Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Northern Spain  (Read 3747 times)

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Northern Spain
« on: May 01, 2018, 03:20:16 am »

I'm planning a week or so in the north of Spain in August, probably starting in Bilbao and driving west along the coast. It's a family holiday, so photography will be a little constrained, but I'm hoping to have some time to indulge.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Jeremy
Logged

brianrybolt

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 625
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2018, 05:13:22 am »

You won't be far from Playa de Gueirua, Asturias, where Vieri Bottazzini (who's pictures are dotted around LuLa and recently did an article on his favourite gear). 

Have a good trip.

Brian

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2018, 02:35:37 pm »

You won't be far from Playa de Gueirua, Asturias, where Vieri Bottazzini (who's pictures are dotted around LuLa and recently did an article on his favourite gear). 

Thanks, Brian. I had Vieri very much in mind and that particular place especially.

Jeremy
Logged

Vieri Bottazzini

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1059
    • WEBSITES
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2018, 07:11:57 am »

I'm planning a week or so in the north of Spain in August, probably starting in Bilbao and driving west along the coast. It's a family holiday, so photography will be a little constrained, but I'm hoping to have some time to indulge.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Jeremy

Hi Jeremy,

Well, you cannot go wrong with the Atlantic Coast - everywhere is beautiful for photography. Playa de Gueirua is amazing but a bit hard to reach (very easy going down - semi-hard hike to go back up, not ideal if you have kids and the like!), and without knowing how far you’ll be able to go and where you plan to stay it is difficult to give you any specific pointers.

More details would definitely help us help you :)

Best regards,

Vieri
Logged
Vieri Bottazzini
Ambassador for Phase One, H&Y Filters & NYA-EVO
https://linktr.ee/vieribottazzini

Dave Rosser

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 228
    • My Website
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2018, 10:53:38 am »

I'm planning a week or so in the north of Spain in August, probably starting in Bilbao and driving west along the coast. It's a family holiday, so photography will be a little constrained, but I'm hoping to have some time to indulge.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Jeremy
Are you taking your own car.  If you are I would take Brittany Ferries to Santander from Plymouth or Portsmouth rather than starting in Bilbao  I was not very impressed with the stretch between Bilbao and Santander when in the North of Spain last year.  West from Santander is much better.  Motorways are very good in Spain but it is much more interesting to travel on the ordinary roads (except of course where they parallel a Toll road - all the HGV traffic avoids the tolls and takes the ordinary roads  ??? However you are only likely to meet Toll roads around Bilbao).  How far west are you planning on going?  There is so much to see but don't miss the Picos de Europa.
Logged

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2018, 10:54:38 am »

Well, you cannot go wrong with the Atlantic Coast - everywhere is beautiful for photography. Playa de Gueirua is amazing but a bit hard to reach (very easy going down - semi-hard hike to go back up, not ideal if you have kids and the like!), and without knowing how far you’ll be able to go and where you plan to stay it is difficult to give you any specific pointers.

More details would definitely help us help you :)

Vieri, having seen your photos from there, Playa de Gueirua is on my list.

I was vague because I don't really have any plans, other than starting from Bilbao and spending about a week, perhaps a little longer. I'll have a car and I can stay anywhere that will put us (my wife, 13-year-old daughter, small fluffy dog and me) up. It doesn't even have to be a round trip, as I can fly back (to work) alone: the family are free to spend another ten days or so getting home through France.

So I can plan the trip around the scenery.

Jeremy
Logged

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2018, 10:56:56 am »

Are you taking your own car.  If you are I would take Brittany Ferries to Santander from Plymouth or Portsmouth rather than starting in Bilbao  I was not very impressed with the stretch between Bilbao and Santander when in the North of Spain last year.  West from Santander is much better.  Motorways are very good in Spain but it is much more interesting to travel on the ordinary roads (except of course where they parallel a Toll road - all the HGV traffic avoids the tolls and takes the ordinary roads  ??? However you are only likely to meet Toll roads around Bilbao).  How far west are you planning on going?  There is so much to see but don't miss the Picos de Europa.

