Bradt 2025
New from Bradt is Northern Spain, the most detailed guidebook available to a unique, compelling part of Iberiaa deep dive into a hitherto under-rated region. Incisive context covers modern history and environmental, social and economic issues, enabling the reader to take well-informed decisions about how best to experience a region extending from Galicia, in Spains far northwest, east through the Basque Country to Navarra.
Northern Spain offers enormous variety. In a single trip, you could:-
- Explore Celtic heritage in Asturias
- Feast on Atlantic octopus in Galicia
- Enjoy pinxtos snacks before a traditional asador barbeque in the Basque Country
- Surf breakers in the Bay of Biscay
- Walk and watch wildlife in the mountainous Picos de Europa National Park
- Travel along the winding Feve narrow-gauge railway or the luxurious Transcantabrico train
- Enjoy a gentle bike ride along a Via Verde (a disused railway line converted into walking and cycling routes).
And northern Spains delights do not stop there. Hikers and pilgrims alike tread along three ancient trails that comprise the Camino de Santiago, with the shrines of Santiago de Compostela as their ultimate destination.
La Rioja is Spains most renowned wine region, where wineries include the mind-bending Marques de Riscaldesigned by Frank Gehry, who designed Bilbaos Guggenheim Museum.
Northern Spain is also a genuinely surprising region. Bagpipes are just as important a part of musical culture in some parts as they are in Scotland.
In summer, homes in the wine-making region around Ponte Vedra are transformed into pop-up restaurants, with visitors invited to dine in garages, living rooms and homey kitchensa traditional way of selling excess wine.
Some medieval churches defy expectations, being decorated with sexy scenes that would be at home in the Kama Sutra.
And if youre up for a challenge, why not try to speak Euskarri, the unique Basque language with no known linguistic relatives.
With heatwaves increasingly characterising Spains popular Mediterranean coast in summer, the countrys north (known as Green Spain) offers more clement conditions for a rewarding holiday.
