“Each of my Northern Spain private tours is custom designed around clients interests and preferences. No two tours are alike. I specialize in delivering unique, memorable and rewarding travel experiences in Northern Spain that you simply could not get on your own or with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Personalized service (from a real person), in depth and local.”

“MAGICAL”

”Thanks for another magical tour, for such a great trip and so many others. When I meet students they ask if I’ve been here, or there, and I often can say yes. Today one asked me about the lake in Sanabria and was stunned that I had been there.””

“A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE”

”We have been on group tours before, where the route is established, you see one thing in the morning and are left alone to discover things on your own in the afternoon. A tour given by Charles is a completely different experience. Rather than a set routine, Charles varies the experience to match your wants and needs as closely as possible. Others have described his extensive knowledge of the whole area, and I agree with everything they have said about the wonderful hotels or paradors, great food, and beautiful and inspiring sights we saw. Since I can’t think of anything else about that part of the trip that has not been said before, I would like to comment on the lengths that Charles went to in order to individualize the trip to match our dreams, starting with the time of year that would be best for us, a discussion of advantages and disadvantages of each time, and which would match best. Then we filled out a 4-page questionnaire, with lists of things such as ranking sites from most to least important to us, foods we wanted to try and foods to avoid, specific types of museums to see (or not), types of places we would like to stay at, etc. Another questionnaire was sent to make sure we would be able to navigate all roads and pathways that we would walk on. The only way we could have been disappointed would have been if we had answered incorrectly. The trip was fantastic, and we experienced even more than we expected. I wish we could clone Charles to help us with trips in other countries.”

“INCREDIBLY KNOWLEDGEABLE...INVALUABLE”

”Traveling to the Paleolithic caves in Norther Spain has been bucket list item for me for perhaps 50 years. It finally happened this year! The options for a personal tour were limited and a few organizations promised to include a few caves on their itinerary. We wanted more! It is difficult to get tickets to go into the caves, and the government guides have limited English speakers available. Plus, some caves only have tours a few days week. Access is becoming even more limited. The number of people who have expertise on these caves is a small collegial group of government employees / guides, archeologists and a few professors or private organizations. We were delighted to find Charles of Northern Exposure Spain! He is incredibly knowledgeable as well as personable. His comprehensive knowledge or the areas, understanding of the culture (he grew up there) as well as his contacts / friends within the small group of Paleolithic experts is impressive. We felt very privileged and awed by the caves themselves. Of the 18 UNESCO Heritage sites we were able to go into nine of the 10 that are open to the public - incredible! One closed a week early darn it! We also saw collections in three museums and several replica caves no longer open to the public. He arranged the trip to take us through the full time horizon of the Paleolithic from Homo erectus, H. heidelbergensis, H. neanderthalensis, and H. sapiens. He was steeped in the unknowns and the debates of the Paleolithic. It was fun, engaging and a wonderful deep dive into the subject.

Charles arranged ALL the cave entrance and museum tickets. He also arranged lovely hotels with breakfast for our stay. He took us to lunch at excellent gourmet restaurants in out of the way places only a local would know. He drove and guided us for the entire time. He knew where to go, how to get there, drove well and safely on the winding mountain roads. He bantered easily with the government guides required to accompany us into the caves themselves. He would brief us before we went in, including in the museums so we knew what to expect and would answer questions again when we forgot the connection. I believe we saw more because of the orientations we received before visiting the sites. Having a guide to ask questions of - I had a LOT - was invaluable and we could talk while we drove. The morning was a leisurely 9 or 10 am start, then a site visit or two followed by lunch and then additional sites – often a 5:00 or later visit. Dinner on our own. Being on our 70’s we were a bit worried about the uneven terrain, hikes up to the sites over steep grades, stairs with no guardrails in wet caves, stooping to go under overhangs or to see the art, etc. With his help we were able to do everything!

We found that many people repeat tours for other topics once they find how good he is. I will go again in a heartbeat! The attention to all the details seemed effortless but I know it takes a lot of coordination. Well done. ”

“LOOK NO FURTHER...EFFORTLESS”

”We were very happy to be able to return to northern Spain for our third trip with Charles, (this time with our adult children) for a 10 day adventure. Charles handled all of the planning and arrangements in his usual highly-organized way and put together an unbelievable itinerary for us. Amazing to me was that we saw so many new places that we had never seen before on the previous trips. Charles arranged several days of hiking on the most scenic portions of the Camino, including the stunning Pyrenees segment along the French border. He took us to many off-the-beaten path sites that we never would have found without his help. We walked along scenic coastal areas, saw dinosaur footprints, visited medieval castles and monasteries, and had fun tours with Charles of great towns before dinner each evening. We stopped to observe varieties of vultures in a beautiful park and Charles was even able to help us to identify a zitting cisticola in Cantabria, a special treat! The accommodations were all first-rate, some modern hotels and others highly unique places in small towns with interesting histories. Dining was always fun with a great variety of local dishes from seafood to ox burgers, and was truly a highlight for the entire group.

If you are thinking about a trip to northern Spain, look no further than Charles! We have always felt that he is the best guide we have ever had and the tours he leads are customized and outstanding in every respect. Charles is kind, friendly, knowledgeable and fun. He makes touring effortless. Each day brings additional adventures that will amaze and delight. And the memories are forever! ”

“LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN SPAIN WITH CHARLES”

”Charles guided us on an unforgettable tour of Asturias, Cantabria, Basque country, Rioja, and other regions of northern Spain. He thoughtfully planned every detail, curating a trip that reflected all of our interests—food, wine, culture, and hiking. We would never have been able to cover so much ground on our own, nor discover such extraordinary places: Paleolithic cave art, an archaeological site with remains of five human species, a historic shipyard reconstructing a 16th-century whaling vessel, and a salt valley, which has been in continuous production for over 8,000 years.

The city walking tours were especially meaningful, offering rich insights into their deep histories. One of the highlights was the meal we cooked ourselves —a true culinary experience. And wild caving? Let’s just say a picture is worth a thousand words.

We’re already looking forward to our next adventure in Northern Spain with Charles.”

“CHARLES WAS NEXT LEVEL”

”When I planned our trip to Northern Spain, I searched for a guide who knows about the rock art caves. I found Charles. What a lucky break. Throughout our email communication, Charles listened, provided options and was flexible.

The final itinerary and invoice he provided were straightforward and I expected that my husband and I would have a good experience during the six days we spent together during our one-month trip to Spain and France.

What I did not expect was how completely delightful our time with Charles would be.

From our initial meeting until we parted, Charles took every opportunity to expose us to beautiful landscapes, incredible food, wonderous caves, and local culture.

He is an American, but equally a Spaniard, which enabled him to communicate his knowledge and love for Northern Spain in a way that we really understood. He is easy going but highly organized. And he has a great sense of humor.

Our tour focused on paleolithic cave art, which has been an interest of mine for many years. Charles’ knowledge blew me away. At every cave we visited, he was welcomed as a friend by the staff who obviously view him as a respected colleague.

He is clearly a foodie. Every single meal was memorable in restaurants that we never would have known about and even if we had we would not have known the best things to order.

We have been fortunate to take many amazing trips and feel comfortable in Europe traveling alone. But the time we spent with Charles was next level.

When we moved on to the next phase of our trip, my husband and I would talk about things Charles had shown us, what we had learned from him, or some food we had never had before. It was all very satisfying.

So, we will go back to Northern Spain knowing that whatever the focus of our next trip will be (food, wine, hiking or just exploring) Charles will know just the right way to guide us through our next adventure together.”

“YOUR RICH KNOWLEDGE...IS INSPIRING”

”Thank you again for a great day! I love your passion for learning and what you do. Your rich knowledge on so many topics is inspiring. We will meet again soon, I´m sure.”

“ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE”

”We had an amazing 9 days with Charles on a paleolithic tour of northern Spain. It was only with three people so we were able to go into places and caves quickly and with ease. He organized the hotels which were all very comfortable with good breakfasts. The lunches were in typical restaurants so we feel like we have truly experienced the best of northern Spain food and wine. He is extremely knowledgeable and we saw ten different caves. Each experience we had led us to a larger understanding of the area from 1.2 million years ago to the 12,500 years in the past. We especially enjoyed the day on a safari to view bison, paleo horses and aurochs. In chatting afterwards it became obvious that we couldn’t choose one high point as there were so many great experiences. A once in a lifetime experience.”

“A TOUR BEYOND ALL EXPECTATIONS!”

”In the last 40+ years, I have been traveling the world mostly independently and occasionally with small groups or private guides. I was fortunate to have only good experiences in the past, however, my recent Northern Spain trip with Charles was truly exceptional. He took care of every detail from arrival to departure and special requests. He organized the trip not only to take us to all the important sites, but added his magic touch to include hands-on experiences, his exceptional knowledge about ancient history, the flora and fauna of the region, scenic routes, amazing restaurants, and great conversations. He is a treasure and I hope to have the opportunity to travel with him again.”

“ANOTHER EPIC TRIP WITH YOU”

”Once again, another epic trip with you. Hope to see you again in the not too distant future.”

“A WONDERFUL TRIP”

”Thanks for a wonderful trip.”

“SO WONDERFUL”

”What a great trip that was! Thanks so much for every single thing you did to make it so wonderful. The family party was a highlight. ”

“DELIGHTED”

”My parents were delighted with the 2-day tour. They really enjoyed it and had a good time. Thanks for taking good care of them. Thanks again for making this trip for my parents a memorable one. With great appreciation.”

“FIND ALL THE HIDDEN SPOTS AND STORIES”

”As a newly graduated archaeologist traveling with my history-loving parents, Charles was a fantastic guide! He prepped us with the history of an area as we were driving and planned his routes taking into account site and museum opening times to make the best use of our three days in northern Spain. Charles was very knowledgeable about specific designs used in the caves we visited and how best to view both paintings and engravings. His rapport with the cave guides allowed us to take our time with my mom and her walking stick so we could all see the highlights of the caves. He was very patient with my sketching in the museums and was sure to point out aspects of artifacts not described on signs that related to sites we visited or would be interesting to a budding archaeologist. Having grown up in the area we were exploring, Charles had excellent knowledge of local activities, traditions, and folk stories and was very passionate about everything we were seeing. We enjoyed the quick stops he included on the way to the main sites, such as the medieval hand-carved cave church by the road and the large Iron Age stele found near a church in his village. For anyone interested in history and archaeology looking to find all the hidden spots and stories in northern Spain, Charles is your guy!”

“A MEMORABLE TRIP, NOT SOON FORGOTTEN”

”We engaged Charles for a 10 day whirl through Northern Spain which included a pit stop in Toledo. We specifically wanted to see prehistoric sites throughout the area, and Charles’ knowledge in this respect is outstanding. Another highlight was discovering he is a birder! We had an unscheduled stop where we saw Flamingos despite being late autumn (and other birds too, including great bustards). Another unexpected bonus was that Charles knew the best places to stop to for lunch which turned out to be a gastronomical adventure. And without repercussions that can sometimes happen with different foods than one is used to! All in All, it was a memorable trip, not soon forgotten and injects a desire to visit Northern Spain again! ”

“A GUIDE EXTRAORDINAIRE”

”My wife and I spent three day delightful and educational days touring Cantabria with Charles and we recommend Charles and Northern Exposure Spain unconditionally. Two of our days were devoted exclusively to exploring prehistoric cave paintings and Charles generously shared his encyclopedic knowledge of cave painting, what is known ,and speculated, about the painters, and the rich regional and cultural history of Cantabria. Charles is organized, punctual, articulate and engaging He designed our cave tour itinerary and made all the arrangements with the authorities and ensured that we made the best use of our time together. Charles is so respected by the cultural authorities that even their English-speaking guides allowed Charles to lead the tours and they came along with us (by law) and listened and learned. Charles is a careful driver and he was very attentive to our personal safety in the caves. Charles is is a guide extraordinaire. In addition, he recommended great restaurants and local specialties for lunch! We really enjoyed Cantabria and, if age and health allow us to return there in the future, we would choose Charles as our guide and select from the from the diverse repertory of tours Charles leads and Northern Exposure offers, without additional research. ”

“PHENOMENAL!”

”Increible! Maravilloso! Estupendo! Fabuloso! In Spanish and English, my tour with Charles was phenomenal! From my first contact with Charles to the end of my tour, everything exceeded my expectations.

I love the Spanish plein air painter, Joaquin Sorolla. I asked Charles if we could arrange a tour that would follow Sorolla’s path on the northern coast. Charles looked up the paintings that Sorolla had painted in the north, figured out where the artist was standing when he was painting, and there we went. I was able to see the same scenes that inspired Sorolla and understand the ways he captured the landscapes, the light, and the colors. Then, we went to the art museums that included Sorolla paintings.

My tour was designed specifically for my interests including art, architecture, and nature. The hotels that Charles reserved fit my needs perfectly. And, the restaurants we went to were very good.

Charles is organized yet flexible, personable and easy to get along with, curious and enthusiastic, and has a good sense of humor. He is so very knowledgeable about the north.

Now that I’ve traveled with Charles, I can’t imagine traveling in northern Spain any other way. I will be a repeat client!”

“A WONDERFUL AND INSPIRING JOURNEY”

”Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring journey through Northern Spain. We learned so much history of Spain and some European as well. We have a greater understanding of our species evolution and visited unique sites. Your culinary knowledge and friendly demeanor made the trip a fun journey to be remembered. You have chosen a beautiful place to enjoy with a wonderful culture.”

