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About the articles

There are presently just under 20 different articles of varying lengths and themes ranging from Galicia generally to the city of Pontevedra and the towns of Noia and Muros. Some articles, although not duplicates, have a similar content. All these article have already been published on various sites across the internet.

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1. Galicia's Beaches - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Beaches-index

<h2>Galicia's beaches</h2>

Although not the most obvious of beach resort destinations, Galicia is actually in possession of more beaches and more miles of coastline than any other region in Spain. It also has every combination of sand and sea characteristic that you can think of, with one exception that is.

The exception is of course the sea temperature. Galicia faces the Atlantic Ocean and does not benefit from the warmer waters of the Mediterranean like so many of Spain's southern resorts. There are however compensations and one of these is the ability to relax on a near deserted and sometimes totally abandoned stretch of sand. Other pluses are the cleanliness of the beaches, fewer people mean little if any litter and the lack of commercialisation means that all but the most popular beaches are devoid of "pedaloes", jet ski's and wind surfers.

The rambling coastline of Galicia results in there being two distinct types of beach. The first group lie in the protected bays or "rias", whilst the second category occupy the more exposed positions looking out towards the open ocean. Beaches that nestle in the small bays tend to have calm seas that rapidly encompass the sand when the tide comes in and this, combined with the shallow waters of these bays, keeps the sea temperature higher than in the more exposed areas.

If you want waves, then the ocean facing beaches are ideal and Galicia has several surf clubs whose members are adequately challenged by the motion of the sea. Equally, if you would like a beach with lifeguards, showers and hospitality facilities, Galicia will have no difficulty meeting your requirements. Many of the region's larger beaches, especially the ones close to the cities and bigger towns, are similar to those on Spain's southern Costas and have all the amenities you are likely to require.

The location of Galicia's beaches, whilst not a closely kept secret, may sometimes appear that way. The relative lack of English speaking tourists mean that you will not see beaches clearly sign posted. In fact you may not see any signs at all and those that you will see will be in the local language of gallego and not Spanish. This means that the word beach, or "playa" becomes "praia" and even then often appearing on nothing more than a wooden "T" bar a foot or two off the ground.

Finding the smaller and often more appealing beaches can become a mini task in itself, but it tends to be these "hard to find" beaches that you will want to go back to. It is also on beaches like these that you have the best chance of spotting dolphins. Many of the bays are visited by them and if you see a fishing boat collecting lobster pots there is a good chance that the dolphins will be somewhere nearby.

Finally if nothing here appeals remember that Galicia, unlike many other Spanish regions, does not stop at the end of the beach. This is an area rich in culture, history and gastronomy. Galicia does not have a parched landscape, in fact quite the reverse. If you want green meadows, dense forests or inland mountains, Galicia is the place and if you want to get off the regular Spanish holiday trail, then this region may be the next Spanish holiday destination for you.

For more information about the beaches of this region visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Beaches-index.html">www.galiciaguide.com/Beaches-index</a> by following this link.

2. Spain, history and the Romans - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Lugo-index.

<h2>Spain, history and the Romans</h2>

Spain has had a varied history with both conquests and invasions being a regular part of its evolution. Most visitors to this country are however unaware of all but the hot sun, inviting beaches and cheap alcohol, but there is another side to Spain and perhaps the best place to see it is in the country's more northern cities.

Like many parts of Europe, Spain was invaded and conquered by the Romans and many cities still have structures dating back to these times. In Britain a famous Roman wall encircles the historic (and once capitol) city of York, but Galicia also has a similar wall in the provincial capitol of Lugo.

Lugo is situated in Spain's north western corner in one of the country's autonomous regions known as Galicia. The wall in question is 1700 years old and remains a complete example of the invader's efforts to enclose and fortify the original town. At over 2 km in length, 12 metres thick at its widest point and a maximum of 12 metres in height, the wall is one of the best remaining examples of its kind. Even today it surrounds the original settlement and visitors can walk on top of it and appreciate the security that it must once have offered to its inhabitants. The wall is interspersed with turrets and gates, some of which are later alterations, but the greater part of the structure remains Roman in origin.

Lugo is not alone in having a Roman wall, although the completeness of its example makes it especially important. Still staying in Spain's north, another of Galicia's cities, this time la Coruna, also has sections of a once great wall.

La Coruna, unlike Lugo, is a port town and faces the sea making it even more susceptible to past invasions and attack. The history of this city includes battles against the French and British and its neighbour, Ferrol, was the launching point for the Spanish Armada. The wall at la Coruna is not complete in the same way as that of Lugo, but some large sections of it still remain and those facing the harbour are particularly impressive. Also in la Coruna is the coast side castle of Saint Anton and the walls of the former fort of Saint Carlos, both from a post Roman period.

