Soria

Prosperous as a sheep farming center during the 15th-century European wool monopoly that laid the groundwork for Spain's Golden Age, this provincial capital has been marred to some degree by modern development. Still, the Duero River valley is splendid, as are the Romanesque monuments throughout the town and its hilly environs.

Soria is a comfortable base for exploring the surrounding countryside, which offers bountiful options for hiking and cycling through pine forests and along Roman roadways, plus rugged climbs with soaring vistas. Inquire at the Office of Tourism on Caballeros 17 for maps.