From Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the Asturias in the north of Spain

Friday, 24/06/11 - Lisbon - Coimbra
In Lisbon, we will take the car to Hertz, a new Citroen C3 new. It starts at about 16 north, first stop in Santarem, a walk in the historic center to the point of the valley of the Tejo (Tagus). It then goes on to Coimbra where we install the Residencial "Flor de Coimbra", a family-run guesthouse in an old house recently renovated, which receives a number of years the artists of "Coimbra Jazz." The Residencial is situated in a very central area, which is accessed on foot throughout the historic area. (Cost € 50 double including breakfast). The smell coming from the kitchen is too inviting, and we decide to stop for dinner. The evening continues at the Santa Cruz café with a show of fado and then a few kilometers to dispose of!

Saturday, 25/6/11 Coimbra
Visit the city of Coimbra, starting with port dell'Almedina you climb on the steps "Quebra Costas" to the old cathedral, where we run into the first marriage of the day. Then on to the museum of ... ... .... . Opposite the museum is the new cathedral and there imbattiao in the second marriage, the perpetual forces us at the entrance to the offer of 1 € perl and works of the church. Opposite the cathedral stands the new University and shortly afterwards the old University, housed in an old royal palace. Do not miss the Palace of the University Library and Ioannina. Then down again towards the Baixa to reach again the gate of Almedina. Inboccata shopping street on the left we come to the bridge of Santa Clara where he enjoyed a good view of the historic part of town. Dinner on the banks of the Mondego in one of the restaurants of Green Park, scenic ride at night and again in the Café Santa Cruz, where they performed in the square in front of different groups of "tuna" with traditional music. In the square of Santa Cruz there is a shop with all the interesting regional products, sweets, honey, herbal teas, olive oil, cheese, ham, etc.etc.

Sunday, 26/6/11 Coimbra - Mogadouro
It starts in the north, the goal today is the Serra de Estrela and the upper valley of the Douro.
The Estrade are incredibly empty, walk several miles without encountering anyone. The Estrade new and in perfect condition to appear oversized perl amount of existing traffic and to make matters worse an infinite number of works in progress. Most of the interent are funded by the European Commission and these monumental works seem a bit out of place if we think the economic situation in Portugal is almost on the verge of bankruptcy, with a troika of international commissioners to govern the finances of the country.
However the first stage, and we continue to SEIA, the slopes of the Serra de Estrela, a plateau of fantastic buy cherries and we climbed over Serra. The new C3 seems to suffer a little on slopes of 10% or 12%, but gradually go up, are the first stores of "Greenhouse queijo" a fabulous cheese from sheep, leather goods, the dogs of the greenhouse. The highest point in Portugal is situated between these mountains, and more at Tower precisaemnte (1995 meters). We allow ourselves a break and buy the famous cheese and prosciutto "serrano". We are 200 meters, but the temperature still around 30 degrees, we dare not imagine what awaits us iferno lower. After the Tower, we descend towards the valley of glacial Zezere, you can see from the vantage point of Cantaro Skinny. Then we descend to Covilha, famous perl and its wool.
Look a little after we reach 13, with about 39 degrees in temperature. The old town is interesting and completely deserted the streets and squares make the surreal atmosphere. This city perched on the rocky spur of a hill was used to control the border area between Christians and Muslims in the north to the current Spain. Watch arise around a series of fortified towns of the medieval period, and we visit Pinhel Castelo Rodrigo, the latter undoubtedly the most impressive and best preserved. Near the castle a bar with delicious pastries, tea and other local products assoloutamente not to be missed.
Look after we leave the Mondego River and toward the high proseguaimo Douro Valley the road runs between plantations of olive trees before reaching the valley give way to vineyards. This area produces some of the best Portuguese wines.
Perl night we settle at the "Casa das Aguas Ferreas", a home with a few guest rooms (50 € the double). The house is located in a green area about 2 km from Mogadouro. For dinner, the famous "de Costoleta Vitela" (restaurante Estoril), really delicious. Two steps in the historical center in rehab (again with EU funds). The old part of town is still quaint and probably will be even more valued when they completed the task of rehabilitation.

