Castile and Leon is an autonomous community of Spain born by the union of two ancient kingdoms: Old Castile and the Kingdom of León. It has nine provinces: Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora, and is the largest autonomous community of the country. In the north it borders with Asturias and Cantabria, in the east with the Basque Country, La Rioja and Aragon, in the south-east with the community of Madrid and Castile-La Mancha, in the south with Extremadura, and in the west with Portugal and Galicia.
The climate is Mediterranean continental: long cold winters and short hot summers.
In Castile and León there is more than half of the entire cultural heritage of Spain: goods of World Heritage, museums, castles, cathedrals and Romanesque art.
Through the region passes most of the Route of the Castilian language and other great Routes of cultural interest. In addition, in Castile and León one speaks three other languages or language varieties, in some areas: the Leonese, the Galician in the area of Bierzo and Sanabria neighboring Galicia, and a version of extremeño in the area of Rebollar (in the province of Salamanca).
The Romans built several works on the territory which still can be admired, such as the aqueduct of Segovia. Later, with the fall of Roman Empire the lands were occupied by Visigoth tribes and finally by Muslims.
Active tourism and Birdwatching
Castile and Leon has a large number of natural spaces that convert this region into the perfect place for a holiday of active tourism. Among the many sports activities that can be practiced there are: mountain climbing, canoeing, archery, horse riding, cycling, hiking and adventure parks.
For birdwatchers there are many places to watch birds.
Natural areas
- In the territory of Ávila: Sierra de Gredos, Sierras de la Paramera y Serrota, Valle de Iruelas.
- In the territory of Burgos: Hoces del Alto Ebro y Rudrón, Sabinares of Arlanza, Sierra de la Demanda, Monte Santiago, Montes Obarenes, Ojo Guareña, Lagunas de Neila Glaciares.
- In the territory of Leon Picos de Europa, Valles de Babia y Luna, Las Médulas, Sierra de los Ancares, Hoces de Vegacervera, Lago de la Baña (Baña lake), Lago de Truchillas (Truchillas lake).
- In the territory of Palencia: La Nava y Campos de Palencia, Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre – Montaña Palentina, Las Tuerces, Covalagua.
- In the territory of Salamanca: El Rebollar, Arribes del Duero, Las Batuecas – Sierra de France, Quilamas, Candelario.
- In the territory of Segovia: Sierra Norte de Guadarrama, Hoces del Río Duratón, Hoces del Río Riaza, Hayedo de Riofrío.
- In the territory of Soria: Sierra de Urbión, Paleontológico Sitio de Cerro Pelado, Acebal de Garagüeta, The Fuentona, Sabinar de Calatañazor, Cañón del Río Lobos, Laguna Negra y Circos glaciares de Urbión.
- In the territory of Valladolid: Riberas de Castronuño – Vega del Duero.
- In the territory of Zamora: Lagunas de Villafáfila, Lago de Sanabria and vicinity, Sierra de la Culebra.
Caves
- Ávila: Arenas de San Pedro – caves del Águila
- Burgos: Quintanilla del Rebollar – cave Palomera
- León: Salice de Sabero – cave de Valdelajo
- Palencia: Revilla de Pomar – cave de los Franceses
- Segovia: Prádena – cave de los Enebralejos
- Soria: Ucero – cave de la Galiana
Reservoirs and natural pools
Water where you can bathe, fishing, boating, windsurfing or canoeing:
- Ávila: El Tiemblo – reservoir Burguillo and Charco del Cura
- Burgos: Villasur de Herreros – reservoir Arlanzón
- León: Barrios de Luna – reservoir Barrios de Luna
- Palencia: Aguilar de Campoo – reservoir Aguilar
- Salamanca: Almendra – reservoir Almendra
- Segovia: Fuentidueña – reservoir Las Vencías; Montejo de Arévalo – reservoir Santa Teresa
- Soria: Vinuesa – reservoir Cuerda del Pozo
- Zamora: Valparaiso – reservoir Valparaiso; Ricobayo de Alba – reservoir Ricobayo
Typical dishes:
- Ávila: chuletón de avileña negra ibérica (rib steak), cocido morañego (stew), patatas revolconas, tostón asado de Arévalo (pig), trucha frita (fried trout), yemas de santa Teresa (yolk).
- Burgos: sopas de ajo (garlic soup), bacalao a la burgalesa (cod), lechazo asado (young lamb), olla podrida, postre del abuelo (dessert).
- León: ancas guisadas, bacalao al ajoarriero, botillo del Bierzo, cecina de chivo entrecallada de Vegacervera, cocido maragato, sopas de trucha del Órbigo, tarta de San Marcos.
- Palencia: guiso de cangrejos (crab stew), lechazo entreasado, menestra palentina, olla ferroviaria, tocinillo de cielo de Villoldo.
- Salamanca: hornazo, estofado de lenteja de la Armuña, chanfaina (lentil stewed), tostón, cabrito cuchifrito, bollo maimón.
- Segovia: cochinillo de Segovia (pig), judiones estofados (beans), ponche segoviano.
- Soria: boletus laminados, guiso de caracoles (snails), migas pastoriles, tarta costrada.
- Valladolid: lechazo asado, patatas a la importancia, pichón estofado (pigeon), sopa castellana tradicional con pan de Valladolid, torrija con pan de Valladolid.
- Zamora: arroz a la zamorana (rice), bacalao a la tranca, cañas zamoranas, habones a la sanabresa, pulpo a la sanabresa, rabo de ternera de Aliste, tencas fritas.
Wine tourism
In Castile and León there are many wine cellars for tours and tasting.
How to arrive in Castile and León:
By plane: Villanubla (Valladolid), Virgen del Camino (León), Matacán (Salamanca) and Villafría (Burgos).
By bus: www.avanzabus.com
By train: www.renfe.com
