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Sixty million visitors come to Spain each year but
most head for the tourist resorts in the south. Shilpa
Mehta's journey takes her through the less travelled
north of the country.
 Starting in Barcelona, Shilpa explores
the city's rich architecture and discovers Flamenco
dancing in the street. Just outside Barcelona is the
small town of Terrassa, where Shilpa
watches a Catalan traditional event of building human
castles.
From Terrassa Shilpa heads for Pamplona
in the province of Navarra, where the
annual Bull Run known as 'El Encierro' is taking place.
Running alongside the bulls whilst they are herded through
the streets is seen as a test of machismo, but participants
risk serious injury and even death.
Shilpa hitches a lift north to San Sebastian,
where she samples the tapas dish unique to
the Basque region, known as pintxos.
She then continues her journey to Asturias,
where she explores the Somiedo National Reserve
by mountain bike.
The next leg of Shilpa's journey takes her to the heart
of the country, Madrid. Just outside
the city, she visits a school for young bullfighters,
and picks up some of the skills required for the  job.
From Madrid, Shilpa's road trip takes her northwest
through the cities of Segova, Avila, Salamanca and finally Zamora. On this
journey she glimpses a spectacular aqueduct, visits
a farm that raises bulls for the ring, and finally witnesses
a bull fight with a famous female matador.
In the north west of the country Shilpa joins the Pilgrim
Trail, staying in refugios along this famous
religious route. The trail ends in Santiago,
and Shilpa arrives in the picturesque city just in time
to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Spain's
patron saint, St James. After attending a service in
Santiago cathedral, Shilpa watches a spectacular fire
work display, symbolising the turning of the Moslems
out of Spain and victory for the Catholic faith.
In contrast to the lively festival in Santiago, Shilpa
ends her journey further west on the Atlantic coast.
This is a vast expanse of virtually unpopulated country,
stretching to the edge of Europe. This destination is
known as Cabo Finisterre, which means
ëthe end of the world'. A fitting place to end
an incredible journey through one of Europe's most enticing
countries. |
