Navarre
The autonomous community of Navarre lies in Northern Spain and borders France to the north, the Basque Country to the west, La Rioja to the south and Aragon to the east. Its landscape is dominated by the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, which represent a great opportunity for winter sports and trekking tourism. Visitors will certainly feel the spirit of the traditional Navarre way of life and hospitality in the numerous tiny villages in the river valleys. In cultural aspect the region is a mixture of Basque and Spanish influence and is the only territory, save for the Basque Country, where Basque is recognised as an official language. The rich cultural heritage of Navarre is closely related to its past power, especially in the Middle Ages, when it was one of the Spanish kingdoms. Many preserved cathedrals, castles and monasteries bear witness to this period of history. The main city of Pamplona is a unique combination of history, for it was founded more than 2,000 years ago, and modernism with its industrial and cultural centre. Its main attraction is the San Fermin festival and The Running of the Bulls, which gathers thousands of curious guests from around the world every summer.