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Rice field in the Albufera near Valencia

To the birthplace of paella: The rice route through the Albufera

The paella, the most famous dish in Spanish cuisine, originated as a simple meal of the field workers in the huertas, the gardens at the gates of Valencia. Part of the huge rice fields now form the Albufera Natural Park - a 20,000 hectare Mediterranean ecosystem of forest, dune beaches and a lake.
It is home to 250 bird species. And in winter it is a resting and nesting place for thousands of flamingos, herons and cormorants, which can be observed during a four-hour bike ride from Valencia to El Saler. There, a 2600-metre long sandy beach awaits you, with the scent of pine trees on its edge.

1000 year old olive tree in Catalonia

Trees of biblical age: The route of the 1000 year old olive trees

Considered a symbol of life, they can live to be 2000 years old: olivetrees. The largest number of thousand-years-olds - including the oldest olive tree in the world, the Farga de Arión, planted in 314 - can be found around Ulldecona in south-eastern Catalonia.
There are 1500 specimens in the region and some of these methuselahs are reached by the Ruta de Olivos Milenarios - passing oil mills and muses. Even older than the olive trees are the nearby cave drawings of the Serra de Godall: about 8000 years ago, Stone Age people carved pictures of animalhuntings  and deities with red paint into the rock.

Truffle & Tempranillo: On the Ribera del Duero Wine Route

Four provinces. 32 wine towns. Hundreds of kilometres of underground cellars: the Ribera del Duero wine route winds along Spain's second longest river, the Duero, through one of the country's most famous wine-growing regions. Especially the red wines - the Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas - are highly valued among wine connoisseurs.
Along around 115 kilometres, countless bodegas invite you to discover their underground cellars. Especially in winter: Then it is truffle season and in the restaurants, especially in Soria, the chefs offer extraordinary menus with the precious tuber.