“OUR LIVES ENRICHED”

”A magical tour of Northern Spain. Where to begin? Our group of 6 spent 2 weeks traveling through Northern Spain with Charles. We had so many sights we wanted to see, food we wanted to taste, and wine we wanted to sample that we gave him an impossible task. However, Charles still managed to develop and deliver a tour for us that allowed us to experience everything possible and not feel rushed. At every interval, Charles was there to make our trip and our lives enriched. He expertly drove us through difficulty mountainous roads, gave us insightful historical information and encouraged us to try new food and wine that we may not have sampled but for him. We saw amazing Cathedrals, Roman ruins, medieval villages, ancient caves and even a salt mine. The restaurants and wineries that we visited were unique and wonderful. If there was any glitch that occurred, Charles took care of it. Once we had a complicated flat tire issue that Charles took care of it with good humor and efficiency. If we had been trying to take care of the issue ourselves, we would probably still be stuck by side of the road. Traveling with Charles was so much fun that by the end of the trip, it seemed like we were traveling with an additional friend, not a tour guide. Charles is just that special. So if you have a desire to see Northern Spain, please race to see if Charles can take you. I promise that you will have the trip of a lifetime. ”

“EVERY DAY BROUGHT NEW ADVENTURES”

”The MAGIC that Charles brought to our trip. Everyone asked us when we returned what our favorite part of Spain was, and the answer was every day! Every day brought new adventures from walking tours of historical towns, hikes above the clouds or inside a paleolithic art cave, fabulous museums including the Guggenheim Bilbao, sampling a huge variety of local foods, tasting local wines and ciders, all while soaking up the culture and history of Northern Spain. We are already talking about a return trip with Charles!! He is a wealth of knowledge and made our trip memorable. I cannot praise him high enough for what he did for our group!!”

“EXCEPTIONAL”

”It was wonderful to be with you and your background information was exceptional. We were talking about the exceptional good luck in finding you and what a great guide you were.
We took your interest in our future hiking plans as beyond the the usual ie caring about the outcome of the whole trip.
The scenery has been diverse and very interesting, beyond any expectation.
So thanks again and we will recommend your services to contacts .”

“DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VISITING AND EXPERIENCING A PLACE”

There’s a difference between visiting and experiencing a place. Charles is the go-to guy if you want a bespoke tour of Northern Spain. Our family of five had a long wish list and mixed preferences that we thought would be difficult to cover in a week, even with a guide. But with Charles’ meticulous planning and intricate knowledge, we were more than satisfied. Each day was productive yet relaxing – visiting both urban and rural “off the beaten path” locations. Charles knew the best restaurants to enjoy each autonomous communities’ local cuisine and wine (the Cachopo is to die for). Charles also went above and beyond to fit in Sephardic Jewish history since we have that personal connection to Spain. And finally, he’s just a great guy to learn from and trust throughout the whole journey. We highly recommend Charles.”

“YOU COULD NOT BE IN BETTER HANDS”

”Charles at Northern Spain Exposure is a delight to work with. We started planning our trip a couple months in advance. After our initial contact he kept in regular touch as we fine tuned what had been a general idea into a manageable plan. Charles questions firmed up ideas and allowed him to give us realistic costs for the tour. This started as a plan to visit prehistoric caves and became much more, certainly more than we could have accomplished alone. Our adventure covered 6 days averaging about 10 hours daily.

We had the opportunity to visit 9 caves including the Altamira replica. Charles picked a wide scope to highlight the diversity of prehistoric art and the wide time range represented. Each cave had unique characteristics that brought something new to light. He was enthusiastic and well informed on each location and also knew the staff well. Sometimes this meant he could guide us and show additional items not presented on the official tour.

Here are some things that set Charles apart. He knows the area intimately and we enjoyed meals at restaurants that were reflective of the area we visited, usually with only locals. If we were near a historical site, we visited to get a better understanding of the areas full history. We visited sites tied to the Bronze Age, Iron Age Cantabrians, Romans, Moors, and the Spanish Civil War. I am sure I have left out some. We also found the opportunity to ride a gondola to the mountaintop for a panoramic view and visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao. There were also stops for a local farmers market and public artworks.

It was a busy time but it passed quickly. As Charles spent time with us, he made adjustments to the plan. One example is he learned of my interest in birds and thereafter he was looking out for different birds and stopping as possible for us to take photos. We did not complete everything on the original plan but each adjustment was either equitable or an enhancement. Charles took excellent care of us from the moment we arrived in Santander until the train pulled out. You could not be in better hands when you explore all Northern Spain has to offer.”

“TRIP OF A LIFETIME”

”Where do I start?

You planned and executed for us a memorable trip to Northern Spain, a trip we are calling a “trip of a lifetime.”

We knew that you are capable of planning unique and personal guided tours to Northern Spain, but we did not know your depth of knowledge, your passion, your dedication, and your clear desire to remove any obstacles that might interfere with your clients’ enjoyment and experience. You are even knowledgeable about local wines and local delicacies; we had memorable lunches!

From the minute we met you in Burgos to the last moment when you drove us to the airport in Santiago, every stop was planned to showcase your amazing country that you clearly love. And your love is contagious. We now love Spain, and we want to come back. I gather you won’t be surprised, since you have many repeat clients.

We will never forget our visit to the Atapuerca Archeological Site and your depth of knowledge of archeology.

We were also impressed with your depth of knowledge about the history of the area at every stop. Rioja Province and the wine country, the Navara Province, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Cantabria, Santander, Asturias Province, Lugo, Coruña Province, all the prehistoric sites … when needed, you had a guide, but it did not escape us that you were often more knowledgeable than the guides, pointing out specific details in cathedrals or other historic and cultural sites that they overlooked.

We will never forget our visit to Guggenheim Bilbao. You know this place in and out, every nook and cranny, and as a result you guided us to see the highlights in the time, we had to explore this cultural gem.

You selected really fine hotels for us; they were establishments that strive to make their clients feel at home. Without you we would not have discovered these hotels, many had a wonderful historic significance.

Joanie and I firmly believe that we would not have been able to plan such elaborate, beautiful, and significant trip on our own, no matter the amount of research.

Thank you for this memorable trip, which you helped us plan to celebrate our fiftieth wedding anniversary.

I know that as we get back home, we won’t be able to stop talking, no bragging, to our family and friends about this trip and how you made it possible. I expect that many would be reaching out to you to plan similar trips for them.

We recommend you and Northern Exposure Spain very highly and without any reservations.”

“IMPECCABLY PLANNED... ATTENTION TO DETAIL”

”We had an unforgettable trip with Charles from San Sebastián across Northern Spain to Porto, Portugal. Not only did we get to experience sights and places we wanted to see, but Charles took us to a number of hidden gems along the way: boutique wineries, small fishing villages, prehistoric paintings and carvings, and all the way to the “end of the world”.

Charles’ choices of restaurants and accommodations exceeded our expectations. We prefer simply prepared food, but if 4 star restaurants are more to your liking, Charles can arrange those too. We stayed in paradors along the way - all unique.

Charles was always prompt and resourceful. If one plan didn’t work, he immediately had something else in mind. His knowledge of Northern Spain and love of his country were always evident in his impeccably planned itinerary and attention to detail.”

“EXCELLENT. FABULOUS. AMAZING.”

”Excellent. Fabulous. Amazing. I recently completed a two-week tour with Charles, and these words fail to even come close to how wonderful the experience was. We explored paleolithic cave art, other archeological sites, villages, coastline, and mountains in northern Spain. This trip was # 1 on my bucket list and to say the least it did not disappoint! Touring with Charles was a delight. He designed the tour perfectly based on our interests, taking care of every detail so we could focus on being immersed in the activities. Being fully bilingual, Charles was able to remove the language barrier for us, rendering it a nonissue. From the lovely local hotels, to the carefully chosen restaurants, to the fascinating and beautiful sites we visited, Charles designed the perfect itinerary and experience for us. Charles is an engaging and fun tour guide and clearly has a passion for his work. We will definitely book another tour with him!”

“SECOND TRIP...ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!”

”Our second trip with Charles was absolutely fantastic! We had a great time with him along the Camino de Santiago in 2016 as part of a group of 6 and had looked for a chance to return. Our week-long trip in 2023 took in a mix of much of what Northern Spain has to offer and it is hard to express the variety and depth of experiences we had. We saw all of the very different regions of this area of Spain. We visited dinosaur tracks, paleolithic sites, churches, palaces, museums, Moor battle sites, caves, mountain slopes, lighthouses, sea cliffs, beaches, a salt mine and much more. Especially appreciated were the off-the-beaten path spots likely missed by other visitors, but which Charles knew. We had fantastic meals of local samplings in each of the areas. Charles is incredibly knowledgeable and is particularly strong in his interpretation of cave art.

When you travel with Charles, you can expect a busy and fun tour. He works hard to plan a great itinerary based on your interests and is very good with his communications beforehand. He is kind and makes sure you have a great time. The cost of the tour was extremely reasonable. Our suggestion would be to fill out his questionnaire and then let Charles customize a trip that will surprise and delight. You can trust that it will be as rich in terms of experiences as any tour you have ever done with a new adventure every day. Charles is the best guide we have ever had and we hope to return with our adult children sometime soon for another amazing tour with him in Northern Spain!”

“THRILLED...I REALLY WANT TO RETURN”

”Lois and I were thrilled with the four days and three nights planned by Charles. First and foremost, he is an easy going, kind, fun, and knowledgeable guy who is easy to spend time with. Secondly, his deep knowledge of Northern Spain and its history, geography, geology, food, wine, lodging, ETC., enriched our vacation immensely. Thirdly, Charles took some time to understand our interests and needs and came up with the perfect itinerary for us. Lastly, although there is so much more of the world I want to see, I REALLY want to return to Northern Spain to explore more nooks, crannies, and side roads in the area Charles loves. AND, next time, I am sure we will see some bears!”

“I CAN´T OVERSTATE WHAT A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE THIS WAS”

”After less than a year we returned for a second tour with Charles — this time for two weeks instead of one. The emphasis would still be on prehistoric sites (such as cave art, open-air petroglyphs, and Neolithic dolmens), along with Roman, Visigothic, and Mozarabic sites and iron-age hill forts. Northern Spain seems to offer an infinite number of fascinating and out-of-the-way places to visit, and Charles has a knack for finding them.

We returned, too, for hiking and wildlife-spotting: chamois, ibex, bears, boar, birds (hoopoes, great bustards, and many more). Mind you, we are not capital-H hikers, though one of us would far rather clamber up rocky hillsides than walk on asphalt. Venturing into the wild did challenge our seventy-year-old bodies, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. A four-hour hike in mountains blanketed in spring flowers and dotted with wild goats? Just wow. Charles never asked of us more than we could manage and always provided whatever help or support we needed.

I can’t overstate what a special experience this was, with almost all the benefits of independent exploration but none of the hassles: none of the crowds, none of the stress of driving in a foreign country or working out the logistics of a complex itinerary. Charles got the two of us into caves that would have been unavailable to a larger group, and he translated when guides spoke only in Spanish. Just as important, since we were in close proximity for all that time, Charles is not just an expert and knowledgeable guide, but a delightful travel companion.

At this point, it’s hard to imagine traveling any other way.”

“WOW JUST WOW”

”What can I say…. WOW just WOW
I have just returned to 2023 after a wonderful 10 days exploration of so many sites from so many different periods, 140 million to 1stC with Charles.

Dinosaur footprints, UNESCO Atapuerca, Dolmens, Passage Tombs, Neolithic/Bronze Age rock art, Iron Age hill forts, museums, wine o’clock after each action packed day. What was there not to like?

Charles has ‘woven’ the perfect itinerary yet again accompanied by his endless knowledge! THANK YOU”

“IT WAS SUPERLATIVE...NOTHING COMPARES”

”I recently completed my second tour of Northern Spain with Charles at Northern Exposure Spain, and like my first trip it was superlative. Charles is an excellent guide - he has a wide range of interests and is totally immersed in the culture, history and landscape of Northern Spain. The most recent trip was 7 days, starting in Ourense and ending in Bilbao. The paleolithic cave paintings are worth a trip in themselves; to me they are a spiritual experience. But there were many other highlights - the Roman wall of Lugo, magnificent cathedrals, a salt production complex in use since Roman times, a 9th century royal complex of the Kingdom of Asturias, incredible landscapes and wonderful local food and wine. I could never have come up with this trip on my own.

The planning process was done entirely online; Charles sent a survey asking detailed questions about our interests. He booked all the hotels and essentially did all the planning for the trip. Both the accommodations and restaurants were very well chosen. I and my companion have a particular interest in hot springs, which he built into our itinerary.

My first trip with Charles in 2015 was with my late wife, and I remember it as magical. I took my step-daughter on this trip and again it met or exceeded all expectations. I highly recommend Green Spain as a destination, and Charles / Northern Exposure Spain as the tour provider. I’ve been on half a dozen “small group” tours in Europe and enjoyed all of them, but nothing compares to having a tour tailored to your interests with an expert private guide.””

“ANOTHER EPIC EXPERIENCE WITH YOU”

”Thank you Charles. Wow, it was another epic experience with you in the north of Spain. Once again you have tailored a travel experience that was amazing. I can randomly pick any three testimonials on your website and wholeheartedly agree with every thing people wrote about their own tours. I even found the review I wrote about our last trip and there is nothing I can add to it except to say how happy and lucky Lynn and I are for having met you. ”

“ASTONISHINGLY KNOWLEDGEABLE”

”After Covid sabotaged our plans for a four-day tour with Charles in 2020, we rebooked with him (together with two friends) for a full week in Fall 2022, and I’m so glad we did. Joe was concerned about cave overload (caves were Nan’s priority), but Charles planned a surprisingly varied, balanced tour which took everyone into account. The planning process began with his effort to get to know us, our interests, and our capabilities before assembling an itinerary. Along the way, he made himself readily available to discuss plans and concerns and allow for modifications.

The final itinerary included activities of every sort we’d asked for, but also activities we might not have thought to ask for. A stop at “a small local museum dedicated to unique local folkloric festival,” for instance, did not stand out on paper as a likely highlight of our trip, but the actual visit blew us away. Likewise a visit to the Atapuerca archeological site and related museum in Burgos complemented the Paleolithic art.

Visits to a Cantabrian hill fort that fell to the Romans more than two thousand years ago and an old Roman villa provided solid links from the ancient past to the modern history — especially since the hill fort was also the front lines in the Spanish Republic’s resistance to Franco.

The tour was meticulously and flawlessly orchestrated. Though we were disappointed when rain sabotaged portions of the itinerary, Charles was resourceful and flexible in incorporating alternative stops seamlessly into the day. It helps that he has a thorough knowledge of the region and its hidden gems, and is ever on the lookout for new ones.

