Easy Cycling along Northern Spain’s beautiful coastline.
Discover the magic of the Costa Verde. This is ‘real’ Spain, steeped in history, unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful, where the snow-capped peaks of the Picos de Europa give way to verdant foothills and lush farmland before reaching some of the most magnificent beaches in Europe. Our journey combines travel by train and minibus, offering a unique exploration of the coast and countryside of this undiscovered region. Enjoy the village of Santillana del Mar, little changed since mediaeval times; elegant San Vicente de la Barquera with its wonderful seafood restaurants and Santander, capital of Cantabria.

Cost:                            675 UK       $1410 Cdn   based on double.  
Single supplement:     112 UK       $ 234 Cdn

Included:  Seven nights accommodation, breakfast daily, bicycle rental, luggage transfer, transfer from Bilbao to Santanilla del Mer, services of local host.
      
Daily Mileage:    24 – 27 miles (38 – 43km)
Terrain: The route is undulating. The first cycle ride has several short uphill stretches. A hill out of Unquera on Day 4 requires some effort, but after this the only other real climb is up to the cape. The final day is virtually all downhill. Use is made of quiet lanes or cycle tracks where possible. 
Grading: Easy to Moderate
 

Duration: Seven nights

Accommodation: We have chosen smaller, family-run hotels, often a little off the beaten track. Stay close to the centre of Santillana in a traditional local style hotel and enjoy the views across the harbour from our next hotel perched high on a rocky promontory just outside San Vicente. Near Porrua we’ve chosen accommodation with pleasant mountain views. We have selected a small, traditional hotel near Somo, close to fine beaches and with easy access across the bay to Santander.

Included:  Seven nights accommodation, breakfast daily, luggage transfer, route maps and notes, local host for assistance transfer from Bilbao to Santanilla del Mar..

2008 dates:  Every Saturday from May - Sept

Itinerary:  Start Point:  Bilbao       End of Tour: Santander
 

Day One  Transfer from Bibao to Santillana del Mar. Meet your host who will organize your bicycle and ensure it is fully adjusted for your comfort. Spend some time exploring Santillana, beautifully preserved with mediaeval streets, tiny cobbled squares and 17th century houses decorated with aristocratic coats of arms and balconies bright with geraniums…don’t miss the remarkable Collegiate Church, an extraordinary example of Romanesque art.

Day Two  Head west along the coast with sea-breezes in your hair and fabulous views of the Atlantic Ocean long day but a lovely route through the citrus groves of Novales to Comillas, a resort much favoured by King Alfonso at the turn of the century…his palace houses a museum, and El Capricho, the unique beach house designed by the architect Gaudi is now a restaurant. Comillas is perfect for lunch, especially if you head down to the quayside for fresh seafood. Continue along the coast, past the superb sweep of beach at Oyambre to San Vicente, where you’ll spend the next two nights.      24 miles (38 kms)

Day Three    Reached via a long causeway spanning the estuary, San Vicente is a bustling resort rising steeply from an attractive harbour, past streets of 16th and 17th century mansions to the castle ruins and fortified Gothic church that dominate the town…with a distant backdrop of snow-capped peaks beyond rising hills of farmland and pine forests. Explore San Vicente at your leisure, relax on the local beaches or head off to explore the unspoiled hills, valleys and remote villages of Los Picos de Europa. A train journey will take you further afield for some splendid rides back to San Vicente or take the bus to Potes for an exhilarating descent along the River Deva by canoe.
 

Day Four  Leave Cantabria by train with views of the Picos de Europa to the left and the coastline to your right, arriving at Unquera where you remount your bicycle. After a steep climb, cross the River Deva and pass through Colombres, a town of magnificent colonial-style houses. Skirting the mountains, the road heads back to the coast and the fishing village of Llanes and then inland to Porrua, a charming village set between the mountains of the Sierra del Cuera and the sea. Renowned both for its delicious cheeses and its bagpipes, Porrua owes much of its tradition to remote Celtic ancestors!       27 miles (43 kms)
 

Day Five   Asturias has some truly breathtaking scenery with deep mountain valleys, clear rivers and leafy chestnut woods. The coastline between Llanes and Ribadesella is superb, with beautiful unspoiled beaches many of which are barely accessible by car but can be reached by bicycle. Another popular excursion is a three hour guided walk through the scenic Carres gorge. Stroll along the promenade above Llanes for memorable views of the fishing port, Renaissance houses, mansions and Baroque palaces that make up the town. Ribadesella is worth a visit, especially for the famous caves of Tito Bustillo, decorated with paintings dating back some 20,000 years.
 

Day Six   Through the Santander mountains to Somo .  Our host will transport you high into the mountains to the Cantabrian village of San Roque de Riomiera, to freewheel through stunning scenery along the valley of the River Miera. The spa resort of Liérganes is ideal for lunch…admire the Baroque palaces and check out the legend of the ‘fish-man’ (apparently a former Liérganes carpenter, lost for years and re-discovered with scaly skin and web feet). From here, our route follows quiet country lanes to the coast at Somo, just across the bay from the region’s capital, Santander.   24.5 miles ( 39 kms)
 

Day Seven     Catch the ferry to Santander from the nearby village of Pedreña…birthplace of Severiano Ballesteros, the harbour-front restaurants have delightful views. An important harbour in the Middle Ages, Santander is a curious mix of old and new…including a modern commercial centre, museums and galleries, a lively port lined with restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Ideal for shopping, it is also close to some excellent beaches, perfect for a few hours relaxing and enjoying the Spanish sunshine.
 

Day Eight  Tour ends in Santander. From here there are buses or train back to Bilbao.