Tag:

CAMINO DEL NORTE

Playa de Misiego in Villaviciosa

by Admin

La Playa de Misiego it’s a small sandy beach formed within the Villaviciosa Estuary in the Villaviciosa council, which completely surrounds and isolates it from the neighboring ones: La Playa de El Puntal to the West (the other side of the estuary) and Rodiles beach well… North. Right across the river, with low tide only, you will discover the Bonome beach.

The available area of this beach varies a lot with high tide. It’s not very well known and mostly locals enjoy its tranquil waters – it’s not so crowded compared to Rodiles or even Del Puntal beach.

It’s rather long (1100 meters), surrounded by dunes and has no amenities.

You can get here from Rodiles (there is a wooden platform and a footpath built around the estuary and it will take you to Playa de Misiego) by foot or by car. As usual, we suggest you to leave the car in the parking of Rodiles or anywhere else cause Misiego doesn’t have a proper parking.

You can park on the dunes but it gets very crowded and it’s more a pain than a joy to get here by car in the summer, especially during weekends (you can download the beach app Asturplaya and it will take you to Playa de Misiego, Rodiles, Bonome and El Puntal).

The Estuary is a very good fishing spot and, being really calm, is a good spot for practicing stand-up paddle or learning how to surf. Around Misiego (not too close but not too far either) you will find bars, restaurants and a camping too. The Estuary is actually a very popular destination in the summer and the locals will offer you all the services you might need.

But what you’ll find in Misiego is peace and the most beautiful birds’ songs you ever had the pleasure to hear.

In the summer the crowd might scare them off but in the spring they are so busy mating or nesting that they won’t mind you.

You can walk on the beach or around the estuary and enjoy the most beautiful songs that nature can create. Indescribable, really.

Video supplied by Objetivo Drone

Article by Asturplaya

If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com

COMMUNITIES AND COUNCILS PHOTOS

The council and town of Avilés

by Admin

Aviles is a calm, relaxed and unexpected town. It is the perfect example of “You can’t judge a book by its cover”

Originally an industrial town, it is surrounded by the factories of the giants of the international Steel and Chemical markets such as Arcelor Mittal and Du Pont.

Once you pass the industrial scenes and get to the heart of the town you would be amazed by what the English writer Paul Richardson referred in his article for The Guardian “The Cinderella” of Asturias. This is a city with an old history, nice beaches, busy port, amazing gastronomy, incredible art scene and very welcoming people. And this is just 10 minutes from the Airport of Asturias.

Aviles was granted city status by King Alfonso VI. The Historic Center is crossed by very popular streets like Galiana, La Ferreria or Rivero where you can feel centuries of history through their buildings from the Middle Ages to the present day. In fact the city’s old district was declared of Historical and Artistic interest in 1955.

Walking their streets you will find amazing historical buildings with different architectural styles of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau. such as The Marques de Camposagrado, Valdecarzana, Marques de Ferrera Palaces, the Eladio Muñiz, García Pumarino or Arias de la Nozeda’s House.

If you are interested in Religious buildings you can’t miss the Alas’ Chapel, the Padres Franciscanos Church, The Building of Aviles City Hall, St. Francis‘s water spouts, San Nicolas de Bari Church, The Old Church of Sabugo or The Carriona Cemetery which for some is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Spain.

The streets are full of bars, taverns, restaurants and tapas bars and they offer a mix of traditional or creative Asturias and Spanish cooking. Aviles has a very important fishing port and therefore you will enjoy the most wonderful fish dishes and fresh seafood on offer. Also, you can not go to Aviles without trying their most popular cheeses La Peral and Gorfoli.

Arts and Culture are well represented throughout Aviles but none more so than the neo-baroque, Italian style Palacio Valdes Theatre, where you not only can enjoy the beauty of the old fashioned style coliseum theatre but also some very fine theatre productions such as Shakespeare’s The Tempest or Richard III delivered last year in original version by the acting troupe of the Old Vic Theatre in London.

