque
countryside spans
northern Spain and
southern France.
There are seven
provinces: four in
Spain (Vizcaya,
Guipúzcoa,
Álava and
Navarra) and three in
France (Labourd,
Haute-Navarre and
Soule).
No
written historical
records exist for the
Basques; however,
recent discoveries
indicate ancestral
connections to
Cro-Magnon man.
Perhaps the chief
reason the Basque
culture remains
intact is the
character of the
people and the
natural
boundaries.
Iberian
Traveler &
Maribel's Guides
offers three tours,
either devoted to or
focusing on parts of
the Basque
Country:
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Agustin Ibarrola'
painted forest in the
Urdaibai Biosphere,
Vizcaya,
Pais
Vasco
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Getxo, Vitoria-Gasteiz and
San Sebastian-Donostia
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Cantabria
- Asturias -
Galicia
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Caballos salvajes,
the wild horses of
Cantabria
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On the route of the
wine in
Galicia
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On the Costa Brava
near
Begur
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Catalunya
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Steeped in a rich
history that predates
the Greek and Roman
days, today's Catalan
Spain nurtures a
well-preserved
language and a
distinct culture.
More than eight
million people speak
Catalan.
Catalan
Spain occupies a
small northeastern
part of Spain,
touching the Pyrenees
Mountains, France's
southern border and
the Mediterranean
coastline. One-sixth
of Spain's population
call this area home.
The Catalan heritage
actually dates as far
back as the
Paleolithic Era.
Later, Iberians and
Celts arrived. Greek
colonization
introduced crops such
as grapes and olives,
along with the
alphabet and metal
coinage. The Romans
occupied this area
for six centuries,
forming a strong
foundation for the
new
country.
One-hundred-fifty
years ago,
Barcelona's
unprecedented wealth
forced the city out
of its medieval
walls. Modernist
architects such as
Antoni Gaudí
designed buildings
that epitomize the
virtuosity and the
delirium of the
times. Barcelona
continues to
transform itself
today.
Iberian Traveler
& Maribel's
Guides
Barcelona
to
Bilbao
tour showcases the
best of this region
and parts of the
Basque country
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Market day, Ponte de
Lima
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Portugal
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Located on the
western edge of the
Iberian Peninsula,
Portugal not only
looks to the Atlantic
Ocean but embraces a
strong seafaring
heritage. Although
the country has been
inhabited for more
than 100,000 years, a
written account of
the Portuguese
history only began in
the 3rd century B.C.,
with the arrival of
the
Romans.
The
country's history
offers contrasts as
rich as its people.
Aristocrats and
seamen alike call
Portugal home.
However, because so
many of the early
Portuguese explorers
sailed off in pursuit
of new trade routes,
the country's culture
is matriarchal and
family-centered.
Salty
ocean breezes to the
fragrant aroma of the
lush highlands also
define this country.
Barefoot Carmelite
monks of the 17th
century gathered
samples of trees and
flowers from across
Europe to create the
250-acre
Buçaco Forest
located in the Beiras
region.
Iberian
Traveler &
Maribel's Guides
offer a tour that
covers the Porto and
Douro region, Beiras
territory,
Estremadura and
Ribatejo, and the
upper part of the
Lisbon coast:
Portugal
Discoveries.
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