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AMPHITRITE
Posted
Buenos dias! I need some help please! I'm leaving for Spain in two weeks and I'm trying to decide what to do my second week there. The first week we will visit Madrid & Barcelona and the second week we want to go to Cantabria. I want to stay either in Comillas, Ribadesella or Santillana del Mar. Does anyone have a favorite of these places. Is one any better than the others to use as a base camp? We're not big on the night life anymore, just want a beautiful, relaxing place with some good shopping, good food, beautiful scenery. Does one city have a better bus hub and schedules? Is it better to rent a car? Can we rent one in one of these smaller cities or would we need to do that in Santander? Is Santander the fastest way to get to this area from Barcelona? Lots of questions, I know! Smiler Hope someone has some ideas! I can't wait to see this area! Thanks! Charlene
 
Posts: 7 | Location: Seattle, USA | Registered: 04 February 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
AMPHITRITE
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Oops, I forgot to ask a couple more questions! If someone has a favorite city can they recommend a reasonably priced hotel? And does anyone know if you need reservations to eat at El Capricho? Is it an expensive restaurant? Is it open in March? Gracias!
 
Posts: 7 | Location: Seattle, USA | Registered: 04 February 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Los Amigos Backpackers' Hostel
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Hello AMPHITRITE,
Good choice to spend a week, Cantabria is a beautiful region.
Of the three possibilities I would choose Comillas, no doubt. Mainly for the architechture and I feel it more like a town. The combination between scenery, city life and cultural possibilities makes for me Comillas as the best option.
Santillana del Mar is a really beautiful village, but too touristic I think. If you can, don�t forget the visit of Cuevas de Altamira.

And regarding Ribadesella...it�s OK, but I am afraid it is not in Cantabria but Asturias. Asturias is my favourite province of Spain...and you have incredible excursions from Ribadellesa. The food and prices of Asturias are very tempting as well. But, for the town itself, I wouldn�t choose it before Comillas. Nevertheless if you are looking for nature and landscapes, Asturias is the best option. Don�t miss the National Park Cool


Newest & coolest backpackers�hostel in Madrid. The most central, open 24 hours, kitchen, cool & relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff...ah! excellent beds & powerful showers!! ahahaha Come & visit LOS AMIGOS: http://www.losamigoshostel.com live webcam! 24 hours!!<br />Campomanes,6 4th floor. Metro Opera.
 
Posts: 21 | Location: Madrid, Spain | Registered: 05 March 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Los Amigos Backpackers' Hostel
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Oh! and regarding the car!! It is a MUST to have a car there, otherwise you will loose most of your time waiting for buses that, most of the times, will no go out of the main road and spoil the trip. The real charm of that part of Spain is to drive slowly up & down the mountain roads and stop again when you see the number 124th of the day most-beautiful-landscape of your life Big Grin he he he...

You will probably find better car-hire offers in Madrid or Barcelona. I don�t think you can hire a car in any of the three mentioned villages.

One small secret between us...if you want to see something really unexpected, visit the playa de Gulpiyuri -difficult to explain, but basically a small round beach in the middle of a meadow- There is a walking trail -no signs at all- from KM 313 of the main road Santander - Oviedo (difficult parking). You can either park at playa de San Antolin and follow another trail from there.

Another good option is "desfiladero de la Hermida".

Enjoy!!


Newest & coolest backpackers�hostel in Madrid. The most central, open 24 hours, kitchen, cool & relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff...ah! excellent beds & powerful showers!! ahahaha Come & visit LOS AMIGOS: http://www.losamigoshostel.com live webcam! 24 hours!!<br />Campomanes,6 4th floor. Metro Opera.
 
Posts: 21 | Location: Madrid, Spain | Registered: 05 March 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
jer
"the man!"
Picture of jer
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Hey AMPHITRITE, Elisa (Los Amigos Backpackers' Hostel) is quite the traveller so I would totally take her great advice.

I have been to both Comillas and Santillana del Mar and I loved them both. Not sure about having to make reservations at "El Capricho" but it may be a good idea just in case. I was there but did not dine, as a poor backpacking student I just walked in to have a look around Roll Eyes

Santillana del Mar has a misleading name as it is neither holy (santa) nor on the sea (del mar) but it is very quaint and you will love it.

I also did the Cuevas de Altamira as Elisa mentioned above but you will not be able to visit the inside of the caves as you need to make a reservation at least 6 months in advance Eeker Yep, pretty crazy but they are so protected that they only allow like 50 people a day in or some small # like that and they are always booked for about 6-8 months in advance.

Saludos,
jer...


- madrid nut, webweaver of www.multimadrid.com and keeper of the plazaCam.
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Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
AMPHITRITE
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Thank you so much Elisa for all the advice! I'm even more excited now! :-)
Thanks to your advice, I've decided to rent a car in Santander and use Comillas as a home base. By renting a car we can better explore Asturias as well, and also la playa de Gulpiyuri (thanks for letting me in on your secret, I love places like that!).

Thanks Jer for your advice as well. I was already hip to Las Cuevas de Altamira and I wrote in ahead to ask permission, but the caves are not even open till April or May, so no go. If you hear of any other caves (apparently there are others with drawings)that are open year round, please let me know.

Thanks again for all the advice!
 
Posts: 7 | Location: Seattle, USA | Registered: 04 February 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Rachel
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I read this post before choosing where to stay in either Comillas or Santillana del Mar for the last Puente of May. Man, are we glad we stayed in Comillas! The town was gorgeous with lots to see for being so small. We stayed at the darling lasolanamontanesa.com for about 45 euros a night. The included breakfast was the best we've EVER HAD in any European hotel, the rooms were charming, the service wonderful, parking ample and even complete with roosters who run around picking the bugs off your tires! It had a great terraza with views of the Capricho and University and the walk to the center of town and beach only took us about 10 min.

We visited Santillana, but could only stand it for half an hour due to all of the tour groups. The streets were packed and traffic was clogged with buses going into and out of the town. While the buildings were pretty, you had to ignore the entire ground floor as they are filled with tacky touristy shops. Frowner
 
Posts: 63 | Location: Madrid (from Seattle) | Registered: 22 November 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
tonytorero
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Ok, Rachel...Your post has so moved me that I've just now made a reservation with them for next weekend Wink . So, I'm relying on your recommendation to be a good one and come through! (Just kidding.)

Cool, this means that I'll finally be able to do one of those cool 'post-trip' travel reports that you guys always get to do and I don't because I have to work too frickin' much... Red Face

Seriously, sounds like you and Mr. Rachel must have had a good time. We'll get Mari our of town for her birthday and see something new at the same time. I'll let you guys know how it goes...

:cheers:


poseso.... Tony
---
English Unlimited... Un ambiente para aprender ingl�s... (An English Learning Environment)
 
Posts: 656 | Location: Madrid (Kansas City, USA) | Registered: 06 November 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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