This year is going to be different from before… The main reason? We’re no longer a family of two (and a cat and a dog) but within a few months, we’re about to be a family of three (and a cat and a dog). So… that changes all the travel plans we had. And we had lots of travel plans for this year…
Starting with a roadtrip through Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras (*sigh*), followed by a roadtrip through Costa Rica, Nicaraua and Panama, but that changed into a roadtrip through Iceland, and eventually we decided to go for Canada. But in the end, after we found out we were pregnant, we changed our mind (again) – because I wasn’t comfortable flying – and thought of Slovenia, Sweden, Iceland (again), … But in the end we decided to go on a small roadtrip through the Northern part of Spain.
For the following years we are going to explore some more in Europe… before we go back out into the real world ;-).
Within a few weeks we leave for our holiday – which is during the best time of my pregnancy, so double win! Our itinerary is as follow:
Day 1 – Brussels – Miranda de Ebro
We land in Bilbao, but right after our landing, we get our luggage and our rental car and go on our way. We will try to find the Salto del Nervión on our way to our hotel in Miranda de Ebro.
Day 2 – Miranda de Ebro
Today we travel around La Rioja (which is the main reason why we chose to stay in Miranda de Ebro, a village no one ever heard of). We also booked a tour in a wine cellar in Elciego (Eltziego), in the Bodega del Marqués de Riscal. There will be no wine for me, only grape juice… like the children.
Day 3 – Miranda de Ebro
As we’re traveling on a slower tempo, because I’ll need my rest, we’re staying and extra night here. In the neighborhood of this city there’s a nature park, Parque Natural Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil where we’re planning an easy hike. We’ll see how good that ‘ll go.
Day 4 – Miranda de Ebro – Salamanca
We leave Miranda de Ebro and go on our wat further into Spain. We pass by Burgos and visit this city, before we go on our way to our hotel in Salamanca.
Day 5 – Salamanca
Salamanca is one of the cities I’m dying to visit in Spain, so now it’s finally time to see it! This year the University of Salamanca is celebrating its birthday: its already 800 years old.
Day 6 – Salamanca
Some other cities that I’m dying to see are Ávila and Segovia, so those are on our list today on a small mini tour around the area. Nearby Segovia there’s also the Palacio Real de la Granja de San Ildefonso. Depending on the time, the weather and everything else, we may visit this one also.
Day 7 – Salamanca – Oviedo
Further up towards Asturias today! We pass by León and visit the gastronomic city, before we arrive in Oviedo.
Day 8 – Oviedo
Oviedo is our starting point to go and hike (and drive around) the Parque Natural Somiedo. This park was also somewhere on my list of places to see in Spain :-).
Day 9 – Oviedo – Covadonga
Before arriving in Covadonga, we’re planning on driving through Áviles to get to the Cabo de Peñas. After that we’ll see what Gijón has for us before we arrive in our mountain village Covadonga.
Day 10 – Covadonga
Covadonga lies inside the Parque Nacional Picos de Europa, so it’s no surprise that we’re visiting this national park today. We’re planning an easy hike around the Lakes of Covadonga before taking the car and driving around the area towards some viewpoints.
Day 11 – Covadonga – Bilbao
Our trip is almost over by now, but not before we drive along the Costa Verde. In Ribadesella we’ll visit the Cueva de Tito Bustillo, where they found prehistoric drawings. After that we pass by the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno, an animal park, before arriving in our hotel in Bilbao.
Day 12 – Bilbao
Our last day is for visiting Bilbao. I’m not a big fan of Bilbao, if it wasn’t for our plan I wouldn’t stop here at all… But who knows. Maybe today this city can surprise. They have a Guggenheim Museum after all…
Day 13 – Bilbao – Brussels
Time to go back home.
If you want to know more, there are some extra blogpost about the areas we’ve visited!
Around the world in a lifetime 