advice for picos de europa road trip
 

Hello, we would appreciate some advice as this is a new area of Spain for us. We have a limited time for this trip due to child care responsibilities in the uk ( grandaughter ) The itinerary we have planned seems a bit packed to me, although I don't mind the driving, thoughts anyone? We love the food so any great restaurant recommendations as well as must sees not included below would be fantastic.

Sunday June 7th; Fly into Aviles 4pm, collect car and stay in Oviedo
Monday June 8th; Explore Oviedo, stay in Oviedo
Tuesday June 9th; Lunch in Ribadesella, on to Bufones de Arenillas weather / tide permitting, back to stay in Llanes
Wednesday June 10th; Cuevas de Altamira, lunch in Santillana del Mar, on to stay in Potes
Thursday June 11th; Mirador del Oso , Ruta del Cares, stay in Potes
Friday June 12th; Fuente De, stay in Potes
Saturday June 13th; On to Riano, picnic lunch, on to Leon stay in Leon
Sunday June 14th; On to Astorga, lunch in Ponferrada, on to Lugo, stay in Lugo.
Monday June 15th; On to Playa Catedrales, tide dependant, lunch in Cudillero, return to airport late flight home.

We live near the sea and will have a beach holiday in September, but love the food and drink, culture, and nature / landscapes. However is this just too much?
Many thanks in anticipation

Why the Altamira museum and the cave replica and not any of the real caves in the area?

Well whilst we realise the museum reproduces the cave paintings we were not aware that there are any caves currently open with originals to view. Are you able to expand on your post?
Kind regards

mikelg poses a good question!

I’ve only been to about half of the places you plan to visit, but I think it is quite ambitious. Only a few hours in Leon? No time for the Lakes of Covadonga?

FWIW, the Michelin Green Guide to the area is excellent. And you might find some useful information in my old trip report, post #7, staring with “Day 4.” https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...lunya-1047395/

Thanks for your reply kja. Wow you packed alot into your visit that's a really interesting and informative trip report, thank you. We would love to see Covodonga but definitely intend to do two hikes, the Ruta del Cares and the walk down from Fuente De. I have read that it is 2hrs drive to Covodonga from Potes so have ruled it out, you can't do it all!
We are staying overnight in Leon, would you recommend an extra night here at the expense of say Oviedo? Finally how did you arrange access to the cave you visited?
Kind regards

Yes, I packed a LOT into that trip! That's my preference. Most people prefer a much more relaxed pace. :)

I enjoyed Leon immensely, and if you have any interest in it's highlights, then yes, add at least a night! But I'm not sure I would take that night from Oviedo, which easily merits a very full day. Ultimately, I can't tell you where / how to re-adjust your plans. Only you can do that, based on your interests.

I arranged all my cave visits via their web-sites.

There are many, many caves that offer real prehistorical cave paintings in Cantabria. The visit must be booked in advance and all are in Spanish, except if you request a private English tour and then you have to pay for the full cost of the maximum 7 persons per visit (105EUR per cave, not per person). More info here, https://cuevas.culturadecantabria.com/en/

You have a great cave in Ribadesella, Tito Bustillo. But always with a booked visit.

Altamira, the real cave, is closed for visits by the general public.

If you happen to be in Villamanin around noon on your way between Ovideo and Leon, stop in the general store and get a platter of cold cuts and cheese to be consumed in the adjacent dining room.

https://flic.kr/p/27uxwn1

https://flic.kr/p/27uxrC1