Galicia A Celtic Window Onto Spain

T ucked up in the northwest        not no-one can say for sure. What  corner of Spain is the          is fact though is that the Celts   idyllic and quite magical       did indeed occupy Galicia from     region of Galicia. 'Separated'        around the 10th Century BC.        from the rest of Spain by             Archaeological evidence by way of  impressive mountain ranges,           extensive Celtic finds from the    Galicia is unlike any other part      region supports this view.         of Spain - and is certainly a                                            world away from the Costas that       Today, the people of Galicia       flank the country's eastern and       celebrate their Celtic roots with  southern coastline. It is lush        some verve. Celtic art is very     and green, and comprised of           much alive in the region,          grassy hills, tree-lined valleys      evidenced by the many tourist      through which bubbling rivers         outlets that carry carvings and    gush, and extensive outcroppings      other Celtic artefacts. When       of jagged rocks, especially along     travelling around Galicia you'll   the shoreline. These are              notice too that many place names   interspersed with a plethora of       have Celtic overtones - another    small beaches of the purest sands     sign of Galicia's bond with the    and many a tiny fishing village.      Celts.                             Galicia is traditional Northern                                          Spain at its best.                    Exploring Celtic Galicia                                                                             A Celtic Heart                 Celtic Galicia really comes alive                                        when you get out and about in the  Galicia is perhaps best known for     Galician countryside. The          its Celtic traditions. Legend has     landscape here is littered with    it that Galicia was in fact           prehistoric monuments, the most    colonised by the Scots and the        frequently seen being the dolmens  Irish. Whether this is true or        (burial chambers). From the        Celtic era some of Galicia's          Celtic sites are available online  hills proudly support the remains     and from tourist shops in          of castroes - fortified circular      Galicia.                           stone structures that were once                                          surrounded by defensive moats.        Getting around Galicia      They are found all around the                                            region. On the coast some of the      To appreciate Celtic Galicia it    best examples are situated at         is highly recommended that you     Barona, O' Neixon and at Fazouro.     rent a hire car for the duration   Inland, Castromao near Ourense        of your stay. Access to some       and Santa Tegra to the north of       Celtic sites in Galicia is by      Ourense are two locations where       foot only. It is therefore         you'll find 'must-see' examples       advisable to take with you a       of castroes. Maps detailing these     sturdy pair of hiking boots.       About the Author: Seb Jay is a freelance writer specializing in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up at several locations in Galicia by visiting www.your-carhire.com ahead of your departure. Source: www.isnare.com