Spain

Highlights

With towns steeped in history, great coastal golfing, world class architecture and museums, tantalizing food markets and much more you can’t go wrong with a trip through Spain.

September, 2022

Itinerary

In September of 2022 we returned to northern Spain for 12 days as part of a 5-week road trip from Lisbon, Portugal to Marseille, France. Highlights included the wine regions of Ribeira Sacra and Rías Baixas; Santiago de Compostela, the endpoint of the famed El Camino de Santiago; a drive along Spain’s northwest coast to see the dramatic cliffs and lighthouses; Cathedral Beach with its exposed arches at low tide; Exploring Picos de Europa Nat’l Park and finally a visit to my favorite city in Spain, Donostia-San Sebastián.

Ribeira Sacra – 1 Night

Ribeira Sacra
Post includes a drive through the tortured hills of the Ribeira Sacra wine region along the Sil and Miño rivers and a stay at a former Romanesque monastery, Parador de Santo Estevo.

Rías Baixas – 2 Nights

Rías Baixas
Rías Baixas is known for albariño, a minerally wine influenced by the high granite composition of the soil that is drunk relatively young. In addition to the vineyards, the picturesque region also boasts sunny beaches, quaint fishing villages and Vigo, one of Spain’s most important ports.

Santiago de Compostela – 2 Nights

Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela, the destination of 350,000 pilgrims each year, has an energy of joy and accomplishment. The picturesque narrow medieval streets of the old town are filled with visitors and pilgrims, all in a state of celebration. Post includes the major sights as well as sleeping and dining.

A Coruña – 1 Night

Lighthouse Drive Northwestern Spain
Spain’s rugged northwest coast boasts scenic viewpoints overlooking rocky shorelines and crashing waves. Post includes visits to Finisterre, Faro Touriñán, Muxía, Furna Dos Infernos, Laxe and A Coruña as well as sleeping and dining in A Coruña.

Cudillero – 1 Night

Cathedral Beach
Located on Spain’s north coast and touted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world Cathedral Beach is popular for its stone arches and caves accessible only at low tide. Post include information on how and when to visit this iconic beach as well as sleeping and dining in Cudillero, one of Spain’s prettiest villages.

Arenas de Cabrales – 3 Nights

Exploring Picos de Europa Nat’l Park
Located in north central Spain, the rugged mountainous landscape of Picos de Europa is a fun place to explore by car or on foot. High impassible mountains are the central core of the park with the main roads circumnavigating the range and interior roads following the river gorges between the mountains but not connecting one side of the park to the other. Post includes hiking Cares Gorge Trail from Poncebos, scenic drives, information on the spectacular funicular ride up the cirque Fuente Dé as well as sleeping and dining in Las Arenas.

Donostia-San Sebastián 2 Nights

Donostia-San Sebastián
San Sebastián, my favorite city in Spain, has an incredible setting on Spain’s rugged north coast just west of the Pyrenees. Besides the views, San Sebastián, Spain’s top food city, is known for its restaurants and pintxos (Basque name for tapas).

2012 to 2013 Visits

While living across the border in France during 2012 and 2013 we made a number of visits to Spain including a 10 day road trip to Marbella for golf along the Costa del Sol in January 2013.

Short Trips

Spanish Cider Side Trip – Lunch at a Sidreria
A day trip over the Spanish border for a fun lunch including all the cider you can drink. April 2012.

Mini Golf-Holiday, Costa Brava
Three days of golf along the Costa Brava based out of Bergur. Includes hotel and restaurant recommendations in Bergur. May 2012.

Barcelona Weekend May 2012
Gaudi Weekend in Barcelona
A tour of some of Gaudi’s most significant structures including Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, and Palau Guell.
Dining in Barcelona
Restaurant reviews including my personal favorite, Ca L’isidre.
More Photos from Barcelona
Photo journal from the Barri Gotic, the city’s old quarter.
La Boqueria, Barcelona’s Tantalizing Food Market
Photo journal from this bustling and colorful market.

Road Trip to Marbella, January 2013

First Stop – Ca L’Isidre in Barcelona
A return visit to one of our favorite restaurants.

Valencia
Valencia
Walking tour of this enchanting city including lunch and dinner recommendations.
Valencia in Pictures
Photo journal of the city’s top sights on a sparkling winter day.
Valencia’s Central Market – Is it Really Winter?
Photo journal of this gorgeous market.
True Valencia Paella
Restaurant review of a great traditional paella at Canela.

Valencia to Marbella
Stunning scenery through southern Spain.

Marbella
Marbella Golf
Personal account of 3 of the area’s top golf courses.
Dining and Sleeping in Marbella
Hotel and restaurant reviews.
Messina Tasting Menu
One of our favorite dinners of the trip.

Marbella to Madrid
Drive north to the capital city with a stop at Cordoba to visit the Mesquita.

Madrid
Touring Madrid with Rick Steves
A visit to the city’s top attractions following the Rick Steves’s walking tours for the Prado Musuem, old town and the Royal Palace.
Restaurante Viridiana – Top Quality, but Overpriced?
Review of this highly rated restaurant near Retiro Park.
Where to Buy Wine in Madrid? Lavinia
A stop at this excellent and centrally located wine store.