Dave, I will have a car but we will be driving from France, where we'll have spent the previous week. The Picos look interesting: thanks for that.

Jeremy
Logged

Vieri Bottazzini

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1059
    • WEBSITES
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2018, 02:33:23 am »

Vieri, having seen your photos from there, Playa de Gueirua is on my list.

I was vague because I don't really have any plans, other than starting from Bilbao and spending about a week, perhaps a little longer. I'll have a car and I can stay anywhere that will put us (my wife, 13-year-old daughter, small fluffy dog and me) up. It doesn't even have to be a round trip, as I can fly back (to work) alone: the family are free to spend another ten days or so getting home through France.

So I can plan the trip around the scenery.

Jeremy

I see, well Playa de Gueirua is amazing, but again a little hard to reach - steep descent (and ascent back to the car). Some of the Playas are more "family friendly", such as Ballota, and easy to find; others are quite hidden, but I might definitely recommend Playa de Buelna - El Picon (close enough to Ballota), Playa de Silencio, As Catedrais in Galicia (very easy to find and reach, but watch for the tide - recently someone died drowning because he got caught by the rising tide), Playa de Aguilar which I will post in a few minutes is easy to reach... anywhere is beautiful! :) One thing, I recommend sunrises in August - at sunset, all the beaches will be very crowded.

Best regards,

Vieri
Logged
Vieri Bottazzini
Ambassador for Phase One, H&Y Filters & NYA-EVO
https://linktr.ee/vieribottazzini

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2018, 03:54:01 am »

Excellent. Thanks, Vieri. I think I shall have some very early mornings.

Jeremy
Logged

davidgp

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 758
    • davidgp fotografia
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2018, 04:22:57 am »

Hi Jeremy,

Not sure if you are only planning the northern coast of Spain... but here are some locations that I know. Before that, watch the tides, as Vieri said, some beaches are dangerous, since they are under cliffs and when the tide comes in, and comes quickly, you can see yourself trapped away the exit point, that maybe to reach it, you have to go swimming if you are not careful. This is specially relevant in Catedrales Beach, in my home region, if you are in the right part of the beach (looking at the sea), the exit is on your left, and to get out, you have to pass for a point that the tide will be higher. You will not be the first person that has to go with your camera bar over your head...

The list is the places that I know, but not an expert in that coast, so probably I'm missing a lot.

Close to Bilbao:

- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: you can park here: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B026'33.9%22N+2%C2%B046'19.4%22W/@43.4427601,-2.7808027,7227m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4427613!4d-2.7720481 , then walk until here https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B026'42.8%22N+2%C2%B047'02.6%22W/@43.4452171,-2.7928027,7227m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4452175!4d-2.7840478 . In theory this a more direct way, but they told me they are doing some construction work on it so you don't have access. Some examples: https://500px.com/search?submit=Enviar&q=san+juan+de+gaztelugatxe&type=photos

The main problem of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe it that it was used in the last season of Game of Thrones to represent Dragon Stone Island, a friend of my that lives close by told me that now it is always full of people visiting the place for just that reason.

To get down... you will need the tide to low, and be careful, the rocks are very slippery.


- Sopelana: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B023'25.3%22N+2%C2%B059'27.8%22W/@43.3903522,-2.9998217,7234m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.3903527!4d-2.9910668 , very easy beach to access with some possibilities: https://500px.com/search?q=sopelana&type=photos&sort=relevance

- Barrika: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B024'20.1%22N+2%C2%B058'20.0%22W/@43.4055691,-2.9809807,7232m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4055699!4d-2.9722256 This is one of the most famous beaches in Spain to do photography... and surf... but the beach disappears in hide tide. https://500px.com/search?q=barrika&type=photos&sort=relevance

Costa Quebrada (Cantabria)

- Arnía - https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B028'20.6%22N+3%C2%B055'02.4%22W/@43.4723981,-3.9260917,7224m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4723991!4d-3.9173375 <-- Park there, don't go down the slope with the car, it is quite easy to get your car stuck and it is just 1 minute walk. This is a very good place for sunrise picture. If the tide is half low you can go down the beach, if it is high, I will recommend to see over it. Here stars a walk path: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B028'18.2%22N+3%C2%B055'11.5%22W/@43.4717151,-3.9286057,7224m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4717158!4d-3.9198515 that take you over it. you can do nice pictures over the top area: http://dgpfotografia.com/tag/arnia/