Walls are not the only remaining Roman structures that can be found in the Iberian Peninsula. Bridges also exist that, in part at least, date back to this era. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of this is the massive bridge that spans the river Mino, again in the country's north. This bridge can be found on the edge of the city of Ourense and although rebuilt and repaired many times, still possesses some of the original Roman footings and abutments.

Many smaller Roman bridges are scattered throughout Spain's towns and villages and, with the appreciation of heritage being a relatively new concept, many are often taken for granted and their history ignored or undiscovered. Regrettably this can still result in ancient remains being left to decay or even being destroyed. In the historic port town of Noia, a bridge with a Roman ancestry is currently being considered for demolition in order to make way for a wider replacement. Hopefully this bridge, along with others facing similar threats, will escape to become staple parts of Spain's historic heritage.

If you would like to read more about Lugo, visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Lugo-index.html">www.galiciaguide.com/Lugo-index</a> by clicking on this link.

3. A Coruna, Galicia, Spain - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/A-Coruna-index

<h2>A Coruna, Galicia, Spain</h2>

The province of A Coruna is to be found in northern Spain in the region known as Galicia.

Coruna has several claims to fame. Firstly it is home to the city of Santiago de Compostela (lit. "of the star field") whose massive cathedral holds the remains of the apostle Saint James. But another of the provinces cities, Ferrol, was the launching point for Spain's ill fated Armada against the English in 1588.

Most visitors to this area center their trip around Santiago de Compostela and with good reason. Santiago has a large medieval quarter that not only contains its impressive cathedral, but also an array of equally inspiring architectural gems including palaces, monasteries and museums. The city is also known for its pilgrimage called the "way of St. James" which attracts tens of thousands of Christian visitors every year. These pilgrims come from as far a field as France and make the entire journey on foot staying at specially designated hostels on route. Their reward, if and when they complete their journey, is a certificate and mass at the cathedral.

Santiago's pilgrims are also notable for another reason. In addition to walking with traditional long crooked staffs, they also attach a "clam" clam shell to the staff itself. It is thought that in earlier times this shell, now the symbol of Santiago, could have been used as a multi purpose utensil to scoop water from a river or act as a small dish.

Away from Santiago, A Coruna city also has a few sights of its own ranging from the worlds oldest working lighthouse, built by the Romans, to coastal forts and the regions biggest marina. Coruna is also renown for the glass fronted buildings lining its marina which have given rise to the city being known as the "glass city". In addition to its older buildings, A Coruna also has the futuristic "Domus" building which is a celebration of man – a museum of sorts!

As Galica's most prosperous province, Coruna has many towns and most of these have a location and history associated with the sea. Coruna has always derived much of its wealth from fishing and its deep water ports, including Ribeira, land vast quantities of fish and assorted seafood.

From a visitor's point of view places like Rianxo, a beautiful coastal town, along with neighbouring port town, A Pobra do Caraminal, offer an opportunity to see the less commercialised side of Coruna province. These towns have traditional central plazas called "alamedas" along with a look and feel all of their own. If you visit one of these places you will also notice that everything grinds to a halt at 2.00pm for afternoon siesta and only starts to come to life again between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. The compensation for this extended lunch is the long working "afternoon" which does not end until around 9.00pm at night!

Staying in A Coruna, but moving inland, there is plenty more to see including the ancient and once highly important town of Padron.

Padron is a town of two halves. The new part is ugly and does not warrant a mention, but the old district is quaint, has a river running through it and also hails as the home of Galicia's most famous daughter, the author and poet Rosalia de Castro. Although not known outside Spain, Castro is a real folk hero and there is a museum dedicated to her in her former house. Padron is also famous for two other reasons, the hot chilli peppers it produces and its biblical location as the preaching point of Saint James.

For more information about the city of <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/A-Coruna-index.html">Coruna</a> and its many sightseeing attractions, hit the link text.

4. Want to know something about Spain! - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

<h2>Want to know something about Spain!</h2>

Although large geographically, Spain's people population is around forty million with an average life expectancy of almost eighty years of age. Spain's population work amongst the longest hours of any of the EU's member states, but also manage the lowest levels of productivity – a great concern to the Spanish government.

Spain is divided up into a series of regions called autonomous communities, each of which has its own local government and law making powers.

While associated with sun and hot weather by most English speaking holiday makers, Spain faces not just the Mediterranean, but also the Atlantic Oceans. It also has ski resorts in some of its northern provinces including one of the four provincial areas of Galicia.

Despite its current prosperity and economic growth (last year the Spanish economy grew at three times the rate of that of France), it remains a net beneficiary of the European Union. That status has also been extended to the year 2013 ensuring Spain's wealth is not only kept in house, but further supplemented by the British and German tax payers.

Spain is the largest nation in the Iberian peninsula, an area that it dominates with an eighty five percent geographical share leaving a mere fifteen percent to neighbour Portugal.

