Cantabrian Coast
· Donostia-San
Sebastián, Getaria
· Castro, Santillana
· Cabárceno
animal park
· Altamira
caves
· French Basque
Country
· Asturian
Pre-Romanesque and Romanesque route
Donostia-San Sebastián,
Getaria
From Bilbao, take the A-8 motorway towards Donostia-San Sebastián,
and exit in Getaria. This village of paved narrow streets and lively fishing
port and marina, holds several interesting buildings: the San Salvador and
Askizu churches, the San Prudencio, San Blas, and San Andrés hermitages,
and the chapel of Our Lady of Piety. Getaria has also two illustrious sons,
with two sites honouring them: the monument to Juan Sebastián Elcano
(first circumnavigator of the world), and the Balenciaga exhibition (soon
to open as a museum), depicting the work of the famous couturier. There is
a large number of restaurants offering traditional Basque cooking, and grilled
fish, the local especiality. Among others: Elkano, Kaia, Iribar, Kaipe, Txoko,
Astillero and Mayflower.
To continue to our next stop, Donostia-San Sebastián, take again the
A-8 motorway towards Irun. Exit in San Sebastián/Ondarreta, and continue
to La Concha beach. Here, one can walk along the beach front all the way from
La Concha, past Ondarreta beach, to the site of “Peine de los Vientos”,
a sculptural group by Eduardo Chillida. In addition to the spectacular bay,
the sights along the promenade are many; among those we find the Palacio de
Miramar and Monte Igeldo (aaccessible by car or cable-car). Other places of
interest in town are Monte Urgull, Paseo Nuevo, La Zurriola beach, the Kursaal,
Paseo del Muelle in the fishing port, the aquarium, and the Old Town (Parte
Vieja). The Old Town is an excellent place to enjoy Basque cuisine.
+ info: www.gipuzkoa.net www.getaria.net
www.sansebastianturismo.com
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Castro, Santillana
Take the A-8 motorway towards Santander, take the Castro exit (20 minutes
away), and follow the signs to the town centre. Castro has been an active
fishing town since Roman times; today, it is a popular Summer town, but has
managed to preserve a lot of its character and appeal. A walk along its promenade
will provide a good general overview of the town, starting at Brazomar beach,
and ending on the other side of town in Ostende beach. Not far form this main
route, we find several interesting sites: Santa María de la Asunción
church and the Santa Ana hermitage, the castle-searchlight, the Roman Miliario,
the medieval bridge, the monument to musician Ataulfo Argenta, and the italianesque
Ocharan castle and palace.
The most popular restaurants in Castro are located in the old town and in
the port, among them Mesón Marinero and Mesón Segoviano.
The route continues on to Santillana del Mar, along the same motorway, and
exiting in Torrelavega. From here, follow the signs to Santillana. This medieval
village has plenty of sites to visit: the Colegiata de Santa Juliana, the
Casona de los Barreda-Bracho, the Del Águla and La Parra houses, the
City Hall, and the Don Borja and Merín towers. The regional cuisine
of the area can be enjoyed, among many others, in Casa Cossio, La Torre, or
Zabala.
+ info: www.castro-urdiales.net www.santillana-del-mar.com
www.turismo.cantabria.org
^
Cabárceno animal park
Take the A-8 motorway towards Santander and exit in Sarón. The entrance
is 7 Km from here. This animal park has more than twenty animal species in
its 750 Ha of land. Visitors drive by themselves among the animals, along
a 20 Km of paths. In addition, the park offers cafeteria and restaurant, shops,
cash machines, and public telephones.
+ info: www.parquedecabarceno.com
^
Altamira caves
Take the A-8 motorway towards Santander and exit in Torrelavega. Drive towards
Santillana del Mar, and take the road towards Puente San Miguel; then, follow
the signs to the cave complex. The Altamira caves are the most important example
of the Paleolithic age, and have been declared Mankind Patrimony by Unesco.
The actual caves are now closed, due to damage caused by the massive influx
of visitors. However, an excellent reproduction and exhibition has been built
next to them. Bookings, highly recommended, can be made by telephone on 902
24 24 24 and 942 81 80 05, at 4B cash machines, or at the BSCH bank website,
or at any of its branches.
+ info: www.cantabriajoven.com
^
French Basque Country
The three Basque provinces in French territory belong to the Atlantic Pyrenees
department. They are: Lapurdi (capital, Baiona), Behenafarroa (capital, Donibane-Garazi)
and Zuberoa (capital, Maule). In the coastal area, we find several interesting
cities, like Biarritz, Donibane-Lohizune (Saint Jean de Luz) and Baiona. The
in-land areas have a more tranquil pace of life, set in a beautiful landscape;
among the many places of interest, we can mention: Sara, the Isturitz caves,
the La Rhune train, and Donibane Garazi (Saint Jean Pied De Port, entry point
for the French Camino de Santiago). And do not miss the local produce, such
as sheep cheese, and “gateau Basque”.
To get there, take the A-8 motorway towards San Sebastián-France, and
exit according to your chosen destination.
+ info: www.bilbaoair.com www.iparralde.net
^
Asturian Pre-Romanesque and
Romanesque route
The Asturias region holds a vast wealth of art, sculpture and architecture
of the Romanesque and pre-Romanesque period. There are seven main routes within
the Principality of Asturias relating to this artistic era:
1. City of Oviedo (by the Naranco mountain)
2. Mining region (Berdones, Pola de Lena)
3. The Bear Path (Nora, Tuñón, La Plaza, Villanueva de Teverga
and Arrojo)
4. The Cider route (Valdediós, Amandi, Villaviciosa, Gobiendes, Villanueva
and San Antolín de Bedén)
5. Western Asturias
6. The Camino de Santiago North (Llanes, Ribadesella, Avilés and Luarca)
7. The Camino de Santiago Primitive
+ info: www.arteguias.com www.infoasturias.com
^
