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I know it's classed as mediterranean, but that's only a marketing strategy. Mediterranean cuisine isn't only olive oil, and bacalao is far from been mediterranean.
Tempranillo
Bacalao is very Med..and Castilian, because the "mummified fish" was available everywhere, as well as herrings. For example, Catalan cuisine would not be complete without "bacallà a la llauna"....and the province with more cod recipes is....Segovia.
For example, in small towns in Catalonia and the Southeast, peasants would not have survived without herrings...one cheap source of protein during famines...
You must take into account that cuisine in Andalusia, Valencia, Murcia, Aragon, South Catalonia, etc, was imported many times from the north during the great relocation and resettlement after the reconquest and the massive expulsion of "moorish", so there are many Med equivalents of "pote asturiano", "marmitako"...."ollas podridas", etc.
The Inquisition removed a lot of Med legacy left by Arabs, and forced the massive presence of pigs.
Personally for me it would be Northern Spain, I love the climate, the culture, the food, great scenery, wonderful architecture and wonderful villages and towns. From Basque Country to Galicia, via Asturias and Cantabria.
Also it is really non touristy, apart from Spanish people, the low season is pretty much all year round apart from July and August and Easter week end. Slower pace of life, great traditional music, friendly people and just the kind of place I feel comfortable in. Galicia reminds me of Brittany in France, same Celtic culture. Love it.
Southern Spain is stunning in parts but I loathe the heat, the tourists and the Costa del Sol for example is IMO ruined by its popularity and too many hideous resorts. Wonderful to visit in parts but I would not want to live there.
During generations, North Spain has been traditionally visited by English tourists that use the Southhampton ferry, but those English tourists are worlds apart from the ones in the Med coast. Generally very cultured people with more money to spend, older too.
According to the poll here, the Basque Country is the best Spanish region. I also did some research and the Basque Country also happens to be the richest region in Spain, even ahead of Madrid and Catalonia! What makes the Basque Country better than the other regions in Spain?
I believe that Madrid (the autonomous community) is richer. Basque Country have more money for investments due to the fact that they have their own tax law, and they manage their own taxes.
Madrid, Catalonia and the Balearic autonomous communities are richer, but they must pay a lot of money to balance poorer regions.
The Basque country is better? Depends on your personal taste. In the north, I'd rather live in Cantabria, Asturias or Galicia.
1.) Sun and fun.... Beaches, Climbing, Biking, hiking are all world class.
2.) Food... Yea the other regions are getting all the Michelin praises right now but who drops 50 euros on a two person dinner every night of the week. Give me tappa bars serving Cruz Campo and boquerones any day of the week which I can get for 4 eros. Through in a little tinto de la verano during the summer for variety with some ensaldia...
3.) Compassionate people.
4.) Seville, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Clean, great public transportation, low cost of living.
You have to think about more reasons than "richer places" and blabla. Sometimes life quality is not related to that specially in developed countries as Spain is.
I mean, there are cities like:
Cáceres. (nice and near Portugal)
Burgos. (Beautiful but cold)
Guadalajara. (well comunicated to Madrid, clean, safe)
Jaen. (not big but in Andalucia)
Orense. (beautiful, far from the crowded Galician touristic areas)
etc
That are very comfortable for living, not extremely expensive houses, not extremely big either and they are not bad for starting the experience. In some of them you can go walking everywhere or almost everywhere.
I only can give my opinion about two places in Spain but is by first hand.
First Aragón, most specifically Zaragoza.
The cost of life is low comparing other communities in Spain.
the life in Zaragoza is quiet, and in some neighborhoods is like live in a village.
We haven't got sea, and near Zaragoza the landscape isn't beautiful, not rain, too arid. In the Pyrenees things change, and you can see very beautiful green landscapes.
In Zaragoza temperatures in winter are cold and very windy, the wind is called "cierzo" and is ****ing cold, in summer you can roast yourself with the sun.
Second, Cantabria, Santander
Cantabria is more expensive than Aragón but not big difference.
Life is good and safer tha Zaragoza, you can go quietly late at night for some remote areas
and is quite safe.
The landscapes are very green, and temperatures are good, not cold in winter and not hot in summer.
But is raining ALL THE DAY!!!!
1) Canary islands
2) Seville and Andalucia
3) Castile and Madrid
I'm surprised no one voted for the Balearic islands
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