Bears, birds and butterflies in Northern Spain

You’ll arrive in the Basque Country by train (via San Sebastian), plane (via Bilbao) or by car. Then, you’ll drive up to Zumaia and check in at a small-scale hotel. Breakfast is included!

Boating in the Geopark

In the morning, you explore the Geopark from the water during a boat excursion, which gives you a totally different point of view. Together with a small group of people, you enter a small boat and explore the impressive coastline from the water. Your expert guide, from a local eco-tourism company, explains everything about the geology and flora and fauna in the area.

Visiting on Foot

Between San Sebastian and Bilbao lies the Basque Coast Geopark, an area known for its unique geology and landscape, which is why it was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.
The vertically ‘striped’ rock formations are impressive and are still studied by geologists from all over the world.
We recommend a 15 km hike along the coast, from Zumaia to Deva, which takes around 4 hours.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a nice Posada (literally: inn) near the Cantabrian coast for the next few days. It is a small-scale accommodation with a total of 7 rooms spread over 2 floors. A nice, local breakfast is served, and it includes an indoor swimming pool and free parking. It is also located near a number of nature reserves on the coast and beautiful beaches, which makes it an ideal location for a variety of day trips!

Visit the Geopark Costa Quebrada

The coast around Santander is in the running to be declared a UNESCO Geopark, and there is a good reason for that. You can take a beautiful coastal walk here, where the various rock formations and cliffs reflect the formation of the earth millions of years ago. It is an incredibly impressive sight to see.

Additionally, if you fancy a dip in the water, you’re free to stop at the many beaches along the way!

Every day, a small boat leaves from the port of Santander to make a beautiful excursion in search of marine birds. Depending on the weather and the waves, you will visit different parts of the bay and the open sea.

A local Spanish guide, who also speaks some English, will give lots of insight into these birds. He’s involved in a project to reintroduce the osprey in the area, which has produced one breeding pair already! By taking part in this excursion, you’re contributing directly to this project; the emissions of the boat and your car ride to the port are fully compensated.

You will be staying in a fully furnished 2-floor apartment near Llonin on the edge of the Picos de Europa. The house has been owned by the same family for several generations and is divided into two separate apartments with their own entrance. From here, you’ll have a direct view of stunning mountainous surroundings, and be able to fully immerse yourself in nature with all the comfort of an apartment.

There is parking next to the apartment. Breakfast is not included, but you can make use of the fully equipped kitchen to make it. For lunch and dinner, take the opportunity to visit to one of the small villages in the area; your host (also a professional bird guide) Javier would be delighted to give you all kinds of recommendations!

Today, you’ll have the chance to spot many different birds that live in the Picos de Europa. Your English-speaking guide will take you into the mountains for a private excursion in search of bearded vultures, griffon vultures, imperial eagles, and short-toed eagles. The guides are specialized in birdwatching excursions in Asturias, and can tell you a lot about the flora and fauna in Picos and its surroundings, as well as give you plenty of great tips for the coming days!

It can be chilly in the mountains, so it’s recommended that you wear comfortable, layered clothing and mountain/hiking shoes. Don’t forget to bring something to eat and drink for the journey!

Travel to A Pontenova
Today, you’ll travel from Cantabria to Galicia and check-in at a lovely hotel in Lugo. It’s a rustic boutique hotel on a converted farm, featuring a restaurant and a courtyard terrace.

Explore the beach Playa de las Catedrales

The Playa de las Catedrales is now the second most visited place in this province (after Santiago de Compostela). It consists of rock vaults formed by wind and erosion that you can walk under at low tide, but which are inaccessible at high tide. It is important to reserve tickets for this in advance, because of the tides and sometimes it can be very busy.

There is a kind of boardwalk along the coast that starts at the Playa de las Catedrales where you can walk. It is worth following this, because then you quickly leave the hustle and bustle of the beach behind you and walk towards other beaches in the area that are also worth a visit. If the weather is not very nice, it is actually even more impressive: the splashing waves through the rock grooves and the sound of the wind and waves crashing against the coast ensure that you literally and figuratively get a breath of fresh air at this place!

