Meet Fernando, your expert in Northern Spain
🌍 Lives in: A Coruña (Galicia)
Regions of Expertise: Northern Spain - Galicia, Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja
Experience: 10 years as a travel writer, adventurer, and guide
Languages: English, Español, Português,
Fernando's Specialties:
Get to know Fernando!
A note from Fernando
"Hello everybody! I'm Fernando, and I'm a professional journalist, travel writer, and tour guide who works all around Northern Spain.
Although I was born and raised in Galicia, I've lived for many years in the Basque Country. That experience and the many times I've travelled between both regions made me an absolute expert on any place in Galicia, Asturias, León, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja and Navarre.
However, Northern Spain is not the only place where I lived. I've spent many years of my life living abroad, from California and the UK to Brazil and Mexico. Wherever I went I worked as a travel journalist and also in hospitality jobs, so I have the experience, the knowledge and the background of both industries: the one dedicated to telling the history and the culture of many places, and the one dedicated to make life easier to visitors and tourists.
I'm an avid cyclist, hiker and kayaker, so if you are looking for nature experiences in the most natural area of Spain (its Northern Coast, from Galicia to Navarre) I can tell you all you want to know about the best routes, beaches, waves, mountains, and roads.
But as a journalist and writer very interested in cultural events, I can also guide you through the most interesting spots culturally speaking: from Bilbao's theater scene to San Sebastián's culinary experiences and from La Rioja's wine culture to Galician summer music festivals.
Whether you're planning an active, outdoors-focused trip in the north or are interested in exploring the region through its culture and history, I'm here to help you create the best trip possible through my land, Spain's wild north."
Q&A with Fernando
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Northern Spain is a land where mountains and sea get mixed, allowing cities to grow in spaces that are unmatchable in terms of nature. That close relation to nature, to the mountains and the ocean, permeates everything: from our lifestyle to our food, culture, and art. That mix is the most special part of my region.
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I would start the day on the ocean, kayaking either in A Coruña or San Sebastián, two cities surrounded by the sea and that that get their culture from it.
After a few hours on the ocean, I would go to some of the restaurants I know for delicious bites of the best cuisine in the country — because Northern Spain's food is the best in Spain!
And finally, I would go for some Galician wine while watching a concert with the sun setting over the mountains or the sea.
Sport, culture, food, nature. That's my perfect day. -
I think no one can understand what food can represent to a country until they visit San Sebastián's Old Town. There is no other city in the world where food represents something so culturally crucial, and that can be tasted in the different 'pintxos' (small food bites) that every bar in the Old Town offers.
Whether you're a passionate foodie or just someone who enjoys a good meal, a few hours spent in the taverns of San Sebastián's Old Town are an experience you'll never forget. -
I would say it's Txulotxo, in the Bay of Pasaia, right next to San Sebastián.
Why do I love it? Because they offer the best fish dishes in Northern Spain, showing the strong relation we have with our sea. Because their views from their dining room are unmatchable, since the restaurant rises directly over the bay. And because the trip to the restaurant, a boat ride included, can't be more beautiful.
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Here we go:
Pulpo a la gallega: Galician-style octopus. It's famous all around Spain, and no octopus will ever taste in your live as the one you will eat in Galicia, boiled with Galician potatoes and dressed with virgin oil and paprika.
Basque T-Bone: Basque people are the masters of barbecues in Europe. They've been preparing T-Bones for centuries, and that knowledge can be tasted in any Basque cider house. I know a few that will delight you.
Caldeirada: Galicia is known for its sea products, probably the best in the world. The way to taste them is in caldeirada: a boiled fish with potatoes, pepper, oil and green peas. Just yummy. -
Reading, cycling, climbing, skiing and snowboarding, a bit of cinema, and some good live music.
I also have a deep interest in ancient Latin and Greek texts.
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I like a good mix of both active/outdoors experiences and cultural ones. For me, my perfect day when traveling would start with a hike in the mountains and end with a live music concert in the city.
