The only part of Spain never to fall to the Moors, Asturias remains defiant, delicious, distinctive. Our collaborator José Andrés comes from these mountains, and his ideas, passions and people are woven throughout this magical weeklong journey from the coast to the hills and back again.
The only part of Spain never to fall to the Moors, Asturias remains defiant, delicious, distinctive. Join us for a weeklong journey through mar y montaña featuring a mountaintop fire-feast, a beachside seafood cookout, a visit to the secret cheese caves of a gamonéu master, and breaking bread with our friends who run some of the most dynamic restaurants in Spain.
Fiesta del Rosariu! This annual Autumn festival kicks off in Vibañu, one of Asturias’ most enchanting and off-the-beaten-track villages
Lunch at the Sobrino family cornmill in Vibañu, for all-senses exploration the history of corn in Asturias, the first landing spot for corn in Europe after the conquista
Drinks, costumes, music, village revelry
Siesta, giddy exhaustion, dinner of light bites back at PuebloAstur
Palacio de Figueras, Avenida de Trenor, Castropol 33794
+34 613009777
Free time to explore the coastal village of As Figueras
The crowning cove-party: Elio Ferpel live-fire cooking on a rugged beach as fishermen bring in their catch for us to cook
Farewell cocktails with passed plates from our private chef and Asturian music at the Palacio before departure the next morning
Day
8
Goodbye
One last breakfast at Palacio de Figueras
Private transfer back to Oviedo Airport
Meet Our Hosts
Local Guide
Alejo Sabugo
Fixer, Producer, Explorer
We met Asturias native Alejo Sabugo when he worked on the “Parts Unknown” Asturias episode. Though he’s worked as a producer and fixer, his true talent is as a tireless enthusiast for all things Asturias, from cider to fabada to gamoneu cheese to the wildness of its mountains and coasts. Today, Alejo is an integral part of the League of Travelers and Roads & Kingdoms family.
Where You’ll Stay
Parador de Cangas de Onís
Rural Retreat
Set on a bend in the Sella Riverin the foothills of the Picos de Europa mountain range, an 8th-century monastery has been remade as a luxurious rural retreat. But the history of Cangas de Onís goes back even further and plays a pivotal role in the history of Spain. This is the spot where the first Asturian king Pelayo is believed to have begun the centuries-long re-conquest of Spain over the Moors. And the rooms are very nice too.
Parador de Corias
Forest Monastery
Surrounded by forests, mountains, and rolling vineyards, the Parador de Corias is set within the preserved Monastery of San Juan Bautista, known as “The Escorial of Asturias” for its imposing architecture. Managed by a community of Dominican monks, the Parador offers a transporting feeling of monastic life, with none of its privations. The basement houses a museum where you can view the archaeological remains of the original building, which dates to the early 11th century.
Vestige Palacio de Figueras
Seaside Palace
Perched above a tranquil ria, where the Cantabrian sea comes inland and separates Asturias and Galicia, a majestic 16th-century palace with a central tower and two crenellated wings dominates the skyline. The heritage-marked Palacio de los Trénor in Figueras underwent an 11-year renovation in its transformation into a luxury hotel. Landscaped gardens flow into a set of terraces bursting with plants, trees and flowers down towards the coast, offering winding pathways, hidden corners, a private chapel, and glimpses out to sea.
We pierced the ‘tourist bubble’ largely through Alejo’s connections.
James B.
Asturias Unconquered 2023
The selection of curated experiences surpassed our expectations. We are already talking about another trip.
Jean M.
Asturias Unconquered 2023
Nathan and Alejo were consummate hosts. Thank you for a truly magical experience!
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