Santander and beyond
We arrive in Santander with our motor home in early September 2017 for two weeks. Would love suggestions on where to go based on members experiences of this area
Comments
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Unfortunately the weather in northern Spain cannot be relied upon, especially this time of year.. There are palces to see but at this time of year they are closing down now the tourists have gone. The Picos de Europa are good to see in good weather but if
the weather is bad then you can't see a thing.Perhaps consider crossing Spain to the Med. for some warmer weather, From Santander it is just over 400 miles to the Med near Barcelona., possibly 1 day certainly 2 with a stop at Zaragoza.0 -
We love the Picos, a beautiful region for walking, cycling, wildlife watching etc. Potes is a good base, there are 3 campsites there, plenty of bars, shops, restaurants etc., and on the dryer side of the mountains. And not too far to drive from Santander, the road is narrow and windy in parts, but no problem in a motorhome, lots of coaches manage it easily!
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I'd just leave Spain behind and cross the Pyrenees to the French side where you will be blessed by wonderful scenery, excellent food and wine and scores of delightful campsites.
We spent 2 weeks on the French side of the Pyrenees this September and it was one of the best holidays we've had.
The only drawback with September is the early nightfall making sitting outside with an aperetif or digestif on the chilly side.
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I'd just leave Spain behind and cross the Pyrenees to the French side where you will be blessed by wonderful scenery, excellent food and wine and scores of delightful campsites.
We spent 2 weeks on the French side of the Pyrenees this September and it was one of the best holidays we've had.
The only drawback with September is the early nightfall making sitting outside with an aperetif or digestif on the chilly side.
Absolutely agree, a wonderful area. Would be better arriving in Bilbao than Santander, though. Shorter drive to the French Pyrenees.
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You dont say what your intrests are but if you are into cities and wildlife a day and a half (at the most) would put you in central Spain where you could visit wonderful cities like Burgos Salamanca Avilla etc etc or even Madrid if thats your thing and the
wildlife in the Extremadura around Plascencia or Cacares keeps us going back every year.I agree with AD the areas he has mentioned will be fine at that time of year, Salamanca is only about 4 hrs and is well worth a visit, plenty of sites 4 of them on Acsi discount.
The drive down to Caceres can take you through a wonderfull wildlife area again sites a plenty, Caceres is definetly worth a look see for a few days and it will be hot there at that time of year.Haven't done the Picos as the twice we had planned to go it was awful weather, Sept/Oct in 2014 and May/June 2015. I'm sure we will make it one year though.
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I agree that the weather along the Costa Verde can be a bit unpredictable, but the beauty of the area is that if t is fine it is, in my mind, one of the most interesting coasts in Spain. If it is wet, then just the other side of the Picos is the northern end of the Castillian plain where the weather will be much better. There is no need to divert to the Med, nor to go back into France, lovely though that is. You have come as far as Spain, so see Spain!
You have only two weeks, so lets not look too far afield. You want a holiday not a mammoth driving expedition. Look at a circular tour, and it will depnd on the weather as to which way round you do it. On the coast, places we have stayed at and are worth a visit are Comillas, Ribadesella, and Luarca. The western coast around A Coruna is supposed to be fantastic, though we have yet to see it.
From West to east, inland, Santiago de Compostella is fascinating, Salamanca is a must see, Tordesillas and Valladolid are very interesting, Burgos is a must see. If you venture further inland, then Segovia is fantastic and the royal palace and Valle de los Caidos at El Escorial, closer to Madrid are well worth it. The central plain between Madrid and Valladolid has many amazing Spanish castles.
Finally, if the weather is fine, The Picos are a must. Approaches are best going south from San Vicente de la Barquera through the Desfiladero De La Hermida, or south from Ribadesella up the valley of the Sella river. Potes is the main town, with a good campsite. Fuente De has a super cable car.
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I disagree with most of the other posts , but quite happily. Let everyone else turn east off the ferry towards France, or drive like lemmings as far south as they can. Stick to your guns and drive west along the most beautiful coastline in Europe. You won't
spot many other English people . The motorway is free and superbly scenic and quiet. At Pechon enjoy the ria coastline ( like a fiord) and amazingly blue sea. Mingle with the pilgrims at Santiago and if you have time saunter across to Caminha , just in Portugal.
Enjoy! Its still 22 to 25 degrees in Porto as I type .0 -
There is a reason why it's called "Costa Verde" though. Take your brolly.
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Thanks everyone , great tips and based on them already planning my route
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