Steve Austin's
Great Vacations
20470 S. Hidden Creek Lane, Colton, Oregon 97017
1-800-452-8434 Office: (503) 824-4079 Fax: (503) 824-4081
email: steveaustin@colton.com
Steve Austin's |
| .
Northern Spain Early Bird Booking: (book by Dec. 31) One of the least discovered areas of Europe is the Northern Spanish province of Asturias. Beautiful beaches and headlands are mixed with the alpine scenery of the Picos de Europa, a towering coastal mountain range that is a walker’s paradise. Very limited tourism in this area has kept the region pristine. A mix of coastal and high lake walks is breathtaking. The foothills of the Pyrenees offer easy meadow walks with views overlooking both the Atlantic and the backdrop of the High Pyrenees. Both areas are dotted with ancient villages and communities where life has changed little and local produce and crafts abound. Both sea front hotel accommodations are luxurious with excellent food. What to Expect: Old world charm mixed with modern luxuries and some of the best walking in Europe without the crowds. This area is about to be ‘found’, but right now it’s perfect! It’s a place with tremendous history and small towns and villages where people still have time to greet and talk to you. The mixture of coastal, meadow and high lakes makes for continually interesting and beautiful days. DAY 1 Depart from your US city via scheduled airline to Bilbao, Spain. DAY 2 Upon arrival in Bilbao, you are met and transferred by our passenger vans to the delightful fishing and resort town of Ribadesella in the region of Asturias. This afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the harbor town. Prior to dinner at our hotel, enjoy a casual get acquainted cocktail gathering overlooking the ocean. The next five nights are at the Grand Hotel in Ribadesella. DAY 3 A glorious coastal walk takes us over and around green headlands and along some of the greatest sandy beaches anywhere to be found. This trail is part of the northern route of the El Camino de Santiago, which was the less popular route in the early days due to great risk of pilgrims being attacked by brigands and pirates and is nowadays a peaceful, bucolic setting. Lunch, our main meal today, is at a restaurant whose specialty is local village dishes. Be prepared for great food and lots of it! DAY 4 We first visit the cathedral and holy shrine of Covadonga, the birthplace of Christian Spain. Later in the morning we continue into the Picos de Europa for a high mountain lakes walk. Walking one of the most popular trails in the Picos, our circular route offers magnificent views and startlingly crisp air. Small stone dwellings are the summer residences for local shepherds, where the local smoked cheeses are produced. Dinner is at our hotel. DAY 5 Our walk today is a classic. We drive deep into the Picos and then take a cable car 2,600 feet up to an exhilarating plateau. After a half mile of gradual ascent, it's all downhill! The views are stunning. Mountain peaks and the green rivered valley below offer photo ops at every turn. We work our way down to the valley floor on wide paths through meadows and forest before reaching the village of Espinama. This evening dinner is in a small restaurant in the town center of Ribadesella. DAY 6 Today we follow the trail through the Cares Gorge, arguably the classic walk of the Picos, The beauty of the sheer walls and the crystal green river make this a startling journey. At times, the peaks tower almost a mile straight above us. Its sheer size is stunning. Once again, this evening we dine at our hotel. DAY 7 Today we depart Asturias and head east to the Spanish/French border, and the harbor town of St. Jean-de-Luz. Our hotel for the next three nights is the luxurious Grand Hotel overlooking the harbor. We leave this afternoon at leisure in St. Luz, and take time to explore the small streets and shops. Dinner this evening is at a small bistro, where the food is simple, but outstanding. DAY 8 Today, we have a circular walk in the gentle countryside of the Atlantic Pyrenees. We are in the Baztan valley, a rich agricultural area. Our walk takes us through both woodlands and farmlands. A ‘major’ picnic of local produce highlights the afternoon, with a hillside setting overlooking the farmlands across to the Bay of Biarritz. The area is well known for its local homemade chocolate. This evening is at your own leisure in St. Luz. DAY 9 Our final walk is once again in the gentle pastures of the foothills. We gently climb up through a forested hill with wonderful views looking across to the Atlantic. The route takes in some nicely preserved villages where little has changed over the centuries. The local smoked cheeses and sausages are a specialty made in these small dwellings. This evening, we dine at our hotel with a memorable ‘haute cuisine’ meal to close our trip. DAY 10 This morning, we say farewell and return to the airport at Bilbao for your connections back to the USA. For those staying on, we can arrange drop-offs at the railway station, or car rentals in St. Luz or Bilbao. YOUR TOUR INCLUDES: First class/luxury accommodations with en suite facilities; all dinners or lunches including wine; all breakfasts; Minivan (2) transportation; gondola ride; tour guide and driver; all entries as per itinerary; all tips and taxes. Absolutely no added charges after arrival.WALKING LEVEL: Easy / Moderate. None of the walks are considered difficult and most are reasonably flat. You need to be able to walk on uneven and at times stony ground. Good walking shoes/soft boots are advisable. The average length of our walks is between 5 and 9 miles. Most of them have quit points along the way. An average fit person can easily handle these walks. Some walking prior to the trip is also suggested.
|
Home Brian Redman's Racers Symposium Monaco Historics Goodwood Revival London to Bright Veteran Car Run Italian Cooking Tour Ports of Call Dorset & Wessex Provence & the French Riviera Switzerland/Austria/Slovenia New York Theatre 20470 S. Hidden Creek, Colton OR 97017 Tel: (503) 824-4079 Fax: (503) 824-4081 Email: steveaustin@colton.com Visit our other website at www.steveaustinsautomobilia.com
|