Itinerary
Day One
Arrival at Bilbao and transfer to hotel.
Day Two
Drive east to the facsimile of the painted cave discovered in 1969 at Ekain in the Basque country, with some of the most realistic polychrome depictions of horse and bison. Afternoon to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao - a chance to juxtapose the most ancient art with the most contemporary.
Day Three
Attractive drive through the mountains to the small cave of Covalanas with frieze deer drawn entirely in red dotted outline. Steep walk up to this cave, and only a few people may enter at once, but it is worth the wait! Afternoon visit to the cave of El Pendo, with its panel 8.8m long of painted animals. Portable art in bone and antler was also found here. Continue to our Parador in Santillana del Mar.
Day Four
The famous cave of Altamira is 1.5km up a country road - a pleasant walk in good weather. We see the superb facsimile of the cave and the museum. There will be much to discuss following this visit... Along the coast to El Pindal, a cave set into the cliffs above the sea, in one of the most beautiful and spectacular locations of all the decorated caves. Here there is a series of geometric signs - and a variety of animal figures, including bison, deer, a fish and an unusual painting of a mammoth.
Day Five
In the hills to the south of Santillana, by the pretty spa-town of Puento Viesgo, are several decorated cave sites, two of which we will visit: Las Monedas is a large, labyrinthine cave in which cave bear bones were also found. The art in this cave is extremely homogenous and it is considered likely that it was produced quickly and by just one person. The art of El Castillo, by contrast, clearly belongs to a number of different phases, and recently produced the earliest dates for cave art in the world, more than 40,000 years. There are hundreds of animal figures and 50 red hand stencils. The cave is so large, and the art so abundant that only a fraction can be seen during our visit. Free time this afternoon in Santillana.
Day Six
Drive west along the coast into Asturias to visit La Loja, a cave with some fine engravings which stand out clearly in white against the dark rock. This afternoon we see the huge and famous cave of Tito Bustillo which was only discovered in 1968 by a group of young speleologists. The modern entrance has been punched into the back of the cave so that one walks towards the original entrance which collapsed and was blocked in about 10,000BC. The main panel here is one of the glories of Ice Age art. The cave is rich in artworks, but is most famed for a spectacular frieze of horses and reindeer.
Day Seven
The most famous engraving at Candamo cave is a big stag turning its head, and apparently pierced by many spears; but the cave contains many other fine figures, some in surprising locations. We continue to the Prehistoric park at Teverga, for a superb final overview of the subject.
Day Eight
Free time in Oviedo, depending on flight time, before flight home.
N.B. It has never been a problem in the past, but we cannot guarantee entry to all caves
What's Included
- Flights - Scheduled flights Stansted/Bilbao, Oviedo/Stansted Easyjet are the only direct flights to both places. If you prefer to find your own way, it is possible to book on-line with Iberia via Madrid
- Local Travel - Private a/c coach
- Guide Lecturer - Dr Paul Bahn. Not to be confused with "guest lecturers"! The guide lecturer will be with you from breakfast to supper, and probably even a drink in the bar afterwards. There is the occasional site where they may not be allowed to guide because of local regulations but otherwise the guides are just that.·They will have been chosen because of specialist knowledge and their ability to communicate and interest you. After 29 years of making tours worldwide, we are highly appreciative of the attributes of a good guide, and intensely critical of people who do not possess them
- Tour Manager - Stasa Bailey. We never know how best to call the very special people whom we choose to accompany you on your tour. They are usually employed in this capacity only by us, and have been trained to do things in the Andante way - unobtrusive, friendly and quietly efficient.
- Meals - All meals included (dinners with wine & water) except lunch days 1, 4 & 8
- Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites & tips included
- Field Notes
Note
N.B. It has never been a problem in the past, but we cannot guarantee entry to all caves
Hotel
2 nights in a 5* hotel in Bilbao;
3 nights in a Parador in Santillana del Mar;
2 nights in a city centre hotel in historic Oviedo
Book Now!
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Mon 17th - Mon 24th Jun 2013 with Dr Paul Bahn
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Singles: Full
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Twin/Doubles: Full
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