"A young woman with eyes as blue as our sky, with hair as golden as our sun and skin as white as the snow on the Scandinavian mountains", is how Kristina Håkonsdatter was described when she came to Spain in 1257.
Kristina was only 23 years old when she set out on her long journey from Norway to Spain to marry one of King Alfonso X's brothers. On 31 March 1258, the wedding took place in Valladolid, which at the time was the capital of Castile.
Kristina died childless after only four years, and is buried in Covarrubias, near Burgos.
As a result of the Spanish-Norwegian intermarriage in the Middle Ages, little Covarrubias is a friendly town with Tønsberg, and every year a cultural festival is organized in the village where prominent Norwegian artists perform.
We invite you to get to know Covarrubias and this fascinating story.
We leave Alfaz del Pi on March 20, 2023, bound for Burgos, where we will stay until we return home on March 23.
There are a number of reasons to visit Burgos.
The center of the well-preserved city is among the very best examples of Spanish medieval architecture.
The cathedral is one of Spain's most beautiful with its majestic towers and forest of columns.
Spain's national hero is buried under the church floor. Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid Campeador or simply El Cid.
Other treasures in Burgos are the 15th-century palace La Casa del Cordón where Christopher Columbus was received by the Catholic royal couple Fernando and Isabella after his second journey to the "New World".
And the altarpiece in the monastery of La Cartuja de Miraflores is said to be gilded with the first gold that came from the newly discovered America.
Burgos also offers beautiful natural surroundings, the river area and places such as el Paseo del Espolon.
The city has a good selection of tapas bars with a lively nightlife, and small shops lined up around the center streets, where you can buy everything from souvenirs and handicrafts to food and clothes.
Burgos is also known for its Ribera de Duero wines, which are Rioja wines' main competitor.
And from Burgos we take a day trip to Covarrubias and Lerma.
This adventure also includes the small town of Lerma, strategically located on the Arlanza River. Lerma is considered to be one of the best-preserved towns in the Herrerian style from the 13th century. Under Felipe III in the 16th century, the city experienced a period of prosperity.
The trip is set up in collaboration with the travel agency Scan Travel, and we – Marit & Juan – are the tour guides on the trip.
If it tempts you - contact Fabian at Scan Travel for more information and registration.
Scan Travel is based at Supermercado Costa Blanca, and is open from 10 – 16, Monday to Friday.
You can reach Scan Travel by phone (0034) 96 588 87 52, and email spain@scandinavia-travel.com
We look forward to hearing from you, new experiences await.
[Photo: © Cosmopolilla, pixabay and the internet]
1 December Santa Tour 2022 Bring the thermos, rucksack and hiking boots! We are going for a walk in the mountains in Benidoleig, Sierra de Siguili - 1 December. The path meanders upwards for approx. 800 meters. We don't have to go far before we can enjoy the beautiful view over the valley. Afterwards, we walk along a gentle forest path...
We have had an incredibly positive response to the scheduled trip to Burgos - Covarrubias - Lerma in March 2023. It sold out in 48 hours, so it is clear that the desire to travel is great.The waiting list has now become so long that we choose to set up an extra departure on 27 March with exactly the same program and price. You can look forward to Cit...
