Northern Spain

Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls (facarospauls.com) and their children lived in Spain while writing this book (one of many travel guides that they have written for Cadogan and Bradt since their first, in 1977). While exploring the north of the country, they fell in love with its lush, often otherworldly beauty, its food (especially those padrón peppers!) and medieval architecture, and its many mysteries - few places are better prepared to renew your sense of awe in so many ways. They also loved how its various regions have kept such a tight grip on their traditions, language, and culture when so much of contemporary Europe has become homogenised. As they now live just off the Camino de Santiago in southwest France, they frequently give lifts to pilgrims with sore feet - and continue to dip down to the Basque Country for some pintxos and a glass of txakoli. James Taylor (jamestaylortravelwriter.com) is an experienced Australian travel writer who has spent several years travelling and working around Europe, and is now a fulltime freelancer based in Spain. The north of the Iberian country has a special place in his heart, from early days as a backpacker surfing in the Basque Country to more recently when he embarked on trips through Cantabria and Asturias to discover one of Spain's most overlooked regions as part of his in-depth research for Bradt's Northern Spain guidebook and to inform his planned relocation to Asturias. He has also worked on Bradt guidebooks to Iceland and Gascony & The Pyrenees.

• IntroductionPART ONE GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 Background InformationGeography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, The pilgrimage to Santiago, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion and beliefs, Culture, SportChapter 2 Practical InformationWhen to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information and tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travelling with a disability, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Outdoor activities, Opening hours, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positivelyPART TWO THE GUIDEChapter 3 NavarraHistory, Pamplona (Iruna), Approaches from France: down the valleys of the Pyrenees, Northwest of Pamplona: Aralar and San Miguel in Excelsis, Southeast of Pamplona: Sanguesa, Javier and Leyre, South of Pamplona to Tudela, Southwest of Pamplona: The Camino de SantiagoChapter 4 La RiojaLogrono, Calahorra and La Rioja Baja, The Camino de Santiago west of Logrono, Wine towns in La Rioja AltaChapter 5 Euskadi: The Basque CountryHistory, Donostia-San Sebastian, Along the Coast: East of Donostia-San Sebastian, Inland from Donostia-San Sebastian, Along the coast: between Donostia-San Sebastian and Bilbao, Inland: between Donostia-San Sebastian and Bilbao, Bilbao (Bilbo), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava ProvinceChapter 6 CantabriaBilbao to Santander: The Costa Esmeralda, Eastern Cantabria: inland, Santander, South of Santander, The coast west of SantanderChapter 7 Picos de EuropaThe Cantabrian Picos de Europa, The Asturian Picos de Europa, The Leonese Picos de EuropaChapter 8 AsturiasHistory, Sports and outdoor activities, The Asturian 'Costa Verde': East to west, Gijon (Xixon) and around, Oviedo (Uvieu), Asturias's western coast, Southern AsturiasChapter 9 Castile and LeónApproaches to Burgos, Burgos, Southeast of Burgos, West of Burgos: along the Camino towards Leon, Leon, West of LeonChapter 10 GaliciaThe As Marinas de Lugo coast and the Rias Altas, The Galician Interior: the Camino Frances to Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Ferrol and the Golfo Artabro, A Coruna, Costa da Morte to Finisterre, The Rias Baixas, Up the Rio Minho to OurenseAppendix 1 LanguageAppendix 2 GlossaryAppendix 3 Further InformationIndexIndex of Advertisers