After the border town of Valença, Braga is our first major city in Portugal. The European Youth Capital of 2012 is the second largest city of Região Norte after Porto. Particularly worth seeing is, besides the city center, the pilgrimage church Bom Jesus do Monte with its famous staircase Via Sacra. Continue reading “Braga: The Most Beautiful Stairway in Portugal?”
Tui & Valença: Let’s Go to Portugal!
Yay, a new country! After the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain, Portugal joins our European tour as the fifth state. The border crossing consists of the special two-storey iron bridge Ponte Internacional. Continue reading “Tui & Valença: Let’s Go to Portugal!”
Rías Baixas: Galiza – it’s different
Rías Baixas – that’s the name of the four narrow coastal inlets in the south-west of Galicia from Cape Finisterre to the Portuguese border. They have emerged from flooded river valleys and consist of the Ría de Muros, the Ría de Arousa, the Ría de Pontevedra and the Ría de Vigo. Continue reading “Rías Baixas: Galiza – it’s different”
Santiago de Compostela: Place of Pilgrimage
As the destination of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), Santiago de Compostela is renowned worldwide. This became the first European cultural trail in 1987, two years after the pilgrimage site was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. In 2000, Santiago was also European Capital of Culture. Continue reading “Santiago de Compostela: Place of Pilgrimage”
Costa da Morte: At World’s End?
The “Coast of Death” Costa da Morte got its name because of the difficult conditions for navigation and the resulting shipwrecks and deaths. It is the most western coastal section of Spain. For this reason, in the Roman and pre-Roman legends, it is regarded as the “end of the world”, from which the name of Cape Finisterre derives. Continue reading “Costa da Morte: At World’s End?”
A Coruña: Oldest Lighthouse in the World
The 243,978 residents are lucky because this city has it all: beaches, excellent food, the largest port in Galicia and the oldest operating lighthouse in the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that in 2006, A Coruña received as many visitors as it has inhabitants. Continue reading “A Coruña: Oldest Lighthouse in the World”
Ferrol: Picnic & Castelo
Ferrol – the birthplace of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco has been suffering from population decrease for years, which is directly linked to the rapid growth of the contiguous Narón. Neither we were able to take too much pleasure in the town. Nevertheless, here are a few impressions for you. Continue reading “Ferrol: Picnic & Castelo”
Ribadeo: Beach with Online Booking
Our first stop in Galicia is located on the western bank of the River Eo, which separates Galicia and Asturias from each other. The port town of Ribadeo is thus the most northeastern municipality of the autonomous community. Ribadeo is particularly known for the Praia das Catedrais, which causes such a high number of visitors, that one has to register online in order to visit it. Continue reading “Ribadeo: Beach with Online Booking”
Tapia de Casariego: A Beach to Ourselves
Each year at the beach of Tapia de Casariego the Goanna Pro takes place, a competition within the WQS (World Qualifying Series) Surfing Championship, which brings together 45 of the best international surfers as well as numerous spectators. Continue reading “Tapia de Casariego: A Beach to Ourselves”
Cudillero: Colorful Houses
With its colorful houses and the picturesque, small harbor at the foot of a mountain Cudillero is considered the most beautiful fishing village of Asturias. The place has various viewpoints, such as the lighthouse, La Garita, La Atalaya or El Pico. Here are some impressions for you. Continue reading “Cudillero: Colorful Houses”