Spain has a socialist government headed by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. He and his party deposed the more right wing "Popular Party" in 2004 by breaking an unwritten agreement to cease electoral campaigning 48 hours before the election to allow voters some unhindered time for thought. This was done in order to exploit the terrorist bombings of trains and question the existing government's conclusion that Islamic terrorists were to blame. The ploy, although ultimately proven to be untrue, worked.

Although most visitors to Spain try to pick up a few "Spanish" phrases before they vacation there, the country has several dialects which are not simply accents, but unique regional tongues.

Spain has a monarchy, re-instated after the death of General Franco and the current incumbent is King Juan Carlos I. Unlike the Queen in the UK, the Spanish King is popular with most citizens.

Spain's two largest cities are Madrid, the capitol, and Barcelona. The latter has a population of over one and a half million inhabitants, whilst the former, Madrid, exceeds three million.

Spain is still a Christian state and approximately ninety five percent of its population are Catholic. The church going community is however a very small representation of this overall figure.

This article came from <a href= "http://www.galiciaguide.com">www.galiciaguide.com</a>. To find out more about this area of northern Spain and what you can see and do there, take a look at this e-guide.

5. Santiago de Compostela – city of the Saint – a great story - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

<h2>Santiago de Compostela – city of the Saint – a great story</h2>

This brief article is about the Santiago in Galicia, Spain and not the one in Chile.

Santiago de Compostela started life in the 9th century as a church and monastic development built over the tomb of one of the apostles, Saint James – or so it is claimed!

On the face of it this does not sound terribly interesting, but it is, and even if you have no real interest in Christianity there is a great semi mythical story to it.

It is asserted that St James was sent out in to the world by Jesus to preach "the word of the Lord" and some how found his way to what we now know as modern day Spain. Travelling through the country, James found himself in Iria Flavia (now known as Padron), from where he regularly preached and made Christian converts of the locals.

Later he returned to Jerusalem, but was not welcomed and was in fact beheaded at the Kings orders. On hearing this, former aides in Galicia headed to the Holy lands to retrieve his body which they successfully managed to do.

With his remains on board, albeit headless, they returned by boat to the Iberian Peninsula and moored up at Padron. From there his body was taken to a spot, now known as Santiago, and a burial took place.

Over the next 800 years, due to warring, invasion and the persecution of Christians, his place of internment was lost until, in the 9th century, a hermit witnessed an unusual event.

What the hermit saw was a series of lights in the sky with, it is claimed, accompanying noises. Knowing that Saint James was rumoured to be buried in this area, the man took these events as a signal from God and contacted the Archbishop with his news.

A few days later, after a successful search of the area, the tomb was uncovered and the legend of St James and Santiago set into motion. The King instructed that a church be built on the spot where his mortal remains lay and the early beginnings of Santiago were spawned.

The name – Santiago de Compostela!

Compostela is derived from a phonetically similar Latin term meaning something akin to "star field", hence Santiago of the star field or "compostela".

Is this story true? Certainly a massive Christian community believe so and Santiago is acknowledged by the Pope and Vatican as the 3rd most important place in Christendom. True or false it still makes a good tale.

6. Santiago for a cultural vacation or mini break - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Santiago-index.html

<h2>Santiago for a cultural vacation or mini break</h2>

Although "sun and sand" still fit the bill for many holiday makers, an ever increasing number of vacationers are choosing to take a holiday with a bit of culture thrown in.

This type of break is becoming especially popular with those wishing to take a long weekend in a location with a café culture, good restaurants and a few buildings and museums to visit.

If this is the kind of holiday you are considering, then Spain's northern city of Santiago de Compostela may well fit the bill.

Santiago is the capital of the region known as Galicia and it is the most visited city in the north of Spain. Over recent years its cosmopolitan nature has attracted an ever increasing number of foreigners and it is now promoted as the cultural capitol of the northern Iberian Peninsula, and with good reason.

What Santiago has to offer is history, monuments, a religious legend and an old town steeped in baroque and neo-classical architectural beauty. The city's most famous building is its massive cathedral which, according to the Catholic Church, has within it a tomb containing the remains of the apostle Saint James. It all sounds a bit macabre, but the story behind these claims have led to Santiago becoming the finishing point of arguably the worlds biggest Christian pilgrimage called the "Way of St. James" (or "el camino de Santiago").

Religion aside, the cathedral is a truly spectacular building and it sits on the city's large Obradoiro plaza facing the equally impressive "Rajoy" palace. The world's oldest hotel, now a state run Parador, also occupies this square.

Plazas or squares are an integral part of the old district of Santiago's charm and there are four famous courtyards dotted around the cathedral that contain, or are overlooked by, many of the city's outstanding buildings. Several of these older building are now, in part a least, museums and the cathedral itself can adequately fill two of three hours of most tourist's time if they choose to view the various exhibits.

