In the north, for some, some of the best trekking in Europe, the Pyrenees and the Asturian Picos de Europa . Few stay open all year, and in towns they are often inconveniently located. At between 1000-2000ptas a person, you can easily pay more than for sharing a cheap double room in a fonda or casa de hu spedes. But don't be downhearted over this, there are countless places to stay at very reasonable rates. In northern Spain, the Basque Country's agroturismo and Navarra's casa rural programmes offer excellent cheap accommodation in rural areas, usually in beautifully preserved and well-maintained private houses.
Full lists are available from the relevant tourist offices.
Other parts of the country, including Andalucia, have recently launched similar initiatives. It isn't difficult to spot Gaud 's trademarks around Barcelona. His twisted ironwork and flamboyant flowing lines are most monumental in the stunning, but unfinished, La Sagrada Famil a , and most dreamlike in his fantasy world of Parc G ell . Benasque Nestling between the two highest summits in the Pyrenees, is a great starting point for mountain rambles. Bilbao Along the Rio Nervion a whole number of exciting new buildings have appeared, including the futuristic Museo Guggenheim .