Spain: Basque Country and Northern Coast

Your flights will be issued multi city: Home/San Sebastian (EAS), returning Bilbao (BIO)/Home.

*Depending on your airline of choice you will likely have to connect within Spain to get to San Sebastian. EAS hosts direct flights from Madrid on Iberia Airlines, or Vueling from Barcelona. Be sure to have enought time for connections, best to have tickets that can be changed should there be delay. If you wish to overnight in a connecting city feel free to contact Strabo for recommendations. If you fly round trip Bilbao it is 1.5 hour drive to San Sebastian.

Group transfer time to the hotel will be announced (expected to be early afternoon). San Sebastian is located on the Bay of Biscay, it is a prime location for fresh seafood delivered to the many restaurants lining the streets of Parte Vieja ~ the old town district, and Antigua ~ the oldest and most traditional of San Sebastian’s neighbohoods. There will be an introductory meeting late this afternoon, followed by a short walking tour and welcome dinner.

During your time here there will be photography sessions in the old town areas, along the Playa de la Concha and promenade, fishing boats along the harbor, and amazing views from Monte Igueldo. Close to San Sebastian photograph the quaint and much quieter village of Pasai Donibane, and rock formations of Zumaia made famous by the Game of Thrones. Overnight San Sebastian (D; B)

After an early morning photography shoot with your photo leader in town this morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart  from the Basque Country into the lesser travelled Cantabria and Asturias regions. There will be a photography stop along the way in Castro Urdiales with a beautiful gothic church, castle, Roman bridge, a lovely port and lighthouse, providing something for everyone.

From Santander the tides will determine timing of photo ops at Faro de Cabo Mayor, the many Playa or beaches close to Liencres, and the historic village of Santilla del Mar. Overnight Santander or Sardinero (B, D; B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing west along the coast. Your guides will take in to account the weather, timing, and interests of the group for photographic opportunities along the way. There is a lovely fishing harbor at San Vicente de la Barquera, Pendueles beach, or picturesque towns of Llanes or Ribadesella.

Your final destination for the evening is the tiny village of Covadonga located at the foot of Picos de Europe Park, one of the most impressive mountain ranges of Northern Spain. In this village lies a beautiful cathedral and sanctuary. A great photo opportunity will exist if there is a foggy morning, capturing the towers through the low clouds. Travel past the village, up the mountains and you will end up at Los Lagos, two beautiful glacial lakes of Covadonga. Overnight Picos de Europa (B, D)

Before returning to the Northern Coast your guides will take you to the lovely capital of the Asturias region, Oviedo. It is one of Spain’s historical treasure troves and has been named the cleanest city in all of Spain. Be sure to watch Woody Allen’s film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which made everyone take note of Oviedo. Next stop is photography in the medieval heart of Aviles. The old town is very colorful with sandstone painted buildings, narrow streets opening out on to large sunny squares. Particularly picturesque are the streets of Galiano and Rivero. There is a French designed park close to the Ferrera Palace, now a lovely hotel. Climb above Aviles to the beautiful cemetery with fantastic coastal views.

Cudillero is a holiday retreat for the locals, but less traveled by other tourists due to its weather being a bit unpredictable compared to the Mediterranean coast. This offers us an enjoyable stay in a delightful fishing port on the Costa Verde of the Atlantic Coast. Colorful houses climb uphill above the sea and cobbled plaza. Climb to the top of the village for some great views of the sea and fishing boats as they come back with their daily catch. Close by obtain beautiful images at Playa de Silencio from water level and high above on a cliff. Gueirua Beach is a small pebbled cove that stands out with a truly beautiful landscape. At its eastern end, there is a row of islets formed by sharp rocks emerging from the sea. Overnight Aviles (B, D; B, L)

Depart today with photo ops you missed on your way west along the three hour drive back to Bilbao. The program does not include the major sites of Bilbao other than photographing in the open air outside the famous Guggenheim Museum. You can certainly extend your stay pre or post trip if you wish to have additional time here, just let Strabo know and we can make arrangements at the hotel. Depending on weather and timing of tides the group may travel north to Barrika Beach for sunset.

Rise early the next day to arrive before the majority of crowds at the stunning San Juan Gaztelugatxe. This could be considered saving the best for last if all is aligned including the tides and weather. Enjoy lunch close by and then return to Bilbao for time on your own and farewell dinner. Overnight Bilbao (B; B, D)

Group transfer time will be announced for Bilbao Airport. (B)