A café culture is also one of the city's appeals and although an international menu is available at most restaurants, all favour dishes based on the Galician speciality of fish and seafood. Prices can be high, but that depends on where you choose to eat and many excellent restaurants are highly affordable, particularly if you venture slightly off the beaten track. As an example, we have enjoyed a three course lunch in the city center for as little as 8 Euros per head and that was based around local fish dishes.

Getting to Santiago is becoming ever easier (and cheaper) with direct flights from most European countries to either Santiago airport or neighbouring A Coruna airport. Hotels are plentiful and if you simply want a short break of 3 or 4 days a car will not be necessary – Santiago should fill your time amply.

To find out more, take a look at <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Santiago-index.html">galiciaguide.com/Santiago</a> where you will find 18 pages of information and photographs about this historic location along with another 250 pages about Galicia's other treasures.

7. Galician cuisine - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Galician-eating.

<h2>Galician cuisine </h2>

Although not a familiar culinary expression outside of Spain, "Galician cuisine" describes a style of food preparation, or really ingredients, that focus on fish and sea food caught or harvested from the ocean, often locally.

Much of Galicia's fish, and especially the shellfish and crustaceans, are obtained from the regions multitude of bays known as "rias" and it is claimed that the nature of the water around these rias results in the catches having a distinct, natural and totally organic flavour. For this reason catches from these areas command an extraordinarily high price, often several times more than their equivalents from the rest of Spain.

Although fish is ever popular in the Mediterranean, the region of Galicia is best known for the many crustaceans and shellfish it serves up ranging from crabs and lobsters to langoustines and percebes.

The most popular ingredient is however "pulpo" or octopus. This is usually served having been briefly boiled, flavoured with paprika and oil and cut into bite sized pieces with scissors. At festivals you will often see makeshift stands and even bars preparing and selling pulpo. It is very popular and in Galicia it almost equates to a fast food meal like a burger in the US, or fish and chips in the UK.

More of a delicacy are the small crustaceans known as percebes (goose barnacles). These culinary delights are harvested from rocks in the swathe of white water and their collection results in several deaths every year. They are gathered by divers who jump into, or cling onto rocks hit by, crashing waves. These turbulent waters are the only place where these small ocean dwellers live and their collection is a skilled art. Buying percebes at a restaurant can be expensive and their taste is perhaps nothing that special, but eating them is an experience never to be forgotten. They can literally explode as you pull the flesh from the shell and we found eating them to be highly entertaining, if a bit messy!

If you visit Galicia and want to experience the best that their gastronomy has to offer, you can opt for one of the many fish stews, usually served with potatoes, the regional vegetable of preference.

Better still is to opt for a seafood platter. Most restaurants offer something akin to a mixed grill, but comprised of shellfish and this can give you a great selection of all manor of shelled delicacies enabling you to forgo any particular item you do not like whilst still enjoying most of the plater. The typical selection you should look for should include something along the lines of lobster, crabs, langoustines, shrimp, prawns, percebes, viera and muscles. Generally four or five different items is the norm and you may be able to select the exact items you want individually.

If you would like to be less adventurous, try a plate of calamares (deep fried and battered squid) as tapas. If this is prepared correctly it will not be chewy and the best squid are always the smallest ones.

If all else fails, the Galicians are into "French fries" in a big way and serve them up with everything, so you should never go hungry.

To find out more, take a look at <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Galician-eating.html">galiciaguide.com</a> where you will find 18 pages of information and photographs about this historic location along with another 250 pages about Galicia's other treasures.

8. The Galician coastal town of Noia - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index.

<h2>The Galician coastal town of Noia </h2>

The holiday town of Noia is located at the foot of the Muros bay in the region of Galicia, just above Portugal, in Northern Spain. It is some 35 km from the historic city of Santiago de Compostela and lies adjacent to the coastal region of Porto do Son, popular with Spanish holiday makers.

Noia started life as a fishing village, but now has a population in excess of 16 000 with many of its inhabitants working in Santiago. During the spring and summer months Noia becomes a thriving holiday town, primarily catering for Spaniards wishing to escape the heat of the Costa's. In August alone, some eight million Spaniards travel north from cities like Madrid and Barcelona to the more temperate climate of Galicia with its green scenery and spectacular beaches.

Over recent years foreign visitors have started to frequent Galicia, exploring its scenic countryside and visiting cities like Santiago de Compostela and Galicia's other towns and villages.

What makes Noia worthy of note is not just its location, but its history and appearance. Noia has existed for well over a thousand years and was, for 700 years, the seat of the Archbishop. It has two churches dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries and many other ancient buildings in its original mediaeval quarter. An unfortunate feature of Noia, but one typical of this region, is the constant presence of decrepit old buildings adjacent to well maintained ones. This is the result of the land registration laws, or lack of them, in Galicia. If you can ignore this failing, Noia is an attractive town with many tapas bars, plenty of shops and the feel and atmosphere of a genuine Spanish town. Noia still has a thriving market and the locals speak their own language, Gallego.

