Cultural Tourism

Walking holidays in Spain, Spanish cultural tours, guided walking holidays in Northern Spain. Small groups tours. Culture, wildlife, history & gastronomy. Ideal for leisure walkers of all ages. Tailored guided & self guided holidays available. Your memorable journey begins here!

Ya gotta love this place Every nook and cranny has personality—authenticity. You’ll enjoy an amazing arts culture, unmatched natural beauty, colorful restaurants, a wide range of accommodations, unique and quaint shops, and, of course, a body of water that demands your attention. It gets better. One minute you’re in this timeless harbor village enjoying a cappuccino, the next you’re at the doorstep of millions of acres of national wilderness just waiting to be explored. It’s safe to say, it’s like nowhere else on the planet. Except for, maybe, somewhere in New England. But they have funny accents. Grand Marais has existed for centuries, although it wasn't always known by its current name. The Ojibwe called this location Kitchi-Bitobig, meaning “double body of water”, and it was a Native American village for many years before any Europeans arrived. It is the translation from the French trappers’ dialect for this large bite out of Superior’s shore that lives today, “great marsh”. Grand Marais has been a fur trading post, fishing village, lumber town, hay fever haven and sports center, and it is now a destination that welcomes visitors enthralled by Lake Superior's majesty. Grand Marais is located on a small double harbor on the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior. It is accessed by Highway 61, the North Shore Drive, which connects travelers to Canada and the rest of Minnesota. Grand Marais is also the entrance to the Gunflint Trail, a Minnesota Scenic Byway. This road cuts inland from Lake Superior to the lakes which border Canada and has a fascinating history of its own. Living “up the Trail” are hardy Minnesotans who do everything from operating resorts to painting landscapes of their beautiful northern wilderness, with plenty of hard work in between. In its past, Grand Marais has been under several flags: French, British and United States. This land has been part of the Virginia Colony and the Territories of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It has also been part of Itasca, St. Louis and Lake Counties. When Radisson made his trip along the north shore to Canada in 1657-58, Grand Marais was an Indian village. When fur trading was at its height in the 18th century, the Northwest Company, the Hudson's Bay Company, the American Fur Company and XY Company vied for trade in this region. The Northwest Company moved out of Grand Portage to Fort William, Ontario, Canada, in 1802 and later merged with the Hudson's Bay Company. By 1822, the Fort William Post trade business had declined, and the Hudson's Bay Company did most of their trading on the south shore of Lake Superior. In the 1850s, French Canadian and Scandinavian settlers moved into the area, bringing new ways of life – mineral prospecting, commercial fishing and logging. A village of twenty-two people incorporated this harbor community in 1903, beginning a whole new page in the rich and diverse chapters of Grand Marais history.

Click here for 360° panoramic views of Lanesboro. Nestled in a deep valley of the Root River, Lanesboro offers tourists invigorating outdoor activities, rich artistic experiences, unique shopping, a local winery, fine dining and lodging to fit every taste and budget. Besides receiving the Great American Main Street Award in 1998, Lanesboro was named one of 100 Best Small Art Towns in America by author John Villani and one of the 50 Best Outdoor Sports Towns by Sports Afield magazine. Outside magazine featured Lanesboro, Minnesota as one of the 20 Best Dream Towns in America to live and play! A major attraction is the spectacular paved Root River State Bike Trail, winding 60 miles through the valley with Lanesboro at its heart. Excellent for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and in-line skating, it runs along an abandoned railroad bed through high bluffs, forest lands and rolling fields. The downtown has been revitalized, the arts flourish, tourism thrives, agriculture continues to be sustainable, and the local school is still independent. Come and see for yourself why people return time and time again to renew themselves in Lanesboro's riches!

