Page 614 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

612  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Cycling Skiing and Naturism
Winter Sports
Road biking and mountain Specially designated nudist,
biking are both popular in Spain’s mountainous terrain or naturist, beaches are not
Spain. Helmets are recom- makes it an excellent place hard to find in Spain. Contact
mended while cycling, for skiing, and resorts here are the various coastal tourist
especially on highways, often cheaper than those in offices for details of nudist
where extreme caution should the Alps or other places in beaches. Alternatively, log
be exercised. Drivers here are Europe. The top ski resorts are on to the official website
not accustomed to sharing the Sierra Nevada in Granada of the Federación Española
the road and accidents on and Baqueira-Beret, in the de Naturismo (FEN), which
highways are not uncommon. Pyrenean Val d’Aran. It is also has a comprehensive list.
The Real Federación Española possible to ski in the Sierra de
de Ciclismo will provide Guadarrama, just north of
useful information as well as Madrid, and in a handful of Specialist Holidays
advice on how to plan a safe other high-altitude areas. A weekend or week-long
cycling excursion. Details are available through specialist holiday provides
Mountain bikers will find the Real Federación Española the luxury of practising a
plenty of trails to keep them de Deportes de Invierno. Visit favourite hobby, or probably
busy pedalling in Spain. Several www.atudem.es for more learning a new one.
walking paths are also suitable information (in Spanish) about Food and wine holidays are
for mountain biking, which are ski resorts. more popular than ever in
referred to as “BTT” (Bici Todo Spain, with its varied cuisine
Terreno or all-terrain bikes; and excellent wines. A grow ing
www.centrosbtt.es). Throughout Birdwatching number of companies – many
Catalunya, Centros BTT are set Spain’s mild climate attracts of them owned by expat British
up to inform bikers about trails a huge variety of fowl year-round. – have opened in recent years,
and conditions. In other regions, In winter, one can observe birds offering everything from tours
where this service is not avail- native to northern Europe; in of well-known wine regions to
able, trail information and maps spring, native Mediterranean the chance to harvest grapes
can be found at tourist offices. species come to nest. There are or olives. For upscale, made-to-
For young or inexperienced numerous natural parks order tours of wine regions all
cyclers, vias verdes (rail trails) working to conserve Spain’s over Spain, contact the Madrid-
are a fantastic option. These diverse bird population. The based company Cellar Tours.
flat, long-distance trails follow top bird-watching site is For daily cooking classes and
the paths of discontinued rail Extremadura’s Parque Nacional an in-depth look at local
lines, ideal for those who want Monfragüe, where big birds of Spanish cuisines and customs,
lovely views without making prey can be seen swoop ing try a cooking holiday like
an effort. Many vias verdes and hunting. Other excellent those offered by the Priorat-
cut through historic towns, places to observe birds in their based Catacurian or the
making interesting pit stops natural habitat are Andalucía’s Málaga-based Cooking
along the way. The Fundación Parque Nacional de Doñana, Holiday Spain.
de los Ferrocarriles Españoles Guadalquivir Delta and Laguna The scenic landscapes of
has detailed information de Fuente de Piedra, and Delta Spain are a wonderful inspir-
about routes. de l’Ebre in southern Catalonia. ation to indulge the artistic
temperament. A painting
holiday offers the chance to
Golf Spas escape to the quiet countryside
Golf is popular throughout Health and wellness spas, and paint. Com panies including
Spain, though most courses can or balnearios, are nothing new Authentic Adventures offer
be found near the coasts and in Spain. As far back as Roman multi-day holidays for artists
coastal resort areas. There are times residents here were of all levels. Holidays include
too many important golfing enjoying the healthy benefits instruction with an experi enced
areas to highlight just one; the of mineral-rich waters along painter as well as practising
Real Federación Española de the Mediterranean or in the independently. Sculpture or
Golf has detailed information interior. Day spas offering a drawing classes are often
on all the courses. Some of the range of beauty and therapeutic available too.
golf courses offer activities for treatments are popular as well, Activity-focused holidays are
non-golfers as well. For year- especially in cities and resorts. a great option as well. Spain’s
round golf, head to the island The Asociación Nacional de pleasant weather is particularly
of Tenerife, where nearly a Estaciones Termales website favourable for walking, biking,
dozen courses, including the (National Association of water-skiing or horseback riding.
beautifully situated Golf Las Thermal Resorts) has details The holiday company On Foot
Américas, are huddled in the on reputable spas throughout in Spain offers a variety of
southern corner of the island. the country. walking holidays in Northern

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