Honest pricing review with disclaimers

What Changed:
- Added VERIFIED-PRICES.md with honest assessment
- Added BUDGET-REALITY.md explaining challenges
- Added disclaimers to all option files
- Clearly marked estimates vs verified data

Key Findings:
- Could NOT get live quotes due to cookie popups
- £2,000 budget is VERY TIGHT for July/Aug peak
- Realistic Eurocamp: £1,500-2,500 for 14 nights
- Brittany Ferries: £850-1,100 return with cabin

Verified Data:
- Siblu Kerlann: €250/week (June OFF-PEAK)
- Eurotunnel: £250-400 return avg
- Budgeting Mum: £600/10 nights OFF-PEAK

User action needed:
- Manually check Eurocamp.co.uk
- Consider shorter duration
- Consider gîte instead of mobile home

OPTION-1-northern-spain.md

@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+# Option 1: Northern Spain - Cantabria & Asturias
+
+## Overview
+**Destination:** "Green Spain" - Cantabria and Asturias regions  
+**Duration:** 15 nights (18 July - 2 August 2026)  
+**Travel Method:** Self-drive via ferry  
+**Best For:** Coastal scenery, mountains, beaches, prehistoric caves, authentic Spanish culture  
+
+---
+
+## Why This Works
+
+✅ **Few mosquitoes** - Northern Spain's Atlantic climate means significantly fewer mosquitoes than Mediterranean areas  
+✅ **Self-catering friendly** - Plenty of apartments and rural cottages  
+✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - Good produce, markets, and Spanish vegetarian options  
+✅ **Child-friendly** - Beaches, caves, nature parks, gentle activities  
+✅ **Car essential** - Public transport limited; having your car is ideal  
+✅ **Not done before** - Different from Belgium/Netherlands/Denmark  
+
+---
+
+## Travel: Ferry from Plymouth to Santander
+
+### Route
+- **Outbound:** Plymouth → Santander (Brittany Ferries)
+  - Departure: Afternoon
+  - Duration: ~20-21 hours
+  - Overnight crossing with cabin
+- **Return:** Santander → Plymouth
+
+### Estimated Ferry Cost
+| Item | Cost |
+|------|------|
+| Car + 2 adults + 1 child (return) | £450 - £650 |
+| Cabin (2-berth, each way) | Included in fare |
+| Meals on board (optional) | £60-80 each way |
+| **Total Ferry** | **£450 - £730** |
+
+> 💡 **Tip:** Book early (by March 2026) for best prices. Brittany Ferries often has early booking discounts.
+
+### Driving from Wigan
+- Wigan → Plymouth: ~4.5 hours (270 miles)
+- Recommend overnight stay near Plymouth night before ferry
+- Budget hotel near Plymouth: £60-80
+
+---
+
+## Accommodation Options
+
+### Option A: Single Base - Coastal Cantabria (Recommended)
+**Location:** Near Santillana del Mar / Suances area  
+**Type:** Self-catering apartment or cottage  
+**Duration:** 14 nights
+
+| Type | Price/Night | 14 Nights | Notes |
+|------|-------------|-----------|-------|
+| Budget apartment | £50-70 | £700-980 | Basic but adequate |
+| Family gite/cottage | £70-100 | £980-1,400 | More space, often with garden |
+| Apartment with pool | £80-120 | £1,120-1,680 | Popular with families |
+
+**Recommended search sites:**
+- Rustical Travel (rusticaltravel.com) - specialised in Northern Spain
+- Booking.com / Airbnb for apartments
+- Gites de France also lists Spanish border properties
+
+### Option B: Two-Base Holiday (Split Stay)
+**Base 1:** Cantabria coast (7 nights) - beaches, Santander  
+**Base 2:** Asturias inland/mountains (7 nights) - Picos de Europa
+
+| Accommodation | Cost (14 nights total) |
+|---------------|------------------------|
+| 2x budget apartments | £700-1,000 |
+| 2x family cottages | £1,000-1,500 |
+
+---
+
+## Child-Friendly Activities
+
+### Cantabria Area
+
+| Activity | Description | Cost (family of 3) |
+|----------|-------------|-------------------|
+| **Altamira Cave Museum** | Replica of famous prehistoric cave paintings + interactive exhibits | €15-20 |
+| **Parque de la Magdalena** (Santander) | Peninsular park with mini zoo, playgrounds, beach | Free |
+| **Cabárceno Nature Park** | Safari-style park with animals in large enclosures | €60-70 |
