Anyone who has been to Northern Spain - care to discuss best routes etc?

[said]

Just looked at Brittany Ferries and it is over £1000 to Santander which I don't particularly fancy anyway and doesn't relly save a huge amount of time.

Who has done or does holidaying on "Green Spain" who can pass on any tips? Thanks

I've not done the ferry route but have taken the overnight train from London to Catalonia a few times - I think it can be a bit cheaper if you plan ahead / choose the right times. It's not as cheap as flying though and how fun it is depends on your taste. I LOVE sleeper trains but I've recommended it to friends with mixed results.

This is a good website for trains to Spain

Or you could go the Plymouth / Cherbourg route which I think has more offers / competition so that might drive price down and drive down western France?

Sorry said - I've just realised I've completely confused your "Green Spain" phrase- I thought you meant not flying - and you mean the northern coast don't you

Ignore and pass on through...

Wow, never thought of a train. Not looked at link yet but assuming not one you put your car on?

Yes, ferry to St Malo/Cherbourg also and option but with 2 kids (o a bad traveller) I'm not so sure.

Never mind, thanks anyway. The train looks great. If only we go no kids

Portsmouth Cherbourgh. What is WRONG with me today?

Yeah - sleepers would be rubbish with kids unless they were a bit older.

We had a lovely holiday in Austrias last year - flew to Oveido and got train to a place called Poo (it wasn't Poo at all - pronounced Po). Really small place but with lovely surrounding beaches. It was cheap and the kids loved it. We rented a small house and the flight was really cheap

Oh, janx where was the flight from? We can fly to Bilbao. And did you hire a car? Where did you find you accommodation - best website? I had heard of Poo before

We holidayed near Llanes in Asturias last June for MIL's 80th. Wonderful place, fab beach with rockpools and caves galore. Definitely intend to go back although I would imagine getting around the one track villages in summer hols could be a nightmare.

My DH loves cycling so he had a great time over the Picos de Europa.

Went to a fab zoo near Santander which has vast enclosures so you drive around by car (but not into the enclosures IYSWIM).

We got our house from holiday properties direct. Was OK as we needed space for 10 on a tight budget but am sure there are better options out there.

We did do the ferry route as that's how MIL wanted to travel. Bunks were very uncomfortable but on the return we got a free upgrade to Commodore Class which gave larger cabins, double beds, DVD player for kids and priority booking at restaurant which gets v.busy. If I used ferry again I would pay for Commodore class.

Agree though that flight + car hire would be cheaper.

Oh, thanks. It all sounds gorgeous.