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TRAVEL
LLANES AND PICOS
DE EUROPA
Nature in its Purest Form
From Llanes, we set off by road into the
heart of the Picos de Europa Natural
Park. This route—one of the most dan-
gerous in Spain, and also one of the most
beautiful—is suitable only for seasoned
drivers. It leads us to the famed “Lagos
de Covadonga”, Enol and Ercina, perched
over 1,000 metres above sea level. These
crystal-clear lakes, surrounded by moun-
tains, offer a breathtaking display, reflec-
ting the peaks on their surfaces like natural
mirrors of extraordinary beauty.
In the very heart of the Picos de Europa,
the Sanctuary of Covadonga rises as
both a spiritual and natural icon. The San-
ta Cueva, carved into the rock, shelters the
image of the Virgin of Covadonga, patron
saint of Asturias, whose veneration dates
back to the 8th century, linked to the legen-
dary Battle of Covadonga (722)—the sym-
bolic beginning of the Reconquista. Beside
it, the neo-Romanesque Basilica of Santa
María la Real stands amidst green valleys,
cascading waterfalls, and glacial lakes.
Enol lake
This setting, wrapped in mist and ancient woodland, blends devotion, his-
tory, and the grandeur of the Cantabrian range, offering a landscape whe-
re the sacred and the wild embrace one another.
After this moment of spiritual reverence comes a culinary one. At El Co-
rral del Indianu in Arriondas, all expectations are more than met—espe-
cially with its spectacular fabada.
We return to Llanes to wander its streets, stroll along its beaches, and
pick up a few Asturian specialities: a richly flavoured cabrales cheese and
a ready-to-cook fabada to take home.And for those still eager for more,
we seek out culinary excellence for dinner: El Retiro is the perfect place.
Basilica of Covadonga / Fabada at El Corral del Indianu / Our support coach and its driver, Benito is a true legend!
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