Alternative Spain

Most tourists think of beaches and cheap alcohol when Spain is
mentioned, but this holiday Mecca has another very different
side and it is to be found in the north of the country.

Beyond the stifling heat, endless bars and towering hotels of
the Costa's there is another Spain where overseas tourism is
limited, the sound of a foreign voice still turns heads and
every shop, business and even tourist office closes for the
afternoon siesta. The place is Galicia, alternatively know as
green Spain, wet Spain and the region of rivers.

Galicia lies just above Portugal and has scenery and people that
are distinct and different from those of the country's southern
provinces. Galicia has a seasonal climate, plenty of rain in
winter and, unfortunately, sometimes some in summer as well. The
scenery is a combination of lush meadows, dense forests and
mountainous vistas and the coastline is filled with many
picturesque bays. Galicia has more beaches than any of Spain's
other regions, but it also has a drawback in the form of cooler
sea temperatures.

History and culture are two of the big draws for tourists
thinking of visiting this region of Spain. Galicia is a Celtic
nation and still has the ruins of ancient Celtic settlements
called Castros as well as a multitude of churches, cathedrals,
monasteries and convents.

In keeping with the rest of Spain's regions, Galicia is itself
subdivided into provinces of which there are four. The best
known and most visited of these provinces is that of A Coruna.
The A Coruna province also holds the famous city of Santiago
de Compostela, famed for its massive cathedral and holy
pilgrimage known as the Way of Saint James. The provincial
capitol of A Coruna has also become increasingly appealing to
holiday makers and possesses the world's oldest lighthouse
dating back to Roman times. It is also a beautiful city with a
harbour surrounded by tall buildings composed of many windows
giving it the nickname of the glass city.

Leaving A
Coruna, Galicia's other provinces are Pontevedra, with the
regions largest city Vigo, Ourense with a medieval old town and
Lugo, whose capitol has a complete Roman wall surrounding it.
The big cities though are not the only attractions of Galicia
and many would argue that it is the towns and villages, many of
which are on the coast, that represent the real spirit of the
region. A large number of these towns still operate as working
fishing villages and in some respects their way of life has
changed little over the last century. Examples of these towns
include Muros, A Pobra do Caraminal and the larger Ribeira .

Finally any visitor to Galicia will sell themselves short if
they fail to sample some of the regions famous seafood. The
speciality of the area is pulpo (octopus), but if that does
not appeal, try calamares (fried squid rings) with a squeeze
of lemon. Shellfish are also part of the staple diet in Galicia
and the many crustaceans, of which percebes is a particular
example, will give you an indication of a Galician delicacy.