Description
Dublin – the Green Isle’s capital
Live music, witty words and mellow Guiness – Dublin enfolds its visitors with its happy charm. Ireland’s
literature-focused capital is not only home to timehonoured sites like Trinity College, Dublin Castle or
St Patrick’s Cathedral: Small shops, quirky pubs and inspiring galleries demonstrate Dublin’s modern, metropolitan character.
A jewel in the Atlantic: Belle-Île-en-Mer
It is easy to imagine that this island was the birthplace of summer; as soon as the sun rises over this Breton isle, the cafés and squares are instantly filled with the friendly chatter of locals, accordion players and women selling their wares in the market. With its serene atmosphere, the port of Le Palais is the perfect place to explore individually.
Capital of Culture and culinary delights: San Sebastián
San Sebastián cannot be described in a single word: Donostia, so its Basque name, is a seaside resort, film city, surfer’s paradise, cultural metropolis and above all a mecca for gourmets. The lively old town is a paradise for the palate: Countless small and cosy bars proudly present the city’s culinary diversity.
The culinary delights of Northern Spain
Fresh fish, delicious seafood, tasty beef and exquisite cheeses – in the four northern provinces Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturia and Galicia, the sea and the mountains offer everything that makes a gourmet’s heart beat faster. In addition to the region’s fantastic cuisine, connoisseurs also enthuse about the flavourful, top-class wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Medieval gem: Santillana del Mar
Wooden balconies adorned with flowers, gardens hidden behind thick walls, and small Renaissance palaces – there is something to discover on every corner of Santillana del Mar’s old town. You should definitely allow time for these two highlights: the Santa Juliana collegiate church that gave the pilgrimage town its name, and the Cave of Altamira with its famous parietal cave paintings.
Santiago de Compostela – a place of pilgrimage
Santiago de Compostela, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites, is the final stop and climax of the Way of St James – a pilgrimage route that has been followed since the 11th century. During this time, the city’s magnificent cathedral was also established as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity, alongside Rome and Jerusalem. This building, together with the old town, is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Islas Cíes Nature Reserve
According to Galician legend, the Cíes archipelago is the place where God rested on the seventh day after he created the world – and it is easy to see why. The site, now a nature reserve, encompasses a substantial area of sea and three islands which, with their steep coast, sand dunes and small forests, are perfect for individual hikes.
