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Landscape in the Basque Country

North

The north is both simple and intense in equal measure.

Through the silence of the woods.From the wind blowing in from the sea.

Cider Boulevard

As you stroll along the Cider Boulevard, you can hear a constant clinking that sets the rhythm of the street. The sound of the liquid splashing against the glass becomes a rhythmic, everyday pattern that sets the pulse of Oviedo, in Asturias.

A taut arm holds a wide, slightly tilted glass

Cabrales Cheese Cave

To step into the darkness of the cave where one of the world’s finest cheeses is made is to let the thick, damp air envelop you. Feel the pungent, earthy scent of fermentation fill your lungs, revealing the slow maturing process taking place in the Cabrales Cheese Cave in Asturias.

Several cylindrical pieces of cheese, with rough, pale rinds, lie in a row on thick, dark wooden shelves.

Bufones de Pría blowholes

Walking along the rocky cliffs and listening to the force of the water gushing from the earth is to feel the deep breath of the Cantabrian Sea. A constant rumbling that reverberates beneath your feet as the waves crash against the Bufones de Pría, in Asturias.

A powerful jet of salt water shoots skywards through a hollow in the dark, rugged coastal rock

Oviedo's historic centre

Walking along these cobbled streets means letting the high-pitched, continuous sound of the bagpipe set the rhythm of your steps. As you wander through Oviedo’s historic quarter, you’ll feel completely enveloped by the sound of the percussion reverberating off the ancient stone.

A musician's hands hold the wooden chanter of a bagpipe firmly

La Magdalena Peninsula

Walking along the Magdalena Peninsula is like feeling the ocean breathe upon the land. As you approach its cliffs, the wind carries a deep, damp scent of saltpetre and iodine, evoking the power of the Cantabrian Sea that embraces the city of Santander.

A sturdy palace built of light-coloured stone and featuring numerous windows crowns a steep cliff

Paseo de Pereda

Walking along the bay’s shore means letting the breeze envelop you with its unmistakable scent. You can sense how the saltiness of the water contrasts with the lush greenery of the trees, creating a fresh, briny scent along Santander’s Paseo de Pereda.

A small pleasure boat, moored, rests on the calm waters

El Soplao cave

To venture into the subterranean darkness of this cave is to feel the air grow thick and cold against your skin. An aura of constant dampness envelops you at every step, drawing you closer to the icy heartbeat of the living rock inside the El Soplao Cave in Cantabria.

A dense canopy of delicate white calcite crystal formations, resembling coral

Pasiegos Valleys

Unfold the brown paper and take a bite of a sobao, and you’ll feel tradition melt in your mouth. An explosion of rich, sweet butter that transports you straight to the green pastures of the Pasiegos Valleys in Cantabria.

A few rectangles of fluffy sponge cake take centre stage

Plaza de María Pita

To stand in the middle of this vast esplanade is to feel how the deep, metallic sound of the bells brings time to a standstill. Each chime sets the urban rhythm, resonating with a sweeping sound before fading gently away in Plaza de María Pita, in A Coruña.

An imposing building of light-coloured stone with arcades and three large reddish cupolas

Botafumeiro

To witness the Botafumeiro in flight is to see how the cold air inside the temple is transformed. A thick scent of incense and charcoal fills the air, enveloping Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in an atmosphere of liturgical reverence. The atmosphere is imbued with a rich, aromatic presence that complements the living history of the temple’s interior.

A large metal censer cuts through the air at great speed, leaving a faint trail beneath the high stone arches

Fuente de los Espejos (Fountain of Mirrors)

Walking near the Fuente de los Espejos (Fountain of Mirrors), you can feel the humid air filled with the subtle, fresh scent of thousands of petals. A delicate olfactory experience that blossoms in the romantic gardens of the Pazo de Lourizán, in Pontevedra.

In the foreground, two voluptuous pink camellias unfurl their countless rounded petals

St Bartholomew’s Church

Standing at the crossroads in Praza da Pedreira is to let the sound of the bells fill the air. The metallic clang reverberates through the narrow cobbled streets, creating a rhythmic echo that sets the serene pace of Pontevedra’s historic quarter.

The sturdy grey stone façade, with its classical lines, stands out against a deep blue sky

Calle de las Ostras

To savour a freshly shucked oyster is to take a sip straight from the Atlantic Ocean. The salty flavour and meaty texture flood the palate in an instant, capturing the maritime essence of what is known as Calle de las Ostras in Vigo.

An oval metal tray is overflowing with oysters in rough, irregular shells, in shades of grey and green

As Burgas Springs

As you approach the springs of As Burgos, you can feel the warm breath of the earth even before you hear the water. The rich mineral aroma envelops you immediately, reminding you that geothermal energy pulsates at the heart of Ourense.