Follow this <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index.html">galiciaguide.com/Noia</a> link for over 20 pages describing the Galician coastal town of Noia.

9. Muros on the coast of Galicia - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Muros

<h2>Muros on the coast of Galicia</h2>

Originally nothing more than a rustic fishing village on the coast of Galicia, Muros is now one of the many tourist stops in the "Rias Baixas", or lower bays, of Spain's north western region

Located about an hour from Santiago de Compostela, in the A Coruna province of Galicia, <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Muros.html">Muros</a> has an attractive harbour fronted by a terrace of shops featuring the Galician high level enclosed balconies, known as "galerias". The harbour is still active and lands catches everyday that are then sold further down the coast at Galicia's famous port of Ribeira.

The main highway leading to and through Muros runs parallel with the coast and there is plenty of parking both on the streets and in a car park adjacent to the bay. All parking is free.

Once in Muros, you will experience a busy and bustling little town that has an active weekly open air market and an atmosphere all of its own. The town is built back into the coastal mountains, but most of the shops and cafes are on level ground and you can easily negotiate your way around.

One of the attractions of Muros is its narrow and colonnaded alleys, all of which are banked by the typical granite buildings, so common in Galicia. A further appeal is the fresh sea air that circulates everywhere and also gives you added energy if you want to walk up to the higher levels of the town.

So why should you visit this quaint little town? Well firstly it will give you a feel for a genuine Galician fishing port, you will see an attractive harbour key and variety of fishing and leisure craft. Secondly, if you are in the Muros and Noia bay district, there is no better point to stop off and enjoy a coffee and some tapas. The prices will be cheap, the quality will be high and you will have visited a well know coastal town into the bargain.

Although many of Muros's shops face the ocean, there is also a promenade that runs the length of the sea wall and gives some great views across the bay to neighbouring towns and villages. You also have a spectacular country drive ahead of you if you choose to leave Muros and journey inland. All told Muros should be on the destination list of anyone visiting this part of Spain.

To discover more about <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Muros.html">Muros</a> click this link.

10. Pontevedra Galicia - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Pontevedra-index

<h2>Pontevedra Galicia</h2>

Pontevedra is a city with a long and complex history that includes rebelled invasions, local feuding with neighbouring city Vigo and even a connection with the Trojan wars. Today however things are more peaceful and Pontevedra's new invader are tourists from Spain's main cities and beyond. The old town in particular also has English language leaflets and English speaking employees working from its main tourist offices, one situated on the main square.

If you visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Pontevedra-index.html">Pontevedra</a>, you will probably be attracted by its old town, every Galician city has one and Pontevedra's has much to commend it. Pontevedra is in fact one of four provincial capitols in Galicia and it is situated to the south and west of the region in its own bay or "ria". Once a major fishing port, the town still has many historic seafaring connections, not least of which is its "Basilica de Santa Maria a Maior" (church of Saint Maria) which was financed in the sixteenth century by the towns Guild of Navigators. This church has a distinctive and impressive west facade and also some sixteenth century carvings within.

Monumentally, Pontevedra has a wealth of civic and religious architecture that should satisfy anyone wanting to spend a day walking around, and looking at, old buildings. The city, or at least its old quarter, is quite compact and can easily be explored on foot. Highlights include the Town Hall and "San Domingos" church ruin, close to the city's main square or "alameda". There is also an attractive park behind the square where you can take a break and escape the busy streets.

Moving into the heart of the old town, many of Pontevedra's historic buildings are located in or close to its several "prazas" (small plazas or squares). Those of particular note include the large "Praza da Ferreria" which is really a combination of three separate squares, and holds the fourteenth century church of Saint Francis and the famous church of the Pilgrims or "Capela da Virxe Peregrina". Also of interest is the "Praza do Teucro" which has Pontevedra's largest and most detailed coat of arms on one of its overlooking properties and the "Praza de Lena", which is a busy café bar area.

Other highlights include the fourteenth century church of Saint Bartholomeu and the convent of "Santa Clara", the latter located outside the boundary of Pontevedra's original town walls. Also in the old district is a museum complex made up of five separate buildings with exhibits from writers, artist and noblemen of the city. The newer parts of Pontevedra are perhaps not quite so enticing, but if you stick to its old town you should be in for a day of active exploration, historic adventure and Spanish café bar culture.

For further information about <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Pontevedra-index.html">Pontevedra</a> and Galicia, hit the link.

11. The Galician coastal town of Noia - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index

<h2>The Galician coastal town of Noia</h2>

Over recent years foreign visitors have started to frequent Galicia, exploring its scenic countryside and visiting cities like Santiago de Compostela and Galicia's other towns and villages.

