Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler - Spring '19

SPAIN TRAVELER Cosmopolitan

Spring Edition | March - April 2019

WINE ABOUT SPAIN

BELLE EPOQUE CITY

PARADOR DE HONDARRIBIA

Join us on a journey as we explore a sampling of nine wine-growing areas.

”Going for pintxos” in San Sebastián is the best foodie experience in the world.

Sleep in an authentic medieval fortress that dates to the 10th century.

www.cosmopolitanspaintraveler.com

Spring Edition | March - April 2019

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

The Tourist Offices of Spain form part of a network of 33 worldwide offices of TURESPAÑA, Spain’s government tourism promotion authority based in Madrid. Four branch offices in the USA (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Miami) promote leisure and convention travel to consumers, press, and travel professionals in their respective geographic jurisdiction.

CONTENTS

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL OFFICE

LOS ANGELES (West Coast USA) losangeles@tourspain.es

CHICAGO (Midwest USA) chicago@tourspain.es

04

Belle Epoque City Donostia-San Sebastián is the Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea. Come discover its riches. Wine About Spain Crisscross the Iberian peninsula and learn more about the legacy and culture behind the grape. Basque Museum Archaeology and ethnography museum located in the Old Town of Bilbao.

NEWYORK (North-East USA) nuevayork@tourspain.es

MIAMI (South-East USA) oetmiami@tourspain.es

06

10

12 Paradors of Spain: Hondarribia

Spend a night in a medieval castle perched atop this fortified coastal village.

CONNECTWITH US

ON THE COVER

Port of San Sebastián View from the eastern side of La Concha Bay. More on pg. 6. Photo courtesy of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa

/spain.info.us /spaininusa

NIPO: 115-19-030-8 Design and Layout: Tom Milanovic

See Previous Issue »

/spaininusa

/spain

www.spain.info

www.cosmopolitanspaintraveler.com

2

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Letter from the Editor

With its vast diversity, Spain is an added value to visit again and again thanks to its cultural heritage, fantastic cuisine, festivals, traditions… All of this, along with its warm hospitality, make each trip unique for travelers who return. This variety is what you are going to experience when exploring a small sampling of official Wine Routes of Spain , because each one is different. In this issue, you will learn more about nine of the 25 official wine routes. You will cross Spain from west to east starting with Galicia, followed by León, Rioja Alavesa, Aragón and Cataluña. The trip will continue to the center of the peninsula, in Castilla La Mancha, then Murcia and ending in the South, in the Córdoba province. Known as the Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea, San Sebastián is a city of culture and gastronomy. Its majestic buildings and elegant style are witness to numer- ous cultural events such as the international film and interantiona jazz festivals. World-renowned for its famous and innovative cuisine, San Sebastian has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin Star restaurants in the world. The city is also a frequent destination for beach and surfing culture, since it offers the perfect setting to enjoy your leisure time. In the heart of Bilbao’s old town, you will find the Basque Museum or Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco which is essential for under- standing this ancient culture. Although less well-known than the Guggenheim Museum, if you wish to learn more about the life and daily work of the Basques, do not miss the opportunity to visit it when you travel to Bilbao.

3 Tourist Office of Spain

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Wine Routes of Spain

I n the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, the Rías Baixas in Galicia impress with the shadiness of their vineyards and their Albariño wine, a perfect match for seafood dishes. Exploring the towns and villages of the region of Bierzo in León you will discover a rich cultural, natural, ar- chaeological, and artistic heritage, with one common denominator: wine. To the east, continuing our trip, you will find Rioja Alavesa , in lands where wine is the protagonist, and wineries range from traditional to avant-garde. Next door, Navarre is justly proud of its rosé, reds and its whites, brimming with history and emotion, and combining tradition and innovation. Both the wine production and the ways of the people of Somontano at the foot of the Pyrenees sparkle with youth and talent. If you want to sample a cava, Penedès is your place. This Catalan territory also offers other D.O.s of still wines with great potential. In the heart of the peninsula, La Mancha invites you to pair its wines with the essence of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Continuing southwards you’ll find a surprise in Murcia: the sight of a castle is the first sign that you’ve arrived in Jumilla , a town that combines ancestral winegrowing tradition with state-of-the-art wines. Finally, in Andalucía, the Montilla-Moriles Route in the province of Cordoba uncovers the secrets of those sun- dried grapes and of the colors of its fortified wines.

