Slow Train through Asturias

This holiday was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, rest and recuperate (I was recovering from doing the Camino del Norte) and marvel at the beautiful and varied landscapes of 'green Spain'. Superb beaches, summery climes (as described by an English person more used to cloud and rain), rugged mountains, and unique rural and coastal scenery. However, the people were so kind and welcoming, especially if one tries to speak a bit of Spanish (English speaking is not to be expected). Appreciating the Asturian culture, it's food, wines and customs, as well as history and faith was a privilege to experience. The feve experience was a bit like trying pulpo, it didn't look that promising at first sight but was well worth not holding back on.

Aviles is worth visiting, with a small but good museum giving an introduction to the old town, and if time the modern Niemeyer centre has some interesting exhibitions. The preromanesque buildings at Oviedo are interesting, though to see the best of them involves a short bus ride from the centre. The art gallery in Oviedo has some good pictures by local artists. It is worth having more than one night in Oviedo, if you want to see anything of the city.

This was our first slow journey with Inntravel and it was both enjoyable and interesting with a good selection of towns visited. The Carsona de la Paca was our favourite hotel where the staff went out of their way to make you feel welcome and the breakfast was excellent. El Faro in Cudellerio is to be recommened. Aviles was worth the day trip. Ribadesella was our favourite destination with a beautiful seafront. The Tito caves are worth visiting but with no English translation, a visit to the information center before is a good idea. We picked up a walking guide from the information center which offers a good selection of walks at different levels. The Feve train was different and enjoyable but trains can oftern be late. The train recommended from Oveido to Ribadesella was not direct as in the notes. This may only have been on the day we travelled. We had to make 2 changes but luckily a ticket inspector sorted our journey out  so we didn't end up in the middle of nowhere. At the Villa Rosario we had a non seaview room which was well appointed and looked over the school and mountains. However we had to change rooms due to a leak in the air conditioning and the next room was much smaller and with windows above head height. Bonus on our holiday as La Vuelta started in Ribadesella and we were on the start line to see the race and then on the bridge to watch the cyclists go off into the mountains. A good holiday with delicious food and interesting places to visit in a lovely area of Spain.

We usually do walking holidays with Inntravel and decided to book the slow train instead. We were a little apprehensive that it might be a sedentary holiday but it certainly wasn't. We achieved at least 10,000 steps every day. We had full flexibility to walk and explore and when we did use the train, the journeys weren't too long. The scenery from the train specifically on the route to Ribadesella was stunning. We travelled along the coast with a backdrop of mountains. All hotels were real quality and the hotel staff at the Casona de la Paca in Cudillero in particular were superb and very helpful. The breakfast each day was excellent and could be ordered off a menu, small tasty dishes and lots of variety. We got our exercise up and down the steep hill to the village. The second hotel in Oviedo was of a high standard and again, an excellent breakfast. Our final stay in Ribadesella was fabulous and right on the sea front. We did ask for a room change as we weren't happy with the original room allocated and this was done for us. It was great to see the Pilgrims who regularly passed the hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and recommend Northern Spain. Although this was a train holiday, Inntravel provided walking routes as well which we could take advantage of. Another great Inntravel holiday and we look forward to the next one! 

We had the most fantastic holiday. All the hotels were fabulous and the train journeys we undertook were so interesting. The walk to the marina in Cudillera and back is taxing if you have knee problems, but most certainly do-able if taken slowly. We had lovely evening meals at restaurant Abichera, close to the hotel, and also El Faro in Cudillero. Unfortunately the lighthouse was closed for repairs. The coastal path walk has stunning views - we loved it. The hotel in Oviedo was really well located near to the FEVE station and the medieval part of the town. The town traill was great and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Museo de Bellas Artes. The Cathedral had an entrance fee but it was worth it. We had a wonderful meal at El Gato Nedro. At Ribadesella in hotel Villa Rosario we would definitely recommend booking the rooms with the sea view. Tito Bustillo Caves were amazing - the cafe is closed at the moment. El Campanu restaurant was great and we treated ourselves to the tasting menu at Ayagla restaurant which was fantastic - both quality and presentation of the dishes and the charmingly relaxed service living up to its Michelin star. Breakfast at all hotels was superb.

Highly recommend visiting this lush, green part of Spain. Three very different places to explore and sample the local food and drink. The hotels were all very different, with Casona de la Paca being our favourite. Using the FEVE trains allowed an insight into the local life and countryside. The small farmsteads were dotted about in the rolling hills. Inntravel once again provided excellent notes and information and it was well organised. Recommend visiting the Tito Bustillo caves in Ribadesella and looking for the dinosaur footprints in the cliffs.

Aviles and Tito Bustillo Caves were highlights for us. Tourist train in Ribadesella is a good way to see the highlights of the town.

TIPS: Visit Oviedo Cathedral early in the morning (opens at 10am), as it was very peaceful and quiet. Restaurants: El Faro, El Pescador in Cudillero. Casa Ramon, Oviedo. Plenty of fish restaurants in Ribadesella alongside the port. Quince Nudos close to the hotel was closed during the week, when we visited (May).

The Feve railway was a delightful way to travel to visit other places.

Asturias is a beautiful region of Spain, very green and different from the costas we are used to so on our journeys on the slow train (a bit of a misnomer - not express but not slow) we enjoyed stunning scenery.  All 3 locations had their own particular charms - ports, beaches, towns.  We ate very well everywhere with a great range of low price and fine dining.  We used the online FEVE timetables as suggested by Inntravel and they were indeed different from the times in the notes. In addition, there is more than one daily return train to Llanes.  Fabulous holiday, thoroughly enjoyed it.