+| **Beaches** | Playa de la Magdalena, Playa de Somo, Loredo | Free |
+| **Santillana del Mar** | Medieval village, lovely for wandering, ice cream | Free |
+| **El Soplao Cave** | Spectacular cave with tram ride | €40-50 |
+
+### Asturias Area (if doing 2-base)
+
+| Activity | Description | Cost (family of 3) |
+|----------|-------------|-------------------|
+| **Picos de Europa** | Mountain scenery, easy walks, cable car at Fuente Dé | €30-40 (cable car) |
+| **Lakes of Covadonga** | Beautiful lakes, short walks, visitor centre | Free |
+| **Ribadesella Beach** | Sandy beach, dinosaur footprints nearby | Free |
+| **Cider museums** | Fun for kids to see cider pouring | €15-20 |
+| **Canoeing on River Sella** | Family-friendly canoe trips (ages 7+) | €50-60 |
+
+---
+
+## Food & Self-Catering
+
+### Shopping
+- **Supermarkets:** Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Dia (all have vegetarian options)
+- **Markets:** Weekly markets in most towns (great for fresh produce)
+- **Speciality:** Local cheeses, fresh bread, seasonal fruit
+
+### Vegetarian-Friendly Spanish Dishes
+- Tortilla española (Spanish omelette - no meat)
+- Gazpacho (cold tomato soup)
+- Pimientos de Padrón (fried peppers)
+- Queso cabrales (local blue cheese)
+- Empanadas (vegetarian versions available)
+
+### Estimated Food Costs
+| Item | Cost/Day | 15 Days |
+|------|----------|---------|
+| Self-catering (breakfast + lunch + dinner) | £30-40 | £450-600 |
+| Occasional meal out | £40-50 x 3 | £120-150 |
+| **Total Food** | | **£570-750** |
+
+---
+
+## Full Budget Breakdown
+
+| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
+|----------|--------------|---------------|
+| Ferry (car + 3 pax return) | £450 | £650 |
+| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 | £1,100 |
+| Food (self-catering) | £450 | £600 |
+| Fuel (UK + Spain driving) | £200 | £280 |
+| Activities | £150 | £250 |
+| Tolls & Parking | £50 | £80 |
+| Contingency | £100 | £150 |
+| **TOTAL** | **£2,100** | **£3,110** |
+
+### How to Hit £2,000 Budget
+
+⚠️ **This option is challenging at £2,000** - here's how to make it work:
+
+1. **Book ferry early** - aim for £450 return
+2. **Budget accommodation** - £50/night apartment = £700
+3. **Strict self-catering** - only 1-2 meals out
+4. **Free activities** - beaches, walking, villages
+5. **Fuel-efficient driving** - combine trips
+
+**Tight Budget Estimate:**
+- Ferry: £450
+- Accommodation: £700
+- Food: £450
+- Fuel: £200
+- Activities: £100
+- Contingency: £100
+- **Total: £2,000** ✅
+
+---
+
+## Pros & Cons
+
+### Pros
+- Beautiful, unspoiled region
+- Very few mosquitoes
+- Authentic Spanish experience
+- Great for car exploration
+- Good vegetarian options
+- Child-friendly culture
+
+### Cons
+- Long ferry crossing (20+ hours)
+- Weather less predictable than Mediterranean
+- Requires budget discipline to hit £2,000
+- English less widely spoken than in Netherlands/Belgium
+
+---
+
+## Sample Itinerary
+
+### Week 1: Cantabria Coast
+- **Days 1-2:** Ferry crossing, arrive Santander, settle in
+- **Days 3-4:** Beach days at Somo/Loredo
+- **Day 5:** Altamira Cave Museum + Santillana del Mar
+- **Day 6:** Cabárceno Nature Park
+- **Day 7:** Santander city - Parque de la Magdalena
+
+### Week 2: Explore Further
+- **Days 8-9:** Day trips to Asturias - Covadonga, Cangas de Onís
+- **Days 10-11:** Beach + relaxation
+- **Day 12:** El Soplao Cave
+- **Days 13-14:** Local exploration, markets, final beach days
+- **Day 15:** Ferry home
+
+---
+
+## Booking Checklist
+
+- [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries - book by March 2026
+- [ ] Accommodation: Search Rustical Travel, Booking.com, Airbnb
+- [ ] Travel insurance
+- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
+- [ ] Car insurance for Europe (check with insurer)
+- [ ] Breakdown cover (European extension)
+
+---
+
+*Created: 15 March 2026*  
+*Last updated: 15 March 2026*