In cultural terms the Galicians are Celts, so do not expect flamenco dancing and spanish guitar, instead the traditional instrument is the bagpipes and the dancing is very much in the folk mold. If you are from Scotland or Ireland, you will feel at home here. Also the most popular crop vegetable is the potato, although it is usually poached in a seasoned liqueur and has a pale orange hue to it when served.

Noia's nearest beach, Testal, is only a five minute car journey away and several other beaches can be reached within minutes. A short drive out of town and into the country will see you quickly gaining altitude, Galicia is hilly and sometimes mountainous, but this adds to the views and scenery. Also notice the smell, Galicia is a forested region with pine and eucalyptus grown as a crop. Wildlife also abounds and large eagles are common place during a country drive.

Although Noia is worth a visit on its own merit, it is also ideally located for visiting other seaside towns like Muros, Porto Sin and Boiro and of course anyone holidaying in this region of Spain is bound to want to see Santiago de Compostela.

In summary if you want a Spanish holiday, but one away from the tour operators, crowded beaches and commercialism of the south, then Galicia and Noia may offer a welcome alternative. If you do travel to this part of Spain, remember it does have seasons, so visit between May and September and be prepared to try and speak a bit of Spanish!

For further details of <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index.html">Noia</a>, its buildings and local beaches, follow the link.

12. Noia, port of Galicia - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index

<h2>Noia, port of Galicia</h2>

Noia started life as a fishing village, but now has a population in excess of 16 000 with many of its inhabitants working in nearby Santiago de Compostela. During the spring and summer months Noia becomes a thriving holiday town, primarily catering for Spaniards wishing to escape the heat of the Costa's. In August alone, some eight million Spaniards travel north from cities like Madrid and Barcelona to visit the more temperate climate of Galicia with its green scenery and spectacular beaches.

What makes Noia worthy of note is not just its location, but its history and appearance. Noia has a documented history dating back over a thousand years and was, for some 700 years, the seat of the Archbishop. It has two churches dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries and many other ancient buildings in its original mediaeval quarter. Noia is an attractive town with many tapas bars, plenty of shops and the feel and atmosphere of a genuine Spanish town. Noia still has a thriving market and the locals speak their own language, Gallego.

Noia's nearest beach, Testal, is only a five minute car journey away and several other beaches can be reached within minutes. A short drive out of town and into the country will see you quickly gaining altitude, Galicia is hilly and sometimes mountainous, but this adds to the views and scenery. You will also notice the smell, Galicia is a forested region with pine and eucalyptus grown as a crop. Wildlife also abounds and large eagles are common place during a country drive.

See this link for more info about: <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Noia-index.html">Noia</a>.

13. Noia by the sea - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

The Galician holiday town of Noia is located in the Noia-Muros bay on the North West coast of Spain, just above Portugal. It is a 40 minute drive from the historic city of Santiago de Compostela and lies adjacent to the popular coastal resort of Porto do Son.

Although Noia is worth a visit on its own merit, it is also ideally located for visiting other seaside towns like Muros, Porto Sin and Boiro and of course anyone holidaying in this part of Spain is bound to want to see Santiago de Compostela.

Noia's nearest beach, "la praia de Testal", is only a five minute car journey away and several other beaches can be reached within minutes. A short drive out of town and into the country will see you quickly gaining altitude, Galicia is hilly and sometimes mountainous, but this adds to the views and scenery. You will also notice the smell, Galicia is a forested region with pine and eucalyptus grown as a crop. Futurist looking windmills will also be in evidence on the hill tops and generate a substantial amount of the regions "eco" friendly electricity.

In cultural terms the Galicians are Celts, so do not expect flamenco dancing and spanish guitar, instead the traditional instrument is the bagpipes and the dancing is very much in the "folk" mold. If you are from Scotland or Ireland, you will feel at home here. Also the most popular crop vegetable is the potato, although it is usually poached in a seasoned liqueur and has a pale orange hue to it when served.

In summary if you want a Spanish holiday, but one away from the tour operators, crowded beaches and commercialism of the south, then Galicia (and Noia) may offer a welcome alternative. If you do travel to this part of Spain, remember it does have seasons, so visit between May and September and be prepared to try and speak a bit of Spanish! Visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com"> www.galiciaguide.com</a> for further information about Noia and the Spanish region of Galicia.

14. Destination Galicia – A different Spanish holiday - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

<h2>Destination Galicia – A different Spanish holiday</h2>

Galicia is one of Spain's autonomous provinces and is located just above Portugal with a long and winding coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Although the "Costas" of Spain's southern regions have traditionally attracted the majority of Spain's sun worshiping tourists, the greener north, with its culture, heritage and more temperate climate, is witnessing an influx of tourists looking for something different. If you want a taste of "real Spain", then Galicia might just be the destination for you.

