Rural Tourism in Spain

RURAL DESTINATIONS IN SPAIN

a a CUDILLERO ASTURIAS

VILLAGES IN ASTURIAS In Asturias, a pioneer in the develop- ment of rural tourism in Spain, you'll find numerous fairy-tale little towns and villages. Whether by the sea or up in the mountains, they have managed to preserve their authenticity. Along the coast there are dozens of towns which proudly maintain their seafaring tradition. One of the pret- tiest towns is Cudillero , with brightly coloured houses nestling between the mountains and the sea. Inland there are spectacular areas like the Somiedo Nature Reserve , declared a Biosphere Reserve. This beautiful part of Asturias features high peaks, lakes and mountain pastures and is an ideal habitat for endangered species such as brown bear, wolf and Cantabrian ca- percaillie.

SOMIEDO NATURE RESERVE ASTURIAS

Examples of popular architecture in Asturias include the hórreos (raised, stone structures for storing food) and casas de indianos , colourful dwellings built by returning emigrants who had gone to the Americas in the 19th centu- ry to make their fortune. There are fine examples of these splendid buildings in beautiful towns like Llanes , Luarca and Colombres .

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