It is also highly recommended that you take a visit the «Centro Cultural Internacional Oscar Niemeyer» (Centro Niemeyer), the amazing contribution of famous architect Oscar Niemeyer to the city of Aviles described by him by «a square open to the sea for all the men and women of the world, a place for cohabitation, education, culture and peace». The centers exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, cinema, auditorium and cafeteria have played host to Woody Allen, Kevin Spacey, Jessica Lange, Brad Pitt, Stephen Hawking, Paulo Coelho and Julian Schnabel. Woody Allen held the worldwide premiere of the movie «Cassandra’s Dream» at the centre and he is also the President of Honour of the Film Centre where he is a content advisor.

The Route of Santiago meets at Aviles via two routes. On one side, there is the “Northern Route” which runs along the Atlantic coast joining the small fishing villages along to the Cantabrian Sea. The other route called «El Salvador Route» starts from the “French Way” in the city of Leon, which travels into Asturias to visit in the cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo and the relics of the Holy House. Then from Oviedo the route meanders toward the Aviles route and continues along eventually joining the coastal road before moving on to Santiago de Compostela. Both routes meet up at the city centre and it is at this point where you will find the Pilgrims’ Hostel.

For nature lovers, Aviles is just beside the Council of Castrillón which is well know as the area of the seven beaches, one of them being the most important dune system in Asturias, Espartal beach. Other beaches of special importance for their spectacular locations are the Beachs of Bayas and Deva, both having been declared Natural Monuments due to their landscape, vegetation and ornithology.

Aviles also offers plenty of activities such as surfing, biking, trekking and golf to mention but a few.

People of Aviles are fun, warm and welcoming. They love to celebrate and to enjoy their town and the outdoors. The most popular parties are their very original Carnival, the bonfires of San Juan, and the “Bollu Day” where they enjoy locally made Sweet Bread Roll and council hosts a massive lunch on the streets which is open for all to attend.

In July in Aviles, you can enjoy the “The Interceltic Festival”, declared to be of Touristic Interest and the “Festival of Narrative of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror CELCIUS 232”.

For more information you can read the article by Paul Richardson for The Guardian Newspaper

More info: Aviles Tourist Office

If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com

Images supplied by Tomás Fano.

COMMUNITIES AND COUNCILS PHOTOS

The council of Corvera and Nubledo

by Admin

The Council of Corvera County is formed by the councils of Aviles, Castrillón, Corvera and Illas. This county is in very close proximity to the Airport of Asturias.

The impressive beauty of this area lies together with one of the most important industries in Asturias, the steel and chemical industry and plays host some of the most important international companies in these sectors such as Arcerol Mittal and Du Pont.

Corvera is a part of the «Northern Route« of the «Route of Saint James» and you can access many other walking route.

The capital of the County of Corvera is the town of Nubledo. There you can find beautiful examples of classical nobility architecture such as the old town hall dated in the 17th century or the Palace of Bango built circa 1755.

In Corvera you will find the the family palace of Solis, a typical Asturian Palace from the 16th and the Palace of the Rodriguez de Leon. Also in the towns of Cancienes, Molleda and Solis there are complex of Asturian stilted food stores called “Horreos” and “Paneras” with typical Asturian decorations and designs.

The water reservoir of Trasona is an important spot for practicing ornithology and also an ideal place to enjoy kayaking or canoeing. In fact the “European Championship of Canoeing” is held here.

In Corvera you will find places to golf, trek, travel along car and bike routes and especially along “The Route of the Water” where you will find the “Wetland of the Furta” which is a great location for ornithologists and also “El Escañorio” where you can find the «Gorge of Escañorio” with special natural protection.

More info: Corvera Tourist Office

If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com

Images supplied by Ayto de Castrillon, Ayto de Corvera, Ayto de Illas, and Turismo Asturias: Arnaud Späni, Camilo Alonso, Marcelo Alonso, Jose Antonio Carretero, Marcos Vega.