North Coast

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 : ARRIVAL SANTANDER

Stop At: Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, Carretera del aeropuerto, s/n, 39600 Maliaño, Cantabria, Spain
Collect your car upon arrival at the airport by heading to the hall and meeting an OK Rent a Car representative. Then climb into what will be your mode of transportation for this holiday and drive to your first hotel accommodation in Santander, the beautiful capital of Cantabria. Santander is, without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain. Both the sea and the mountains are continually present in this city, captivating you with its aristocratic atmosphere, 19th-century buildings, charming outdoor terraces and spectacular bay – considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world! There are several beaches and harbours on the northern side of the city and a charming old quarter. In the 19th century, the city used to be a renowned tourist resort for Spanish politicians, aristocrats and other members of the upper class. The city still contains wonderful palaces and promenades, bay-type architecture with white buildings, old cafés and a famous casino.
Overnight in Santander
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*

Day 2: Day 2 : SANTANDER - GIJON (185 Km - 3 hrs)

Stop At: abba Playa Gijón Hotel, Paseo Dr. Fleming, 37, 33203 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Drive to Gijon after breakfast at the hotel. We recommend you make a stop en route at some of the several beautiful coast towns that line the way. Start with Santillana del Mar, an exquisitely charming cobblestoned town. Continue then to Comillas, officially designated a historical-artistic site. Its alleys and squares are filled with ancestral houses and some modernist buildings, such as the stunning ‘El Capricho’, designed by Antoni Gaudi. Afterwards, visit San Vicente de la Barquera, an old fishermen´s refuge. It offers some stunning views, its backdrop being the mountains of the Picos de Europa. The village of Llanes is our next recommendation. In former times, it was considered one of the most important fishing port of the area. Don´t miss a stroll along the San Pedro walk, which runs for more than 800 metres along the cliff tops with spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea and coast. Continue then to Gijon, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight in Gijon
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = ABBA Playa Gijón or similar 4*

Day 3: Day 3 : GIJON – AVILES – CUDILLERO – GIJON (110km – 1.5h)

Stop At: abba Playa Gijón Hotel, Paseo Dr. Fleming, 37, 33203 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before heading out to explore Gijon. The city offers an ideal combination of maritime tradition and monumental heritage right on the seashore. The historical quarter is formed by the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing neighbourhood of Cimadevilla, which still preserves the characteristic buildings, layout and atmosphere of its seafaring past. Drive towards Aviles, the third major city in Asturias and a commercial town of mediaeval origin and maritime tradition. The old quarter is dotted with mansions, gardens, fountains and churches. Its natural estuary passes right through the heart of the city and has a pathway with views of the marina and its related activities. Continue to the small, picturesque village of Cudillero located in a natural shelter. The fishermen´s taverns, its main attraction, are in a narrow cobbled square next to the sea. After that drive back to Gijon to spend the night.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = ABBA Playa Gijón or similar 4*

Day 4: Day 4 : GIJON – OVIEDO – CANGAS DE ONIS (105km - 1.5h)

Stop At: Parador de Cangas de Onis, Villanueva de Cangas, s/n, 33550 Villanueva, Asturias, Spain
Bid farewell to Gijon after breakfast at the hotel and drive towards Oviedo, the Asturian capital. Explore the old town, where you will discover the city’s important monumental heritage, which includes its cathedral, churches and monasteries, as well as a great many museums. Continue later on in the day to Cangas de Onis, the heavenly gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park. Check in to your hotel upon arrival and spend the night here.
Overnight in Cangas de Onis.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Cangas de Onís or similar 4*

Day 5: Day 5 : CANGAS DE ONIS

Stop At: Parador de Cangas de Onis, Villanueva de Cangas, s/n, 33550 Villanueva, Asturias, Spain
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a day of discovery. Head out to explore the village of Cangas de Onis and the beautiful surrounding area. We recommend you pay a visit to the Royal Site of Covadonga, an absolute must-see while in the area. A mere 10-kilometre drive away from Cangas de Onis, it is the site where the Catholic Re-conquest of Spain began under king Pelayo, to expel the Caliphate from the Iberian peninsula. Its astounding basilica, alongside its well-known cave, are both considered important places of pilgrimage for people of Asturias.
Overnight in Cangas de Onis.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Cangas de Onís or similar 4*

Day 6: Day 6 : CANGAS DE ONIS – POTES – SANTANDER (200km – 3.5h)

Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, Calle Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then depart towards an area known as Liebana. There you can make a stop at the small mediaeval town of Potes, which is ringed by a breath-taking range of mountains. Delve into its little winding alleys and discover its old quarter before heading on to the nearby monastery of Saint Toribio of Liebana, mainly built following the Gothic style but with notable Cistercian influences. Continue then all the way back to Santander, where your adventure originally started. Check in to the hotel upon arrival and spend the night.

Overnight in Santander
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*

Day 7: Day 7 : SANTANDER

Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, Calle Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then prepare to spend an entire free day at your leisure. Spend the day as you best see fit, be that heading back out to the already familiar streets of Santander to further explore this fascinating city, or simply relax at the hotel making the most of the services available. The choice is yours; today, you set the pace.
Overnight in Santander
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Abba Santander or similar 3*

Day 8: Day 8 : DEPARTURE SANTANDER

Stop At: Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, Carretera del aeropuerto, s/n, 39600 Maliaño, Cantabria, Spain
Bid farewell to Santander after breakfast at the hotel and drive towards Santander Airport to drop off the car. You will have been told the return procedure and exact designated area by the car rental company the moment you picked the car up on the first day. The rent-a-car shuttle service will then transfer you to the terminal for you to catch your departure flight back home.
Breakfast included.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.