EXPLORE SPAIN’S BACKYARD Founded in 1918, the Picos de Europa was
Spain’s first designated National Park. Its towering landscape — spanning some 300 sq miles in the north and accented by craggy peaks and wildlife-rich forests — is a joy to behold. Wilderness-loving clients and
nature photographers will relish relaxing stays in this untouristy area’s quaint mountain inns — when they’re not out and about on epic hikes, including guided group tours following ‘inn-to-inn’ routes. Trekkers here are advised to keep an eye out for brown bears, golden eagles and wolves. Other notable activities include
mountain biking, guided canoe trips and the panoramic Fuente Dé cable car, with the high Lagos de Covadonga mountain lakes and Hermida and Cares gorges among other scenic standouts.
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GET WILD ON MAINLAND GREECE While many head for the
Greek Islands, the mainland can get overlooked, which is a shame considering its natural, cultural and historic charms. Prime picks include the southerly Peloponnese, where the wild and wonderful Mani — the middle of the peninsula’s three downward pointing fingers — provides epic road trips. An easy drive from Kalamata
Airport, Mani’s winding roads and dramatic coastal stretches offer plenty on the route to Tainaron, considered in ancient times to be the gateway to Hades. Today, hikers will enjoy Mani’s Taÿgetos mountains and nearby Viros Gorge. While in the Peloponnese,
clients can also Byzantine-era Mystras and the coastal towns of Nafplion and Monemvasia.
Right: Hiking in Picos de Europa National Park; stone towers in Vathia village on the Mani peninsula, Greece