The adventure begins looking up
The philosopher and writer already said Bertrand Russell : "We have blotted out the heavens." And that the mathematician did not live in Madrid, where light pollution reduces the vision from 6,900 to 50 the stars that can be seen from the city.
The sad thing is that, although Spain, due to its geographical location, is a wonderful astronomical observatory, there are many cities where you can only see the moon at night (with great luck). Fortunately, other regions, pioneers in appreciating night sky protection (which normally coincide with places where they also know how to appreciate the sound of nature), they show us the way of the future.
We are talking about ** La Rioja **, without going any further, which has just received recognition as a Starlight Tourist Destination or, in other words, a place that can be visited with qualities for contemplating the starry skies and the practice of activities based on this resource. In addition, the organization has designated a couple of Rioja oases to claim the right to see the stars.
These windows open to the firmament are called Star Parks and they are on top of a hill Cervera del Rio Alhama (a population within the Biosphere Reserve of the valleys of Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama), and next to the Cameros Lagoon , a small municipality located in the Leza river valley, 50 km from Logroño, with only 150 inhabitants.
Do you want to see planets, stars, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies?
The next guided tours of the constellations of the Biosphere Reserve are: On July 27 in Munilla (10:30 p.m., meeting in Plaza de Santa María); on August 10 in Ocón (10 pm, meeting in Plaza de la Villa de Odón); on August 11 in Aguilar del Río Alhama (10 pm, meeting at the Contrebia Leucade site) and on August 25 in Cervera del Río Alhama (meeting at 10 pm in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Monte).
The Parc Astronòmic de Montsec at work
You can also get up close to the stars at: The Astronomical Park of Montsec, in Lleida take advantage of the excellent conditions of the Montsec (the best in Catalonia) for astronomy. In the municipality of Àger is the Observation Center of the University , the perfect place to go with the family to observe the universe.
** Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory **, Almeria It has a mixture of the best of Spanish with the best of German. It can be visited by appointment only and is located in the Sierra of the Filabres , to the north of that distant land, called Almeria.
Although the MDSCC (Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex) does not allow the entry of curious people, the NASA Visitor Center does and is next to it, so that we can take a look and observe the radio telescopes from its vicinity. On Saturdays and Sundays it is open to the general public (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The place in question is located on the highway from Colmenar del Arroyo to Robledo de Chavela M-531, km7.
The Astronomical Observatory of La Sagra, in Granada is located near Puebla de Don Fadrique and look for the small objects of our solar system. Tickets are reserved at the Hotel Los Collados de La Sagra and it opens from Thursday to Saturday from 10:30 p.m.
The Yebes Astronomical Center , in Guadalajara It can be visited on non-holiday Fridays with prior reservation on the website of the Ministry of Public Works.
The ** Castelltallat Astronomical Observatory ** in the mountain range of the same name, offers guided astronomical observations by appointment. Around you will find a good number of rural houses in case you want to spend a few days.
The pool with views of the hotel Los Collados de La Sagra, in Granada
CN TRAVELER RECOMMENDATIONS:
For an astronomical-rural weekend we propose some options.
To get closer to knowing the award-winning starry skies of La Rioja, we suggest you stay in a typical construction of the Sierra de Cameros , in the Casa del Maestro Ciruela , in Trevijano, The Rioja , a small and well-kept village, located in the old camero, just 26 kilometers from Logroño. From the town you can see the Leza River Canyon , declared a Biosphere Reserve, with pools, jumps, waterfalls (house for 6 people plus extra beds, weekend, from €280).
Near to montec , in one of the Catalan areas best placed to closely follow the stars, the Hotel Port D'Àger , in Ager (HD: from €252, breakfast included) has a astronomical weekend special promotion. It is two nights plus two free entrances to the Montsec astronomical park . You will sleep on beds located after carrying out geobiological studies to improve your rest.
If your thing is to look at the stars from the hotel itself, the only one with an observation dome is the Hotel El Milano Real (HD: from €46) in Hawthorn Holes , Avila. It has guided sessions with a 250mm mirror telescope (upon request from hotel guests; from €18/person). In addition, you can relax in its spa, enjoy its tasting breakfast (€15/person) and your antistress program
If you are looking for even more disconnection, and sit with your partner or your group of friends (there is room for four people) isolated from the world to see the sky at night and some movie sunsets, a very natural option is the Casa Rural Los Llanos Negros (minimum stay of 5 nights, from €30/person), in Fuencaliente of The Palm , with views of the volcano Saint Anthony and the sea, in a unique and different setting on the island of La Palma.