If you visit Galicia, you will initially notice the lush green scenery, very different from the resorts in the south of the country. Galicia has a temperate climate, with four well defined seasons and even the occasional snow shower in winter. The language, "gallego", is another difference between this region and the other parts of Spain, as is the traditional dress and historic instrument, the bagpipes. The Galicians consider themselves Celts and believe their heritage to be connected with the Scottish and Irish, although no historical proof exists to support this theory.

Galicia is divided into four provinces of which "A Coruna", holding the regional capitol of Santiago de Compostela, should prove the most appealing to a tourist. Santiago is the third most religious place in Christendom and is the final destination for pilgrims making the "way of Saint James" pilgrimage to the spectacular Cathedral in the center of the city.

Culture and history walk hand in hand in Galicia and there are many historic sites worth a visit, but the mountainous countryside and proliferation of small bays and coves (the Galicians call them "rias") mean that a scenic drive is also a must.

Cuisine is something that Galicia is internationally famous for and its many fish and seafood dishes are the envy of the rest of Spain. Shellfish are a particular specialty and the scallop shell is the symbol of Santiago de Compostela. For the vacationer eating out, the many and varied tapas dishes provide an opportunity to sample the regions specialties amongst which are, calamares (deep fried squid in batter) and pimientos de Padron (fried hot chili peppers) from the town of Padron.

In addition to the major cities like Santiago, Coruna and Pontevedra, Galicia is populated with many towns and villages, most close to the coast and often with a fishing connection. Towns like Noia and Muros offer an interesting day out for the tourist and provide the chance to see a part of Spain which has hardly changed over the centuries. For more information on this region, visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com"> www.galiciaguide.com</a> a destination guide to the region of Galicia.

15. Galicia – an alternative Spanish holiday - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

<h2>Galicia – an alternative Spanish holiday</h2>

Whilst there are Galicia's, not just in Spain, but also in Turkey and Poland, the one that we are looking at is located in the north west of the Iberian peninsula and borders Portugal to its south.

Galicia has a temperate rather than a Mediterranean climate, it faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west and has four seasons including a cold and wet winter. The summer period does however boast good weather with temperatures regularly reaching the eighties (Fahrenheit), although rain is always a possibility and many would say an inevitability.

Galicia is one of Spain's autonomous (self governing) regions and is itself divided into four provinces, the best known of which is probably "A Coruna". It is this province that holds the famous city of Santiago de Compostela which is the final destination of a significant religious pilgrimage.

Traveling in Galicia will dispel any myths that Spain is a land of parched greenery and perpetually hot sunny weather. The landscape is a lush green, the trees are often of pine and Eucalyptus and grassy meadows are everywhere. So too are fields of sweet corn which are a popular crop in this part of Spain. Galicia relies largely on an agricultural and fishing based economy.

The coastline of Galicia has a ragged quality to it that takes the form of many bays and inlets which are known locally as rias. The beaches that lie in some of the more protected rias have a warmer sea than those which are more exposed, although water temperatures in Galicia never reach the heights found in the south of Spain. All but the big city beaches are quiet and bathers have no trouble finding their own space, although beach side facilities are normally limited.

Galicia has a distinctive heritage shaped by its climate, economy and interaction with its neighbours. Like Ireland, Scotland and Gaul, Galicia lays claim to be one of the original Celtic nations and there is much evidence to support this ancestry. Wars and invasions have also played a part in Galicia's history, with everyone from the Viking and Romans to the English and French trying to capture this northern territory.

Visiting any of Galicia's major cities can be both enjoyable and educational. This part of Spain has a wealth of historic buildings ranging from Celtic forts and roman ruins, to Gothic and neo-classical architectural masterpieces. Many of the latter are religious buildings although many grand civil structures, from town halls to mansions, can also be found. Museums are also plentiful and popular and most have a regional or provincial theme to their exhibits.

For a view of real Galicia, many would suggest a visit to one of the regions many coastal towns. Most of Galicia's towns are situated close to a bay or cove and were originally connected with fishing. The region has a long seafaring history and although other enterprises now prosper in Galicia, the fishing industry remains a large employer and economic contributor.

With a population of only three million inhabitants, Galicia has plenty of open space and a drive into the region's interior serves up some breath taking scenery. Forests, meadow land, rolling hills and mountains, all populated with small villages, are on the menu. Galician tourism is however very much there for you to discover and help, in the form of guides and books, is limited compared to many other places in Europe.

Part of Galicia's allure to the tourist is certainly the appeal of visiting somewhere slightly off the beaten track. It is certainly true to say that Santiago de Compostela now has a cosmopolitan tourist trade, but most of Galicia's other cities do not and an English voice is definitely still a rarity. Cities like Lugo, Pontevedra, Ourense and the massive A Coruna and Vigo, have little in the way of foreign tourism and although British and American visitor numbers are on the increase, they are still small. This should not detour the tourist though, all of these cities have great visitor appeal and their inhabitants are generally friendly and helpful.