We expected competence, but Charles proved to be astonishingly knowledgeable about his subject. Make that subjects. This is not someone who gets by on what he already knows, which would surely be enough to satisfy his clients — but he is always learning more, reading more, discovering more, across a wide range of subject areas, from Paleolithic art to the historical era to wildlife to edible mushrooms.

Though we went into this tour assuming it would be a one-off, we are already wondering where Charles might take us next time we find our way to Northern Spain. Now the possibilities look endless.
”

“AN EXTRAORDINARY GUIDE”

”Charles is an extraordinary guide.

My wife and I have guided university students in study abroad programs in UK, Greece, Italy, and Turkey, often for three to five weeks. We have also hired private guides in Greece and Turkey, and participated in small to medium-sized travel programs with professional guides in Sicily, the Galapagos, and Peru.

We think Charles is the best private guide we have ever had.

His knowledge of Northern Spain, prehistoric caves and cave art, ancient cultures, and so much more is exhaustive. Because of his connections with archeologists, he can share the latest discoveries at the sites. As a gifted guide, he directs his fellow travelers’ eyes without interpreting or guiding what he thinks they should see. In our teaching careers, we always admired colleagues who wanted their students to form their own interpretations (guides on the side) rather than force their interpretations on their students (sages on the stage). Charles is just such a guide and teacher. We admire his openness of mind and spirit, and his complete command of his subjects and sense of place.

Besides being a great guide, Charles is also very personable, approachable, and friendly. He is also well organized and adaptable to change. Our group of four introduced a game changer new to Charles: Covid. Three of us tested positive in the middle of our tour. We adapted to this the best we could, isolating when appropriate and masking and distancing, even in the tight confines of a van or in prehistoric caves. In the end, our experience was amazing.

Finally, Charles knows how to manage pacing with a group of travelers with different abilities and strengths. We never felt rushed but always challenged. We experienced much more than we had expected based on our itinerary and said goodbye to Charles feeling genuinely enriched.

We will see Charles again in a year or two. Thanks, Charles.”

“10th TOUR...NOTHING...BRINGS ME MORE JOY”

”If you want the best possible guided tour of northern Spain, you can stop looking. This year I did my tenth tour with Charles since 2014, and can say that the first one was the best tour I had ever done, and each one since then has been even better - by far.

I live in California, and am retired and on a limited income, yet, every year I fit a tour with Charles into my budget because, other than my family, there is nothing that brings me more joy. He knows his wonderful part of the world inside out (literally, from underground caves to the birds in the sky), is perfectly bilingual, and has come to be one of my favorite friends. And, other than where I live, northern Spain, having revealed some of its magic, with more to come, is now my favorite part of the world. Even after so many tours, Charles keeps finding innumerable new delights. On our tours I fall asleep at night marveling at all the magical things we have seen and done. I’m already planning for next year. Do yourself a favor. Tour with Charles.

Don’t even measure this on a scale of stars. Give him a galaxy rating.”

“ THE BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES OF YOUR LIFE”

”I had the pleasure of traveling with 2 friends and Charles through Northern Spain for 6 days in late August, 2022. What a delightful experience. Traveling with Charles exceeded all my expectations. Not only is he charming and engaging, he is smarter than anyone in the room! His knowledge extends from prehistoric caves to archeology to religious history to modern architecture to modern art to good food to wine to Spanish history to modern culture - and the list goes on. He picked us up in Porto and we drove, toured and ate our way to San Sebastian with a flawless, well timed schedule that used every available minute to its fullest. Our accommodations were exceptional and varied. We only wish we could have stayed longer in each so we could enjoy their uniqueness and beauty. Our long leisurely lunches were in restaurants known to Charles for their good food and great wine. We would never find these places on our own!

If you are thinking about visiting Northern Spain, you MUST travel with Charles. Your itinerary will be unique to you, responding to your interests, and I guarantee will be one of the best, if not THE BEST, travel experiences of your lifetime. ”

“IN AWE OF THE DEPTH AND BREATH OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF NORTHERN SPAIN”

”Thank you for such a wonderful tour. I’m still trying to absorb the whole experience which was such a fantastic blend of architecture, archeology, natural beauty, and history. Plus the delicious food and wine every day. The trip was just what we had hoped for and more. We too, felt that we were a pretty compatible tour group despite our differences in fitness levels. You did a great job of keeping us on track, encouraging us to try new things, and giving us opportunities for downtime. We all agree that the tour exceeded our expectations. And we are in awe of the depth and breadth of your knowledge of Northern Spain.”

“OUR TRIP WAS ‘MAGICAL’”

”It started with an Internet search an email and a questionnaire and became an unforgettable journey of new experiences each day!

We first began emailing with Charles two years ago in hopes of going to Spain and experiencing the culture with the knowledge of a local.

Finally this year (2022), with Spain fully open (COVID restrictions) we were able to solidify our wants and Charles created an itinerary and we set a date to begin our discovery. He asked that we complete a questionnaire that formed the foundation of our customized trip.

Our trip was ‘ magical’ as one person in our group of 4 said after returning home.

Charles arranged for our hotels which included breakfasts which saved time getting started with our day. He drove us in a roomy van and shared information about the area, what we were about to experience and general chat about life, family, culture and answered our questions.

Charles handled planning, driving, drop off and pick up, ordering tapas, introductions to local craftspeople, interpreting, and historical context. Basically all details!!

It was truly like a having a personal valet or friend who cared about our comfort and experience.

In part we visited a boutique winery, a historic salt mine, toured the Guggenheim, saw cave art ( and Charles has actually explored some of them with experts), walked some miles on the Camino, toured historic Lugo, ate cultural foods (think barnacles), drank wine and enjoyed our time together as if we were family. We were able to experience the Ortigueira music festival due to the timing of our trip dates!

Charles helped us with train reservations and put us In contact with another guide for part of our trip that did not include him.

He provided a list of essential general Spain travel info re money, credit card use, making phone calls, tipping, weather info, store hours etc.

We have been on many group tours which often include touring in each city a church and museum and then free time to explore on you own. However nothing compares to having designed your own tour and having a personal guide the entire trip. That free time in the town square is often meaningless without the knowledge of the city’s history or the people. Charles provided the info and the access.

Mealtimes where time is not a factor allowed us to be a part of the culture, observe and interact.

While our trip was only 6 1/2 days the four of us felt like it was 2 weeks! Full days, fun and fact filled and a toe dip exposure to Northern Spain because of Charles’ attention to our trip wants and handling every detail of our days together.

We experienced a lot but realized there is so much more in Northern Spain to experience. Charles will be our first email when we decide on Part 2.

Thank you Charles for a memorable trip and for your commitment to our care!
”

“EVERY DAY WAS BETTER THAN THE DAY BEFORE”

”I highly recommend Charles for an unforgettable tour through Northern Spain. Charles takes time before meeting clients to understand their likes, abilities, and wishes for an unforgetable trip. Once you connect with Charles upon arrival, he sees to it that all your needs are met. From exquisite, hand selected accommodations. to delicious local food, you will consistently be pleasantly surprised. I’m not exaggerating when I say, every day was better than the one before. Each hotel, each town, each meal - everything was beyond what I could have hoped for. I am typically a bit anxious when traveling out of country, especially when I do not know the language. I was more relaxed on this trip then on any other - because I knew we were in excellent hands. As Charles is Spanish and American, he moves seamlessly through conversations in Spanish and English with his clients and with locals. I feel like I gained a love of the Spanish culture and a new friend in Charles. We were able to learn about culture, archeology, architecture, history and more! If you are hesitating - don’t. You will not regret it. Book a trip now!”

“ONE OF THE BEST GUIDES WE EVER HAD”

”It was a great tour. The places you took us to see the animals were very beautiful. We also want you to know that you are one of the best guides we ever had, not only in Spain, but worldwide. We had fun talking and drinking wine. We think it is important to be able to have good conversations and fun during our trips. We have seen so many beautiful places and are happy about that. When, not if, we go back to this area of Spain we like to have you as a guide again.”

“SIX STARS OUT OF FIVE”

”Like most people, I read reviews with a bit of skepticism, especially five-star reviews. To reassure reviewers that this review is honest and fair, Sonya and I are giving our tour of northern Spain with Charles six stars out of five!

When we signed on for our tour with Charles, we had only a vague idea of what we would see. We wanted to see caves and cave paintings and expressed interest in Roman and Celtic ruins as well. What unfolded was a tour of multiple caves, cave paintings, museum tours dealing with the interested subject matter, incredible vistas of the Spanish countryside, the best Roman and Celt sites, and, surprisingly, a gastronomic tour of Spanish cuisine. Charles is a great driver, wonderful guide, and patient person who aims to please. Very quickly on our romp across the northern areas of Spain, it felt like we were three friends on a road trip.

It is not often that a service provider exceeds expectations. We will always remember this trip as one of the most enjoyable travel experiences ever.

Our advice is this: decide what you want to see in northern Spain, do your research, understand what the physical requirements are (Charles will help you) and then book with Charles.”

“TOUR OF A LIFETIME”

”It was the tour of a lifetime. I travelled with one other friend, and the tour was totally customized to our interests: Anthropological sites from Paleolithic caves to the MIddle Ages. Northern Spain is so rich with contiguous human history, it’s astonishing.

From pickup to covid testing and dropoff in Bilbao, Charles ran a flawless tour. He knows all the good restaurants, and dining in Northern Spain is an important part of understanding and enjoying the culture. Highly recommend Charles and Northern Exposure Spain.”

“WHAT A GLORIOUS TRIP!”

”I just took the tour of my life with Charles and I can’t say enough good things about it. Everything was wonderful. He’s very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all the cave art and he chose expert guides for each cave or archaeological site to broaden his presentation. Northern Spain is the perfect place. I was awestruck by the span of human development from Paleolithic art thru Neolithic burial and standing stones through Roman mosaics. Every piece we saw was outstanding. And every restaurant and hotel was wonderful. What a glorious trip!!”

“I WISH YOU COULD CLONE YOURSELF TO DO TOURS ELSEWHERE”

”We were completely satisfied in every respect. We have told all of our friends how happy we were to have found your company(of one), after searching the “net” for a tour of Northern Spain, and then landing on your site. I have highly recommended that a couple of our friends consider a tour with you. I don’t know if it will happen, but they will be missing a great opportunity if they don’t.. I wish you would clone yourself to do tours elsewhere.......

In review, we believe your interest in our situation, back and forth comments prior to booking, customizing the trip to meet our interests, was something that is not out there in the travel industry as far as we have seen, and I think this makes or breaks a great trip. It certainly “Made our Trip”. Of course, and we talked about this with you, having the flexibility to make some last minute changes made the experience more interesting for us.

If I only had a brain, I would be able to remember all of the details that we shared, but the photos help to capture a lot of those memories, as there were so many. Your itinerary and notes are very helpful as well for reminders, as well as the handouts that you picked up for us. We did meet some really nice and humble folks, what a treat!

We feel like we have a new friend in Spain after our time together.”

“AMAZING”

”Our trip across Northern Spain with Charles was amazing; one of our best trips ever. We did everything that was promised … ancient caves, wineries, great sightseeing and more, plus Charles helped us navigate our specific dietary issues. This was an active and interesting trip for us, and now we have a new friend in Spain. Thanks Charles!”

“DON’T THINK TWICE...YOU WON’T REGRET IT”

”We recently finished our second tour with Charles/Northern Exposure Spain. When people ask, I always introduce him as “our friend and guide”—we bonded with Charles quickly during the first tour four years ago, and meeting this time in Porto felt like a happy, too-long-apart reunion.

We travel as a couple. One of us is very interested in all things prehistoric, the other enjoys that but is not so obsessed. Charles organized the tour to satisfy both of us—in addition to ancient art, he added modern art, modern and medieval architecture and, perhaps most importantly for my partner, great food and wine (and cider).

Other clients on this page have gone into detail about the quality of the planning and other basic tour issues so I won’t repeat that, suffice it to say that we agree with them all. He is super-focused on keeping his guests engaged and happy, and is quick to rearrange schedules as necessary. When, for reasons beyond his control, things go a bit awry (for example, the person in charge of one small cave had just had emergency surgery and cancelled us at short notice), Charles did everything he could to fix it (including calling local authorities to see if they could send someone else). Charles was more disappointed that it didn’t work out than we were, but we all felt much better after an excellent, home-style lunch. Charles knows all the best local spots to eat, and the restauranteurs know him, so we had excellent service every time. He’s able to suggest places to fit any budget.

At the end, after saying goodbye to Charles, we ran into some folks who were on a Smithsonian-sponsored tour of the same length as ours. We looked up the pricing online and found that those folks, travelling by bus in a big group and having to keep to a preset schedule with no customization, paid about double what we did. There’s no question that booking with Charles is a bargain.

Don’t think twice about working with our friend and guide—you won’t regret it! ”

“BESPOKE..TOUR...IMPECCABLE [PLANNING]”

Charles designed a completely bespoke landscape photography tour for me in the heart of Asturias. I found his approach to planning to be impeccable. By asking great questions he really got to the core of how I was hoping to spend my time. And his location scouting in advance, plus onsite with me, led to shots I couldn’t have possibly captured on my own. He knew I was not interested in any downtime, and delivered a tour where there was truly no minute wasted during the 3 days I had available.

I’ll go out of my way to tour with him again, either solo for other landscape photography subjects or more of an experiential/cultural immersion with my family.”

“ONE OF OUR BEST TRIPS EVER”

”We recently returned from one of our best trips ever. Four of us traveled from Texas to Northern Spain to spend nine days touring with Charles. Although a native of Northern Spain, Charles has spent quite a bit of time in our home state and within hours, it felt like we were all old friends.

We have traveled quite a bit and usually use private tour guides. Choosing the right one can make the difference between a so-so trip or a fantastic one. When I first started exchanging emails with Charles, I was surprised by the extensive and detailed questions he asked about our background, interests, etc. He obviously spent a great deal of time using that information to create our itinerary. That itinerary and Charles’ personality combined to create a fantastic tour.

