Sadly we have to leave San Sebastion, and we depart at 8.15 am for our first destination, Bilboa. This will be our final stop in the Basque country before heading further East. The main attraction in Bilboa is the Guggenheim Museum, the construction of which is reputed to have turned a declining and grubby industrial town, into modern and thriving tourism centre.
The titanium clad museum was designed by the famous architect, Frank Gehry, and is an amazing building.
Guggenhiem Museum
The Statue of a Puppy in Front of the Museum is totally clad in live flowers
Stunning Tulip Sculpture on a balcony overlooking the bridge
Inside the building is a massive atrium with exhibition rooms branching off in all directions and a different levels connected by glass lined lifts and stairways.
The building and external displays were outstanding, but what was inside the museum, called "modern art" did nothing for us at all, and over 80% of the group were of the same view. However, it must appeal to someone !
After 2 hours in Bilbao, the bus departed on time heading for our next stop, Santilla Del Mar, (which is nowhere near sea despite its name). Santilla Del Mar is one of the stops along the Camino de Santiago (pilgrims trail).
Our trip takes us out of the Basque Country and not far from Bilbao, we enter the Province of Cantabria.
Santilla Del Mar, a small medieval town, will be our lunch stop at another Parador, Parador Gil Bas.
After lunch we have a bit of free time to have a look around this small, but pretty, medieval town. As it is on the Camino de Santiago, there are symbols along the path to show the pilgrims where the trail goes. The symbol is a scallop shell and can sometimes be seen on the ground, on walls or on signs.
Exploring te town doesn't take long, and soon we are back on the bus heading for our evening accommodation at Fuente De. The journey takes us into a National Park, Picos de Europa National Park.
The scenery is rugged, and stunning, as we slowly wind our way through a 21 km mountainous gorge, climbing all the way. It is the longest gorge in Spain.
On the bus trip, our guide, Todd, introduces us to the local digestif. It is a bit like grappa.
Finally we arrive in our destination, Fuente De. I am glad I wasn't driving the bus. The parador we stay in tonight is based in the middle of nowhere in a beautiful setting at the base of a glacial cirque, with a backdrop of very steep mountains. It is a very popular hiking area.
After a healthy hour or so of steep hiking we were ready for a cold beer before dinner. Dinner was served at 8.30 am, and whilst it was more rustic fare, it was very nice.
Internet speeds are very slow in this part of Spain so I am falling a bit behind, but should catch up in a day or so.
Within a few hundred metres of the parador, we find ourselves in the countryside. It looks like pretty good dairy country.
Exploring te town doesn't take long, and soon we are back on the bus heading for our evening accommodation at Fuente De. The journey takes us into a National Park, Picos de Europa National Park.
The scenery is rugged, and stunning, as we slowly wind our way through a 21 km mountainous gorge, climbing all the way. It is the longest gorge in Spain.
On the bus trip, our guide, Todd, introduces us to the local digestif. It is a bit like grappa.
Finally we arrive in our destination, Fuente De. I am glad I wasn't driving the bus. The parador we stay in tonight is based in the middle of nowhere in a beautiful setting at the base of a glacial cirque, with a backdrop of very steep mountains. It is a very popular hiking area.
There is a cable car which runs from near the parador, right up to near the top of the mountains behind it. We will be taking a ride on it tomorrow morning.
Once settled into our room, we decided to take a short hike up the hill behind the parador to stretch our legs and take in the view.
Carole climbing up the hill behind the parador
A couple of our group also out for some exercise
Internet speeds are very slow in this part of Spain so I am falling a bit behind, but should catch up in a day or so.
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