Old stone arches still frame the traffic, church bells keep the hour for neighbours who no longer look up, and a wall older than anyone remembers shades the corner where friends meet for coffee. Each region keeps its own accent, its own dishes and its own way of telling the story.
The climate is mostly Mediterranean, with long hot dry summers and mild winters in the south and centre, and a greener Atlantic north. Spring and autumn suit walking best. A Local Friend can share a favourite spot, a quiet courtyard or a side-street bar, and tell you the story behind it.
