Café Gijón

Advantages: location, comfort, relaxed atmosphere
Disadvantages: no hotel car park

...We spent two nights here last August during our second holiday in Asturias ("we" being my husband and myself and our 3 children then aged 5,11 and 12) and had a fantastic time. The idea was to see a bit of Gijon before heading into the hills for a week's self-catering in a former shepherd's home now converted and with all mod-cons. In fact it was the owner of the cottage-rental company we used who suggested this hotel. As it turned out we wished we had spent longer in Gijon as it is a super city with plenty to see and do. The hotel Asturias makes a great base as it is an easy stroll to the beaches, marina, headland, old fishing quarter, aquarium, museums and shops. Set in the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) we had wondered about noise at night from neighbouring bars but I can honestly say it was not a problem - and our rooms had balconies... Read review

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Advantages: Pleasant weather, superb scenery and cheap flights
Disadvantages: None discovered

...quality, Spanish design and great value. ( My congregation has been warned to wear sunglasses for the next few Sundays!!) WHAT CAN YOU EAT ? : Earleir this year, I criticised the Canary Islands for the lack of authentic Spanish meals available as compared with more bland tourist meals of steak and chips. Asturias was a delight. It will require another review to detail our excitement at various 'Menu Del Dia' treats we enjoyed, but a sample will do.! In the city of Gijon, I had the lunchtime menu. First course : Rice salad - freshly made, full of aroma and taste. Second Course : Fish - whiting? with mussles, clams, potatoes and some gorgeous gravy. Third course : Escalope of veal with chips. Desert : Creme Caramel. Bread and drinks( water or wine )- included. Total cost : 7.50 euros - about a fiver! Only slight moan about... Read review

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Advantages: Clean, cheap, uncrowded, scenery, friendliness of the people
Disadvantages: Cost for ferries to Spain. Otherwise very little.

...the Sideria where cider is poured at arm's length to a glass held near the floor.... supposedly to increase the air content of the cider thus making it taste better. Cities include Oviedo and Gijon - where there is excellent night life. The beaches are clean, uncrowded, and safe. You will be hard pressed to find another Brit anywhere... so a smattering of Spanish is an advantage. Getting there: ferries go from Plymouth to Santander or Portsmouth to Bilbao. These are extortionate and mean that most Brits never find the north of Spain. Better by far is a short ferry crossing and the drive through France. Use it as part of your holiday. You will pass through the Loire valley with all its chateaux. The forests of Les Landes are very beautiful. We stay in a motel in Ondres overnight (Motel des Ondres) near Bayonne which is comfortable, a bit basic... Read review

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