WINE ABOUT SPAIN Did you know that Spain boasts 70 wine Designations of Origin (D.O.) and 25 official wine routes? Join us on a journey as we explore a small sampling of official Wine Routes of Spain. It is worth discovering them all, since each one is unique and different. Unique because of the legacy of local resources they preserve, bound to the culture of each region. Different because of the characteristics of their wines, the stunning landscape, the villages, and the people.

4

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Wine Routes of Spain

5

1 2

3 4

6

7

8

9

1. Rías Baixas 2. Bierzo 3. Rioja Alavesa 4. Navarre 5. Somontano 6. Penedès 7. La Mancha 8. Jumilla 9. Montilla-Moriles.

For more information, click on an individual route above or visit www.wineroutesofspain.com .

5

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

BELLE EPOQUE Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

Besides its unequalled beauty, the city known as the Pearl of the Cantabrian

Sea is the place for innovative cuisine that has made it

famous across the world. In addition, a wide range of festivals paired with an active and healthy lifestyle have made it a genuine cultural phenomenon.

6

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

How to get here »

Torreón tower on Mount Igeldo, a fairground at the end of La Concha Bay, where you can take a 1912 funicular to enjoy the most iconic view of the city. Image courtesy of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa La Concha Bay, Donostia/San-Sebastian, Spain

7

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

S an Sebastián , with 186,000 inhabitants, has a level of cultural activity that is rare for a city of its size. The beauty of La Concha Bay, the way that it faces out to sea like an amphitheatre, with mountains just a step away, its quality of life, and its famous cuisine have made it a top tourist destina- tion over the last two centuries. Shaped by its history, San Sebastián started out as a fishing village. It grew into a market town and military defense post. After it was almost completely destroyed in a battle in 1813, it was reborn as a service city where the royal family spent its sum- mer holidays. Isabel II chose this city as her holiday resort. From Fishing Village to Royal Retreat

Surfers crossing the Art Deco Zurriola Bridge with fishermen in the foreground. Iconic Hotel Maria Cristina and Victoria Eugenia Theatre in the background.

Image courtesy of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa

Classical buildings stand alongside eclectic works in the style of the Belle Époque. At the same time, you can find avant-garde and modern buildings that are in contrast with the more traditional aesthetics.

City of Culture

Cultural activities increased at the same pace as tourist activities, giv- ing the city the exceptional range of stage and cultural events that it enjoys today. The countless world- famous festivals that are held over the year, such as the San Sebastián International Film Festival , Jazzaldia Festival and the Musical Fortnight can not be missed. www.sansebastianfestival.com www.heinekenjazzaldia.eus www.quincenamusical.eus

It was at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century when San Sebastián established itself as a city of culture, with a wealth of services and the number one tourist destination in the north of Spain. Its majestic buildings and their eclectic style reflect the tastes of the royal fam- ily and bourgeoisie during that period, and give it a stately character that has adapted well to changing times.

Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium Image courtesy of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa

8

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

World Famous Cuisine

by the city. Beach and surfing culture has become deeply ingrained on the coast of San Sebastián, especially in the summertime. The beaches and sur- rounding areas become the perfect set- ting to enjoy your leisure time, take part in sporting activities or simply socialize. Thanks to its cuisine, culture, beauty and experience as a tourist destination, with a wide variety of high-quality accom- modation and tourist resources, San Sebastián is one of Spain’s top tourist destinations.

“GOING FOR PINTXOS” IN DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN IS THE BEST FOODIE EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD ”

San Sebastián is a world-famous food destination, with one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars in the world, and it was the home of the rebirth of Basque cuisine. The quality of its ingredients and its world-famous pintxos (tapas) thrill locals and tourists alike throughout the year.

