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-   -   North coast (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/north-coast-386427/)

Galli Jul 23rd 2006 1:25 pm

North coast
 
Hi we're driving from Bayonne along the coast to Portugal,it's going to be a six week trip in our camper van,so it will be nice and slow.Does anyone know of any good spots along the way,I like to beachcast fish and my wife likes a quiet beach,the dog doesn't care as long as she has a ball.

Casa Santo Estevo Jul 25th 2006 2:58 pm

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by Galli
Hi we're driving from Bayonne along the coast to Portugal,it's going to be a six week trip in our camper van,so it will be nice and slow.Does anyone know of any good spots along the way,I like to beachcast fish and my wife likes a quiet beach,the dog doesn't care as long as she has a ball.

Hi there, travelling from the Basque country to Portugal is a long trip!
We live in Galicia so we can help is some sort of way with your request.
We live in land (Galicia) so we don’t know too much about the coast.
There are loads to see. The best bet is for you to make up your own mind what you really want to see.
So I will point you in a few directions via the web. They are in no particular order.
Spain for Visitors
Tur Galicia The offical guide to Galicia
Local TV Station with loads of links.
Picture Site
Galician info site
A Guide to some beaches.
Holiday Guide site


Maybe searching through some answers on the following forum will help too.
Spanish Forum site


Have a great trip

ironporer Jul 25th 2006 8:39 pm

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by Galli
Hi we're driving from Bayonne along the coast to Portugal,it's going to be a six week trip in our camper van,so it will be nice and slow.Does anyone know of any good spots along the way,I like to beachcast fish and my wife likes a quiet beach,the dog doesn't care as long as she has a ball.

I would definately suggest a few days sojourn in the San Sebastian area- for one- SS is a wonderful town, full of great places to go, to see, to eat... best tapas in Spain too. There is a great town about 15 km away called Zarautz where you might visit, a lot of surfing there, so maybe the fishing wouldn't be the best. Orio was a nice place too (10 km away or so). I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks exploring all the little seaside villages around SS- they really are charming- and not totally full of Brits either.

Galli Jul 26th 2006 6:53 am

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by ironporer
I would definately suggest a few days sojourn in the San Sebastian area- for one- SS is a wonderful town, full of great places to go, to see, to eat... best tapas in Spain too. There is a great town about 15 km away called Zarautz where you might visit, a lot of surfing there, so maybe the fishing wouldn't be the best. Orio was a nice place too (10 km away or so). I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks exploring all the little seaside villages around SS- they really are charming- and not totally full of Brits either.

Hi thanks for the advice,san sebastian area is I agree a super area,although the Mountain roads can be a bit scarey for our slow relaxed driving (tailgating truck drivers).The Ocean in that area is perfect,alive,powerful and invigorating.I personally could live in the north of Spain,but the winters are wet and cold,or so we've been told:but after living in Germany and the minus 10 every day we feel that cadiz area would suit our bones better.

ironporer Jul 26th 2006 1:09 pm

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by Galli
Hi thanks for the advice,san sebastian area is I agree a super area,although the Mountain roads can be a bit scarey for our slow relaxed driving (tailgating truck drivers).The Ocean in that area is perfect,alive,powerful and invigorating.I personally could live in the north of Spain,but the winters are wet and cold,or so we've been told:but after living in Germany and the minus 10 every day we feel that cadiz area would suit our bones better.

From my limited experience (3 vacations x 2 weeks there in November each time) yes it is damp- but never terribly cold...always above freezing anyway. At the 'Pension Rural' we stay at in Orio, I was surprised to see the owners still keep a garden (lettuce and many root crops) during late November.
I also love the sea there- it is alive and powerful as you say...we love to take long walks along the seawall in SS- towards the 'Peine de los Vientos' statues, with the breakers crashing alongside of us.
SS also has the absolute best fresh seafood market I have ever seen in my life.Good Luck!!

coralsoft Aug 2nd 2006 9:01 pm

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by Galli
Hi we're driving from Bayonne along the coast to Portugal,it's going to be a six week trip in our camper van,so it will be nice and slow.Does anyone know of any good spots along the way,I like to beachcast fish and my wife likes a quiet beach,the dog doesn't care as long as she has a ball.

Loads of quiet beaches in Asturias.
http://www.mma.es/portal/secciones/a...ayas/index.htm

Llanes is worth passing through. Cutting inland to go through the Picos de Europa is a good idea too, driving along the roads that follow the rivers. If you can get to Porrua near Llanes for the 3rd weekend in August, they have a fantastic Medieval fair. I think the village fair is 2 weeks before that. Stacks of great cider and music. Say hello from the big English family - I don't think we're going to make it this year. :(
http://www.vidatechplus.com/Asturias/Asturias.html

Carol&John Aug 3rd 2006 8:37 am

Re: North coast
 
Hi to All,
It's been many years since we toured this area, but hopefully some of the good things haven't changed. Yes, I've heard that Zarauz (west of San Sebastian (or Donostia, many of the signs will be in Basque) is a lovely spot, a resort for the well to do at the turn of the century.
Heading inland a bit from Zarauz is a beautiful monastery, set amidst lush greenery, called Santuario de San Ignacio de Loyola, near Azpeitia. Worth the detour off the coastal road.
Back on the coast, and west of Bilbao (Bilbo), is a town with shopping, good restaurants, a castle (I think) etc. called Castro Urdiales. This was not far from our campsite at Noja (east of Santander, on the Cabo de Ajo). Noja has several great beaches. I think the campsite was at Playa Joyel. It was a good base for exploring this area.
West of Santander, there's Santillana del Mar with it's parador and quaint village. We saw a wedding party come out of the old church, that's all I can remember! The Cuevas de Altamira are nearby, if you like that sort of thing. Yet again another impressive monastery at Comillas (I seem to find them!)with a beautiful village. Further along is San Vicente de la Barquera, with nice restaurants on the seafront, and (I think) another castle. We travelled in June/July, and it rained several times. The Picos de Europa were covered in a shroud of mist/cloud - we never saw them! Mountain roads were pretty hairy, too, but I wasn't the driver! :o
Regards,
Carol

Casa Santo Estevo Aug 3rd 2006 12:47 pm

Re: North coast
 

Originally Posted by coralsoft
Loads of quiet beaches in Asturias.
http://www.mma.es/portal/secciones/a...ayas/index.htm

Llanes is worth passing through. Cutting inland to go through the Picos de Europa is a good idea too, driving along the roads that follow the rivers. If you can get to Porrua near Llanes for the 3rd weekend in August, they have a fantastic Medieval fair. I think the village fair is 2 weeks before that. Stacks of great cider and music. Say hello from the big English family - I don't think we're going to make it this year. :(
http://www.vidatechplus.com/Asturias/Asturias.html


Coralsoft.
We loved the link you gave to the Asturias web site. The music is very similar to traditional Galician music. We often play music from band de gaita, in the back ground, when we have diners.
We love Asturias too but we found it a bit more commercialised than here in Galicia.


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