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Northern Spain: Vigo to Bilbao by car in nine days. Ideas?

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Northern Spain: Vigo to Bilbao by car in nine days. Ideas?

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Old Apr 1st, 2013, 08:22 PM
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Northern Spain: Vigo to Bilbao by car in nine days. Ideas?

Hi there,
I'm looking for suggestions of a couple of small scenic villages to spend four or five nights in each between Vigo and Bilbao. In Galicia I'm thinking about basing myself in Corcubion, Camarinas, Muros or Sanxenxo with the idea of doing day trips to Santiago, Rias Baixas and the Costa de Morte.
Travelling east into Asturias, I'm considering another four or five nights in Luarca, Cudillero or Llanes and/or even heading inland to do some exploring in the Picos de Europe. After that, I'll drop the car off in Bilbao to spend a couple of nights there and another couple in San Sebastian.
I know this sounds ambitious. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you!
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Old Apr 1st, 2013, 08:46 PM
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We really liked Liarca, Ribidesilla, Comillas. Skip Santillana del Mar.
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Old Apr 1st, 2013, 08:47 PM
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Also near Vigo, really liked Baiona and will return tnere.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2013, 12:38 AM
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Are you only wanting to visit coastal area?
Vigo is a big industrial city with a small historical centre. I do not find it so interesting. If you want coastal Galicia then base yourself north of Vigo.
You do not say when you are doing this trip but maybe include Las Islas Cies http://www.riasbaixas.depo.es/web200...ioma=1&int1=37
In 2008 this was voted the best beach in the world.
This year the second best beach in Europe is this one, As Catedrais http://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praia_de_Augas_Santas
Inland you have many wine regions historical city of Lugo and Celtic and Roman remains.
When planning I know that one night stands do not work. So please don't include them on your trip.
You think you ambitious. But I can drive from inland Galicia to Bilbao in around 6 hours, with stops. So 9 days with allowing time to stop and enjoy some of what northern Spain has to offer is ok.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2013, 01:17 PM
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Thanks, Happy Trvlr and Ribeirasacra.
I am picking up the car in Vigo May 31 and dropping it off in Bilbao June 9. This is part of a six-week trip from Lisbon to Toulouse.
I'm drawn to the coastal areas for the seafood and hikes and would prefer to stay clear of any largely developed towns or cities.
As for wine regions, if there's a favourite picturesque village you could recommend, I'd love to hear about it.
One-night stands aren't my thing either. At the very least, I may do three nights in a few different locales.
I was hoping to spend two or three nights in the Picos, if time allows. I've seen a number of Roman ruins and enjoy them, but they're not necessarily my top priority this trip.
Thanks again.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2013, 05:02 PM
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Luarca and Llanes are winners. IMO, the coast route on the freeway is boring. Either get to the coast road or go inland through the mountains.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2013, 08:13 PM
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Happytrvlr, why do you suggest to skip Santillana de Mar, please? Looks pretty cute to me and I was thinking of spending a couple of nights there later this year.

Thanks.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2013, 08:20 PM
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If you want to walk, I'd say Llanes -- the walk from Pendueles to Llanes is drop dead gorgeous. The walks near Luarca are not as pretty, but Luarca itself is a very picturesque town. I was there once when the fish market was in operation and it was amazing, quite an experience.

And about Santillana, it is an overloaded tourist town. The cloister in the church is one of the jewels of the Romanesque, and the town itself is filled with beautiful old stone houses, but the crush of tourists is oppressive. And the beautiful cobblestone streets are now loaded with tourist shops. It is not cute, that's for sure.
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Old Apr 3rd, 2013, 01:18 AM
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<i>As for wine regions, if there's a favourite picturesque village you could recommend, I'd love to hear about it.</i>
After the Rias Baxias region in Galicia and following the coastal route the next wine region you will come across is around Bilbao.
Links about the two of the most famous wine regions in Galicia.
http://www.latimes.com/features/food...,1248707.story
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/15...tml?fta=y&_r=0
The Basque country: http://www.bizkaikotxakolina.org/
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Old Apr 9th, 2013, 07:32 PM
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A belated thanks to everyone for your responses. Thanks, too, to Ribeirasacra for the great story links. I'm just four weeks from setting off, and this kind of info is invaluable.
Cheers!
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Old Apr 10th, 2013, 12:12 AM
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Where ever you go enjoy yourself. Green Spain is refreshingly different to the stereo typical beach or Flamenco one so often reads about Spain.
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