Monday 27/06/11
Mogadouro - Canga de Onis
Mogadouro, Braganca, Rio de Honor, Puebla Sanabria, de Onis Canga (Roman bridge), (dinner at Bodega Chispa) cider
Pousada Monasterio € 36

Tuesday 28/06/11
Canga de Onis - Poo de Llanes
Canga, Asturias, Covadonga, Covadonga Lakes, Asiego, Arenas de Cabrales (lunch at Sant 'Elmo), Garganta, Comillas (Capricho de Gaudi), Playa de Tagle, Suanches, Llanes.
Today was the circumnavigation in anticipation of the Picos de Europa, but the day is to be wolves, low clouds, rain and near zero visibility. After climbing to the shrine of Covadonga and the lakes in my memory from which she enjoyed a good view of the Picos, we see that the view is reduced to twenty feet, is also the temperature dropped again and we are now at 10 º. Two days ago a few miles from here we were at 41 º! After lunch in Arenas de Cabrales (Sant 'Elmo restaurant on the main road, with excellent meat and peppers stuffed with Cabrales, we decide to change route and go along the coast, out of a program that allows us to discover random Comillas and its post-modernistic box buildings. In particular visit "El Capricho" de Gaudi, only by the famous architect who is outside of Catalunya. Visit some deserted beaches for clear weather conditions and come in Llanes, interesting destinations with its historical center.
Miramar Hotel Vila Poo de Llanes € 50 including breakfast

Wednesday 29/06/11
Poo de Llanes - Canga of Narcea
Poo, Monasterio de San Antolin, Cuevas del Mar Playa, Ribadesella Llastres, Playa Rodiles, Vila Graciosa, Oviedo, Canga of Narcea
The view from the church Playa de Cuevas del Mar is spectacular and makes the idea of ??the rugged coastline of Asturias with high cliffs, pastures and beautiful coves with sandy beaches. Llastres worth a visit, well kept and spectacularly perched on the cliff face overlooking the harbor. We go up to the Mirador de San Roque, and we decide to have lunch in the restaurant "Mirador de San Roque "with two terraces overlooking the bay and the mountains of the Serra de Cantabria and the Picos de Europa.
Casilla Hotel € 39

Thursday 30/06/11
Canga of Narcea - Potes
Canga Narcea the Parque Natural de las Fuentes del Narcea, Picos de Europa, Cain de Valdeon, Puente San Glorio, Potes
The day is promising, clear skies, we ascend the valley of the Narcea, is an area with dense forest in which wolves and bears are still living. The new gallery was built does not allow us to travel across the mountain road, but given the good time we decided to head towards the Picos de Europa, we move into the area to the Moon with its artificial lake and a country.

 

Then go down to the Posada Valdeon and from here we continue into the canyon that leads to Cain, a road on the river suspended under vaults of rock, very picturesque. Cain begins to walk the path that goes back down the valley (about 5 hours). We go to Puerto San Glorio at over 1600 meters and suddenly we are surrounded by clouds and the visibility is zero, we see the mirador de Llebas barely sign. Going down to potes the view is gorgeous, green pastures with cows and sheep and yellow patches of broom. Potes is a very pleasant town with streets in a continuous up and down.
Dinner at the "Captain of Cenador" deer fillet with foie gras and porcini mushrooms, veal fillet with potatoes and peppers, then a local cake "Canonigo and" wine "Picos" (67 €), all really good (it will be elected miles Restaurant of the holiday).
Accommodation "Casa Cayo" 45 € the double room with terrace overlooking the river, near the bridge, and the good life on the Picos town of Potes. Place nice and quiet, despite being located in the main street of Potes, the holiday will be named the best accommodation.

Friday 06/01/11
Potes - Porto
Potes, Mirador de Llesba, Port
It starts from Potes with a good sunny day, so we decided to return to the Mirador de Llebas, since the day before was immersed in the clouds with no visibility. From the Mirador enjoys a good view over the valley of Potes and on the south east of the Picos, particularly remarkable view of the Naranjo de Bulnes. We continue in the direction of Riaño, friendly town built on the banks of the artificial baciono. On the road, shortly after Cistierna, buy cheese directly to the holding of sheep (700 sheep).
In Leon inbocchiamo the highway to return to port, let Benvides, Puebla Sanabria, Chaves, Salgadas Pedras, and finally Port Vila Real. Visit the beach area at Lavra, Leça and then we head towards the city center. We settle at the Hotel America, Rua Santa Catarina (60 € the double). Visit the city center. Infante Don crossing the bridge there is a spectacular view across the city and bridges Don Luis and Maria Pia. Traffic in Porto is exaggerated, and there is a Friday night music show on the river, giant traffic jam results. Lavish abandon at the top near the bridge and continue on foot Infante Don. Dinner at Bacalhaoeiro (Vila Nova de Gaia): Carpaccio de bacalhão, Bacalao Dourado, Bacalhão crust with de de pão milho, vinho verde (37 €).
Wine tasting at Sandeman Port, night tour in the area of ??the bridge Don Luis.
Porto is really very interesting and deserves at least a couple of days to visit, unfortunately there is more time, but it definitely will return for a visit more accurate.

Saturday, 02/07/11
Porto - Milan
We leave the car at Hertz and we boarded the flight to Milan