Active Journeys Spain Self-Guided Road Bike tour

Spain

Asturias --- La Costa Verde

The green north coast of the Iberian peninsula makes the perfect seng for a cy- cling holiday. Over hills, or more mountainous terrain if you choose, you'll cycle along the coastal ranges of El Cuera and El Sueve, beneath the impressive snowy peaks of the Picos de Europa.

Following secons of the Pilgrims' Route to Sanago de Compostela (Saint James' Way), you'll visit ruins and Romanesque chapels. Aer a stop in the cider-making capital of Villaviciosa, you cycle off to the friendly city of Gijon for a tapas feast to celebrate the end of your journey.

Highlights of this trip include some of the most pleasant cycling through the gor- geous landscapes, enjoying views to both the mountains and the sea,. You do have a choice of different routes on some days, making shorter or more challenging. The gastronomy, wines and ciders of this region, are now becoming world renown.

Tour Details

Daily from April to end of October Cost: $1595 per person

Single Supplement: $495 Length: 8 days / 7 nights Fast Facts Bike Rental: $195 E-Bike Info : Grade: Moderate with hills • Luggage transfers, route note and

♦ E-bike rental: $325 Starts: Villanueva de Colombres services of local office ♦ Trek Ride+ bicycles available • Lovely accommodations through- Ends: Gijón out the journey hand-picked for ♦ Limited supplies, so reservaons rec- ommended charm and personality

• Breakfast and 2 dinners included

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected] Inerary

Day 1 Arrive in Villanueva de Colombres Arrival in Villanueva de Colombres, on Spain's Costa Verde, where you are welcomed at a charming and stylish family-run hotel.

Day 2 Circular Route from Villanueva de Colombres 41 or 47 km Circular cycling route from Villanueva de Colombres. Today you start the trip with a lovely ride through rolling hills, never too far from the sea, through the villages of Merodio and Muñorrodero, right on the border between Can- tabria and Asturias, the two emerald provinces of Northern Spain. Stop and enjoy a glass of wine in Pechón or Pesués before heading back to Vilde.

Day 3 Villanueva to Llanes 30 km Aer breakfast take a quiet ride across the border and into the Principality of Asturias, and through the charmingly authenc villages of Colombres, Pim- iango and La Borbolla and then along cliffs overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. There's the opportunity of stopping off to visit the Cueva del Pindal, a beau- fully situated cave with valuable prehistoric painngs, or to admire the Rom- anesque ruins of Santa Tina church.

Day 4 Llanes to Nueva de Llanes 27 km or 37 km Choose between an ascent to enjoy lovely views from the Sierra del Cuera coastal range or a gentler ride through green hills, among fields of grazing cows and ny villages of quiet beauty like El Mazuco and Rales. En route there are several spots where you can stop for a refreshing paddle in the sea or, connue cycling to the Cuevas del mar beach aer you’ve arrived at the hotel.

Day 5 Nueva to Colunga 40 km Today you connue along the coast and follow the northern route of the Camino de Sanago pilgrims' trail (Saint James' Way) through the foothills of the Sierra del Sueve. This ny yet impressive mountain range is home to the stunning black elegance of the Caballo Asturcón, a beauful breed of horses nave to Asturias.

Day 6 Colunga to Agüero 35 km The estuary town of Villaviciosa, cider making capital of Asturias, is surround- ed on all sides by green hills covered with apple orchards. A visit to its in- ving historical centre recalls the past, proving that this was once an im- portant stop along the Camino for pilgrims making their way to Sanago de Compostela.

Day 7 Agüero to Gijón 29 km Your last day of cycling is slightly shorter but starts off with a good ascent. Climb up through the lush greenery of the Asturian countryside and then, from an elevaon of 220m, sail down into the city of Gijon, riding along the beauful San Lorenzo Beach boardwalk all the way to your hotel.

Day 8 The tour ends aer breakfast.

What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? The weather in this region is definitely Mediterranean, so cooler spring ♦ The nearest airports are Oviedo (also and fall mornings and evening, but can get hot during the day. We tend known as Asturias airport), Santander to avoid July and August due to larger crowds and very hot weather. and Bilbao. From these airports there Mornings in the mountains will definitely be cooler, jacket recommended. are good bus connecons to city centre

bus staons, where you can catch a How many hours of cycling a day? connecng bus to your desna- Be prepared to be active between 3 to 6 hours daily, everything will be at a moderate level. This is not a supported tour, so you should be able to on (ALSA bus company, see me ta- ride the minimums required each day. Keep in mind that you can opt out bles at www.alsa.es ). occasionally or take local transport en route. ♦ From Oviedo city centre, Santander or How fit do I need to be? Bilbao, you can catch a direct bus to The fitter the better, as you will enjoy the holiday more. This is a moder- Unquera. You then connue by taxi to ate trip with easier options. Keep in mind that like all wine regions, they Villanueva de Colombres 4km. tend to be hilly.

♦ What are the hotels like? It is wise to book your bus ckets and Based in 6 properties, we use a wide mixture of accommodations. Hotels taxi transfer in advance, especially if and guesthouses are small and charming with private facilities. Four din- you're travelling in summer or on week- ners are included. ends. Bus ckets can be purchased in advance on the ALSA website.

♦ At the end of your trip, the return jour- ney is from Gijón, also well connected to all 3 airports (Asturias, Bilbao and Santander) by public bus services. Our office in Arenas de Cabrales can help you make the reservaons.

How to book your holiday Extra Info • Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One Dinners included on Day 1 and 6 of our travel planners will walk you through the entire pro- cess. We have a small selection of hotels for any extra days of your arrival or departure. • Download the reservation form from our site and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space Hotels in either Orviedo, Barcelona or Madrid is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. will cost from 140 € per night. • A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined in our Reservation Form.

• Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

• We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly.

• Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.