ironporer

Thinking of making a side trip during our May visit. Anyone been there? Recommendations on where to go, what to see, lodgings etc? Looks spectacular from pictures we have seen on websites. Maybe we can find a quaint Casa Rural and visit for a few days.

Mitzyboy

It looks beautiful

Another trip for the future

rugbymatt

Life is just one endless trip for you isnt it?

Same Difference

Do you do lots of tripping........who is your supplier?

rugbymatt

Must be someone in Galicia, he is going there with a group of "friends" soon.




Interestingly if you write the word Galicia the spell check options are Felicia among other things.

Casa Santo Estevo

God we are feeling like a travel agency here!
We have some ideas for you but at the moment we don't have much time as we are a bit busy getting the house ready for this weekends guests.
We will post some ideas either latter today or over the weekend. It is a very nice place to visit. Especially if you want to get out of your car and hike. How many days are you going to be in that region for??

ironporer

Unfortunately I will only be in Spain from the 7 May-15 May (Mrs. IP and IP jr. will be there 2 weeks longer). As to the Picos area, we probably could only spend 2-3 days there realistically.

G586

We stayed in Ribadesella and went up into the Picos for a daytrip......

Nige

I was thinking of staying in the Picos area in April until I remembered that it would still be snowy on the mountains. BBBrrrrrrrrr

coralsoft

I'd suggest staying on or near the coast and doing a couple of trips in to the Picos. Off the top of my head, there are 3 main ways in to the Picos from the coast, so one of the towns near those routes in would suit: Llanes/Posada in the centre (perhaps with a trip in to the medieval village of Porrua), with Ribadesella/Cangas in the west and Unquera to the east (though not a picuresque town itself). The road just to the north of the Picos park is quite picturesque and it's easy enough to drive from one end (Cangas) to the other and includes the excellent little Cabrales towns. A trip south at the eastern end through Potes and up to Fuente De is a good idea, too.

It's a bit of a day out in itself, but I can recommend the Cider & Cheese route run by two brothers in the little village of Asiego in Cabrales. Excellent food to finish (say hi from the big English family if you do go).

See some piccies and ideas here: http://www.vidatechplus.com/Asturias/Asturias.html

If you like walking, there's a lovely one off the road from Posada up to the mountains. It's marked by wooden sculptures and takes in Ardisan, Riocaliente: http://www.llanes.com/turismo_cultural/camino_magico/

Hope that's given you some ideas.

Casa Santo Estevo

Where to start ?
I truth we do not know so much about the area, but having thought about purchasing in Asturias we have some knowledge.

The Picos is a great place to get out of your car and hike.
Cangas de Onìs is to the north it is quite small (population of about 6000) and has one or two places of interest. The most famous is the Bridge with the cross underneath. Sorry cannot recall the name at this moment. Near by are two popular spots to visit first being the Buxu Caves, which are said to be inhabited during the prehistorical times. The there is Covadonga. This is where the reconquest of Spain started. Here you will find a small cave chapel and a newer larger church. Further up into the mountains are some lakes (Largo de Covadonga) further east you will find Bulnes and a Funicular railway up to the village. This village was very remote until they built the railway as part of the year 2000 celebrations. Now it is quite over run with tourist but is still relatively untouched.
The access to the mountains is quite good from here as there is a good paved raod. There are numerous walking routes too.
To the south of the mountain range you will find less villages but it may be a bit more tourist orientated. Again good walking routes to be found but road access is limited, although there are 4 wheel drive trips. There is also a cable car to reach the higher parts the easy way. The actual higher slopes maybe closed in May to preserve the wildlife or for snow. We have not established why.
Further to the West are some larger cities like Oviedo and Gijón. But seeing you are at the moment interested in The Picos we will limit the information to this area. But of course if you change you mind then we can post what we know about those tow areas too.
You have to try the Sidra, but don’t do it and drive as it will blow your head off, it is very strong.
To be honest you can see numerous Casa rurals on the various tourist website covering The Picos, Asturias and Cantabria. However we feel you should look at Toprural as the guests can comment about the houses they stay in. But like any review site on the internet you have to read some reviews with eyes open.
www.toprural.com

Lochy

Don't go, it's 'orrible. The people all talk foreign, the cider is rubbish, it rains all the time, it's not nice and dry and brown like the south and there aint no beaches. And there's bears that kill all foreign tourists. And they still believe in fairies.

jdr

I take it you live there then ? ;-))

Lochy

No way, I'd risk the bears...but the cider's crap!

Casa Santo Estevo

Agree with you there that is why we like Sidra