CantabriaHow Green Is My Valley?
A Sense Of IdentityWith a population of less than 600,000, the region is one of Spain's smallest Autonomous Communities. However, it has a very strong sense of its own identity. Early references to the Cantabrians go back as far as Roman times and, after nearly two centuries of investigation, the Province of Cantabria was founded as a unique entity in the late 18th century. Despite its size, the region was an obvious choice to become an Autonomous Community after the return of democracy in 1978.
A Breathtaking CoastlineThe coastal strip that looks out onto the Cantabrian Sea is absolutely gorgeous.It's only some 10 kilometres wide, and does not rise above 500 metres, but its low, wide, gently rolling valleys meet the ocean in a line of abrupt cliffs broken by river estuaries, which create rias and beaches. Santander Bay is the most prominent indentation in the coastline and is dominated by Santander, which with its elegance, intense cultural life and privileged location has to be one of the loveliest cities in Spain. But there's more! Picturesque coastal towns such as Comillas or San Vicente de la Barquera, the artistic interest of towns like Santillana del Mar and
Altamira and the resorts of Laredo, Santoña and Castro Urdiales with their bays, coves and beaches make a stay on the Cantabrian coast a sheer delight!
Mountains And ValleysBut to really get the best out of Cantabria, you have to explore its rocky interior.Just 10 kilometres inland from the coast, the mountains shoot up reaching a height of over 2,500 metres in the Picos de Europa. Here you're soon far away from the madding crowd in the lush valleys with their tiny villages dominated it seems by cattle and deer. THe valleys of Liendo, Gurienzo, Aras, Soba, Carrienzo are lovely but you cannot go to Cantabria without visiting the valley of Liébana in the Picos de Europa - it's almost like being in Switzerland. And let's not forget - if you prefer to go skiing in mountains, there's nothing better than the winter ski station of Alto Campoo.
Anyone for a game of skittles?Another of the real delights of a trip to Cantabria is that you're almost guaranteed a game of skittles – there are boleras or skittle rings in every Cantabrian township, and are often conveniently placed in the centre of town near the church or the village bar.So you can do the cultural visit, have a beer and then a game of skittles without having to move very far - this is ideal particularly if you've reached the village on foot from a nearby mountain or valley. And skittles is serious business in Cantabria. The game has a very long tradition but has really grown in popularity since it began to receive active support from the local government and town councils in the 1980s. There are now League and Cup Championships on the national and regional circuit, and the big teams and stars are front page news in the Cantabrian press.
So What's On The Menu?As it's a mountainous region on the coast, Cantabria is particularly good for both meat and fish.I particularly like the typical stews. The cocido montañés or Highlander stew made with beans and collard greens, the chickpea-based cocido liebaniego and the olla ferroviaria or Railway hotpot are all delicious. Similarly, Marmita or sorropotún – the Cantabrian version of the Basque tuna stew, marmitako – is a fishy stew which is even better when the tuna is replaced with salmon. As far as meat is concerned, Cantabrian beef is excellent and has its own Denominación de Origen – Meats of Cantabria. Furthermore, the mountain climate also favours ox, deer and boar, which are either grilled or stewed with vegetables. Not surprisingly, the quality of both the freshwater and sea fish is excellent with the anchovies, hake, seabass, mackerel, mullet and bonito worth a special mention along with the trout and salmon from Cantabrian rivers. Also if you like seafood, you'll be impressed by the clams, mussels, goose barnacles, crabs and lobsters. The spicy cheeses of the Bejes-Tresviso and quesucos of Liébana are delicious and there's also a great choice of cream cheeses. For dessert, there are quesadas and sobaos, the crepe-like frisuelos, puff pastry corbatas and polkas and a whole host of local specialities. To wash it all down, the apple cider is excellent and the potent orujo – with its cream, honey and herbal variations – is a strong after-dinner liquor.
Eyewitness Guide To Northern Spain
Where To StayPlease use Spain Accomodation Search to find one to five star hotels in the Santander area. The engine searches the databases of the companies listed below and returns with a list of hotels at all prices. You then click through to make the booking directly with the company concerned.
If you're looking for something a little cheaper or further off the beaten track, Click Here For The Best Prices And Widest Choice of Hostels in Cantabria Getting To CantabriaYou can also use our Flight Search to compare prices of major airlines that fly from the UK to Santander Airport.
Please Click Here for our Car Hire Search for Santander Airport and the rest of the region. Football Clubs: Racing de Santander Guides to Cantabria: On Amazon.co.uk 
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has a good section on the region, along with chapters dedicated to Asturias, Galicia, The Basque Country,
Navarra and La Rioja - so it's a very good buy if you plan on tourist 'Green Spain'.
- it has excellent sections on all the regions. You'll also find a lot of
useful brochures at local tourist offices - especially in Santander.