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In 2019, I crossed by myself, alone, the US from New York to San Francisco in an old van. The reason for the trip was to write and publish my first book, 'Coast to Coast: A journey across the margins of the United States through basketball.” The book has already sold more than 2,000 copies in Spain, and being my first book, that trip has a special place in my heart.
Spain Travel Consultations
Plan a better trip with some help from Enrico
Sit down with Fernando for a one-hour planning session to get his expert advice and the best local tips and recommendations.
Our travel consultations are the perfect solution for do-it-yourself travelers who want to plan on their own, but could use some expert local advice. Each consultation is personalized, and Fernando is available to help in whatever way you need.
From working on your itinerary and advising on routes and transportation, to ideas for off the beaten path destinations and truly authentic experiences, he's got you covered.
For the best local advice, go ask a local!
Why plan with Fernando
Spend 60 minutes tapping into Fernando's hyperlocal expertise to plan a better trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Consultations cost $150 USD.
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Consultations are held over Google Meet.
Once you’ve scheduled your call, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing the link for your video call.
On the scheduled day and time, just click that link to join the call.
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Each consultation is different, but here are some common things that our experts typically help with:
Itinerary planning
Transportation, driving routes, and tips for how to get around
Practical travel information; culture, safety, weather, language, money/tipping, etc.
Suggested hotels/accommodations and advice on where to base yourself
Local recommendations for restaurants, activities, and unique experiences
Advice on reputable tour guides, tour operators, and excursions
Pro tips on how to best visit popular sights and attractions
Ways to avoid overcrowded destinations and tourist traps
Insider ideas on off the beaten path places, authentic experiences, and ways to connect with locals
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What you can get done in an hour depends on your goals for the consultation and how organized you are coming into it.
In most cases, an hour is ample time to create a solid itinerary, answer your major travel questions, get practical advice on how to travel in your destination, and discuss lots of great local tips and recommendations.
To ensure that the hour is used efficiently, when you schedule your call, our pre-consultation questionnaire will ask you what your primary goals for the consultation are. Prior to the call, your Local Expert will review your questionnaire and prepare detailed information addressing those goals.
They’ll come into the call ready to share specific advice, recommendations, itinerary ideas/revisions, and useful links and resources for you to review together.
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Yes! Each consultation is guided by a comprehensive pre-consultation questionnaire that you fill out immediately upon booking.
We’ll ask you a series of 30+ detailed questions that really dig into you, your trip, your interests and travel style, and what you want to discuss with your Local Expert.
The questionnaire will cover things like: the dynamics of your group, the things you enjoy while traveling, your budget, how early you want to start your day and how late you want to end it, whether you want to hit the highlights or roam the back streets, and even what types of restaurants you want to eat at.
Your Local Expert will focus only on your interests and travel style.
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Our Local Experts are seasoned travel professionals who have spent decades working in their countries/regions. While their personal interests may be different from yours, they’ve worked with thousands of travelers and have recommendations and advice for every type of individual.
They know their destinations in-depth and can help plan a trip for every traveler and taste.
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No, this is not a part of our service. Your Local Expert will share lots of links, notes, and other written resources via the Chat Box during the call, but they cannot provide post-call notes, documents, or ongoing planning assistance via email.
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No. Our service is geared toward independent, do-it-yourself travelers who intend to make bookings on their own.
Our goal is not to plan your trip for you, but rather to help you plan a better trip independently. To that end, our Local Experts will give you all of the information that you need to confidently put your trip together yourself.
When Local Experts recommend things like restaurants, hotels, excursions/activities, tours, drivers, etc., they’ll provide you with contact details and links so that you can make the final arrangements on your own.
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Almost every Go Ask A Local expert has at least 10 years of professional travel experience as a guide or trip planner in their country/region.
We work with a vetted team of seasoned professionals who know their destinations inside and out.
Unlike other companies, when you book a call, you’ll always be connected directly with your chosen Local Expert. We never pass anyone on to a junior sales associate or some anonymous back office team. With us, what you see is what you get.
Ready to plan with Fernando?
Here’s how to schedule your consultation:
