Rural Asturias
The Principality of Asturias (the Heir to the Spanish throne is Prince
of Asturias) is one of Spain’s most beautiful and
fascinating regions. Its location on the northern Atlantic coast and
its climate combine to produce landscapes of
astonishing beauty: luxuriant hills and valleys and spectacular mountains
in the interior, whilst most of the coastline still remains mercifully
unspoilt.
We divide our time between two contrasting places: near Arriondas, the
lovely Hotel Aultre Naray where our dear friends Iñaki and Susana
will, as always, entertain us royally, whilst for the second part of
the week we make for the picturesque coastal town of Luarca and the
Hotel Villa Argentina.
DAYS 1, 2, 3 & 4: Flying in to Asturias airport it is a relatively
short drive to the exquisite surroundings of the hamlet of Peruyes and
Aultre Naray. We are on the very edge of the Picos de Europa, so inevitably
the first days are dominated by the proximity of this spectacular mountain
range. Our visits include the Sanctuary at Covadonga (the cradle of
Christian Spain) and the stunning glacial lakes; we visit the elegant
coastal town of Ribadesella and journey to the heart of Cabrales country
where we are given a unique insight into rural life and the making of
cider and fine Cabrales cheese. We search out Nacho Manzano’s
wonderful Michelin-starred restaurant and enjoy sophisticated Asturian
cuisine.
DAY 5: Leaving Peruyes our route takes us to the capital of Asturias
and the first great capital of Spain: Oviedo. This is a marvellous city
(and incidentally, Woody Allen’s favourite). Its medieval quarter
is outstanding, its cathedral unforgettable, its Museum of Fine Arts
one of the best in Spain. But above all, we visit Oviedo for some of
the earliest places of Christian worship in Western Europe: its fabulous
8th-century churches. In the evening our itinerary takes us along the
coast to our home for the rest of the week: another atmospheric family
hotel in the fishing town of Luarca.
Days 6 & 7: The coast of Western Asturias is remarkably unspoilt
and there is still a feeling of authenticity about its beaches and charming
fishing ports. One of the best ways of seeing its more secluded corners
is from the narrow gauge railway which we shall take along one of its
most scenic sections.
On Day 7 our itinerary takes us away from the coast into possibly northern
Spain’s best kept secret: the Natural Park of Somiedo, home of
the European Brown Bear (although it is extremely unlikely that we shall
see one in the wild!). This is Green Spain at its most alluring: spectacular
mountain scenery and wooded valleys.
Day 8: We return to Asturias airport for our flight back to the UK
THIS TOUR WILL DEPART: 6th September 2010
NUMBER IN PARTY: 12-16
OUR HOTELS: are both small, family-run
Asturian mansions in lovely surroundings.
THE PRICE OF THIS TOUR: £1460
(single supplement £150)