50mollyl, Sep 2026
Good tour of the Picos & cheese cave
I can’t say I’m fond of Cool Destinations. They seem to provide companies the ability to post their own tours, which may or may not have enough information, and if you have questions, there’s no way to ask them. I did not get my ticket until 24 hours prior to the start of the tour (which would have given me no option to cancel 24 hours prior, if I had wanted to do so). I was also left wondering if there was even room for me on the tour, and so was unable to make alternate plans if needed. Having never been to these areas, I was dressed inappropriately in a sundress and strappy sandals, which made it difficult to climb up steeply sloped hills in Bulnes (not Bunnes, as the tour listed).
Beyond that, the tour was excellent. We stopped to take photos of the Picos de Europa at a photo stop, then arrived in Bulnes, where we took a modern Funicular ride 2.2 miles into the mountain. On the other side, you can hike further up the mountain, and/or stop for lunch (my choice). I had the “abuela” (grandmother’s) plate, which included scrambled eggs, Spanish bacon, a fried corn cake and fries. Yum! Also went with dessert, which was like a creamy caramel martini topped with whipped cream and caramel, and a cordito. Last stop was the Cabrales Cheese Cave, which, although you are in a cave, it is not a cave where cheese is actually stored, and you do not see the cheese being made, tested for ripeness of turned. That’s OK, we were all running out of steam anyway. The tour ended with a tasting of two types of Cabrales cheese on toasts and small shot of sidra, and back to Oviedo we went.
Again, a note to the ladies - bathroom stops may be at bus stations, which have no toilet seats, and may or may not have toilet paper. Bring your own!
