Flavours of France & Northern Spain

Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.

Exploring Gijon in October offers many experiences and sights to savour, like the glacial lakes of Covadonga, whose picturesque views are a superb starting point for hiking trails in the Picos de Europa, renowned for their limestone peaks, deep gorges, and diverse ecosystems. You can engage in local life by enjoying Asturian cider at a traditional sidrería and discovering how it’s poured from a great height, or by sampling fabada asturiana, a rich bean stew known as one of the region’s most famous dishes. As you stroll through the narrow streets of the oldest part of the city, Cimadevilla, you’ll uncover historic buildings, quaint shops, and cider houses, while the Covadonga Sanctuary is a historic and spiritual site nestled in the mountains, an area that’s also home to the Basilica de Santa Maria, intriguingly built into the rock face.

Located between Gijon and Bilbao on Spain’s north coast, Santander is an elegant city with impressive buildings set against a natural backdrop of sea and mountains. The city combines its heritage with modernity perfectly, and is best seen via the popular funicular railway that creeps up to the upper section of Santander, offering superb views across the bay. Close by are prehistoric caves, which contain some of the most important cave paintings of Quaternary art.

On the Magdalena Peninsula, a beautiful, 69-acre haven located near to the entrance of the Bay of Santander, proudly stands the magnificent Royal Palace of Magdalena. Built by King Alfonso XIII, the palace served as a summer escape for the King and his family, who would visit the peninsula to enjoy its peace, beauty and seasonal sunshine. Its grand architecture and beautiful gardens now serve as a the seat of Menéndez Pelayo International University.

Situated in the Bordeaux wine region, Pauillac is well regarded as a key wine-producing area of France. The combination of renowned vineyards, beautiful landscapes and rich wine culture make it a special place to visit. The town itself is full of character with local cafes and restaurants offering regional dishes such as Canelé, a delicious cake with a rich, custardy filling, enrobed in a caramelised exterior; or meat dishes accompanied by bordelaise sauce, paired perfectly with a Médoc wine. Pauillac's other notable highlights are related to the chateaux and wine estates, among which are the acclaimed estates of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Chateau Latour.