Fill this day as you please: rest, hike, or simply take in the beautiful surroundings.

Today, you’ll travel to another part of Galicia called Pontevedra. Here, you’ll stay in an apartment with a terrace with spectacular views of the Cies Islands.

Explore this region in whatever way you like! Your apartment is 5 minutes away from the beach and close to plenty of running trails. Alternatively, take a dip in the community pool and enjoy your free day!

Accommodation

Today, you’ll travel to Santiago de Castillón. You will be staying in a beautifully restored 18th century country house. The traditional Galician architecture with colonnades has been preserved, and there’s also a huge garden around the complex. And if you’re really looking to immerse yourself in the Galician experience, there’s also a restaurant at the country house that serves traditional Galician food! Breakfast and parking are included.

Exploring the Ribeira Sacra with a local ecotourism guide

Together with a local, English-speaking guide, you will set off today in your own car to explore the Ribeira Sacra. Your guide knows a great deal about the geology, flora and fauna and customs and culture of this area. The guide works for a small-scale eco-tourism company that is committed to showing visitors the Ribeira Sacra in a
different, more sustainable way.

You will visit a number of centuries-old churches (to which only this company has the keys for), plenty of spectacular viewpoints and a village in the middle of the vineyards.

Today, you will discover the Ribeira Sacra from the water on a small hybrid catamaran (max. 11 people), the first in the Ribeira Sacra. This is a project of a local entrepreneur who returned to his homeland to counterbalance the larger boat trips that are also organized here.

In addition to the beautiful views and the explanation in English from the water, you will also visit a local bodega. Of course, you will get to taste the D.O. Ribeira Sacra wine here!

Today, you’ll be heading from Galicia to Asturias, and checking in to a hotel in the heart of the Somiedo Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve. The hotel fosters plenty of eco-friendly initiatives, and as such has a quality mark for sustainable nature tourism in the Natura 2000 network.

You can enjoy breakfast here, and try typical regional dishes in a cozy restaurant downstairs. Next to the
hotel is the interpretation center of the nature park– the first floor is especially worth a visit!

Together with an English-speaking guide, you will go in a small group to look for brown bears in the Somiedo Natural Park. This will take place in the late afternoon and evening, to maximize the chance of seeing bears. There is also a chance of seeing other animals such as wolves, wild cats, deer and chamois. In addition, the guide knows a lot about the geology, history and use of the area, so it is a very educational excursion!

You will follow the guide with your own car, and stop at various strategic places in the natural park to spot bears and other wildlife. Read more about it here!

Check in a former Asturian house in a beautiful remote location, hidden between the mountains. There are baths with thermal water that you can use as guests,which have been used by residents of the area since the end of the 18th century. In the restaurant of La Casona de Mestas you can enjoy Asturian gastronomy, including various game specialties such as bean soup with wild boar. From the restaurant you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and from the terrace that belongs to the restaurant, you can even listen to the sounds of the Ponga river!

Make use of this day to explore the rich surroundings of Asturias!

Today, you’ll settle into the Basque Country — you’ll be staying in a Casa Rural for the next few days, where you will have a double room with private bathroom. The house is located in the heart of the stunning Urbaibai Biosphere Reserve, one of the most richly diverse natural landscapes in the Basque Country.

Breakfast will be served here, but you can use the fully equipped kitchen to prepare your lunch and/or dinner if you’d like.

This afternoon you can visit Bodega Berroja: a family winery in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, in Muxika. Bodega Berroja cultivates 24 hectares of vineyards, located at an average altitude of 250 meters above sea level. From this vantage point you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Bodega Berroja pays special attention to sustainability. They grow a local grape variety, which thrives in the specific soil of this region, and also grow all kinds of native trees on their property. They also use livestock and aromatic plants instead of chemical pesticides.
During the tour, you will learn how the local Txakoli grapes grow and the wine is made. The tour will of course end with a wine tasting together with delicious Basque pintxos, small snacks after such an exciting day!

Today, it is time to bid farewell to northern Spain and head back home, full of energy and excitement after discovering this region. We hope to see you soon!