Spain  the briefest of introductions…….

 

Few know that Spain has four official languages. Its regions differ vastly from one another but are held together by a national passion for drama, contrast and a noisy, live-for-today hedonism. If there is one thing all Spaniards love, it is to eat, drink and be merry, whether enjoying tapas over fine wine in Madrid, Seville or Barcelona, or the elaborate Basque Country equivalent, pintxos, over cider in the north. A day hardly goes by without one town or another celebrating a fiesta.  More info at lonely planet

 

 

Oviedo the biggest City in Asturias

 

Some say Oviedo was founded in 761 by two monks, Maximo & Fromestanus, but archaeologist have found Roman ruins there. Regardless, it’s a beautiful, historic place & is one of the most important cities on the route to Santiago. The historic centre has a definite medieval feel to it & is dominated by a huge cathedral. Its an easy, comfortable city to walk & it doesn't get much better than a few glasses of cider and a bowl of Fabada in one of the old sidrerias  (cider bars). Attached are some photos of tapas bars we found on our recent trip to the area. 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer 2010