We wound up seeing all the places we hoped to see and lots of places we never imagined we would see. One evening we were hiking in a National Park watching the chamois (mountain antelope) run across the slopes and the next morning we were seeing the sun come up on incredible natural rock arches on a beach. We had a private viewing of the 20,000 year old paleolithic cave paintings, saw what is purported to be the “Holy Grail”, wandered through local fishing villages, ancient monasteries and Roman ruins. We drove through miles of incredibly steep riverside vineyards covered in their fall colors.

The story would not be complete without mentioning the food and wine. I think Charles realized early on that we were food and wine lovers and did not mind trying new things. We tasted the best beef dishes in the beef producing regions and unique seafood dishes along the coast. We spent evenings hopping from one pintxo bar to another, tasting each bar’s specialty before moving on. All consumed with a few glasses of the regional wines. One of our group even created an entire photo album with nothing but pictures of the food we ate on our journey.

All through Northern Spain, from the mountains to the coast, a common thread holds it all together. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage way. Numerous times each day, we would encounter markers for the Camino or pass pilgrims making their way to Santiago de Compostela. It was something I knew little about before our trip, but Charles provided a wealth of information, having made the pilgrimage more than once himself.

Northern Spain is a beautiful, fascinating place, full of history, a unique culture and great food. We all learned so much on this trip. We can’t wait to return.

Thanks, Charles, for sharing your country, your culture and your friendship with us.
”

“A GREAT AND HAPPY EXPERIENCE”

”Four of us from Montreal decided to retain the services of Charles from Northern Exposure Spain for a private tour of Northern Spain. We explained that we wanted to start the tour in San Sebastián and end in Santiago de Compostela and had only a week. He asked a few questions about our general interest and whether we had any physical limitations and then put a tour together for our review which included all the points we had mentioned. Charles was very flexible in accommodating our needs and interests and after a couple of exchanges, we agreed on a detailed tour.

Charles is fully bilingual and truly bicultural - English (American) and Spanish. He knows Northern Spain like the back of his hand including its long history and we thoroughly enjoyed spending the week with him! While one week is certainly not sufficient to do justice to this extraordinary beautiful part of Spain, he certainly hit all the high points. He also has a knack for choosing great restaurants and fantastic panoramic views!

Overall a great and happy experience. We would highly recommend him.”

“WE LEARNED SO MUCH”

”We greatly enjoyed our six-day tour of Northern Spain with Charles and Northern Exposure Spain.

From our general interests, Charles developed a nice, well-planned daily itinerary which allowed us to visit a few of the larger cities as well as many of the small beautiful “costa verde” towns of within Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia. We learned so much about the history and culture of the Region during our tour. The scenery around the coastal and mountainous areas of the Region was absolutely beautiful.

The hotels selected were very comfortable and each individually unique. One of the highlights of each day was tasting and enjoying the Region’s local cuisine in one of the wonderful restaurants selected by Charles.

Charles was a friendly, professional, and knowledgeable tour guide displaying a tremendous amount of experience with the northern region of Spain. It was pleasure exploring and learning about northern Spain with Charles as our guide. We would certainly recommend Northern Exposure Spain tours to others and would definitely use this tour company again in the future. Thanks again for your hospitality and for sharing the history and culture of Northern Spain with us!”

“ON A SCALE OF 1-10...A TEN”

”On a scale of 1-10, with one being really bad and ten being really good, I give my recent Premiere Pre-Post Pandemic (P4) trip to Northern Spain a ten.

The top three reasons: (1) Charles is bi-lingual offering a local experience; (2) everything was designed around my interests, and (3) the flexible schedule allowed for adventures to “wing it.”

This was my second trip with Northern Exposure Spain. In 2015, my sisters and I booked an eight-day tour with Charles, Chief Experience Officer (CXO), exploring Northern Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage caves featuring Paleolithic art. Charles was such a great storyteller, insightful, perceptive and quick-witted, we learned to “have eyes” for seeing the engraved images of animals on the cave walls.

So when Spain recently opened its borders to vaccinated travelers, I contacted Charles immediately.

This time I booked a six-day tour by myself. Charles took me by car to the hot desert-like terrain in the Coa Valley area of Northern Portugal, the cool, green mountain forests of Asturius, and the turquoise coast of the Cantabrian Sea, searching for messages from the past to make sense of the present.

We searched for bears and wolves using high-powered telescopes, rode horses through mountain trails in full bloom and visited a Pre-historic park with live Ice Age animals and unexpectedly fell into a Time Museum, discovered an ancient mountain village population 43, and enjoyed a picnic with Charles’ family.

For me, this P4 trip to Northern Spain was the perfect launch into my travel life again. For a custom-made, private tour with a guide you can trust, who attends to details and allows for surprises, I recommend Northern Exposure Spain.”

“TRULY BLOWN AWAY”

”Thank you so much for putting together such a unique tour. Your choice of caves and knowledge of the paleolithic era made a life long dream to see the cave paintings into an amazing experience. It will take me awhile to coalesce all of this new information. As much as seeing the cave paintings in person and being inside the caves we could visit was amazing, it was visiting the Altamira re-creation that really affected me - and expanded what I had imagined paleolithic artists were. I am truly blown away. Thank you! ”

“AN UNFORGETTABLE SUPER-CUSTOM ADVENTURE”

”Even before my adventure began, Charles had spent considerable time tuning my 4 day adventure to my wants and desires. Mid- March 2020 was such a challenging time: my adventure ended the day Spain went into lockdown mode [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. As each day came, there were new challenges in terms of caves closing, an avalanche of cancellations for hotels and the availability of simple things like a cup of coffee.

At every turn, Charles had a Plan B and a Plan C for me to consider. We were able to see four spectacular and unique caves, hunt for early blooming orchids, hike to a waterfall and refugio, go to an amazing bar with the best cheese and its own bar-dog, and more.

We were in the Picos, along the coast and everywhere in between. One of the first things I want to do when travel opens up again is to book another trip with Charles. His knowledge of the caves, the fauna, flora and environment is only exceeded by his deep love and reverence for Northern Spain.”

“ANOTHER TRIP WITH CHARLES IS ON OUR AGENDA”

”My wife and I traveled with Charles between San Sebastian and Burgos in 2018. Such was our enjoyment and total satisfaction with this experience, we decided to do another tour from Santiago and around Galicia in 2019, and we brought four friends with us this time.

The experience only got better. We were taken to places that no regular, organised tour would consider, and what a time we had. We experienced everything we asked for: food, wine, history, smaller rural areas, culture and landscapes. We stayed in a variety of accommodation, from Paradores to smaller, rural hotels, and where ever we went, our every need was catered for.

Charles is a unique tour operator, who combines his knowledge and appreciation of Northern Spain with his flexibility, easy going personality and care for his guests, to provide experiences you will never forget. It’s a long way to Europe from Australia, and there is lots of world to see, but another trip with Charles is on our agenda.”

“DIDN’T FEEL LIKE TOURISTS”

”I will never forget the two days we spent with Charles visiting six caves with prehistoric paintings and touring the surrounding countryside. Seeing the caves and the country with Charles as your personal guide is an adventure that cannot be experienced on your own. He is steeped in knowledge and deeply passionate about these caves, as well as the history, nature and culture of northern Spain. He showed us places we would never have seen without him; as a result, we didn’t feel like tourists. Next time, I’d like to spend more than two days with Charles, letting him map out the places we visit in northern Spain.”

“OPENED OUR EYES AND HEARTS”

”We had planned a family trip to Spain for the opportunity to visit our roots for the first time. Because of Charles, this trip was so much more than that. He exceeded our expectations with the carefully crafted tour that opened our eyes and hearts to the exquisite history, culture, scenery, food & wine, and experiences that Northern Spain has to offer. Charles made us feel at ease and at home. He is incredibly knowledgeable and personable. Our only regret is that we could not stay in Northern Spain longer. We hope to visit again soon! ”

“Our trip with Charles started in San Sebastián. Then traveled to Hondarribia near the French border.
Charles showed us some of the most beautiful walking trails splashed with historical references on our 8 days with him. He made sure we saw his northern Spain with never to be forgotten scenery.

Charles selection of lovely hotels and inns, restaurants and pintxo bars are chosen for the quality of the experience. Special places you wouldn’t find on your own.


Ending with a stay at the Parador De Santiago de Compostela we had the most amazingly delightful trip of a lifetime. Can’t wait to return to hike more of the Camino. Thank you Charles.”

“CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH”

”Thank you so, so much for the Camino experience you created for us. SUPER special in EVERY way. If you go by a rating scale on your website, I would give your tour the highest rating. There was nothing I could have hoped for during our 8 days together that you did not achieve for us...It was beyond anything I could have imagined. Can’t thank you enough... ”

“IMPOSSIBLE ... WITHOUT YOUR EXPERTISE”

”Our balanced itinerary held something for everyone and would have been impossible to compose without your expertise. I particularly enjoyed the way we were able to tap into your ‘local’ network. The warm welcome you, and by extension, we, received at both the cheese and cider makers made for memorable and informative outings. And the products we sampled were amazing.

You imparted to the group your passion for the natural beauty of the area, not to mention extensive knowledge. And I don’t recall that you were ever lost for an answer, no matter how ‘curly’ the question.

And finally, the lunches! What can I say…you found authentic, out-of-the way places where we were able to sample the wonderful local wine and food with gusto and much laughter. Perfect.

Once again thank you for being such an integral part of our memorable holiday in Cantabria and surrounds”

“HE RATES *****”

”Our tours with Charles were a highlight of our trip to Spain. Charles is a terrific guide. He is very experienced and every knowledgeable but best of all Charles is totally bilingual and speaks both Spanish and English like a native speaker. He is Spanish but educated in USA.

Charles organised our tours to the most interesting variety of places and experiences including a cave, Roman villa, fromagerie, mountains, and an excellent selection of local traditional restaurants. Charles will organize a tour to suit your particular interests and make your trip to Spain come “alive”. We think he rates *****.”

“HEART-FELT THANKS”

”Just a short note to express our heart-felt thanks. It was a wonderful trip, we thoroughly enjoyed it – cave art and food! Everytime we have a heat wave in June in Geneva, we’ll be looking towards northern Spain and Charles.”

“CONFINED TO...WHEELCHAIR...FAR EXCEEDED OUR ROSIEST EXPECTATIONS”

”Our tour of the Basque Country and northwestern Spain was tailored to our interests in art and architecture with enriching visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sights and other points of historical interest. Charles’s knowledge of all things Basque—the cuisine, the culture, the gorgeous countryside made our 12 days fly by.

We have traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and New Zealand/Australia. Traveling has always been my passion, but in the past 15 years, our trips have been restricted by my being confined to a motorized wheelchair as the result of an accident. Charles took care of my wife and me as if we were family, insuring that I saw as much as possible, as safely as possible. The trip far exceeded our rosiest expectations because of Charles. If only we could clone him to take with us on our next adventure. With great affection -”

“AS OUTSTANDING AS ALL THE REVIEWS INDICATE”

”Sometimes when you read reviews you feel that they’re full of hyperbole and were probably written by the business operator. I can say with considerable passion that this is not the case with Charles. He is as outstanding as all the reviews indicate.

Our group of six women came to Spain from Tasmania, a world away, and had limited time to try to fit in some special touring of archaeological and cultural sites which have been a dream of mine for a lifetime.

Charles took care to find out exactly what we were seeking and then planned a trip which was a perfect match, not only for our interests but for our abilities. His choice of sites to show us was outstanding, as were his choices for accommodation and meals. Charles’ breadth of knowledge on his subjects was superb and where necessary he brought in carefully selected additional tour guides for specific locations. His flexibility when weather or circumstances required a change of itinerary meant that he always had a plan B which, in some cases, was even better than plan A.

Charles is genuinely bilingual, having lived in the USA as well as in Spain, which made communication easy. He filled the time we had together to capacity and by the end we felt he was so much more than a guide, he’d become a friend.

I can’t recommend Charles highly enough. I have never encountered a tour guide to equal him. I only wish that age and distance didn’t preclude me from travelling to Spain again and again to spend more time exploring the country with him. I believe that some of my fellow travelers will do just that.”

“WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND LOOK FORWARD TO REVISITING”

”Charles has a deep knowledge of northern Spain and provides an excellent service that will greatly enhance your visit. On relatively short notice, he arranged for 2 days of touring caves to view prehistoric art. We fit a lot into those 2 days without feeling rushed in any way. Some of the caves would have been quite difficult to find by ourselves. In all of them, we had unparalleled access. In addition, Charles arranged for and timed our activities so that we could enjoy 2 impeccable lunches, enhanced by great and informative conversation. It’s a vacation that I will always remember and look forward to revisiting the area and doing so with Charles. If caves are not your thing, there are endless options for unique experiences there that Charles can help to make a reality.”

“THANK YOU FOR THE DAY...A FIRST FOR ME”

”The second lark we sayw was a Short Toed Lark (no stripe, small crest); the tits were Marsh Tits; and the second yellowy bird (not the Serin) where the storks were and again near the Ebro was a Citril Finch (a first for me). Look up Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting and it was a Black Eared Wheatear - first again for me.”

“A FANTASTIC TIME”

”I had a fantastic time in Northern Spain with Charles as my guide. I can tell you that you won’t find a better value than hiring Charles for a tour. His tours are catered to your interests and there isn’t a wasted moment spent or mile traveled that would detract from your experience. There is an incredibly diverse amount of flora and fauna,scenery, history from Paleolithic through the modern and fantastic food and wine in Northern Spain. Charles has a real knowledge of all of it. Perhaps most importantly, Northern Spain offers a glimpse of European culture that has not been unduly influenced by Corporate interests yet. Truly Old World charm and ambiance that may not be around much longer ! ”

“10/10 WILL TRAVEL WITH HIM AGAIN”

”Charles is professional, personable, and knowledgeable. He is passionate about this region and it’s long history, including Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Roman artifacts.