The time of year to visit Galicia is definitely something to consider. The region has an extended summer that results in mild temperatures starting in April and running through to October. The best weather is normally reserved for June, July and August, although in this part of Spain clear blue skies are never under warranty. Visiting in the winter months will require the addition of warm clothing, weather proof jackets and certainly an umbrella.

Galician tourism is not geared up for foreign speakers, so if you are English, American, German or French, you will have to pick up a few basic phrases, use plenty of courtesies and practice pointing and smiling a lot. As ever, if you want to buy something, get your money out, this normally helps make your request crystal clear.

Getting to Galicia has become cheaper and easier over the last couple of years with major carriers flying direct to Santiago's international airport. Prices have also come down, particularly for those departing from the UK. Flying from the USA is still comparatively costly, but as visitor numbers increase costs will inevitably come down to match them.

Car rental is pretty much essential for the Galician holiday maker. Galicia is a place to be explored and the best way to do this is independently with your own transport. If this is not an option, the other alternative is to book a tour. Coach tours are few and restrictive and are always limited to the major cities, or predefined routes. If you decide to opt for this type of holiday, make sure you know exactly what is on your itinery before hand and check to make sure you have adequate time at the main stop off points.

See this link for more info on: <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com">Galicia</a>, visit www.galiciaguide.com.

16. Galicia, a different Spain - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com

<h2>Galicia, a different Spain</h2>

Whilst there are Galicia's, not just in Spain, but also in Turkey and Poland, the one that we are looking at is located in the north west of the Iberian Peninsula and borders Portugal to its south.

The coastline of Galicia has a ragged quality to it that takes the form of many bays and inlets which are known locally as rias. The beaches that lie in some of the more protected rias have a warmer sea than those which are exposed, although water temperatures in Galicia never reach the heights found in the south of Spain. All but the big city beaches are quiet and bathers have no trouble finding their own space, although beach side facilities are normally limited.

To find out more about this region of Spain, visit this link<a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com"> Galicia</a>.

17. Spain's northern region of Galicia - eg of embedded link in this article: www.galiciaguide.com/Rianxo

<h2>Spain's northern region of Galicia</h2>

Galicia is one of Spain's autonomous communities and is divided into four provinces, the best known of which is probably "A Coruna". It is this province that holds the famous city of Santiago de Compostela as well as A Coruna city itself. The other three provinces are Pontevedra, <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Lugo-index.html"> Lugo</a> and Ourense, each has a self named provincial capitol.

Traveling in Galicia will dispel any myths that Spain is a land of parched greenery and continuously hot sunny weather. Galicia's landscape is a "well watered" green and even the mountainous regions are covered in vegetation. Galicia has a fishing and farming based economy and a country drive will soon tell you why. The fields are filled with crops and livestock are everywhere.

Galicia's coastline has a rugged quality to it that results in many bays and inlets known as "rias". The beaches that lie in some of the more protected "rias" have warmer waters than those found in the more expose bays, but sea temperatures in <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com "> Galicia</a> rarely get up to those of southern France. Many of Galicia's beaches are however as picturesque as they get.

For a view of real Galicia, many would suggest a trip to one of the areas coastal towns. Most of Galicia's urbanizations are sited close to a bay or inlet and were originally connected with fishing or the harvesting of shellfish. Good examples of these towns are Ribeira, Muros and <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/Rianxo.html"> Rianxo</a>, but there are literally dozens of them.

Part of Galicia's appeal to the holiday maker is the attraction of visiting a part of Spain less explored by the foreign tourist. Whilst Santiago de Compostela has a booming tourist trade, most of Galicia's other cities do not and the English language is rarely heard. Cities like Lugo, Pontevedra, and Coruna, have limited international tourism and although British and American visitor numbers are on the increase, they are still restricted. Despite this, most towns and cities have tourist information offices and many offer some English language guides – usually free of charge.

Galician tourism is still not fully geared up for foreign holiday makers, so if you are English, American, German or French, you will have to pick up a few basic phrases and practice pointing and smiling. If you want to buy something, get your wallet out! this makes your purchasing intentions obvious and that invariably makes understanding your requirements a more desirable task on the part of the shopkeeper.

Finally, remember Galicia is not Benidorm or Mallorca. It is not a destination suited to those who want to stay in the confines of their hotel complex, or who expect to find a home from home. The golden rule to enjoying a holiday in Galicia is exploration and that does not just include the scenery and history, it also means being adventurous with the local cuisine and wine and taking each day as it comes.

18. Alternative Spain - Embedded link goes to: www.galiciaguide.com/Ribeira

<h2>Alternative Spain</h2>

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 <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com/ Ribeira.html"> Ribeira </a>.

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.

For a complete guide to Galicia's regions, main cities, towns and tourist attractions visit <a href="http://www.galiciaguide.com">galiciaguide.com</a>, the webs largest English language Galician resource. Here you will find 250 pages of content and more than 400 photographs describing and depicting Galicia.