SPAIN – 9 days

Cantabria in northern Spain offers a stunning coastline, an enviable range of historic villages and ports and the beautiful Picos de Europa mountains. Our 4 star hotel has a fantastic setting in the village of Isla, close to Santander. From here  explore quaint fishing ports, the city of Santander, Santillana del Mar and the glorious Picos de Europa.

Hotel Olimpo Isla – Tel: 0034 942 679392

A4 star hotel with a fantastic location in the village of Isla on Cantabria’s coast, the hotels gardens offer access onto two beautiful sandy beaches and the outdoor swimming pool and terrace are a perfect place to relax. The centre of the small  village of Isla is only a short walk away. All of the hotel bedrooms have private facilities and enjoy a pleasant view of the  sea or gardens. The hotel features a restaurant serving buffet style breakfast and waiter service evening meals with choice of menu.

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Devon for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Board the Brittany Ferries cruise ferry service to Santander. Relax and enjoy a night on board ship.
Day 3: Arrive Santander and make the short drive to Isla for a five night stay, with the rest of the day free to relax.
Day 4: Morning at leisure in Isla. In the afternoon travel to Santillana del Mar, a village on the World Heritage List and best described as a living museum.
Day 5: Full day excursion to the Rioja region with stops in the lovely town of Haro at the heart of the wine growing area, and also in Laguardia, a medieval, hilltop town with a maze of small cobbled streets.
Day 6: Full day to The Picos De Europa mountain range. Stop in San Vicente before joining the River Deva Valley, passing through a canyon, and on to Potes, a lovely market town set high in the mountains. Those who wish can continue to Fuente Dé for a cable car trip.
Day 7: A short excursion to the old fishing port Castro Urdiales followed by an afternoon at leisure in Isla.
Day 8: To Santander with time to explore before boarding the afternoon sailing back to the UK.
Day 9: Arrive back on the south coast and after breakfast, continue the journey home arriving early evening.