Are you planning a vacation to Crane Lake, Minnesota? We invite you to explore the vacation opportunities the Crane Lake Minnesota area offers. Crane Lake, Minnesota is where the country's highways literally end, and it's pristine wilderness waterways begin. An area so vast, so unspoiled that it has been designated a permanent remembrance of America and the way it appeared centuries ago to the Indians and fur traders. Crane Lake: Outstanding Minnesota fishing and beautiful scenery. BWCA - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Comprise the largest waterways wilderness in the world. Northern Minnesota Resorts: Quaint cabins, Campgrounds, Outfitters, Houseboats and Boat Rentals and more. Voyageurs Park: The most spectacular vistas in the entire national park system. Area Maps: Find your way to Crane Lake Minnesota and see the lakes. Contact Us: Want more information? Have a question? Click here. Photo Gallery: Take a look at the beautiful scenery in the Crane Lake Area. Activities: From berry picking to stargazing and bird watching, the recreation and activities in the Crane Lake area will keep you wanting more of the great outdoors. Summer: Fish the lakes, hike the trails, visit the sites and enjoy the view. Winter: Minnesota Snowmobiling, ice fish, cross country ski... endless winter fun!. Be sure to check our snow and trail conditions.

The call of the loon, the majesty of soaring eagles and the serenity of the aromatic towering pines beckon you to the pristine, crystal clear waters of our lakes, rivers and streams. Young and old alike forget worldly cares, and - like the early explorers – navigate the stepping stones of the mighty Mississippi at its Headwaters in Itasca State Park. The spacious blue skies, crisp clean air and the variety and abundance of birds and wildlife create an allure that returns visitors time and again to make new memories. The Itasca Area Lakes Country provides opportunities to slow the pace and return to the simple joys and beauty that herein abound. Whether your goal is a fun-filled family vacation, a corporate retreat, a reunion, a group tour, a romantic weekend get-away or a club outing, we have resorts, campgrounds, businesses and attractions dedicated to making your experience a lasting memory. Whatever your reason, no matter the season, be it winter, spring, summer or fall, there is a memorable story waiting for all to discover. Visit us soon. Return often. Recreation, Relaxation and Memories... Itasca Area Lakes Country offers you four seasons of fun, whether you want an activity filled week or quiet relaxation. Spring brings the May fishing openers for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass, and panfish. The woods are bountiful with a vast array of wildflowers including Orchids. It is a time for a hike, to stop and smell the flowers and listen to the birds. Our area offers excellent birding opportunities. The diverse ecosystems of lakes, marshes, grasslands and forest provide habitat for over 200 bird species including loons, swans, eagles, various hawks and owls, pileated woodpeckers, songbirds and many warblers. Whatever your water sport, an Itasca area lake is the perfect place for Summer fun - fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking or basking in the sun. For the land lover recreationalist, there is horseback riding, golfing, biking the Heartland Trail and Itasca State Park, ATVing, sightseeing and shopping. Gift shops, flea markets, antique shops, farmer markets and pick-your-own berry patches are local attractions; community festivals provide fun for young and old alike. Sightseeing includes nature watching as well as numerous historic sites. Autumn brings on the bountiful beauty of nature’s color palette for the serious “leaf looker”. The cool crisp air is perfect for a scenic bike ride with the change in colors and the aroma of wood smoke in the air. Our woods are filled with an abun- dance of wildlife for the hunting enthusiast or camera buff. Even in Winter, our lakes provide excitement for fishing folk as ice fishing houses dot the landscape and with the snow there are hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails for a challenging ride. Ski trails offer opportunity for both the novice and skilled cross country skiier. Whether you want to enjoy it all or just relax, every season has a special charm in our North Country; and each has a memory in itself just waiting for you.

First there were the Native American Indians. Then came the missionaries. The trappers and the fur trade. The loggers and the timber industry. The Scandinavians and fishing. The innkeepers. One by one, family by family, each left their mark and added to the rich history that makes today's North Shore a unique community. Be sure to make time to share our varied and facinating heritage while you're here. Father Baraga's Cross in Schroeder is a great place to start. Then take a peek into the past at the North West Company Fur Trading Post at the end of the Grand Portage trail. Celebrate the heritage of the early loggers during John Schroeder Days in June. Tofte's new fishing museum gives an indepth history of a classic North Shore livelihood. Innkeeping here dates back over 100 years. So you see, just staying here makes you a part of our history.