Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

WINTER/SPRING 2023 DREAMSCAPES 61 famous for its winding streets, sunset views from the Alcantara or San Martín bridges, and turreted 16 th century Alcazar fortress. An ecolog- ical path along the meandering Tagus river, meanwhile, provides visitors with a leafy, wildlife-filled alternative to the centuries of human history showcased in the city. CÓRDOBA World-famous for its stunning Great Mosque, the capital of its name- sake province is strewn with flower-filled courtyards, picturesque squares such as Plaza de la Corredera, and lively taverns hosting fla- menco performances. Many of the latter serve local specialties like salmorejo (cold tomato soup), flamenquin (pork rolls fried in bread- crumbs), aubergines with honey, and mazamorra (cold almond soup). Just about 10 kilometres from the city is the Medina Azahara, Spain's largest archaeological site. Easily reached on rented electric bikes, the ruins of the former capital of the caliphate provide a prime example of the Córdoba Tourism Agency earning UNWTO.QUEST Certification by the World Tourism Organization for enabling "responsible, sustain- able and accessible tourism for all." SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA The capital of the autonomous community of Galicia is perhaps best known as the focal point of the Camino de Santiago, a multi-pronged long-distance pilgrimage route that leads to the city's famous cathe- dral. This in itself is a sustainable form of travel, as many travellers walk or cycle the Camino as a way to connect with nature and local culture. Beyond the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, other his- torical treasures include the monumental Praza do Obradoiro, its paving stones decorated with eight beams radiating outwards, and the Monasterio de San Martín Pinario, the second-largest monastery in Spain. The city's many parks and gardens, such as the Parque de San Domingos de Bonaval are great places to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and admire local flora such as the fragrant camellia that turn hillsides into giant pillows of vibrant colour. SEGOVIA Walt Disney is said to have modelled Disneyland's castle on Segovia's soaring Alcazar fortress, yet that is far from the only sight in this World Heritage City that is the stuff of fairy tales. Its remarkably intact Roman aqueduct, for instance, comprises over 165 stone arches and was used to channel water from the distant Guadarrama Mountains until 1973. Its Gothic cathedral is home to dozens of fine tracery and stained-glass windows overlooking café-lined Plaza Mayor. The nearby Royal Gardens explode with greenery ringing a picturesque lake and ornate fountain, with various bike rental programs making it fun and easy to explore all of it in an environmentally friendly way that would make even Cinderella proud. DS TRAVEL PLANNER: For more travel information about Spain visit spain.info PHOTOS: TOURIST OFFICE OF SPAIN | EMICRISTEA/TOURIST OFFICE OF SPAIN SALMOREJO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA PARADOR SAN MARCOS, LEÓN

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