Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler - Fall '19

Cosmopolitan Spain Traveler

Letter from the Director

In this issue, learn more about the Way of El Cid, a tourist-cultural route that crosses through modern-day Castile and Leon to the Mediterranean Coast. We present Valencia, one of Spain’s most important cities full of history, traditions and culture. Finally, read about Parador El Saler and its legendary golf course. Experience a different way of traveling through Spain by taking the Way of El Cid, a journey through the Middle Ages, where you will visit castles, Romanesque chapels, Gothic cathedrals, and Arab baths, all while learning more about Spain’s medieval history, enjoying its traditional festivals, tast- ing the diversity of Spanish food and crossing more than 70 natural spaces. The main route is inspired by “The Poem of the Cid” ( El Cantar de Mío Cid ) a medieval epic poem written at the end of the 12th century that tells of the adventures of El Cid. Travelers on this route will come across most of the scenes mentioned in the poem. Located on Spain’s eastern coast, on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, Valencia is easy to get to from Madrid (via the high-speed train), Barcelona by car, and, being the gateway of the Balearic Islands, by ship. Valencia also offers you a great cultural agenda: an extensive network of theatres, mu- seums, monuments and interesting spaces, hosting some of the best music festivals, from independent music to opera. Valencia also provides an ex- quisite gastronomy alongside its very well-known dish, la paella. You can’t miss The Fallas, a festival on the streets to celebrate the arrival of spring. Each year, around 800 monuments made mainly of wood, are exhibited on the streets as if they were authentic museums, and delight locals and visi- tors alike. Valencia is also the guardian of the Holy Chalice. Don´t miss the opportunity to witness the Holy Grail in St. Mary’s Cathedral.

3 Tourist Office of Spain