A Relaxing Weekend in Cantabria

AHA trip to Santander and surrounding areas

Posing for a picture in the columns along the Santander coastline

After weeks or storms and rain in Oviedo, a weekend away on the beautiful coast of Cantabria was just what the doctor ordered. With the AHA group, we spent the weekend in Santander and stopped at various places in Cantabria while en route.

_{Footprints on the beach in Cantabria}

On the bus ride to Santander, we made our first stop in Columbres to visit the Museo de Emigracion. The museum is a converted old house, filled with various artifacts from emigrants of Spain. The walls were painted a brilliant bright blue, and just walking into the building, lifted your mood.

                                     _{Museo de Emigracion in Columbres}

Next stop was Altamira, where there is a cave which dates back to prehistoric times. Unfortunately, the real cave was shut down in the 70’s because the immense amountof tourism was causing the cave paintings to deteriorate. However, there is now a replica cave, where you can see copies of the cave paintings and learn about life in prehistoric times.

We reached the city of Santander, which is one of the metropolitan cities in Cantabria. Santander is a very posh city, with lots of cafes lining the long, beautiful coastline. We were lucky to be there on such a beautiful weekend in March. The sun was shining, and we were able to walk around the harbors and enjoy the town.

_{Me sitting by the harbor in Santander}

On our way back to Oviedo, we made a couple stops en route as well. We first went an old town called Santillana del Mar, contrary to the name there is no ocean there. However, the ancient streets are lined with tiny shops selling cheese and chocolate made in the city. The town is also home to one of the oldest monasteries is Spain called Colegio Santa Juliana.

_{At the Colegio de Santa Juliana in Satillana del Mar}

We wrapped up the trip in the absolutely breathtaking city of Comillas. Comillas has an amazing historic university that still hosts students today. Another attraction in Comillas is the famous Palacio de las Marquesas. It’s a neo-gothic palace with ceilings that extends for days and intricate décor covering all the walls.  And down the hill from the Palacio is Gaudi’s Capricho, which is entirely covered in sunflower tiles.

_{Palacio de las Marquesas in Comillas}

_{Gaudi's Capricho in Comillas}

Overall, we were blessed with beautiful weather and spent a relaxing weekend in stunning Cantabria.