The Rough Guide to the Pyrenees 6

by Marc Dubin, Rough Guides

The Rough Guide toThe Pyrenees is the most comprehensive handbook to this glorious region, covering both sides of the range from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. From lush meadowland, snow-clad peaks and canyons of sinuously sculpted rock to alluring resorts, the full-colour section introduces all of the regions highlights. You’ll find detailed accounts of all the sights, from the gorges of the Basque country to the Romanesque churches of Calunya. This fully updated 6th edition includes information on skiing in the mountains and brand new colour inserts on romanesque architecture and Pyrenean food. Read opinionated reviews of all the best places to eat, drink and stay at all price levels as well as practical accounts of the most popular sporting activities including skiing, river-rafting and even parapenting. The guide also takes a detailed look at the region’s history, cuisine, festivals and wildlife and comes complete with maps and plans for every area. The Rough Guide to The Pyrennees is like having a local friend plan your trip!

Genres: Travel

Paperback

First published August 20, 2007

Reviews

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The travel guide I read to research this post was The Rough Guide To The Pyrenees which is an excellent book which I bought from a secondhand bookstore. This book was published in 2004 & is the 5th edition although is still interesting. Most people who visit The Pyrenees are doing so either for the skiing or are pilgrims going to Lourdes. Lourdes ranks second to Paris as having the most hotels. In the 19th Century a lady called Bernadette who was later canonized had visions of the Virgin Mary who told her to dig in the soil for a spring which has been credited with many miracles. The Catholic Church ratified it as a pilgrimage site in 1862 and of it's very popular among catholics and the disabled. There is the tiny historic kingdom of Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world. A referendum made it become a democracy but prior to that it was ruled jointly by 2 noble families. The markets here are the ideal place to get cheap skiing and snowboarding kit. The Pyrenees are also renowned for their rafting and gliding. The latter is perhaps due to the excellent thermals as with most mountainous areas. For much of the rafting called canyoning you really have to know what you are doing and many people get injured although there are some rapids ideal for beginner to intermediate level. For travelling here by air there are the airports of Toulouse & Barcelona which aren't too far away. Many people particularly from America & Australia must go via Paris and get either a connecting flight or train. If you go from London via the TGV and the Chunnel it's probably cheaper to fly. There is the historic city of Gerona which is probably the best of the many provincial capitals. There is also the surfing at Biarritz one of the great destinations for this sport in the world. There is also the national parks where among the rare animals is the bears which are quite small and timid compared to bears elsewhere and which were hunted close to extinction. The language spoken on much of the Spanish side of these mountains is Catalan reflected by things like many road signs. Some graffitti has been spray painted by people trying to get the Basque language more recognized. Catalan is the national language in Andorra. I think this is an interesting region to visit and much of it is only sparsely populated with only a few people per square mile.