We spent 11 days with Charles as we wanted to visit sirtes in Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, and Castile Y Leon During our time with him we learned a great deal about the pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela (we didn’t know there was more than one route). Charles told us how the pilgrimage works, and how he’s walked more than one. There was a LOT of driving as we covered a LOT of ground The sites we visited ranged from very interesting to exceptional They ranged from Paleolithic cave art to wild life reserves where we saw Cantabrian brown bears. The accommodations he recommended were exceptional and included multiple historic sites, such as a 16th century monastery in Santiago. The wine and food itinerary was wonderful. To give you an example: the wine area we visited in the Miño Valley historically produced wines that were prized by Roman emperors. Another example was a lunch at a fabulous Michelin starred restaurant.

Charles went way out of his way to personalize the trip to our interests. This is our second trip with Charles and we want to experience at least one more with him as he goes out of his way to ensure the best possible itinerary for the interests of the traveler. When time, weather, and circumstances allowed he would offer to add additional interesting sites to the itinerary. He went out of his way to ensure an exceptional trip for us. 10/10 will travel with him again.”

“SIX TOURS ... A BARGAIN”

”I have done at least six, maybe seven, tours with Charles, and each one has been more than worth the money. When I first found him on line, I thought his rates sounded a little high, but decided to go anyway. Not only was he worth his rates, I felt it was a bargain.

Since that tour, we have done several more, and each one has been one of the best times of the year for me. For some reason, we seem to find magic everywhere we go.

I recommend giving him a lot of detail about what you want to see and do and spend so he can plan an ideal itinerary for you. Then, when you get there, be as flexible as possible if unexpected circumstances make a change necessary. Whatever you end up doing will be wonderful.

Charles is amazingly knowledgeable about the caves and their art, you can ask him about almost everything you see along the way and he will be able to answer you. He knows all the people who work in the caves so you get a kind of VIP experience. He gears everything, even the roads he chooses, to your taste.

Charles is a born guide. I have been to Europe about 25 times and have been with many guides, and nobody even comes near his level. The only thing at all I can say against him is that he walks much faster than I do and sometimes I need him to slow down. If I mention it, he does. Of course, I’m more than 20 years his senior. He always helps me cross tough areas.

I plan on doing one or two tours with Charles per year as long as my body and budget allow. I look forward to it as a highlight of each year, and the anticipation and memories extend the pleasure of the tour on both ends.

I met Charles on that first trip and friendship ensued. I don’t think you could find a better guide for the north of Spain. We have toured from the Atlantic to the Pyrenees and all of it has been wonderful.

This is long but in a nutshell, go with Charles. You won’t regret a thing.”

“AN INCREDIBLE DAY”

”My daughter and I spent an incredible day touring Paleolithic art-filled caves with Charles. He is simply an amazing guide on every level. My pre-trip communication with him was so easy — he responded quickly, asked pertinent questions, offered suggestions for transportation and other logistics, and created an itinerary he felt best suited our needs.

Charles picked us up at our hotel in Bilbao on the morning of our adventure, arriving early and with a spotless car. The day itself was magical. Charles had thought out every detail. We visited three caves in all — two actual caves and the replica cave at AltaMira. It was obvious that Charles was extremely familiar with the caves, as well as with the many guides and specialists who worked in them. Charles’ commentary throughout was insightful, ranging from history, geology, and paleontology to current politics, ornithology, and restaurant choices.

Our trip was filled with highlights. Visiting caves we had read about since childhood was one of them. Another was eating a very traditional lunch at a local restaurant where we got a brief introduction to the culinary methods of the region.

We cannot recommend Charles highly enough. Touring caves is always amazing, but the opportunity to view Paleolithic cave art, learn its history, and stand where early humans stood is truly awe inspiring.”

“A TERRIFIC GUIDE”

”Thanks again for such a very informative day in the caves with you. You really packed in the information and we spent several days unpacking it. Our heads were filled with images, so much so that at the Guggenheim the next day, I could only see engravings, paint moved with bare hands, and tamped and stenciled paint. The techniques used in so much of the abstract work is something our earliest ancestors would readily recognize! You are a terrific guide.”

“CHANCE OF A LIFETIME”

After reading the other testimonials, I can say that there is very little I can add to describe our awesome time in northern Spain with Charles.

My wife and I spent a month in northern Spain and Portugal, ten days of it with Charles. Our travels with Charles began in Burgos and ended in Porto. He picked us up each morning at our hotel, a different one every two or three days, all of which he arranged in advance. And each morning we would ask “Where to today Charles?” and off we would go on another adventure. The mountains, the coast, the secret back roads, the cities, the caves, the art, we saw it all. And then there were the vineyards and wineries and the “slow” Spanish lunches.

The tour itself was only part of the fun. The other part was getting to know Charles. Not only is he so good at what he does, but he is also easy to be friends with. We now feel as if we have known Charles forever.

So, if you have the opportunity to take a tour of northern Spain with Charles, don’t blow it. You will be passing up a chance of a life time.”

“ONE OF THE BEST GUIDES I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW”

I have been wanting to see the art of our remote ancestors since 1998. Now at 75,I finally got my chance and I chose wisely.

I have traveled widely and found Charles to be one of the best guides I have ever had the opportunity to know. I found him knowledgeable about the peoples of northern Spain and their land and their customs, but most importantly I appreciated his in depth knowledge Paleolithic cave art. He conveyed to us the techniques used by Paleolithic artists create the patrimony which they have left for us.

Since access to the natural caves was through Spanish government tour guides stationed at each of the caves, Charles’ good relations with these guides assured us we got VIP treatment. Charles always provided us augmentations and clarifications where needed to government guide’s presentations. So, we always left the caves with the sense we saw and understood what was available to be seen.

Personally, Charles literally made the trip happen for me. I took the trip requirements seriously. I trained by walking on rough trails and steep for over three months but once inside the caves with their slippery floors, Charles made sure I didn’t fall and on one occasion where the steps were about 18 inches to two feet high, he actually gave me a hand over them .

I feel very fortunate to have Charles as a guide. I learned a lot and felt safe as I learned.”

“SUCH PERSONAL TOUCHES AND CARE”

What a great trip. Thank you so much. I didn’t know what to expect touring the Pre-Historic Caves of Northern Spain. Charles was a great guide. We got to see all the caves that were available for us to see; both replica’s and real caves. The real caves were a great experience and Charles made sure we were safe inside each cave. Charles was very knowledgeable about all the caves and was up to date even the most recent discoveries. The timing of the days were great with wonderful trips to seaside villages with great food. Accommodations were 5 star and getting from place to place in a luxury vehicle was fabulous. It was a small and intimate group. I don’t think I can ever go back to larger group tours. We had such personal touches and care and I have a new understanding of the history and the beautiful cave art. Thank you so much for such a great trip.”

“ONE OF MY TOP TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS EVER”

Traveling with Northern Exposure Spain to see the extraordinary Prehistoric cave art was one of my top travel highlights ever! Charles is a gracious, host, guide, companion, and knowledgeable man who deepened the experience both in the caves and throughout the adventure. Food was superb, we stayed in wonderful and very special hotels. If you are seeking a custom trip to Spain and/or the prehistoric caves this is the trip to take — personal, informative, and hugely fun. ”

“BEST DECISION WE COULD HAVE MADE”

We had a truly memorable trip to Cantabria and Bilbao with Charles. He was the consummate professional with a fun loving personality. We usually travel on our own, but as our granddaughter expressed an interest in visiting northern Spain, we decided to look for a guide in order to make the most of our limited time. It was the best decision we could have made! We saw more and learned more in three days than we could have done in a week on our own. In addition, Charles had knowledge of out of the way places and restaurants that we would not have found. Our granddaughter already liked Charles from his emails prior to the trip and we all formed an instantly friendly group. It was like traveling with a friend. I only wish we could clone him for our travels to other destinations!”

“A MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE”

”It was a most memorable experience for many reasons.

First of all, Charles brings a personal knowledge and a passion to the trip planning process. We told him that we wanted to start in Bilbao and end in Santiago de Compostela - seeing all the highlights along the way. And that he did!

He helped prepare us to understand and appreciate the 7 caves with Paleolithic art that we visited with him. Each day was paced for our “senior” energy levels, with time for a nice breakfast at our hotel, a relaxing lunch with him sampling local fare, and time back at our hotel in the evening to wander around or rest up for the next day.

We covered a lot of territory each day, because Charles had already organized and arranged everything! We especially appreciated his in-depth knowledge of the Camino de Santiago, and we were able to appreciate many aspects of it, while gathering pilgrim passport stamps in the towns we passed through.

Charles is a capable tour guide and a pleasurable person to spend 8 days with! I would highly recommend taking a trip with him while you are in northern Spain.”

“IN DEPTH KNOWLEDGE”

”Charles was a great guide for our touring of northern Spain. He has a very engaging personality and also an in depth knowledge of the northern region of Spain. The two highlights on this tour for me was the paleolithic caves and the exposure to the local cuisine. The cave art, specifically, has caused me to reflect on the relationship of religion and science in our world.”

“A WONDER”

”This was our first trip to Northern Spain. We were initially intrigued by the idea of seeing the pre-historic cave paintings. But we weren’t only interested in caves. We wanted to see and do a lot in a limited period of time.

We could have done a huge amount of research and would have been lucky to hit the mark 50% of the time. We found Charles. His profile sounded perfect. He spoke both English and Spanish fluently and sounded like he knew what he was doing. He carefully probed for our interests and put together an itinerary that looked perfect.

The tour itself was a wonder. The cave tours were magical. We ate in great restaurants and drank great wine (Charles is a heck of a sommelier). Charles’ recommended hotels were jewels. We visited galleries and museums and even bought a piece. And in his travels Charles had discovered many out-of-the way places and surprised us with things you could never find on your own. He took us to a very small winery where we spent 2 hours with the owner tasting wine, touring the winery and doing a lot of laughing. Good stuff!

On top of all that Charles is friendly and fun. It would have been impossible for us to have the experience we had without him. We had a blast and can’t recommend touring with Charles too highly.

Wanted to say again how much we loved the tour. Your professionalism and joy in what you do was a real delight for us. And just to conclude:

End of the journey
Beauty, joy and friendliness
Nothing left behind”

“THE BEST PART OF A GREAT HOLIDAY”

”It is often difficult to answer the question, ‘What was the best part of your holiday?’ when you return from extensive travel. On our most recent tour, the answer was easy. While we enjoyed a superb trip through Portugal, Spain and America, the highlight was a personalised, private tour for the two of us through Northern Spain. The seven day tour was planned, organised and conducted by Charles of Northern Exposure Spain.

We first read about Charles in a very complementary letter in the travel section of an Australian newspaper. The letter described the type of experience we wanted, being senior but active travelers who liked the comfort of not having to make too many decisions while on tour.
Soon after contacting Charles, we were comprehensively surveyed as to our preferences, and a tour was crafted to suit.

And what a tour it was. Every interest we had mentioned was catered for. Wine, art, food, history, rural life and specific attractions were all crafted into a tour where we were driven in comfort and where we enjoyed our interests at our pace. Our preference for small and quaint hotels was satisfied. Add flexibility and understanding, along with friendship, and our tour of Northern Spain became the best part of a great holiday.

I have no hesitation in recommending Northern Spain as an ideal travel destination, and Charles as the best person to lead the experience.
Thanks Charles for a great experience. Hopefully we will plan another experience together.”

“EXCEPTIONAL”

”You made our trip to Spain. Your ability to cross cultures and share your country is exceptional. Your control over the weather is truly spectacular! Worth every penny. Thank You!”

“LIFETIME MEMORIES”

”A journey of culture, art and beautiful scenery in northern Spain. We had no idea of how to manage the bookings, itinerary etc. for this trip. Charles was extremely professional and prepared a itinerary and with a comprehensive package. Charles took care of small details and made us relax in the whole trip. He had a nice car with lot of space for sitting as well as for luggage. Charles was completely aware of the whole area, even side roads which had no symbols, which explains a lot about his familiarity and passion for this place. He knew a lot of history and was extremely polite and pleasant. He ensured that we got individual attention, was concerned about our safety and took us to very nice and cultural restaurants in those areas for us to have great fine dining experience. We were awestruck with the caves and the natural beauty around us, but the fact that we enjoyed so much was because Charles ensured that he was the one who took care of us at all points and that trip was planned in minute details to ensure that never ever we had to face any problems and it went so smooth and seamless. We both with our thumbs up would definitely recommend all travelers looking forward to tour of Northern Spain to go to Charles’ “Northern Exposure Spain” experience as it will make the whole travel all about fun and memories and all the planning part can be done in the most professional way by Charles. We both have now lifetime memories of this trip and will always remain thankful to Charles for arranging the whole.”

“SPECTACULAR”

”Of the many highlights on our evolutionary journey, the northern Spain cave paintings you guided us through were the most spectacular.
We won’t forget our Cantabria experiences.
Thanks again, and we both have a hope of some day returning.”

“AMAZING TOUR”

”We want to thank you for an amazing tour. It truly was a life long dream to see Paleolithic cave art. We appreciated your knowledge, enthusiasm and approach in introducing the caves to us. It was such a special experience for all of us, one that we will always treasure. Also many thanks for selecting such a delicious venue for lunch, and for identifying birds for me! There are many places in the world to visit, but we have already discussed re-visiting Cantabria, and if so, we will be in touch. ”

“EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS BY A MILE”

”You know how much fun it is staying with a friend in a foreign town, getting the real experience of the local scene. Well Charles is that friend. Not only does he know the history, geography and culture of Northern Spain from many years of living there, but he has the ability to adapt to your interests and circumstances. We had wide ranging discussions in the car while visiting sites of interest and exchanged lots of experiences and ideas. It was very stimulating and exceeded our expectations by a mile. We will be talking about the trip for years to come and encouraging others to make such a journey.”

“DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR”

”During our extremely enjoyable three month stay in Spain, we had the pleasure and good fortune to spend six days in late October with Charles in Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque country and without doubt it was the high point of our time in the country. The tour included visits to wineries, national parks, interesting cities, towns and villages, and three caves containing palaeolithic art. We ate in excellent restaurants of limitless variety and stayed in lovely accommodation in often out of the way places. Perhaps best of all, we had the benefit of Charles’ expertise and great company. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the cave art made something of which we previously knew very little into a highlight of the trip – it is really not to be missed if you are in Spain, and as the official cave tours are all in Spanish, Charles’ extensive knowledge proved essential. He has an intimate knowledge of the entire area, restricting himself to the north, and is also one of that rare group which speaks two languages as a first language. The north is a part of Spain with lots of minor roads and interesting diversions – if you do it yourself, you will be tired at the end of the day and I guarantee you will miss out on any number of hidden gems. Do yourself a favour and let Charles solve the problem for you – you will not regret it for a second. He offers something no guide book will come close to providing. Next year in Galicia?”

“UNFORGETTABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE”

”A group of four of us spent 6 days starting in the Galicia coastline in North West Spain and finishing in Bilbao/Rioja region. After travelling independently for 1 ½ weeks in Southern and Central Spain with varying experiences, it was extremely relaxing to have Charles take charge of our travel and show us his part of the world. He devised a varied itinerary which catered to the different physical requirements and interests of all members of our group. We were very impressed by his local knowledge – he showed us remote pockets of spectacular scenery, gave us a great choice of restaurants, wines and food and a variety of different accommodation. He had deep knowledge of paeleolithic art in the Asturian and Cantabrian caves and was familiar with the wildlife and walking routes of the Picos de Europa mountains ..…

Charles went out of his way to show us sights he found out we were interested in. We were very sorry that due to Charles’ prior commitments, we were not able to extend our time with him to explore more of Northern Spain. Thanks Charles. We had an unforgettable and enjoyable experience of Northern Spain. We would recommend people taking his tours.”

“CHARLES IS A MUST”

”Every once in a while, I stumble into an experience so breathtaking, so rich, and so utterly powerful, that I classify it as a true blessing. Charles orchestration of our tour, his knowledge and passion made this more than a tour; it was a mystical experience and he was both guide, storyteller, concierge. If you want a journey into the past, while enjoying a man who advocates for our children’s heritage, then a Paleolithic Cave Art exploration with Charles is a must when you are in Spain. Thank you again for an amazing tour.”

“SURPASSED OUR EXPECTATIONS”

”Seeing the caves of northern Spain was one of our dream bucket list items, and even still, our tour far surpassed our expectations. Not only is Charles extremely knowledgeable about the history and anthropology surrounding the caves and early hominids, but he is genuinely passionate about the field and its unfolding discoveries. He’s the kind of person you feel like you could talk to for hours, over a beer or whiskey, theorizing about human nature and all that we do and don’t know. Charles went out of his way to help us with transportation and lodging, and he tailored our cave tour to our interests, abilities, and time constraints. He even threw in a few extra excursions in his hometown. We hope to be back some day. Charles is the kind of friend and guide that everyone should have if they want to experience northern Spain. We would recommend him highly – and in fact already have to many of our friends and family”

“WE WILLL BE BACK!”

”We really can’t thank Charles enough for our fantastic cultural adventure in beautiful Northern Spain! Not only great fun, Charles is incredibly professional and knowledgeable about so many topics it really gave another dimension to our time with him. I know what seemed a seamless tour to us, had taken a great deal of organisation and considered everyone’s agenda along the way.
The tiny things meant so much, from the little restaurants and fantastic food off the beaten track, the boutique winery tour, to the mountain hotel hideaway and and cable car. So many cherished memories that we are grateful for! We met you as a tour guide, we shared boiled sweets and laughter across hundreds of miles of changing landscape and left with a new friend. Thank you Charles we will be back!”

“OUR MOST RELAXED HOLIDAY FOR YEARS”

”We have been to Spain many times before but this tour was special. Charles taught us more about the food, the culture and the history of this area of Spain than we thought possible. His aim is to please his clients, which he does in a very pleasant and relaxed way, nothing is too much trouble . Probably our most relaxed holiday for many many years”.”

“HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR TIME IN NORTHERN SPAIN”

”Loved our time with you and the caves and for all of us those days were highlights of our time in Northern Spain. You brought our ancestors to life”

“A LOT OF FUN”

”We could not have asked for a better guide to show us the wonders of the caves. Charles came well prepared and informed. He kept our family group from ages 10-75 engaged and organized! The day was well paced and a lot of fun. We could never have learned so much on our own. We were all amazed and in awe of the cave paintings. We ended the day with a glass of wine with Charles, and also learned quite a bit about modern Cantabria from him.”

“WE CAN ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND”

”Last August I began an email correspondence with Charles, to plan three full days of touring in northern Spain for June 2017, with a focus on including some combination of the Paleolithic caves, art, history, architecture, food, wine and walking. Working with Charles was a stress free process and the four of us, ages 60-70, were thoroughly delighted by the time we spent with him and by the unique experiences we had along the way. Charles was organized and thoughtful in the questions he asked us ahead of time, so that we could make the most of our 3 days visiting UNESCO World Heritage site caves, medieval towns and excellent restaurants for slow lunches. Unfortunately, the rain interfered with some of the hiking we wanted to do, but Charles easily came up with on the spot alternatives for us. We saw a range of stunning caves and learned a lot about early humans and about the history of people in this part of Spain. Charles clearly loves what he does and has much to share. He was easy to talk with about a range of topics and attentive to our interests and energy levels. We can enthusiastically recommend Northern Exposure Spain and Charles for a custom tour of northern Spain. ”

“BETTER THAN I’D HOPED”

”My trip with Northern Exposure Spain was even better than I’d hoped. As a resident of the area, Charles really knows Cantabria and Asturias, including the decorated caves, the best places to eat and stay, and a way to schedule whatever you’re interested in seeing. It’s like having a friend take you around the countryside.”

“CHARLES IS A UNIQUE TREASURE”

”Fascinated with caves, but your spouse not so much? No problem for Charles. In addition to spectacular prehistoric cave art, our tour included scenic walks and challenging hikes, local history, Roman ruins and warm, personal welcomes at amazing restaurants. We drank ciders, wines, and beers and ate barnacles (yes-barnacles!), world-class octopus, squid and scallops. Also fare as simple as savory lentil soup and fresh blue cheese with baguettes. Charles is a unique treasure, speaks American and Spanish with equal ease and knows and loves Cantabria. Got to practice my limited Spanish language skills and learned how to properly pronounce “Euros”. This was the first vacation from which we really hated to go home. We are already planning our next trip and trying to decide which adventures we would like Charles to share with us.”

“A GREAT VALUE”

We tend to be independent global travelers and normally don’t hire guides. But we never second-guessed our decision to work with Charles on this very special tour. Though born in Spain, Charles speaks English like a native and of course is fluent in Spanish as well. If you’re not sure about paying for a guide, be sure to factor in the money you save overall not to mention the frustration you avoid trying find out-of-the-way places on your own. But that’s not the main reason to book with Charles—it’s his knowledge, his warm personality, and his connections that make a sojourn with him a great value. ”

“A SCORE OF 12 OUT OF 10”

”We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the time spent exploring “ the road less travelled “ .You managed to include locations and especially private tastings at boutique vineyards which we would defy “ independent travellers “ to find - just really special .!! The restaurants , hotels , private guides and itinerary were exceptional and certainly ticked all the boxes !! Fortunately you have a great sense of humour and were able to take all our nonsense in your stride !! Your local knowledge is superb and we cannot recall a single question which you are unable to answer. So Charles , if the opportunity arose , would we seek your services again ? - most certainly !! Would we recommend you to others ? - without a doubt !! In closing , we have consulted with the rest of the team and we are delighted to unanimously award you a score of 12 out of 10 and invite you to become a member of the “ Going the extra mile club!”.”

“OBVIOUSLY PASSIONATE, IT SHINES THROUGH”

”I can honestly say the tour of Northern Spain was a highlight of our five week European holiday. Having been to the south of Spain previously I was surprised by the green rolling hills and majestic mountains of this region. Never far from the coast the scenery breathtaking. Your intimate knowledge of the places we visited as well as it’s history was truly wonderful. Wineries off the beaten track away from the usual tourist traps, a treat, and will cherries straight from the tree ever taste so sweet. Excellent restaurant choices to taste the treats of the region. You are obviously passionate about this region and it shines through. The various guides you had organised were excellent. It was a thrill to stay in converted monasteries, Paradores, a first for John and myself. All the accommodation was of a very high standard. Thank you for making our tour so memorable and ticking all our boxes.”

“CHARLES WAS AMAZING”

”For 2 months my husband and I toured with our young adult children all throughout Europe and our time with Charles was unquestionably one of our favorite highlights. I was giving my family a two month “class” about Western Civilization/ European history, so decided to start in northern Spain to visit/understand the site of the earliest homo species in Western Europe. Although we did most of our European trip on our own, I had Charles take care of this initial part of the trip since I really did not have the foggiest idea of how to really see as much as possible regarding cave art and archeological sites. We were not disappointed! Charles was AMAZING! He was so organized and planned our 3 day tour perfectly. He is from Spain so obviously speaks Spanish but has spent significant time in the US so his English was absolutely perfect- he doesn’t even have an accent! His fund of knowledge is superb and what’s more, he is incredibly easygoing and fun. We wanted to take him home with us! His price was very reasonable for what we were able to accomplish. We saw an unbelievable amount during these 3 days. I would highly recommend him as a guide.”

“TOUR GUIDE EXTRAORINAIRE”

”We had a wonderful time with Charles, our tour guide extraordinaire. We spent nine days in his care, touring across ‘the other Spain’, the beautiful green north. Charles gave us a proposal for comment and developed an itinerary on the basis of our feedback then organised our bookings. We found him to be most personable and we enjoyed getting further acquainted as he drove us to a wide range of sights from natural wonders to an iron age fort, from wineries to the Pilgrims’ Mass at Santiago de Compostela, from fishing villages to prehistoric cave paintings. He always accommodated to our pace and needs. The accommodation he booked was excellent and very comfortable, and the shared lunches at local restaurants gave us a real taste of the food and wine of this wonderful area. We highly recommend using Charles to experience the north of Spain. You will have such fun, see and learn so much and feel safe and well cared for: we certainly did.”

“UNQUESTIONABLY THE HIGHLIGHT”

”We just returned to NY after a wonderful trip to Portugal and northern Spain, of which our visit with you to the El Castillo caves and the Altamira museum were unquestionably the highlights. You are an excellent guide, with the superb combination of deep knowledge of, and a great love for, your subject - prehistoric cave art. We wish we had had more time with you, since it appears that you are also steeped in the history and culture of Spain. We will definitely recommend you to any of our family or friends planning to travel there.”

“IN HIGHLY CAPABLE HANDS”

”I couldn’t have asked for a more knowledgeable or engaging guide!! After doing far too much “Dr. Google” research, I quickly learned to trust Charles’ judgement and go with the 2 day itinerary he’d created. This is a GREAT experience…you’re in highly capable hands…… and you won’t be disappointed!!!”

“HIGHLIGHT OF OUR SIX WEEK VACATION”

”Our party of three was excited to have the opportunity to see and learn about three prehistoric cave painting sites in one day. Each site was unique and interesting. Charles was our personal guide to the caves explaining intricate details and answering our multitude of questions. His wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm really made our experience richer. We had a wonderful lunch with Charles who, at our request, suggested local foods unique to Northern Spain. Without a doubt, the three of us agreed this tour was the highlight of our six week vacation in Europe. We would do it again in a heart beat as the caves are true historical and national treasures.”

“DOUBT THERE IS A BETTER TOUR GUIDE IN SPAIN”

”Visiting the caves with Charles was not like being on any tour I have ever been on before, more like visiting with a friend. Charles is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the caves and so willing to share that with others, that is a gift. I doubt there is a better tour guide in Spain”

“YOU EXCEL IN EVERY WAY”

”Thank you so much for a most wonderful visit to the painted caves of Cantabria. You excel in ever way: Punctuality, Cheerfulness, Knowledge, Inspiration. F
antastic and your patience in getting me round the tight places in some of the caves much appreciated. Hoping to return soon.”

“MEMORABLE & EXCITING”

”Our visit to the caves in Northern Spain was a truly wonderful and exhilarating experience. Charles was a brilliant guide in every way. His thorough knowledge of the area and passion for the Paleolithic cave art greatly enhanced our visit. Also, as some of the cave guides did not speak English, Charles was able to interpret for us. He was friendly and caring with a good sense of humour and we could not have experienced as much as we did without Charles. His organisation was impeccable. A truly memorable and exciting trip.”

“MADE ME FEEL LIKE A FAVORITE GUEST”

”I am so glad I took a tour. The places he showed me; in context of the landscape, culture, and unimaginable span of time. I quickly realized the value of having Charles guide my experience. He gave an excellent introduction to what we would see and he explained the matter of interpreting cave art in such a way that I could appreciate the mystery of it, yet feel that through my human connection to the ancient artists I might understand their work as they intended. Charles scheduled an itinerary that showed me a marvelous variety of types of cave art, and in an order that helped me appreciate the differences and similarities. His professional and warm relationship with the employees who managed visitors to the caves was a tremendous advantage to me. I really felt that I was getting special treatment - especially at the busy Cave of Altamira, where Charles and the guide whisked me from place to place to see all the best examples of art in such a way that I hardly noticed the crowds. I was amazed at how much I was able to see in just a day and a half.

Charles helped immeasurably with my travel logistics. He got my travel tickets and reserved a nice place for me to stay. He was prompt, easy to communicate with, and willing to answer my numerous questions about everything. Best of all, he made me feel like a favorite guest. I do hope to come back!”

“FANTASTIC, HIS PASSION ANIMATED A DAY”

”Our tour with Charles was fantastic, his passion animated a day of journeying into stunning caves where we witnessed the dawn of human art. Each time we entered into these spaces the experience was expertly guided and enhanced by Charles historic knowledge and great relationships with the onsite guides. We were transported to another time and ancient mind, inspired.”

“GOOSE BUMPS!!!”

”My husband and I recently toured Paleolithic Cave art in Northern Spain with Charles from Northern Exposure Spain. We had a truly incredible time. We have visited prehistoric caves in France and were fortunate to set up a 2-day tour with Charles. Even though our days of visit were fixed (on one of the days most caves were closed), he managed to put together a fabulous tour for us. We started with a really informative introductory presentation of the all the caves in Northern Spain, learned about their discovery, recently introduced dating techniques, and ongoing archeologic activity. We really had a wonderful experience. The experience of seeing amazing art from 14,000 to 40,000 years ago was incredible. Goose Bumps!!! We will be going back to tour with Charles again.”

