In Asturias they have already worked on the road they have embarked on in the Basque Country. They found that in addition to traditional tourism, they had the advantage of doing tourism through other characteristics that unify the territory, and that they had to reinforce it. They have a wide tourist offer linked to native cider. The Tourism Experiences project was launched in 2009. In addition to meat or cheese, the initiative included an offer directly related to cider since last year. The members of the Gastronomic Tourism of Asturias have highlighted the excellent reception the attendees had.

As in Euskal Herria, they teach the visitor how to make the cider, explaining the whole process that begins in the chamomile and explaining the characteristics of the cider. In addition, new routes have been opened, such as spas that work with cider, to give massages to cider and for people to relax among ciders. According to the director of Gastronomic Tourism of Asturias, Héctor Pérez, “we would like the cider to come to the forefront when we talked about Asturian tourism”.

Archaeologists say that before the Romans, cider was already drunk in Asturias, and that is what they are trying to promote today. In their historical writings, they have assured that it is written that they drank cider at parties and celebrations, and that it was part of popular culture. According to Pérez, this tradition has not changed and, at present, cider is still part of the daily life of Asturian citizenship. He has confirmed to us that the cider bottle is always present in the group of friends or at home.

Large apple

Asturias is the country in the world that does the most. The cider route is impressive. Therefore, the route has been divided into three sections, corresponding to Ondarroa. In this way, they can better adapt to the visitor's interest. The first starts in the Oscos-Eo and ends in Gijón; the second runs through the cider's region; and the last offers the possibility of knowing Nalon Ibarra and the east of Asturias. Due to the production of so many apples, the city of Gijón is known worldwide as the “Great Apple”. Considering all this, they began to make a new tourism experience on the cider route in Gijón. The main goal is for the local and foreign population to know the cider world.

The Gijon Cider route offers many products related to cider. Cider has a long history in the city, and it is impossible to pass through the city and not taste cider, as the “good atmosphere” there catches the visitor “immediately”. Summer is the most important time for the Asturian cider, but it is October the most important month of the calendar for the cider, since that is when the city is most celebrated and it is when the biggest festivals are held.

Pérez has explained that the cider route has been created to experience unique experiences. The public considers that it is a unique opportunity to see in the first person the whole process of making the cider and to be able to collect the apple. In addition, the visitor will learn to use the cider by uploading it to the glass.

The Sidra Museum, located in Nava, also shows the master's degree of cider in the territory. The aim is to publicize cider and its history in a town located about 30 kilometers from Oviedo. There you can see the machines that used to make cider, and visitors will be able to rewind over time and see how the apple was made in Asturias.

After all this experience, the visitor will be able to enjoy the shops related to the cider. It will therefore be able to buy products made from apples. Reyes Ceñal, manager of the Designation of Origin of the Cider, has assured that in Asturias many products are made with apples such as jams, cakes and beverages. You can end up in the Talasoponiente Center, lying between the cider and under treatment.

Together with the cider, Asturias celebrates many celebrations throughout the year. The summer season is important and the October era. But there are events all year round and all over the territory. The Asturian shoremen are very pleased with the welcome they have had so far, although they are concerned about how the current economic crisis will affect them. Despite this, they maintain the hope that local culture will emerge with strength and strength.