Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler - Summer '19

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

nature is to experience it, the seven UNESCO- listed Biosphere Reserves in Asturias, with the first Spanish National Park, Picos de Europa, are the best certificate for nature lovers. Enjoy a variety of landscapes, a vast network of hik- ing trails, with 15 miles of straight-line routes between mountains peaks, with some of them reaching an elevation of over 8,000 feet. Ad- ditionally, there is the presence of some of the best beaches in Spain. Asturias is one of the last shelters for wild life in Western Europe. For example, the brown bear, wild wolves, eagles and other animals are an example of wealth of wild fauna that forms part of its mountain landscape. In this area, tra- ditional farming is still practiced, enabling the sustainable maintenance of large open spaces to coexist in perfect harmony with some of the most important forests in Europe such as the Muniellos oak forest. In its cities, and in its countryside, the legacy of the first Spanish medieval kingdom remains. The domain of Asturias started in the 8th century in the Mountain of Covadonga, and expanded to become one of the most relevant in the European medieval ages. Remains of this period would be the impressive church of St. Mary at Naranco from the 8th century with Pre-Romanesque style, still standing strong after many centuries. A land full of history

Image courtesy of Turismo Asturias Fabada

T he first settlers captured their dreams, fears and emotions on the walls of caves where they took shelter from danger. From these Paleolithic cave paintings, which today enjoy international recognition and protection, to the Castro culture at the end Bronze Age, to the warrior Pelayo and the Kingdom of Asturias, during the Enlightenment of the 18th century to the avant-garde architecture of the Centro Niemeyer in Aviles. In conclusion, centuries of history have passed which have helped to form the landscape of this country and the idiosyncrasies of the Asturian people. It does not matter how you get there land, sea or air. The lofty sight of the steep Cantabrian Mountains, with their rolling green valleys which meet the

Natural paradise One thing Asturians are proud of is their region’s nature: its mysterious forests and coastline left unscathed by the whirlwind of property developments, its salmon rivers and steep mountains, ideal for rock climbers and hikers. Arising from this pride is a magnifi- cent conservation that has led to more than a third of Asturias’ territory being declared as national and international protected areas and the best-preserved coastline in Spain. coastline in an abrupt outline of its coast which falls off into the deep blue Cantabrian Sea, captivates you before you even step foot into Asturias. This is just the starter of a unique experience because you will be stunned by its architecture, its gastronomy, its urban heartbeat and its hospitality.

The Asturias kingdom gave us two extraordi- nary milestones recognized as World Heritage by the UNESCO. One is he Asturian Pre-

The only way to understand this passion for

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