It is the autumn of what has been a really tough year and we are off to Spain again for R&R! This time it is high-risk because we both have back injuries, but I am hoping a carefully managed, slow progression will see us through.
The route
Yes, I know – this doesn’t really look like R&R, but just being away, with few responsibilities, is restful. And there are so many beautiful sights to see, both familiar and new. Sadly, we will be going into the area where there have been devastating wild fires, but are reassured that the roads are open and we can access our planned stops.
Stops along the way
Our first stop is in the wonderful Parador at Lerma. We stayed here once before and it was magical. The views down into the river valley were amazing, especially at the start and end of the days, and the food was excellent. Staying in the Paradors is very much part of the joy of visiting Spain!
Then we set off across the flat central area of Spain, via Medina de Rioseco which is new to us, and on to the Parador at Benavente. This is also an unknown town to us, and we are looking forward to exploring. It is on the Via de la Plata which we will find again at the end of the journey, in Gijon.
The Parador at Verin looks interesting, and welcoming, and unusually we will use the stop here to cross the border into Portugal to visit Chaves. Or rather, that is the plan; we wait to see if the roads are open and the fires extinguished, and if we can manage the travelling.
We decided not to stop in Ourense, but go on to Monforte which holds good memories. The town has interesting sites, good wine shops, and there are fascinating Romanesque churches in the area. This time we are going to try and take a boat trip on the Sil River in order to experience the gorges, and see them from ground level, rather than just peering down into them.
Pontevedra was a short stop many years ago and so this time we are going to have a ‘proper’ look. I have a long list of ideas!
It would have been good to stay in the extraordinary Parador of Santiago de Compostela but it was fully booked back in January. Nevertheless, we are spending a few days in the town.
On to Ferrol with the aim of exploring the coast, and then Vilalba and Ribadeo.
The final stop is in another new site, Gijon. There is a Roman port, churches, gardens, beaches, museums – lots to see and do!
And so back to Santander via Cangas de Onis which we enjoyed last year. This time it will just be an enjoyable coffee stop, and somewhere to buy pots of honey and dried beans.
It sounds very busy on paper, and of course we are moving around, but in almost every stop the car will stay in the garage and if we want to sit down in the afternoon, or even lie down, that is what will happen!
Anne Guy
Have a great trip!
Candy Blackham
Thank you!