EUROQUEST SideTracks

Arriving here from Madrid or from the Picos de Europa National Park, LEÓN, the capital of the Autonomous Spanish Community of Castille-Leon, seems a little lost in the middle of nowhere, but upon arrival in the city itself, it feels like the center of the universe, its own universe of Spain in a nutshell. Leon does not receive huge amounts of tourists, and those that do come to town are here usually for the St. James' Way, the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela - from Leon it is a convenient week to walk through Castille-Leon and Galicia to Santiago - perfect for visitors and pilgrims alike. Many Spaniards also know the name LEON along with nearby Burgos as the places in Spain with the highest temperatures during the summer and among the lowest in winter. Yet within a few hours in this gem of a Spanish city, it becomes clear that LEON warrants worthy mention and a visit in its own right offering various attractions, first and foremost its magnificent GOTHIC CATH

Among the destinations along the Adriatic coast, Montenegro remains a rather exotic choice for visitors. Following the war on the Balkans and years of transition as part of the loose federation of "Serbia and Montenegro", the area has only recently started experimenting with independence, officially becoming the Republic of Montenegro in 2006 and using the EURO as its official currency. Consequently, tourism here is yet far less developed than in neighboring countries such as Croatia or Italy. Yet for that very reason, sailing into the Bay of Kotor and exploring the coastline of Montenegro remains a unique exotic and enriching experience for visitors with memories bound to last a lifetime. See the full gallery on Posterous The town of Kotor is located in the most secluded part of the Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), among the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea and often called the "southernmost Fjord of Europe". Some geologists have suggested, howeve

It is usually overcast and dreary upon arrival in the Basque Lands - after all, such lush green vegetation needs its fair share of rain to prosper and bloom. Yet in such coastal microclimate, matters may change quickly, giving way to brilliant sunshine and warmth, during which San Sebastian, the region's uncontested resort gem, reveals its true magic and allure. From nowhere else can the city's blessed geographical layout and urban charm be appreciated better than from MOUNT IGUELDO, where a fortress-turned-theme park invites visitors to admire a splendid view over LA CONCHA Bay with its white-washed beach and its upscale turn-of-the-century resort hotels. It conjures up images of Nice in France or even a Mini-Rio of sorts with Mount Urgull as San Sebastian's sugar cane, but no comparison to others does the city justice, as it exudes a distinct air of its own, on the cusp of French and Spanish cultures and yet a quintessential example of Basque identity with all its