Llanes and Comillas

 Moving from the Asturian mountains to the coastal city of Llanes famous for their seafood, cheese and cider.....

 

 Outside the cider house the sculptures show how the cider is "thrown" into the glass to add a touch of fizziness to the drink.

Here we're having a sampling of the cider, the famous Asturian bean stew and prawns from the Cantabrian sea.  Some of the best Spanish food so far but next time we'll have beer and wine!

One of many beaches on the camino del norte....

Moving out of Llanes...

 

Moving on to Comillas Cantabria....

Views from our Hotel in Comillas....

Near our hotel we visit the spectacular Capricho de Gaudi!

El Capricho is a villa designed by Antoni Gaudí. It was built in 1883–1885 for the summer use of a wealthy client, Máximo Díaz de Quijano who died a year before the house was completed.

 

 The detail of the home is incredible. Here you can see the stained glass windows that show (amongst other things) a dragonfly playing guitar, a blackbird playing piano, & butterflies flying in the blue circles.

Mr. Gaudi and I contemplating the future of the world....

 

The house is covered in these custom made sunflower and leaf tiles. A true work of art by the master Antonio Gaudi. In 1977, the last descendant of the López-Díaz de Quijano family sold the property and it was restored and turned into a restaurant in 1988. Finally, in 2009, the building became a museum.

 

Not only does Comillas have the Capricho, but also other architectural charms such as the Capilla Panteón de Sobrellano. This chapel was constructed in 1878.

 

 

 

And also the extravagant Palace of Sobrellano. Note that Gaudi assisted architect Joan Martorell in the design of this palace

 

 

 

Comillas was a special stop for us in many way. Seeing some of Gaudi works outside Catalonia and also taking a cold swim in the Cantabrian sea made this destination one of a kind.

See you on the next post.