Often overlooked by tourists, and therefore much quieter than the busy South of the country, the Green Coast is a lush natural region in Northern Spain, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Portugal to France.
Blessed with a warm climate, the area is dotted with scenic river valleys and gorges, misty hills and an unspoilt coastline with pristine beaches. The small country roads, interesting architecture, historic towns and villages and traditional cuisine give it an idyllic, rural feel.
For this 10-day holiday we stay in the small seaside resort of Santoña, in a super modern hotel right on the beach, complete with a sun terrace to relax on of an evening.
Our thoughtfully-planned trips out include a guided drive through the stunning Picos de Europa National Park (keep an eye out for bears), time to explore the elegant city of Santander – much more than a port – and visits to the picturesque historic towns of Comillas and Santillana del Mar.
You’ll be able to sample wine and cheese made in the Rioja area, see one of Antoni Gaudi’s most interesting creations, and stroll along beautiful beaches and promenades.
It’s a Spanish holiday you’re sure to remember for all the right reasons…
Your 10-day itinerary:
Day 1: Join your coach for the journey to Plymouth, where we check in to our ferry for an overnight crossing to Santander in Spain. After dinner you’ll have a comfortable cabin to spend the night in.
Day 2: Enjoy breakfast on board – we’ll arrive in Santander mid-afternoon. After disembarking we enjoy a scenic drive up the coast to our hotel in Santoña, the Juan de la Cosa Hotel. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to relax.
Day 3: Today we take you on your first included day trip – to the stunningly beautiful Picos de Europa National Park, in the gorgeous Northern Spain mountain range, complete with official guide so we won’t miss a thing.
Day 4: A free day you can spend as you please – the beach is on your doorstep, or you could venture into town and sample the local wares.
Day 5: Today we head to Haro in the famous La Rioja wine region, with free time to get lunch and explore the town, then on to the medieval fortified town of Laguardia for cheese and wine tasting.
Day 6: After breakfast we head for the lovely seaside resort of Comillas, where highlights include the stunning beach, promenade and a park inspired by the artist Gaudi. In the afternoon we drive to Santillana del Mar, a medieval town with stunning architecture. There’ll be time to browse the small shops before we head back to our hotel.
Day 7: Today we drive to Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region, where our guide will show us the main sights. Highlights may include the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Cape Mayor Lighthouse. Our trip includes entrance to the Magdalena Palace.
Day 8: Enjoy a day at leisure. Why not stroll along the beach or relax on the sun terrace?
Day 9: We have a morning of leisure before we take the coach to Santander for our overnight ferry back to the UK, with dinner included.
Day 10: Enjoy breakfast on board and relax on the ship – we arrive in Portsmouth early in the afternoon, and rejoin our coach for the journey home.
Juan de la Cosa Hotel, 4 stars
Our hotel for this all-inclusive holiday is the 4-star Juan de la Cosa Hotel, where we stay for 7 nights.
Enjoying an enviable beachfront location, this comfortable hotel has facilities for you to enjoy on your free days, including an indoor pool and sauna. There is a sun terrace and garden for you to relax in, as well as a TV lounge and games room.
The complex has a bar, café and restaurant, and free WiFi is available in all areas.
The hotel’s comfortable rooms come with an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries, air conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV with Satellite channels, radio, telephone, hairdryer and safety deposit box. Seaview rooms are subject to availability and supplement. There is a lift, and the hotel is just a short taxi or bus ride from the main town in case you fancy exploring.
Our stay is all-inclusive, and includes:
- Breakfast
- A tapas lunch
- Tea and cake each afternoon
- Dinner each night
- A FREE bar from 11am to 11pm serving local beers, wine and spirits and soft drinks
Our resort:
Santoña
On the coast east from Santander, Santoña is surrounded by a Natural Park of marshlands, but it is the sea which has shaped its history. The town is famous for producing delicious anchovies in olive oil, and its military fortifications date back hundreds of years.
The seaside resort is divided into two areas: the centre, which sits on a plain, and a mountainous area. The town centre has plenty of shops to browse for souvenirs, plus small bars selling tapas made with fish caught by the town's fishing fleet.
Santoña’s sandy beach – on our hotel’s doorstep – has views out across the bay and is a pleasant place for a stroll. There is also a nature reserve close by.
Or you may want to visit the medieval fort of San Martin, where you can see great views of the town and the popular resort of Laredo on the other side of the bay. Also worth seeing is the medieval Castle of San Carlos.
Included excursions:
The picturesque towns of Comillas and Santillana del Mar
A relaxing drive to two of the prettiest towns in the region, with free time in each.
The historic town of Comillas has some of the most important Art Nouveau buildings around, including the stunning El Capricho, designed by Antoni Gaudi. You can wander the historic cobblestoned streets, browse the interesting shops or just sit in the pleasant square and watch the locals come and go.
Sometimes described as a living museum because of its many medieval buildings, Santillana del Mar is also nicknamed The Town of Three Lies, since it is neither a Saint, nor flat, nor is it by the sea – as implied by its name! One of the most beautiful towns in Spain, Santillana del Mar will keep you enthralled and your camera busy.
Picos de Europa National Park
The jaw-dropping Picos de Europa is one of the few truly unspoiled areas of the country. Our full-day guided tour will show you some of the best scenery in Spain, including one of the most breathtaking mountain ranges on the Iberian Peninsula, with peaks rising to a spectacular 8,500 feet.
There is an abundance of wildlife living in the area – en route, look out for eagles, bears, wolves and shaggy wild ponies…
While here we’ll also enjoy a ride aboard the Fuente De cable car, which takes us up to an altitude of 1,450 metres in just four minutes! At the upper station you’ll be able to see the fantastic scenery of the surrounding area – don’t forget your camera!
Afterwards we head off to a local pomace liquor distillery for a tour and tasting.
Wine and cheese in La Rioja
The region of La Rioja is famous the world over for its wines and spectacular scenery.
On this excursion into the area we stop first of all in picturesque Haro on the banks of the River Ebro, one of Spain’s more compact towns, where we have free time to explore and get lunch.
Next we head to Laguardia, the quintessential Riojan hamlet. This beautifully-kept medieval fortified town has a magical atmosphere, with honey-coloured aromatic streets. Here we visit two wine cellars to sample the region’s best wine and cheese.
Santander city tour
Much more than just a port, the elegant seaside city of Santander sits on a curved bay and was for many years the resort of choice for Spanish royalty.
This beautiful seaside city has a lot to offer its visitors, boasting wide boulevards and a stunning waterfront promenade.
Our guide will show us the best sights, and our trip includes entrance into the Magdalena Palace, the magnificent summer residence of the Spanish royal family.
Price includes: Coach, 2 overnight ferries D/B/B, 7 nights on an inclusive basis plus excursions as shown. Single room supplement applies. Seaview supplement applies.
Points to note:
1) All passengers are required to have travel insurance cover for this holiday. Full details of the cover we offer can be seen on our website, or feel free to arrange cover independently.
2) Some European destinations impose a modest tourist tax to be paid directly to the hotel by the guest.
3) Overnight hotels on the outward and return journeys are often motel-style (they might be a lower star rating than the main holiday hotel) and may not have a lift.
4) Please be aware holidays that include walking & guided tours may often involve uneven ground (cobbled streets, etc) and steps, and therefore are not suitable for persons with mobility issues.
5) Terms and Conditions apply – see website or main brochure for details.