Page 6 - Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

Follow historic footsteps

through Northern Spain

& Portugal ...

Camino de Santiago, Spain León, Spain Douro Valley, Portugal
The route that Catholic pilgrims followed With its soaring 13th-century cathedral Terraced vineyards descend to a rolling river
across the French Pyrenees to Santiago in adorned in flying buttresses and carved in the Douro Valley, a landscape as lucrative
the Middle Ages has become a destination stonework, León is a city that wears its as it is lush: This is the heart of port wine
not only for the faithful, but for lovers of Gothic passions proudly. But the city’s country. Since the third century, wine grapes
outdoor pursuits from hiking to cycling. Led greatest architecture includes gems of have grown along this hundred-mile gorge
by route markers adorned with scallop shells every era, from the Romanesque Basilica where granite cliffs give way to green
(which symbolize how the different lines of of San Isidoro to the Spanish Renaissance terraces. The local treasure is the rich red
the route converge at the tomb of St. James), Monastery of San Marcos and the modernist wine stabilized with brandy that caught the
visitors find quiet paths through rural Casa Botines by Antoni Gaudí. Century attention of the world when British traders
villages, past the alpine-like scenery of the after century, León has been known for began to carry it home after their time
Sierras, and along gently-winding rivers. In celebrations like the annual Semana Santa here. Today, the Douro Valley is still home
our small group of just 8-16 travelers, we'll (Holy Week) with its colorful processions, to quintas (wine-making estates), as well
follow in the footsteps of history and meet and its festivals, in which the city seemingly as many towns and villages that work to
people from all walks of life who to this transforms into one big outdoor market and preserve their oldest traditions and historic
day make their own pilgrimages down this feast. It’s a city designed for good times, flavor.
storied path. as many Leonese make a habit of heading
straight from work to tapas bars, joining
friends for small plates and drinks.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

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