Opened in 1997, the museum contains contemporary art from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, as well as traveling exhibits. The museum has turned Bilbao into one of Europe s hottest destinations. Norman Foster s subway system and Santiago Calatrava s footbridge, which allows people to virtually walk on the river, are worthy attractions unto themselves. Another worthwhile attraction in Bilbao is the Museo de Bellas Artes, with its large collection of Flemish, French, Italian and Spanish paintings, including works by El Greco, Goya, Velazquez, Ribera, Gaughin, Leger and some modern Basque artists. Bilbao s Old Quarter has its own cathedral dedicated to Santiago, a pilgrimage stop on the way to Compostela.
Basque cuisine is a standout.
The region s txokas, or gastronomy societies, welcome visitors to their tables. Markets in every town are stocked with top-quality produce and at many of them, locals will demonstrate how cider, cheese or other homemade products are made. The wines of the region are also top-notch. The Starwood Group, which opened its Hotel Westin La Quinta Golf Resort in Marbella last year, intends to purchase land on which to build a Sheraton hotel in El Chorro. Radisson will open a hotel in Mijas in 2003 aimed at golfers, and Marriott, which already operates an apartment group in Marbella, will develop a resort hotel in Matas Verdes near Estepona.