Bilbao to Santiago Coastal Route

Fourteen nights, self-guided, from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela along the coast of northern Spain. Caminos presents it as the classic northern itinerary, following close to one of the original ways of St James while keeping the sea and the Cordillera Cantabrica mountains in view.

The route mixes cities, coast and mountains. Caminos lists great walking, strong regional food and wine, ultra-modern architecture at the Guggenheim and ancient sites such as the prehistoric cave paintings at Altamira, all linked by short drives between small hotels. It can be done as a full two weeks or trimmed to suit, and the direction can be reversed.

Bilbao and the Basque Country come first, with the Guggenheim, pintxos and San Sebastian nearby. Three nights in western Cantabria cover seaside towns such as San Vicente, Comillas and Santillana del Mar. The Picos de Europa follow, with the Fuente De cable car to 1,800 metres, then western Asturias with its fishing villages, Oviedo, Gijon and a traditional cider house. Three nights on the Costa Lucense in Galicia lead to Santiago, where the trip ends with a guided walking tour of the old city.

The price covers hotels on a bed and breakfast basis for two sharing a double room, an economy four-door hire car for those flying, or Brittany Ferries crossings for travellers bringing their own car, a guide to Northern Spain and a restaurant guide covering the whole route, and instructions for finding every hotel. Flights, one-way and cross-border car hire charges, extras such as a second driver, garage parking and local tourist taxes are not included. Caminos quotes about £1,850 per person as an indicative mid-season figure for 14 nights, and adapts the route, hotels and airports to each traveller.