Asturias
Asturias is a beautiful unspoilt region of northern Spain. With about 200 miles of coastline set against the magnificent Picos de Europa mountains, this area is known in Spain as 'natural paradise' and also 'hidden Asturias'. It enjoys an all year round temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters and is a very popular holiday destination with the Spanish themselves. Although still relativaly unknown outside of Spain, this is slowly changing with the completion of a new motorway between Santander and Gijon and excellent air and ferry links from the UK.
Asturias is a celtic region famous for its cider, wonderful cheeses and seafood as well as the friendliness and warm hospitality of it's inhabitants. Peaceful and quiet, it never gets overly crowded , even in July and August. Along the coast there are plenty of unspoilt beaches and secret coves interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, such as Lastres, Ribdasella and Tazones. The latter being renowned locally for it's fine seafood restaurants.
A few miles inland is the fabulous Picos de Europa national park. Voted recently as the most popular national park with the Spanish people, it has much to offer. Walking, climbing, skiing, caving and canoeing to name a few. Fishing is also very popular in Asturias with plenty of rivers, lakes and streams teeming with salmon and trout. If golf is more your thing there are plenty of courses to be found near the coast.
There are plenty of choices for shops, bars and restaurants. Villaviciosa is the cider capital of Asturias and is an attractrive market town. The town of Infiesto is smaller with a pretty river running through and also has a good selection of shops.
The cities Oviedo and Gijon are within easy reach. Oviedo is the lively capital of Asturias with a university, cathedral and three Pre-Romaneque churches dating back to the 9th century. Gijon is bigger and has a great atmosphere. It is set on a fabulous long beach, where people come all year round to windsurf. Sited between the two cities is an excellent English school that take children from 4-18 years old.
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