“GOT A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING”

”Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and felt that we got a much better understanding of the caves and their evidence of human habitation. Also we were left with a greater admiration of the artistic skill of these early people- demonstrating depth, using the natural form of the caves etc. Much of that appreciation was due to your enthusiasm and knowledge that you shared with us and we have started to spread the word amongst our friends in Australia. ”

“KNOWLEDGEABLE AND PASSIONATE”

”The mystery of the caves remains a mystery. And, as you know, words cannot do it justice. I believe that’s how it should be. I also know how fortunate we were to be exposed to this art by someone as knowledgeable and passionate as you. That you obviously enjoy sharing this knowledge, and yourself, with strangers is a gift. We thank you.”

“KNOWLEDGEABLE, COMPANIONABLE, RESPONSIVE, ORGANIZED AND ENTHUSIASTIC”

”The day we spent with Charles touring three caves with Paleolithic paintings was probably the highlight of our three weeks in Spain. He organized our tour around our interests, physical ability, and the time available to us. Charles gave us background on the region and the art as we drove between the caves. All in all, it was a perfect day. Our only regret is that we didn’t allot the time for a multi-day tour. Charles is knowledgeable, companionable, responsive, organized, and enthusiastic about the area he knows so well. We recommend his tours without reservation.”

“A FANTASTIC TIME”

”We just wanted to say we had a fantastic time with you in northern Spain. The itinerary you picked and the restaurants and hotels you found were perfect. Everything exceeded our expectations! One negative comment I have for you though is that I gained a lot of weight.”

“OUTSTANDING GUIDE, THE BEST WE HAVE HAD”

”We had a fantastic time during our 11 day trip with Charles. The itinerary he had planned was fun, varied and interesting. Everyday was packed with adventures. He took us to places we would have not been aware of on our own that were truly spectacular. We appreciated his knowledge of the land and learned a lot during our trip. The hotels and restaurants he chose were unique and memorable. Charles is an outstanding guide, the best we have had on our travels.”

“WELL PLANNED, DIVERSE AND VERY PERSONAL”

”Thank you Charles for a well planned, diverse, and very personal trip of Northern Spain and El Camino. It was a trip of history, culture, food and wine, and self-reflection. We can’t thank you enough for the detail you paid to every aspect of our trip. We so enjoyed your personal favorite spots from museums, to churches, to sunsets. And the food was exceptional. ”

“CAN´T THANK YOU ENOUGH”

The highlight of my time in Spain was our time in the caves. I was so affected by seeing these works of art and learning so much about how they were made and how to look at and really see them. I can’t thank you enough for creating the perfect combination of caves and for your extensive knowledge that provided me with the foundation to make the most of my time in these very sacred spaces.”

“WILL REMEMBER THIS ... FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE”

I usually hate tours, but I loved this one. Charles is a very knowledgeable and fun guide. Nothing was rushed and the restaurants he chose were yummy with local food. You don’t need to worry about anything because Charles takes care of everything. Sometimes we were the only ones in the whole cave! It was amazing. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. Thanks Charles!”

“EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE”

”All of my life, I’d dreamed of seeing the art of early man, but never expected to be able to ever see any in person. Seeing such beautiful art made by humans so many thousands of years ago was thrilling! You found the best caves and museums that we were able to see in the time we had. We appreciate the care and attention you gave us to ensure an exceptional experience. ”

“SUCH A GREAT SERVICE”

”We have very fond memories of our day with you; thanks for providing such a great service.”

“BEST TOUR GUIDE EVER”

”Charles is the best tour guide that we have ever had. He was kind, had a great sense of humor and was incredibly passionate about the decorated caves. He went out of his way each and everyday to make sure we saw as much as possible. In addition to seeing the breathtaking cave paintings, we also experienced some of the best and most authentic restaurants of our European travel.

We are educators who were specifically looking to make salient lesson plans for our students. Charles’ knowledge of the caves was inexhaustible—he was just as invested in our lesson plan’s success as we were. Even following the trip he made many educational resources available for us.”

“A BESPOKE AND INTIMATE EXPERIENCE”

”Charles’ careful planning and passion made this a very special part of our trip to Northern Spain. The private guided tours of 6 caves with his ability to translate the information given by the Spanish-speaking guides and add his own wealth of knowledge made this a bespoke and intimate experience. Coupled with a long lunch and a bottle of Rioja in a Michelin starred restaurant each day – it was perfect!”

“ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE”

A great way to experience and appreciate the vast cave paintings in Northern Spain. Charles’ tour includes more than just viewing cave drawings; he shares with you the rich legacy of the region, it’s artifacts, geological references, and thinking behind the cave art through a variety of museum visits, subject matter experts at each cave site, and best of all his own personal experiences growing up and exploring the caves himself. This is a once in a lifetime experience, glad we did it.”

“EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD HOPED”

”Charles was referred to us by a friend who had previously used his tour services. We had an unusual request for transportation and touring from Madrid to Bilbao with wine tasting through the Ribera del Duero region in route. He provided us with exactly what we had hoped to accomplish. He selected the wineries, the route, the notable sights and the restaurants for us. All were excellent. I would highly recommend Charles and of course would use his services if we return to any areas he services.”

“VERY SPECIAL TIME”

”David and I had a wonderful experience with you. You were more knowledgeable about the history of the caves and the pre-historic art than we expected. We also appreciated your down to earth sense of humor. We will always remember this very special time. ”

“NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE”

”Our group of six enjoyed a tailor made tour with Charles from Northern Exposure Spain. We generally regard ourselves as independent travelers, but it was wonderful to leave the driving, navigation and organisation to Charles. There is no substitute for local knowledge, plus we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a seaside restaurant, that we never would have found ourselves. Charles was an enthusiastic guide, who obviously relished showing us around Cantabria, which he regards as one of the most beautiful and fascinating areas on earth, and I am inclined to agree with him.” - Annette

”A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR 5 WEEKS IN SPAIN”

”We prefer travelling by ourselves rather than on large organised tours. In May 2016, we were in Northern Spain and very interested to see Paleolithic Cave Art in Cantabria. We were very fortunate to have gone on a tour with Charles of Northern Spain Tours. Charles tailored the tour to our needs and interests. Charles shared with us his extensive knowledge, expertise and passion for Paleolithic Cave art . Driving to each site, Charles used the time to tell us a lot of detailed background information that made the cave visits much more meaningful. For me, this one day tour was a very special experience, a highlight of our 5 weeks in Spain. ”

“A HIGHPOINT INDEED”

”A WONDERFUL Experience…Alison and I loved Charles’ enthusiasm and knowledge about archaeology and prehistory, food and wine and his passion for Cantabrian history and culture. Thank you! Thanks again Charles, money well spent and a highpoint indeed.”

“IN SUCH AN ENGAGING WAY”

”Spending 3 days with you before starting our Camino trek was a wonderful introduction to the culture of Spain! We saw such beautiful places,ate such great food, and enjoyed such wide-ranging conversations as we toured around. Our focal point when with you was the amazing cave art, but we were also interested in other pre-history. You brought the paleolithic, pre-Roman and Roman Cantabrian worlds to life for us, through our visits to various archaeological sites. Thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge with us in such an engaging way! ”

“OUR TOUR WAS FLAWLESS”
”The trip to see the cave art was the highlight of my 5 week tour of Spain and Portugal. Charles is a wonderful host and tour guide; our tour was flawless. Lunch together in a local restaurant was a lovely bonus. It was a long but stimulating and productive day of extraordinary value and the experience of a lifetime.”

“VERY CARING”
”We still remember with great fondness our experience with you and the excursion of the caves . You were truly a wonderful and knowledgeable guide. Not only were you a great person but very caring of Barbara with her limited physical abilities. It was a remarkable day and certainly a highlight of our trip to Spain. ”

“FANTASTIC”
”I can sum up the entire experience in one word - FANTASTIC!! Charles’ knowledge of pre-historic caves is exemplary. On top of that, his experience of travelling around the world has added to his repertoire. We greatly benefitted from his knowledge and friendly character during our visit. We would recommend anyone who plans to visit the caves to book his services without a blink of an eye. From the day I contacted Charles, he has been extremely informative, prompt and helpful. Any questions (even weird ones) were answered in a professional and timely manner.””

“A WONDERFUL GUIDE”

”Charles was a wonderful guide on our recent trip to see prehistoric cave art. He met us right at the train, arranged for an overnight stay in a lovely place and accompanied us to three different and beautiful caves. Charles helped me navigate through some areas that could have been difficult for me as an 84 year old with a broken arm! I recommend him highly to anyone interested in this type of tour.”

“EDUCATED, EXPERIENCED, EXTRAORDINARY INVESTMENT.”

”It has been a month since I toured with Charles into the caves of Northern Spain. Charles’ infectious passion for how people from thousands of years ago captured their experience in cave paintings set the tone for an individualized, exceptionally rich experience. It has been a month since the tours and I am still exuberant when I share what I learned. As a kid, visiting the caves were always a goal; little did I know I the extent of details I would learn both from Charles. I thoroughly enjoyed how Charles could meet me where I was with my knowledge and questions, planning a program that met my interests and abilities and the rich conversations before and after visiting the caves, chatting about the ancient peoples and the lands where they painted. . I am still buzzing. This experience rates as one of my best experiences with guides over 20 years of travelling. I highly recommend Northern Exposure Spain and Charles as an educated, experienced, extraordinary investment. ”

“FRIENDLY, ENTHUSIASTIC AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICES”

”Our thoroughly enjoyable visit to see the cave art of Northern Spain would not have been possible without a guide. Northern Exposure Spain provided friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable services. We also received some very helpful insights for other aspects of our travels in Spain.”

“A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP TO EUROPE”

”I cannot recommend Charles of Northern Exposure Spain highly enough. He was easy to communicate with before our trip and tailored our excursion to the painted caves to match our desires. I was thrilled when I finally got to see these amazing places where the distant past feels so near and real. All four of us loved the day and enjoyed Charles’ knowledge, patience, and sense of humor. It was a highlight of our trip to Europe.”

“REMAINS IN MY HEART AND THOUGHTS”

”The tour provided by Northern Exposure Spain surpassed my expectations. With only a short timeframe available, Charles customized a wonderful tour of the significant Paleolithic cave art sites, archaeological digs and sites of interest relating to human evolution. The communication and planning prior to the tour was well organized, pick-ups were punctual and information well researched. Charles’ passion and knowledge for Paleolithic cave art, combined with excellent well established relationships with the local guides made this tour an experience of a lifetime. Northern Exposure Spain provides the personal touch, and the itinerary was flexible enough to include last minute extra excursions and the chance to experience quaint Spanish towns and sample local cuisine. As a single traveler, I felt at all times safe and well looked after. The experience of standing in the caves of Northern Spain was unforgettable. Following the trip I travelled to France and visited other cave sites as a regular tourist, however it is the caves of Spain and the experience provided by Northern Exposure that remains in my heart and thoughts. ”

“THE ULTIMATE TOUR GUIDE”

”Charles is the ultimate tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable, exceptionally well organized, but flexible. This personal tour is the best experience you can have in Northern Spain. Our caving adventures, crafted to our needs and capabilities, were outstanding. Charles is personable with a unique history. Spending his early years in Libya, educated in Spain and USA with citizenship in both, he has a love for the outdoors , all of which he combines into an unforgettable adventure.”

“AMAZING AND HUMBLING”

”I am still on a high from my trip to Spain! I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful experience at the caves. I still tell people how it was the most amazing and humbling experience of my trip.”

“EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME”

”Our day of exploring Paleolithic cave art with Charles was truly the high point of our visit to northern Spain. This was an experience of a lifetime. Planning, communication, and arrangements were all outstanding. We especially enjoyed your vast historical knowledge of the area. You were great and made a memorable day for us. Thank you!””

“A TRIP HIGHLIGHT FOR SURE”

”I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the cave tours, and the day we spent together. It was a trip highlight for sure. I do think it left a lasting impression. A friend interviewed Nathan about the trip the other day, and he mentioned the caves in the top few things we did on the trip. I feel very fortunate to have had the experience, and better understand some of the history. I am so glad my parents recommended you. Thank you for planning a thoughtful, interesting, and fun day for us.” - Katie

”WORTH TALKING ABOUT”

”Thanks Charles. We had a great time and Cole was talking about the cave drawings to his dad when we met up with him in Madrid. So there is some that stuck and worth talking about.” - Danna”

“THE BEST OF THE BEST”

”We are seasoned travelers who appreciate the personal and in depth experience of a local tour guide when we visit new places. Charles and Northern Exposure Spain are the best of the best. Our visit to Cantabria was only one day, but Charles took time to get to know our interests and capabilities. We had a full day packed with cave art from across time. Lunch by the dunes with fresh seafood and crisp wine was a perfect stop on a hot summer day.

Lovers of local culture, natural history, art – from paleo to modern, human prehistory, food & wine, or more active adventures can look forward to an authentic and fascinating experience with Charles and Northern Exposure Spain.”

“RIGOROUS, INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING”

”I’m an elementary school teacher in Spain and I write lesson plans for a living. This was a true holiday for me because someone else was writing the lesson plans! All I had to do is show up and enjoy the day! Charles customized a rigorous, informative and entertaining week of exploring UNESCO Paleolithic caves/museums based upon a pre-tour questionnaire that featured what we like: morning cave tours, afternoon naps, spa hotel, local dining and opportunities to give back to the communities we visited. As a result of this tour, I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with Spain!” - Karen

”BLEW ME AWAY”

”I have never been on a tour before and Charles just blew me away! I’ve known him all my life, but just met him yesterday. Very confident, funny, and a great companion! There was no need for worry and his passion for his country and the caves were contagious.” - Nancy

”LIKE AN EXHILARATING PIECE OF MUSIC”

”My tour was like an exhilarating piece of music; arranged and performed by world class artist, Charles. The beat and melody lingers on – rock on Charles.” - Diana”

“NOT A FIVE-STAR TRIP - IT’S A CONSTELLATION”

”I recently did my second trip with Charles, and it was even better than the one before. Since we had seen nearly everything on my wish list last year, I just put this visit in his capable hands and the result was magical. That is not an exaggeration. I frequently felt as if we were in a charmed state. I don’t know if I have ever seen so many beautiful and fascinating sights in one day in my life. The orchids! Charles is a natural-born guide and knows northern Spain in ways I am sure most people who live there don’t know it. This is not a five-star trip - it’s a constellation.”

