Silversea Expedition Cruises To GIJON

Admire the stunning beauty and history of Covadonga and its magnificent lakes during this full-day sightseeing excursion. Before your day is over, enjoy lunch in beautiful Parador in the village of Cangas de Onis.

Mirador de la Reina

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate 1.5-hour drive to Covadonga. En route, a photo stop is made at the 'Mirador de la Reina' for spectacular panoramic views over the Sierra de Covalierda and its succession of rocky pyramids. After your photo stop here, re-board your coach and drive to the lakes of Covadonga.

Lakes of Covadonga

The lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, are located at an elevation of 3,510 feet (1,070 metres) and 3,635 feet (1,108 metres), respectively. Take a guided walking tour at both lakes to admire their exquisite beauty and surroundings. Following your lake visits, continue on to Covadonga.

Covadonga

The village of Covadonga is located in Asturias, in north-western Spain, among the Picos de Europa Mountains. Covadonga is the site of a victory by Spanish Christians over the occupying Moors in 722 A.D. This was widely thought to be the start of the Reconquista, the 770-year effort to expel the Moors from Iberia. Covadonga is currently a Marian shrine, largely due to the belief that before the battle, the Virgin Mary came to King Ramiro announcing that he would overthrow the Moors. After a visit to the Cave and Basilica of Covadonga, re-board your coach for the drive to Parador.

Parador

Upon arrival in beautiful Parador, proceed for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, some free time is made available for independent exploration in the village of Cangas de Onis before commencing the 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1,148 yards (1,050 metres), at times over cobblestone and uneven surfaces and inclines. This tour is not recommended for those guests with limited mobility or who utilise a wheelchair. In the event of fog, the drive to the lakes of Cavodonga cannot be made. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Discover the historic sights and picturesque beauty of Oviedo during this delightful, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Oviedo, the modern capital of the Asturias region, and most culturally significant and historically interesting city in the province.

Oviedo

Upon arrival, take a panoramic sightseeing drive through Oviedo, then proceed for a guided walking tour of the downtown area. Despite the initial misleading and somewhat industrial appearance of Oviedo, once in the heart of the town you discover a beautifully maintained old quarter with a wealth of history and architecture. The shining star is the Cathedral of Oviedo, which occupies a large square and is elegant and tall, but there are also many other interesting buildings. There is a bustling market, numerous cafes, spectacular churches, castles, palaces and museums.

Along the way, an exterior photo stop is made at the Gothic-styled San Salvador Cathedral. From here, continue through the carefully restored Old Town area which is decorated with beautiful sculptures and is one of the cleanest and friendliest cities in Europe.

Following your walking tour, some free time is made available to explore the Old Town at your leisure before commencing the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.75 miles (about 1.2 metres), at times on cobblestone and uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Explore the Old World beauty, landmarks and history of Gijon during this half-day sightseeing excursion and cider tasting. The impetuous Bay of Biscay (or Cantabrian Sea as it is known locally), which embraces the city of Gijón, has marked its history for over 5,000 years.

Gijon Sightseeing

Depart the pier for a panoramic sightseeing drive through Gijon, the oldest, most modern and populated city in Asturias. Along the way, a photo stop is made at Mirador de la Providencia before continuing through the district of Deva. Your first stop is at Labour University, or Universidad Laboral, which is similar to El Escorial in Madrid but twice as large.

Cider Tasting

Next, re-board your coach and proceed for a cider-making demonstration. Learn how cider, a typical Asturian drink, is made in a 'Llagar', then sample the finished product accompanied by an assortment of local cheeses. Afterward, take a panoramic drive along the seafront and through the downtown area to Cimadevilla.

Cimadevilla

Following a short briefing about Cimadevilla and its history, some free time is made available for independent exploration. You may opt to stroll up the mount to view the impressive sculpture from Chillida entitled 'Praise to the Horizon', the symbol of the city, or view the Roman baths.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximate 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 437 yards (about 400 metres), at times over cobblestone and uneven surfaces. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. A limited amount of space is available on this excursion, we recommend booking early as to avoid disappointment.

Drive only short 30-minutes away from the Austurias coastline of Gijon to one of the most important old towns in the region, Aviles. This principality possesses the most appealing architectural wealth of monuments and building treasures. Return to Gijon and discover the history of this city as well before your day is complete.

Depart the pier on your motor coach and make the short drive to Aviles.

Aviles

Due to its beautiful and extensive old district, Aviles is actually set in the smallest of the Asturian principalities. This architecturally rich hamlet probably possesses the most appealing of all of Asturias' old towns and has a wealth of monuments and building treasures, many dating back centuries. Within the historic quarter of Aviles there are a number of streets that are of particular tourist interest and many interconnect through courtyards and plazas as well as the town's central park. A great city to explore, not just because of its heritage but because of the close proximity of its interesting and attention worthy buildings. Nearly all of these occupy a compact area that sees pedestrianized paths and side streets run off a couple of squares, the plaza de Espana and the plaza de Mercado, or the parks of Ferrera and Muelle. Once in this part of the historic district it is almost impossible to miss out on any of the city's main sightseeing attractions.

Gijon

Re-board your coach and drive the short distance back to Gijon stopping first at the Labour University, similar to El Escorial in Madrid, but with double the surface area. Take the panoramic drive along the seafront back to downtown after your guide gives brief explanation of the area and then enjoy free time to explore.

Cimadevilla

The historic quarter of Gijón is formed by the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing neighbourhood of Cimadevilla. The streets between the beach of San Lorenzo and the marina gather together Roman remains, large mansions and the old houses of fishermen. In Plaza Mayor see the City Hall building (19th century), while in Jovellanos square you will find the Museum of Gijón and the birthplace of Jovellanos, an enlightened politician and writer who was born in this city. In the area known as Campo Valdés are the Valdés palace, a 16th-century building which was once the Tobacco Factory, the church of San Pedro and the Roman baths. The presence of Rome's IV Legion Macedonica in the city can be clearly seen in this hippocaust, rooms where hot air was produced for the baths, which date from the earliest centuries of our era, and in the remains found of the old walls. A hike up the hill to The Cerro de Santa Catalina will provide you with exceptional views of the outstretched coastline. The park also contains an abstract sculpture named the Elogio del Horizonte, Praise of the Horizon - the symbol of the city.

Return to the pier via your motor coach.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking at times over cobblestone and uneven surfaces. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Explore Gijon at your leisure during your Silver Shore Privato full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This Silver Shore Privato tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Tour Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Gijon at your leisure during your Silver Shore Privato half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This Silver Shore Privato tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Tour Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Gijon at your leisure during your Silver Shore Privato full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This Silver Shore Privato tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Gijon at your leisure during your Silver Shore Privato half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This Silver Shore Privato tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.