- Urros - https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B028'20.6%22N+3%C2%B055'29.6%22W/@43.4723771,-3.9336527,7224m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4723778!4d-3.9248976 , if you continue walking to the left (looking to the see) from Arnía high view, you will reach the Urros area. https://500px.com/search?q=urros&type=photos&sort=relevance

- Somocuevas: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B028'08.0%22N+3%C2%B056'32.7%22W/@43.4688741,-3.9511817,7224m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4688747!4d-3.9424266 The tide needs to be low to get nice pictures in the right side of the beach: https://500px.com/photo/224226419/into-the-light-by-ram%C3%B3n-m-covelo?ctx_page=1&from=search&ctx_q=somocuevas&ctx_type=photos&ctx_sort=relevance

- Pedruquios: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B027'48.3%22N+3%C2%B056'49.2%22W/@43.4634101,-3.9557547,7225m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4634114!4d-3.9469996 - https://500px.com/search?q=pedruquios&type=photos&sort=relevance

- Valdearenas and Canallave beaches: https://www.google.es/maps/place/43%C2%B026'57.4%22N+3%C2%B057'49.0%22W/@43.4492741,-3.9723717,7227m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d43.4492751!4d-3.9636167 . One of my fauvourite beadches, specailly the right side, Canallave. http://dgpfotografia.com/tag/valdearenas/

By the way, in summer all that area is going to be full of people, lot of people from Madrid go there for summer time. So make your hotel reservations with time.

Best regards,

David

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2018, 01:45:21 pm »

David, that's really helpful. Thanks very much indeed.

Jeremy
Logged

KMRennie

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 968
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2018, 07:07:18 am »

Thanks for asking the Question Jeremy and special thanks to David and Vieri. I am also visiting the North of Spain but flying in and out of Santander in September for 10 days. I have been gorging myself on Vieri's wonderful images and carefully reading his descriptions about access and tides. I hope that I can produce images in his league but even if I can't the walking, drinking and eating will make up for it. Jeremy if you can post any images when you get back I can add them to my list of places worth a visit. Ken
Logged

E.J. Peiker

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 891
    • http://www.ejphoto.com
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2018, 08:19:38 am »

Here's a taste of Asturias indexed by location on my website - wonderful place:
http://www.ejphoto.com/asturias_page.htm
Logged

KMRennie

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 968
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2018, 08:31:49 am »

Danke schön E.J. excellent images and great information. Ken
Logged

brianrybolt

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 625
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2018, 09:15:00 am »

Here's a taste of Asturias indexed by location on my website - wonderful place:
http://www.ejphoto.com/asturias_page.htm

Excellent images.  I can feel bits of Arizona the work.

Brian

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #15 on: July 18, 2018, 03:08:23 pm »

Thanks for asking the Question Jeremy and special thanks to David and Vieri. I am also visiting the North of Spain but flying in and out of Santander in September for 10 days. I have been gorging myself on Vieri's wonderful images and carefully reading his descriptions about access and tides. I hope that I can produce images in his league but even if I can't the walking, drinking and eating will make up for it. Jeremy if you can post any images when you get back I can add them to my list of places worth a visit. Ken

Of course. I suspect my photographic opportunities will be limited, as it's a family holiday, but I too have been inspired by Vieri's stuff, which is in large part why I decided to take us all there.

Jeremy
Logged

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #16 on: August 18, 2018, 04:09:27 am »

Sadly, a family bereavement forced me to cancel the trip. I hope to get there in due course, though, perhaps next year.

Jeremy
Logged

davidgp

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 758
    • davidgp fotografia
Re: Northern Spain
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2018, 02:43:48 am »

Sadly, a family bereavement forced me to cancel the trip. I hope to get there in due course, though, perhaps next year.

Jeremy

I’m very sorry to hear that Jeremy, my best wishes to you and your family.


http://dgpfotografia.com
Pages: [1]   Go Up