Autoreis door Baskenland, Asturië & Rioja

About the destination: Bilbao is the capital of Biscay in the Basque Country, in northern Spain. The city is situated on the banks of the Nervión, a tidal river. Bilbao was till the 90s a grey big industrial town, the economical heart of the Basque Country. But since the opening of a new Guggenheim Museum by the river, the city has become an arty and stylish city and is now a major touristic destination. The main attraction that put Bilbao on the map was the construction of the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, it is now one of Spain’s most visited attractions. The building is impressive and there are some very interesting sculptures outside the museum and in the atrium. Centred on the Plaza Nueva, a busy and colourful square, and the Santiago Cathedral the old quarter of Bilbao is pretty compact and a walk around its streets doesn't take long. The impressive church of San Nicolas, built in 1743 in honour of the sailors from Bilbao, stands at the entrance to the Casco Viejo. Located in the very heart of Bilbao's old centre, the cathedral of Bilbao is the oldest church in the city and the main Gothic construction in Biscay. Vital and exciting Bilbao is famous for its great food, its culture and its active nightlife.

About the destination: Bilbao is the capital of Biscay in the Basque Country, in northern Spain. The city is situated on the banks of the Nervión, a tidal river. Bilbao was till the 90s a grey big industrial town, the economical heart of the Basque Country. But since the opening of a new Guggenheim Museum by the river, the city has become an arty and stylish city and is now a major touristic destination. The main attraction that put Bilbao on the map was the construction of the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, it is now one of Spain’s most visited attractions. The building is impressive and there are some very interesting sculptures outside the museum and in the atrium. Centred on the Plaza Nueva, a busy and colourful square, and the Santiago Cathedral the old quarter of Bilbao is pretty compact and a walk around its streets doesn't take long. The impressive church of San Nicolas, built in 1743 in honour of the sailors from Bilbao, stands at the entrance to the Casco Viejo. Located in the very heart of Bilbao's old centre, the cathedral of Bilbao is the oldest church in the city and the main Gothic construction in Biscay. Vital and exciting Bilbao is famous for its great food, its culture and its active nightlife.

About the destination: Oviedo is a cathedral city, capital of Principality of Asturias, in Northern Spain. It is indeed an old city, but with the commodities of any modern city. The architecture of Oviedo is charming and attractive, but the city is best known for its delicious Asturian food. Oviedo is today a city with a remarkable international projection through the Prince of Asturias Awards, presented annually at the Campoamor Theatre, and the International Campus, attended by personalities of the highest global relevance. The old part of Oviedo is called the Casco Antiguo. Wander along cobbled streets admiring its beautifully restored buildings and squares. Located in the centre of Oviedo's old quarter, Plaza de la Constitucion, along with Cathedral Square, is the most central and important square in the city of Oviedo. The square includes the City Hall and the Church of San Isidoro Real, located in the west end of the Plaza. Nearby we have the equally important, Plaza de la Catedral, Cathedral Square. Its highlights are the Gothic Cathedral of Oviedo, the Jardín de los Reyes Caudillos with statues of the Kings of Asturias and the baroque Palace Valdecarzana and Heredia. We can also see the statue of Ana Ozores, a main character of Clarin’s novel The Regent's Wife. Oviedo is proud of its past but it is also is also home to modern industry and commerce. Sleek shopping boutiques selling expensive clothing, handbags and shoes and other high quality items line the city streets. Oviedo has its own stadium, as well as theatres, art galleries, and a university. Public parks and fountains also dot the city and give the locals haven from the hustle and bustle of city life. Oviedo is a fine city where old and new not only coexists, but flourishes together.

About the destination: Cangas de Onís is a municipality in the eastern part of the province and autonomous community of Asturias. Cangas de Onís, capital of the area of the same name, sits in the valley formed by the rivers Sella and Güeña. The most representative feature of the town is its Roman Bridge, declared to be a Historic-Artistic Site in 1931. Cangas de Onis has historic, scenic and adventure tourist appeal for different reasons. It lies in very close proximity to the popular tourist village of Cavadonga, the scene of an historic battle, as well as being on the edge of the Picos de Europa Mountains. It also has the town of Arriondas, an adventure sports center, just a few kilometers down the road. If you are planning a holiday in Asturias with a focus on the region's natural beauty, walking, canoeing, climbing, or simply relaxing in the heart of green Spain, then Cangas de Onís and the villages around it are ideally where you want to stay.

