Festival en España

Between Madrid and the north

Close to highway from Madrid

• San Domingo de Silos: beautiful cloister. Gregorian chant at 9am. Open 10-13, 16:30-18.
• Burgos: incredible Gothic cathedral
• Lerma: quaint and lovely walled town just off the highway

Further off track to the east of the highway north from Madrid

• Ezcaray: very picturesque small town
• San Millan de la Cogolla: impressive monastery in picturesque hilly countryside, especially interesting to walk up to the ancient old monastery (Yuso) with Mozarabic features
• Santo Domingo de la Calzada: important stop on the Santiago route, lovely cobbled town, great parador

From the east

• San Sebastian: cool 18th century royal retreat town with a fort and two great beaches; old town full of bars and restaurants for tapas on the street
• The unique flysh cliff formations at Zumaia
• The coastal road from Deba to Bilbao is lovely.
• San Juan de Gaztelugatze: a monastery on an island attached with a stone bridge in one of the most spectacular seascapes anywhere

Cantabria is an exquisite part of Spain, with a beautiful coastline of cliffs and beaches, and a string of valleys cutting into the coastal ranges, each with their own unique culture. Food is excellent. Within an hour’s drive of the house (and generally less) there are a wealth of beaches and hiking opportunities. Both Bilbao and Santander are less than an hour’s drive. Santander is a beautiful and sophisticated city with many lovely beaches, while Bilbao is industrial-chic and of course the Guggenheim is unmissable.

Hiking

Hiking Valle Cabuerniga

Hiking in the Soba valley

Hiking Santoña

Paseo del Molinar (Frias and the cascadas of Tobera)

Ojo Guareña karst

Beaches

Paleolithic caves

Cantabria and Asturia are full of paleolithic caves with ancient rock art, many of which can be visited. There are two quite close to the house: Cullalvera and Covalanes. Entrances hourly 10.40-18.40 except 14.40; closed Sunday.

Cities and towns

Santander

• Botin Museum
• Palacio Magdalena
• Modern Art museum
• Wild beach

Bilbao

• Guggenheim– Richter exhibition

Historical sites

Romanesque etc churches in the area:

Further afield

El Capricho de Gaudi, Comillas

Thanks for joining us!  Will be posting here ideas about things to do and places to see en route and once you are in Cantabria.