Beach and Surfing Lifestyle

Lonely Planet - Ultimate Eats

The city is also a frequent destination for many athletes, renowned for its highly active and healthy lifestyle, in tune with the natural resources offered

For more information, visit www.sansebastianturismo.com

Iretza Sagardotegia (Restaurant-Cider House Iretza) in the neighboring town of Astigarraga known for its cider houses. Image courtesy of Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa

9

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

BASQUE MUSEUM Bilbao, Spain

Lesser known than the Guggenheim Museum, a visit to the Basque Museum or Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco in the heart of the city’s old town is essential for understanding this ancient culture.

10

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

A heritage of more than 20,000 objects in total illustrate and reflect the different aspects that shaped the life and daily work of the Basque people. You can visit rooms with displays on the sea and fishing, sheep farming, trades and traditional handicrafts, pottery and weaving. Particularly noteworthy is the scale model of Bizkaia and the zoomorphic sculpture known as the Mikeldi Idol, dating from the Iron Age (5th C. BC), the original of which is on display in the cloister of the museum.

More information: www.euskal-museoa.eus

Photo by Zarateman CC0 1.0

11

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Parador de Hondarribia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country P A R A D O R S O F S P A I N

The city of Hondarribia sets the standard for tourism on the Bay of Biscay coast. Any number of leisure options are at your disposal. Beaches, mountains, hiking, and adventure sports will allow you to enjoy this destination with all of your senses.

How to arrive

Hondarribia (formerly Fuenterrabía) is located 11 miles from Donostia-San Sebastián via the N-1 or the A-8 in the direction of the French border.

Address Plaza de Armas, 14 20280 Hondarribia Guipúzcoa Telephone +34 943 645 500 Email hondarribia@parador.es Fact Sheet Parador de Hondarribia (PDF)

More Information: www.parador.es

12

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

L ocally known as the Castle of Charles V, the original construction of the Parador de Hondarribia dates to the 10th century. Here you will feel as if you are in an authen- tic medieval fortress. Highlights include the immense bare stone walls that frame the courtyard, surrounded by green creepers and crowned by spaces adorned with arches, wrought iron and coffered ceilings. The views of the coast of France and the sea from some of the guest rooms and the terrace complete the indescribable beauty of this place. If you are a golf lover, you will be pleased to know that you can play at either of the two courses in town: Justiz Golf and Real Club de Golf. Walking along the cobbled streets of the walled area of Hondar- ribia is one of the pleasures you won’t want to miss. A stroll along Paseo Ramón Iribarren, one of the busiest streets in the city, will take you to the new marina, as well as the beach and docked fishing boats, which enhance the beauty of each sunset with their constantly shifting silhouettes.

Image courtesy of Paradores de Turismo

13

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Railway Museum - Gijón, Asturias, Spain

There is no night life in Spain. They stay up late but they get up late. That is not night life. That is delaying the day.

— Ernest Hemingway American journalist, novelist, short-story writer, and noted sportsman

Image by santijbgijon from Pixabay

14

SPAIN TRAVELER Cosmopolitan

About Us TURESPAÑA is the government tourism agency responsible for marketing Spain around the world, creating value in its tourism industry, and driving the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Spanish destinations. Its mission is to break new strategic ground in Spanish tourism, coordinating and leading public and private actors. All our activities form part of our tourism brand España Global . Our network of 33 Tourist Offices abroad act both as centers of knowledge and marketing, and as business platforms for the tourism sector. Their role abroad is essential for the execution of our international tourism promotion strategy.

We’re Listening!

What you think matters to us. We’ve been working hard to give you more of what you love—but there is always room for improvement!

Please send us a note and let us know what we did right and what we can do better.

Also, be sure to follow us online:

/spain.info.us

/spaininusa

/spaininusa

/spain

www.spain.info

www.cosmopolitanspaintraveler.com