Illustrious characters

The route starts in Alcalá de Henares. This district of Madrid is a World Heritage Site and the town where Cervantes was born. Discover the “corral de comedias”, one of the oldest open-air theatres in Europe, and the Plaza de Cervantes in the heart of the town. Under the arches along the picturesque Calle Mayor you’ll find shops, cafés and bars where you’ll get to try their renowned tapas. The Cervantes Birthplace Museum is a replica of the house where the writer was born and grew up.

Follow in the footsteps of Charles V after he abdicated. The monarch arrived in the North of Spain coming from Brussels with more than 50 ships and journeyed through Cantabria, Castile-León and Extremadura before reaching his retreat in the Yuste Monastery.

The route starts in Laredo (Cantabria) where he disembarked and where today stands a bust of the emperor.Take a stroll through the old quarter of this charming town. Don’t miss the defensive walls and the stately houses.Beaches like La Salve are great for sunbathing, or you could try a little windsurfing or take a boat trip in the Cantabrian Sea.

Have you heard of “El Cantar del Mío Cid” (The Song of El Cid)? It is a famous 12th century Spanish poem which tells the story of the legendary knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, El Cid Campeador. This route which retraces his deeds will take you through eight provinces: Burgos, Soria, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Teruel, Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. It can be done on foot, by bike, by car or by motorbike.

You can start out in Vivar del Cid, where tradition assures us that our Medieval hero was born, and from there continue as fas as Burgos. His remains and those of his wife, Doña Jimena, were laid to rest in the Cathedral here. If you go in October you can enjoy the El Cid Weekend, when the city takes you back to the Middle Ages for a few days, with open-air performances, tournaments, a Medieval market…

Follow in the footsteps of the American author to discover Pamplona (the capital of Navarre) and the surrounding area, an unforgettable journey. The Hemingway Route twill take you to the places which the Nobel prizewinner fell in love with and where he returned a total of nine times.

Take a stroll around the Plaza del Castillo and stop for a drink in one of the author’s favourite watering holes, like the Bar Txoko, the Café Kutz orthe Café Iruña. You could also stop by La Perla, one of the hotels where he stayed and which features in his book entitled Fiesta. If you go between the 6th and the 14th of July you’ll be able to experience the Sanfermines, the festival which inspired the author.

Follow in the footsteps of Washington Irving, who in 1829 was captivated by the wealth and exotic nature of the Hispanic-Moorish civilisation. The route runs from Seville to Granada, the two main destinations on his journey.

Discover Seville, a city steeped in history and which he fell in love with. The incredible Cathedral was originally a great mosque. Climb up to the minaret, the Giralda, and you’ll be treated to unforgettable views of the city. Visit the Triana district, have a glass of sherry in one the taverns and enjoy a Flamenco show in a “tablao“.