About the destination: Santander is an elegant port city which extends along the northern side of the handsome Bahía de Santander and it's a lively place with much to see and do. It is a deeply historical place full of wide streets, pleasing architecture and waterside restaurants. Santander’s most popular neighbourhood, El Sardinero, was once a very exclusive holiday spot for the wealthy. Nowadays it preserves a belle-époque elegance and its one of the most beautiful parts of the city, especially valued for its environmental quality and spectacular beaches. The Paseo de Pereda, with its typical houses with enclosed balconies, and its gardens constitutes a buoyant boulevard which separates the coastal strip from the historic quarter of Santander. The nearby Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the capital, its earliest construction dating from the 13th century. Under the main chapel is the crypt of El Cristo, a sombre vaulted chamber in which various traces of the Roman era were discovered. There are lots of reasons to like the bustling port city as its good city beaches, its numerous parks and gardens, its gastronomy and its history makes it the perfect gateway.

About the destination: Rioja Alavesa, officially Cuadrilla de Laguardia-Rioja Alavesa is one of seven comarcas that make up the province of Álava, Spain. It covers an area of 315.83 km² with a population of 11,360 people (2010). The capital lies at Laguardia. It is part of a notable wine growing region. The local economy is based primarily on viticulture and the production of Rioja wines, forming part of the Rioja denominación de origen. The region possesses 11,500 hectares of vineyards. The Rioja Alavesa's northern boundary is formed by the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de Toloño, mountain ranges that separate it from the rest of Álava. To the south, its geographical limit is marked by the Ebro River, its border with the neighboring autonomous community of La Rioja. There are some dolmens and other archaeological remnants of the prehistoric La Hoya people. The Romans established themselves in the area due to its climate and mountainous landscape. During the Middle Ages, this region belonged to the Kingdom of Navarre, the Sonsierra, which was eventually occupied and annexed to the Crown of Castile in 1463 as a result of Castile's intervention in the Kingdom of Navarre.

About the destination: The ancient capital of Navarra, a medieval kingdom with Basque roots, performs a quick-change act for the Fiesta de San Fermín or the Running of the Bulls, Spain’s most wildly celebrated festival and Pamplona’s irresistible attraction. But Pamplona has many other interesting things to do and explore in Pamplona for the traveller since it is the first main city on the route of the St. James's Trail. Pamplona has a beautiful medieval city centre, an impressive citadel, several museums, great wines and gastronomy and lots of green spaces. Pamplona’s citadel is very well kept and one of the best examples of a Renaissance's fortification in Europe. Surrounded by a massive park, nowadays its interior holds art exhibitions and occasional cultural events, especially during the summer months. The Plaza del Castillo is the principal square in the centre of the city where you will find lots of bars and cafés, the Teatro Principal and the seat of the council of Navarra. Located in the old town area of Santo Domingo, near the start of the famous bull run, is the interesting Museo de Navarra, displaying a collection of altarpieces and religious artwork from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria La Real is the main religious building of the city. The Cathedral combines a neoclassical façade with a Gothic interior. Pamplona's history and monuments make it a very attractive city. The city has two universities, which help keep the city vibrant and cultural.

About the destination: San Sebastian is the capital of the province of Guipuzcoa. It became a popular touristic destination in the late XIX century thanks to Queen Christina of Austria, who spent her summers there. The beauty of the city and its gastronomy are two of its main tourist attractions. La Concha Bay presides over the city flanked by the Monte Igeldo and Monte Urgull. Facing La Concha is the Island of Santa Clara, where the lighthouse is located and it is accessible by boat from El Puerto. To the left of La Concha we find Ondarreta beach and at the far end of it, we have the set of sculptures “Comb of the Wind" by Eduardo Chillida. The old town, located at the foot of Monte Urgull between the port and the mouth of the Urumea, comes alive each evening when tapas and Basque specialities such as shellfish, seafood and squid specialities, can be enjoyed in local bars. The old town displays a Belle Époque splendour that will amaze all visitors. The city is home to the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Quincena Musical, among other important events, that attract spectators coming from all over the world. Elegant, sophisticated and with a fin-de-siècle feel to it, San Sebastian is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.

About the destination: Bilbao is the capital of Biscay in the Basque Country, in northern Spain. The city is situated on the banks of the Nervión, a tidal river. Bilbao was till the 90s a grey big industrial town, the economical heart of the Basque Country. But since the opening of a new Guggenheim Museum by the river, the city has become an arty and stylish city and is now a major touristic destination. The main attraction that put Bilbao on the map was the construction of the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, it is now one of Spain’s most visited attractions. The building is impressive and there are some very interesting sculptures outside the museum and in the atrium. Centred on the Plaza Nueva, a busy and colourful square, and the Santiago Cathedral the old quarter of Bilbao is pretty compact and a walk around its streets doesn't take long. The impressive church of San Nicolas, built in 1743 in honour of the sailors from Bilbao, stands at the entrance to the Casco Viejo. Located in the very heart of Bilbao's old centre, the cathedral of Bilbao is the oldest church in the city and the main Gothic construction in Biscay. Vital and exciting Bilbao is famous for its great food, its culture and its active nightlife.