Castile and Leon
Castile and Leon is the largest Spanish autonomous community. It comprises the central part of the country around Madrid and borders Portugal and Galicia to the west, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and La Rioja to the north, Aragon to the east and Castile La Mancha, Madrid and Extremadura to the south. The region is the economic and cultural heart of Spain and boasts some of the most valuable heritage sites in Europe. Valladolid, the capital of the autonomous community, is remarkable for its old quarter, full of imposing medieval churches and palaces. The most famous university centre in Spain, Salamanca, enchants its guests with its 13th-Century university and an abundance of Renaissance architectural masterpieces. Another highlight in the region is Segovia with 2,000 year-old Roman Aqueducts, listed by UNESCO and one of the most photographed sites in Spain. Further attractions here include the former royal residence, Alcazar Castle, as well as the magnificent late Gothic Cathedral of Segovia. The countryside is sparsely populated and offers an incredibly wide range of holiday opportunities, from wine routes to visiting hundreds of castles scattered everywhere.