Hola All,
My wife and I are planning a three week bicycling trip this fall in Northern Spain. We were planning on cycling the El Camino de Santiago. However, further research has opened our eyes to the Basque country, Picos de Europa, Asturia, Cantabria, and many other interesting destinations.

Perhaps you can help us decide on an itinerary. We are most interested in exploring the scenery and the small towns of the area. What do you consider “not to be missed” sights and experiences of Northern Spain? Any suggestions for scenic roads – hopefully with little traffic? Reality requires that we travel on a somewhat tight budget. We welcome any suggestions for budget hotels and restaurants.

We live in New England and are wondering what is the best way to get to northern Spain. Flying to Madrid and taking a train north seems like it would be time consuming. Has anyone flown into northern Spain using one of the European discount airlines?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Jeff

You can obtain information on northern Spain from the Tourist Office of Spain. Your closest one is the office in New York City.

You can fly into Bilbao from several locations in Europe, including the UK.

All of the country in the north, from the Basque Country to Galicia, can be considered "not to be missed", if you have the time.

You can check out a couple of different web sites of companies that work in the north, Totally Spain and Basque Country Travels. Our you can check some of the official web sites for help in planning you trip.

http://www.okspain.org/
http://www.spain.info/Tourspain/?language=en
http://www.spanish-living.com/
http://www.asturnor.com/picoseuropa/
http://www.cantabriajoven.com/

I hope some of this helps.

Jeff,

The Basque Country is the most wonderful part of Spain. I highly recommend it. I went in 2000 and fell in love. The scenery and food alone are worth the trip. I stayed in Hondarribia, which is right on the water and very close to the French border. While the "new" part of town is modern and not attractive, the old part is great. It's a quaint Basque town. The Parador (historic hotels run by the Spanish government) may not be in your price range, but at least look into it. It was one of the most unique places I've stayed. I flew from Madrid into Bilbao on Spanair. I think it was around $150. It is a very easy and quick flight (less than one hour). A lot of the European low fare carriers you hear about don't fly within Spain, so you'll probably have to rely on Spanair, Iberia or Air Europa. One advantage of the train is scenery. We drove back from the Basque Country to Madrid and it was one of the prettiest drives I've taken.

I can't help you with scenic roads unfortunately. Although I wrote down much of what we ate, which was delicious, I don't remember the names of the restaurants. Just ask the locals and they will point you in the right direction. The food is great. Have a wonderful trip.

Adios,

Greg

Jeff--

How do you handle bikes? Do you rent? If so, from where? Do you bring your own? If so, how does it work out with transporting them (across the Atlantic) and once you are there? I'm interested to hear your answers since we are intrigued after doing a bike trip in France last year. Thanks.

jeffjoyce:

I was in Northern Spain and the Basque region last July and consider it one of my best trips. Highlights were:
- Driving Picos de Europa
- Santillana del Mar
- San Sabastian
- Ainhoa region in the French Basque region

I stayed at the Paradors in Fuente De (to tour the Picos) and Santilla Gil Blas in Spain and Hotel Ithurria in Ainhoa (French Basque region: http://www.ithurria.com/

I have a half-completed trip report (click on my id and you will find it). Before you go, read "The Basque History of the World", a wonderful book!

Regards Ger

Hola,
Can you tell I already attended two Spanish clases? Ha!

Thanks for all the resources and for sharing your contagious enthusiasm for the region. We will follow-up on the resources mentioned.

Julies, we use folding bikes. They are called Bike Fridays and are made in Oregon. They work great and fold small enough to fit into a standard size hardshell suitcase. They are high quality with good components. We have ridden them fully loaded,front and rear panniers, on three week trips in southern Spain, across central France, and last year, through Tuscany, Umbria, and into the Marche. We have navigated some really challenging terrain on them. If you closed your eyes (not recommended) you would never know you are on a 20" wheeled folding bike.

When on the road we carry a bike bag (weight about 1.5 lbs)in case we need to take a train or bus. We just fold the bikes, stuff them in the bag and get on the train. No hassles.

We rode in the Dordogne a few years back with our full size touring bikes. What a hassle at the airports, train stations, etc. These bikes make it much easier to travel overseas or away from home. You still have to peddle though.

The model we ride is the New World Tourist. Check out their website http://www.bikefriday.com/

Thanks again to all of you for your help.

Jeff

RyanAir now has flights from London (Stanstead) to Santander (Capital of Cantabria) and Santiago (Capital of Galicia). The latter may not interest you because your pilgrimage would begin very close to Santiago if you took it.

You may earn la Compostela by cycling from Santander to Santiago. I'm not sure about the mileage.

In either case you would miss the Basque Country. But I think Cantabria & Asturias are at least equally scenic as Basque country. Even so, you might want to daytrip to Bilbao.

Hola Jeffjoyce...You can fly into Santander on Ryanair, bike to Santillana del Mar, Comillas etc. The Costa Verde is beautiful. If you fly into Madrid, as I did, you can take Spanair(very reasonable) to Bilbao. However, the biking may be more mountainous from Bilbao. I went to Axpe, which is around 28 miles east of Bilbao (breathtaking with the mountain backdrop!), and then on to San Sebastian, Hondarribia, and Southern France. In May I spent 3 weeks exploring Central and Northern Spain but I wasn't biking. If you appreciate New England, I know you will love the quaintness and beauty of Northern Spain. I would love to hear about your trip upon your return! [email protected]

Jeffjoyce, DH and me were in a similiar situation this year. I wanted to walk the camino and DH wanted to see Northern Spain. We decided to split it up and BOY, was that ever the best decision!!!! We went to different cities / towns / villages for ten days and then walked to Santiago from a village called Ambasmestas for eight days.

I am in love with the basque region. The Picos de Europa were AWESOME!!!! I have posted a (quite long) trip report that you can find if you click on my name or do a search for 'Camino'.

Happy planning, the good thing is that with this area you cannot go wrong!

Just a warning about Ryanair with bikes...my daughter flew with them last Spring and the overweight charges for her luggage (she was in school in Italy for 6 mo. so couldn't travel light) were really HIGH!! So, you might want to keep this in mind with bikes.

Jeff, I, too, have a Bike Friday. I see you are using panniers. Where do you leave the suitcase while on your ride? Also, look into the Vias Verdes. These are "rails-to-trails" being created and already there are 62 to ride on.

How to get to northern Spain: I took a Continental-Auto Motorcoach Madrid-Santander several times. They depart the Avda. de America Intercambiador and take 5.5 to 6-hours (depending on whether they stop in Burgos). Some Supra class Buses continue nonstop to Torrelavega.

The Avda. de America Intercambiador is not far from Barajas. You can get there by MetroMadrid, changing at Mar de Cristal for Linea #4, or I'm sure there are buses.

In Liebana (Picos de Europa) I stayed at Hostal Picos de Europa. Cost was 'reasonable.' This is a Jubilee Year for Santo Toribio, the Monastery just outside Potes where the largest known fragment of the Cross on which Christ was crucified (Vera Cruz) is guarded. Toribio was Bishop of Astorga. His Feast Day is usually celebrated on 16 April, but that's Easter Sunday this year.

If you backtrack from Santander you'll find Limpias, about halfway to Bilbao and several miles south of Laredo. Besides the Cristo de Limpias Crucifix, this is on the Camino Francés.

To earn the la Compostela you'll have to cycle (at least) from O'Cebriero.

We had a great trip to Northern Spain using www.maribelsguides.com for great suggestions.