Mountain House in the Picos de Europa
- Internet Access
- Log Fire
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Walking
This large house, known locally as La Casona, occupies a prime position in the mountain hamlet of Basieda in the Picos de Europa. The house has a perfect situation at the front of the village with a spectacular view across the valley below and to the hills rising steeply to the high mountains beyond.
This large spacious rental sleeps 6-8 people very comfortably - we prefer small groups - although it can sleep up to 14 people. An ideal holiday home for rent all year round. Basieda is a remote hamlet built into the mountainside in the Liébana Valley, 15km from Potes in the Picos de Europa. The Picos de Europa is the most impressive part of the Cordillera de Cantabrica mountain range of the North of Spain. Potes is the main jumping-off point for the Picos de Europa and is a centre for outdoor activities such as: paragliding, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing, quad biking and canyon ascending. The house belonged to the de Monasterio family - they produced several minor painters and the court musician, Jesus de Monasterio, whose statue can be seen in Potes.
De-stress and enjoy the beauty and peace of this unspoilt place. Take in the pure air, the sun, the bright starry nights. The walking round here is marvellous and as easy or difficult as you choose. You will find a map of walks in the house. The owners live nearby and will help and advise you when you want. The area is quite exceptional for birding, flowers, trees, butterflies, mushrooms and general flora and fauna due to the unspoilt countryside. The dawn chorus can make you feel happy to be alive and the variety of flowers can make a walk seem like going through a perfect rock garden. Liébana is steeped in history so there are lots of places to visit - many of them within walking distance of Basieda.
Getting There:
Basieda can be reached by ferry to Santander or Bilbao, by flights to Bilbao, Santander or Madrid or by road through France. Bookings can normally start on any day of the week to enable you to take advantage of cheap mid-week airfares etc. The house will generally be ready for your arrival between 4 and 6 pm and you are requested to leave by 10.00 am.
Nearest Airport:
Santander 120km
Nearest Train Station:
Santander 120km
Nearest Ferry:
Santander 120km
Nearest Restaurant:
1km
Nearest Beach:
50km
Car Hire:
Advised
Interior Details
It's a beautiful example of the local traditional style - built with thick walls of local stone, huge hand-hewn beams and wide stairways of oak from the ancient forests of the Picos de Europa. The house has five double, one twin and two single bedrooms. The first floor houses the kitchen / dining room which has a spectacular mountain style fireplace. The kitchen is fully equipped with hob, oven, microwave, dish-washer and food processor. Water is supplied direct from mountain streams and is drinkable. There are also two double and one single bedrooms on this floor. The second floor has two double, one single and one twin bedrooms, as well as a bathroom and a very large living room. The third floor has a further double bedroom, a bathroom and another living room with TV, VCR and DVD player.
Exterior Details
The manor house stands in its own walled garden and courtyard. The walls at the sides and rear are high and at the front they're only knee high but they're on the edge of a ha-ha so you have privacy as well as the spectacular view. There are always plants and shrubs in bloom and plenty of space for al-fresco eating, sunbathing, just looking at the wonderful view or watching the world go by.
Further Details
The holiday coast of North Spain with its white sandy beaches is an hour away through the dramatic Hermida Gorge. The climate of this sheltered valley is almost Mediterranean - a genuine sunny, warm, dry micro-climate. It's worth noting that the sea, with a fantastic beach, is just an hour away for when you want a sea change! The nearest town for shopping is Potes, 15km away. There are several local restaurants - three within 1