“A LOT OF FUN - AND LEARNED SO MUCH”

”We all loved our three-day tour with Charles across northern Spain. He really listened to what we wanted to do (art, architecture, history, churches, food!) and chose a great variety of fun things to see and do. AND all very unusual and different. We never would have known about these on our own. Charles is also a nice guy – and fun to talk to. You don’t want to be in a car for three days with someone you don’t like or can’t relate to! We all had a lot of fun – and learned SO much!” - Leslie

”ALL THAT WE WANTED... AND SO MUCH MORE”
”We are 4 women from Texas (well, one is from NY) who had just walked 108 kilometers on the Camino de Santiago. It was so good to sit back and let Charles take us on a tour of Northern Spain. He included all that we wanted to see and so much more. We never could have covered the same amount of ground on our own in four days. Although we were on a very tight schedule, we never felt rushed.” - Barbara

”WHAT A TREAT”

”You led us on a fantastic tour of Northern Spain. We saw things and places that we never would have found or known about What a treat to discover northern Spain with you leading us! Beautiful countryside. I always felt safe with you at the wheel! You did an outstanding job! Thank you so much!” - Gail”

“WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE”

”Charles is very knowledgeable and enhances the experience. Very well organized. Was waiting for us up on arrival and a clean and comfortable vehicle. Wonderful experience.”

“STRONGLY IMPRESSED MY FAMILY”

”Charles was an excellent tour guide. In addition to providing transportation and scheduling cave visits, he gave knowledgeable commentary and explanations of what we were seeing. Though not an archaeologist by training, he exhibited a passion and knowledge of the subject that evidenced many hours of study and strongly impressed my family. He was easy to talk with about many subjects and made our visit to the caves a fabulous experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It was a humbling and somewhat “religious” experience to stand where our Paleolithic ancestors once stood and to observe some of mankind’s earliest artistic expression. Even my 21 year old son, who had originally scoffed at the idea of visiting ancient cave art, came away with an unexpectedly positive appreciation of what we had seen.”

“TALENT THAT SETS CHARLES ABOVE OTHER GUIDES”

”Charles was a perfect guide. I contacted him about my travels to Spain, and my interests. He set up a few days of adventure custom made for me. When weather got in the way of one of our activities, he quickly switched gears, and planned a full day that could include my partner as well. We had such a delightful time on our stormy day tour which included the Gaudi house, small windy roads leading to remote villages filled with remarkable architecture, and a wonderful old restaurant for lunch. Charles has a thorough knowledge of the area and culture. Our caving day was superb. We visited a cave, where I welled with tears at the first horse etching, and another where I could see the paintings running in the flickering light. Then a wild cave with formations older than the paintings we had seen. Since Charles is astute enough to understand what his client is interested in, he is able to give you a Spanish experience (in English) suited just for you. This is the talent that sets Charles above other guides, his charm and intellect top it off! ”

“TOUR THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET”

”Charles was extremely helpful in designing a special interest tour of Northern Spain for us. Our tour centered around the Paleolithic cave art, related museums and surrounding fishing villages and mountain towns. We sent him our wish list and he created the most interesting, informative and intimate experience ever. Charles planned a five day hassle free tour that we will never forget. When we arrived in Bilbao we were greeted by a knowledgeable tourism professional and when we parted in Burgos we said goodbye to a friend. It was a wonderful experience.” - Jean

”WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMEND”

”Charles is very enthusiastic about what he does and enjoys sharing in the lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path specialties of the region. He is extremely competent, flexible, and amenable. We ended up feeling like family members, respected and well-cared for. His passion and compassion and integrity shine through. I would wholeheartedly recommend touring with him to anyone visiting northern Spain!” - Amy”

“IT WAS UNFORGETTABLE AND I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL”

”This was the best guided-tour I have ever experienced anywhere. Charles asked the right questions beforehand to determine how to spend the time I allowed, and created a visit to Cantabria that was beyond my expectations, or even my hopes. It was a perfect blend of nature and cave art, exactly as I requested. He was flexible when my independent activities required changing his plan. In addition to our itinerary, I asked for three specific errands and he saw to it that they were accomplished with no extra effort on my part. Not only was the fee reasonable, but after the tour was complete I felt that it had been a great bargain. His tireless good nature and interesting conversation make Charles a fine companion and his detailed knowledge of the area and the people who live there make him an incomparable guide to northern Spain and a fountain of information. I absolutely recommend him at the highest level and even want to return so my adult children can have a similar experience. It was unforgettable and I am extremely grateful.”

“EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS BY FAR”

”Thank you so much for everything that you did and organized. The trip exceeded our expectations by far. Seriously, you have the ability to share your knowledge and love for your area and the caves. Mollie said that the trip to Spain was her favorite part of our vacation.”

“SIT BACK AND ENJOY”

”Four days in mystical Northern Spain with Charles the “chief experience officer” was the highlight of our trip to Europe this summer. He could not have more informative on the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Basque Country. Charles is fun and flexible adjusting to our wishes to stay longer and drink more wine or add on a private cave tour which was delightful and rounded out our trip. I highly recommend Charles and let him schedule the itinerary, hotels, restaurants. Sit back and enjoy.” - Karen

“NOTHING LESS THAN STUPENDOUS”

”My experience with Northern Exposure Spain was nothing less than stupendous. Our personal tour guide, Charles, was extremely efficient while planning and took great interest in accommodating our wishes, yet did not hesitate to offer alterations which always proved to be the better plan. His selection of hotels was superb. We were exposed to quite a variety of local living styles and our visit to view Paleolithic cave art provided a very articulate and entertaining guide. Charles is extremely knowledge of the regional wines and cuisine and led us to great dining experiences. He attended to many details of planning an incredible holistic experience of the northern coast of Spain. I couldn’t have asked for more.” - Terry”

“THE HIGHLIGHT OF AN ALREADY FABULOUS TRIP”

”The three days we spent with Charles touring the caves of Northern Spain were really the highlight of an already fabulous trip. Charles really understood what we wanted to see and also had a complete understanding of the kinds of food, wine and cultural experiences we were seeking. Charles brought a wealth of information that enhanced our “cave experiences” and he introduced us to some wonderful wines and food we had never tried (and we’re pretty well travelled.) We highly recommend Charles to anyone planning a trip to Northern Spain.”

““WE GOT SO MUCH MORE OUT OF OUR VISIT TO NORTHERN SPAIN”

”We had a wonderful time on our Northern Exposure Spain tour. Our guide Charles was a font of knowledge. We got so much more out of our visit to Northern Spain due to Charles knowledge of the area. A very personalized experience. - Julie”

”THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC EXPERIENCE!”

”This was an absolutely terrific experience! Charles has extensive knowledge of northern Spain and of the historical and archaeological sites we visited, and particularly of the Paleolithic cave art sites. He was also a great traveling companion. As English speakers with virtually no Spanish, we would not have gotten nearly as much out of the cave tours if we had been on our own. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and hope to do something like it again. - Bruce”

“A VERY SPECIAL ADVENTURE ”

”All of us in the group are widely travelled over many years and we agreed that having Charles as our guide made for a very special adventure. I highly recommend Charles and Northern Exposure Spain for an in-depth but lighthearted tour of northern Spain you won’t forget. Charles’ easygoing manner and wonderful sense of humor along with his deep love of his homeland added real pleasure to our trip. (And did I mention that he plays pretty mean Cantabrian bagpipes?)”

“ONE OF THE BEST GUIDES I HAVE HAD”

”Touring Northern Spain with Charles was a wonderful experience. He considered all my interests and designed a program that exceeded my expectations. I have traveled on 6 continents on my own and on tours. Charles is one of the best guides I have had: experienced, knowledgeable, curious, with a great sense of humour and appreciation of nature and culture combined. It quickly became apparent he knows the area intimately having explored it since childhood. I was delighted by surprise visits to special places as we traveled along the roads. My main reason for going to this area was to see the Palaeolithic cave art of Spain following a visit to the French caves in Dordogne the year before. Charles got me into 8 UNESCO caves- an unforgettable experience. He also took me to museums, art galleries, churches, medieval towns, Roman and Celtic sites, port towns, national parks, sea, valley and mountain viewpoints, markets and even a ranchers fair, a music concert and some gourmet restaurants. I had a great time and would thoroughly recommend touring Northern Spain with Charles as your guide!”

“ONE OF OUR BEST HOLIDAYS”

”Our tour in northern Spain with Northern Exposure Spain was a perfect commencement to our European itinerary. The tour was structured to unfold as both an adventure and learning experience. Although the itinerary was mainly tailored to our timing and interests (Palaeolithic cave art, prehistory/history), we experienced places that we did not know existed, and that revealed the magnificent beauty of the region. Charles’ local experience, knowledge of the local environment and species, all round skills and sense of humour made the journey one of our best holidays. We learned more than we could have anticipated and in fact this trip ignited our interests in continuing to learn more about prehistory and about Spain.”

“MADE US FEEL AT HOME ”

”The places we went were fascinating, particularly the Camino de Santiago, the cathedrals and the mountain festival. If we wanted to veer off a little, you were fine with it. You were informative and considerate. You made us feel at home. We were glad to see as much as we did in our time with you.”

“HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP ”

”My wife and I and two friends recently traveled to Spain. We spent almost 3 weeks in Spain but we all agree that the highlight of the trip was the day we spent with Charles of Northern Exposure Spain touring caves. What a fabulous day!”

“A WONDERFUL BRIDGE BETWEEN CULTURES”

”We had a fantastic time with Charles on a guided tour of several sites in Northern Spain! Charles is a wonderful bridge between cultures, contemporary and ancient, within Spain. Having a guide made all the difference for us during our day of touring. We visited ancient caves, hiked little known paths, entered ancient sanctuaries, both under and above ground, and had a delectable feast in a Spanish home. Charles devoted the enter day to us, nearly dawn to dusk, taking us more places than we could have imagined. We highly recommend Charles!”

“MOST SATISFYING EXPERIENCE... EVER ”

”We have traveled extensively around the world, touring North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. We can say without reservation that our 8 day tour with Northern Exposure Spain was the most satisfying experience/adventure that we have ever had. Charles tailored the trip to our individual desires/needs and recommended itineraries, but also took us to the places that the locals frequent (and provided an insight rarely found). He speaks English and Spanish as a primary language. Many guides can speak both languages, but to have one who can communicate precisely in each language is a benefit beyond compare, a phenomenal advantage. His knowledge of the area is unparalleled, but is exceeded by his passion and love of his country. To be able to absorb this passion and learn about your adventure is something that is difficult to find. We hope that many others can explore Northern Spain as we have.”

“NEVER HAD A TOUR GUIDE AS KNOWLEDGEABLE ”

”Charles I want to thank you for the wonderful experience I had touring Northern Spain. I have traveled extensively in Europe and the United States and I can say that I have never had a tour guide as knowledgeable as you. I had so much fun and learned so much about Northern Spain and am still in awe of the caves. It was such a pleasure to meet you and I will be sure to recommend you to anyone considering a visit to Spain. - Ellen”

”FAR AND AWAY THE BEST GUIDE ”

”A fantastic vacation in Northern Spain, thanks to Charles’ superb guidance and accompaniment, far and away the best guide I could have ever imagined. He made all the arrangements and took us exactly where we wanted to go, plus to other excellent, beautiful and tasty places we didn’t know about. As a non-Spanish-speaking American, I was thrilled to find that Charles is both an American and a Spaniard, and as a local, he communicated perfectly with everyone. I could not recommend him and Northern Exposure more highly, and Northern Spain is gorgeous! - Nadine”

“FUN AND STRESS FREE”

”Our trip to Northern Spain was one of the best vacations we have ever been on. Charles’ personal attention, knowledge and planning were outstanding. The fact that he spoke Spanish and was able to translate for us everywhere we went was awesome. This was such a fun and stress free vacation. Thank you Charles for making us feel like we were lifelong friends and showing us your beautiful country. It really shows that you love what you do.”

“SURPASSED ALL EXPECTATIONS”

”Northern Exposure Spain put together a fabulous week for me in Spain, which surpassed all of my expectations. I traveled to Spain specifically to study Spanish intensively. Charles was able to arrange a great week of private instruction in Santander as well as daily excursions to see historic and cultural sites which were of great interest to me. The food, the countryside, the art, the prehistoric caves and medieval churches and monasteries were spectacular. I cannot commend Northern Exposure Spain and Charles highly enough.”

“KNOWLEDGE OF THE AREA IS PROFOUND”

”Cantabria is famous for some of the finest prehistoric painted caves in Europe. Charles was able to set up impromptu visits to seldom-seen caves. We also toured the remains of the Roman Empire. He seems to know everyone and his knowledge of the area is profound. I will jealously commandeer some of his time next year. You should feel free to take him on. Just don’t hire him during the time I want him!
”

“ADDING SO MUCH TO OUR TRIP”

”Charles, we want to thank you again for adding so much to our trip to Spain. As you know, we toured Cantabria, the Basque country, ran with the bulls, and wrapped up in Madrid, but our experience with you was a highlight. We were able to see and do so much that we would never have had a chance to do otherwise. Your local knowledge and your love of the area are unparalleled. You’re a great guide. We look forward to our imminent return!”

“CATERED THE TOURS”

”Thank you Charles! We enjoyed our day tours with you enormously. I was blessed to meet an easygoing, adventurous, dog liking, hiking to the source of a spring, waterfall seeking guide that catered the tours for one woman and one dog. Your guided tour of the countryside to see the beauty, the hikes to discover the hidden villages were a perfectly delightful adventure!”