A steady jet of crystal-clear water flows from an ancient stone spout

Playa de las Catedrales

Walking beneath the enormous stone arches, you can sense how the Cantabrian Sea roars and whispers at the same time. The constant crash of the water against the rocks creates a deep echo that reverberates through every cave at Playa de las Catedrales, on the coast of Lugo.

An imposing arch of dark, layered rock rises above the damp sand

Tapas on Calle Laurel

To let yourself be guided along Calle Laurel is to discover how each bar entices you with a different aromatic delight. You can sense the aroma of garlic, the earthy scent of grilled mushrooms and the subtle notes of Rioja wine that permeate the atmosphere in Logroño, in La Rioja.

On the surface of a weathered wooden barrel rest glasses of dark red wine and a plate of slices of bread

Tobía Beech Forest

When you step beneath the dense canopy of these trees, you can feel the dampness of the ground enveloping you at once. The heavy, fresh air carries the scent of bark and leaf litter, guiding your every step through the shady heart of the Tobía Beech Forest, in LaRioja.

Rugged rocks, covered in a thick layer of bright green moss, stretch across the sloping ground

Calado de San Gregorio

Descending into the depths of this winery is a way to prepare your palate for a tasting experience where time seems to stand still. Feel the notes of oak, red fruit and earthiness caress your taste buds as you discover the Calado de San Gregorio in the very heart of Logroño.

Garroticos

Take a bite out of a freshly made garrotico and feel the crispy puff pastry give way instantly, revealing a rich, warm chocolate centre. A contrast of textures and sweetness that sets the tone for mornings and afternoon snacks in Pamplona, right in the heart of Navarre.

A puff pastry bun, cut in half, rests on a rustic linen cloth

Lodosa

Strolling through the streets of Lodosa in autumn, you can sense how the air is filled with the scent of wood smoke and caramel, whetting your appetite for a bite where sweetness and a hint of smokiness burst on the palate. A living tradition in the heart of Navarre.

Several roasted piquillo peppers, a deep, glossy red, are bathed in their own juices and oil

Metauten Truffle Museum – General description

To savour a few thin, freshly sliced pieces is to understand why it is called the ‘black diamond’. It is the sensation of its earthy character flooding the palate with notes of damp woodland and nuts; a gastronomic treasure revealed at the Metauten Truffle Museum in Navarre.

A black truffle, with a rough, dark skin, lies on a wooden chopping board

Guggenheim

When you stand close to the museum’s outer walls and press your palms against them, you can feel the giant’s armour beneath your skin. As you run your fingers over its curved forms, you can feel a shifting metallic warmth and a surprisingly smooth surface, like the scales of a huge fish guarding the Bilbao ria.

Dozens of rectangular metal plates overlap to form imposing, sinuous curves

Idiazabal cheese

When you try a bite of Idiazábal cheese with quince, you’ll experience a perfect contrast on the palate. The firm texture and smoky flavour of the cheese blend with the rich sweetness of the fruit, creating a combination of traditional flavours found in Bilbao’s pinchos bars.

Resting on a dark slate board is a thick cube of pale Idiazábal cheese

La Concha beach

Strolling along the Cantabrian coast and resting your hands on the wrought iron allows you to appreciate the contrast between the solidity of the metal and the gentle dampness of the breeze. A tactile experience set against the backdrop of the waves on La Concha beach in San Sebastián.

In the foreground, an ornate white wrought-iron balustrade features a succession of circles and carved leaves

Basilica of Santa María del Coro

To run your hands over the sculpture of San Sebastián is to interpret the stone through its forms and textures. Exploring every fold, wound and carved arrow allows one to grasp the tension of the martyrdom sculpted in the Basilica of Santa María del Coro in San Sebastián.

The ornate Baroque façade of ochre stone rises imposingly, housing in a central niche a sculpted figure of San Sebastián

Peine del Viento (Wind Comb)

Walking along the cobblestones and listening to the roar of the sea is just the beginning. If you listen carefully, you can hear the violent whoosh of air and pressurised water gushing from the ground beneath the sculptures of El Peine del Viento in San Sebastián.

A heavy, rusty iron sculpture with thick, curved arms that intertwine like claws

Plaza de los Fueros

As you walk down the stone steps, you can feel the noise of the city slowly fading away. As you reach the end, the traffic fades away, leaving only a clear echo with every step you take across the Plaza de los Fueros in Vitoria.

A flock of pigeons takes flight, following a route above the concentric pattern of cobblestones