Sean C
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Activities: All priced from official sources - Altamira Cave: €9 family - Cabárceno Nature Park: €115 family - El Soplao Cave: €42.50 family - Fuente Dé Cable Car: €60 family - Sella Canoeing: €75-120 family Ferry: £700-850 return (higher than estimate) Accommodation: From £55/night on Airbnb Fuel: £140-200 with current UK/Spain prices Realistic total: £2,185-3,430
8.2 KiB
8.2 KiB
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
Ferry Cost
| Item | Estimated | Actual | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car + 2 adults + 1 child (return) | £450-650 | £700-850 | directferries.co.uk | Average return $886 (~£700). High season July/August |
| Cabin (2-berth, each way) | Included | Included | brittany-ferries.co.uk | Standard 2-berth cabin included |
| Meals on board (optional) | £60-80 each way | £60-80 each way | Estimate | Restaurant meals extra |
| Total Ferry | £450-730 | £700-950 | High season pricing |
💡 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 | Estimated | Actual (14 nights) | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget apartment | £50-70/night | £770-980 (£55-70/night) | airbnb.com | Starting at |
| Family gite/cottage | £70-100/night | £980-1,400 | booking.com | More space, often with garden |
| Apartment with pool | £80-120/night | £1,120-1,680 | Multiple sources | Popular with families in high season |
Recommended search sites:
- Rustical Travel (rusticaltravel.com) - specialised in Northern Spain
- Booking.com / Airbnb for apartments
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 | Estimated | Actual | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altamira Cave Museum | Replica of prehistoric cave paintings + exhibits | €15-20 | €9 family | cultura.gob.es |
| Parque de la Magdalena (Santander) | Park with mini zoo, playgrounds, beach | Free | Free | - |
| Cabárceno Nature Park | Safari-style park with animals | €60-70 | €115 family | parquedecabarceno.com |
| Beaches | Playa de la Magdalena, Somo, Loredo | Free | Free | - |
| Santillana del Mar | Medieval village | Free | Free | - |
| El Soplao Cave | Spectacular cave with tram ride | €40-50 | €42.50 family | elsoplao.es |
Asturias Area (if doing 2-base)
| Activity | Description | Estimated | Actual | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picos de Europa cable car (Fuente Dé) | Mountain scenery, cable car | €30-40 | €60 family | potesaventura.com |
| Lakes of Covadonga | Beautiful lakes, walks | Free | Free | - |
| Ribadesella Beach | Sandy beach, dinosaur footprints | Free | Free | - |
| Cider museums | Cider pouring demonstrations | €15-20 | €15-20 | Estimate |
| Canoeing on River Sella | Family canoe trips (ages 7+) | €50-60 | €75-120 family | canoasoriente.com |
Fuel Costs
Current Fuel Prices (March 2026)
| Country | Petrol (£/L) | Diesel (£/L) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1.35 | £1.49 |
| Spain | £1.37 | £1.41 |
Source: tolls.eu (prices as of 9 March 2026)
Estimated Fuel Consumption
| Journey | Miles | Est. Fuel (35 mpg) | Cost (Diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wigan → Plymouth | 270 | 31 L | £46 |
| Santander area driving | 300 | 34 L | £48 |
| Plymouth → Wigan | 270 | 31 L | £46 |
| TOTAL | 840 | ~96 L | ~£140-200 |
Food & Self-Catering
Estimated Food Costs
| Item | Cost/Day | 15 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catering | £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 | Actual Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (car + 3 pax return) | £450 | £650 | £700-850 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 | £1,100 | £770-1,400 |
| Food (self-catering) | £450 | £600 | £450-600 |
| Fuel (UK + Spain) | £200 | £280 | £140-200 |
| Activities (paid) | £150 | £250 | £225-300 |
| Tolls & Parking | £50 | £80 | £50-80 |
| Contingency | £100 | £150 | £100-150 |
| TOTAL | £2,100 | £3,110 | £2,185-3,430 |
How to Hit £2,000 Budget
⚠️ This option is very challenging at £2,000
Realistic Tight Budget:
- Ferry: £700
- Accommodation: £770
- Food: £450
- Fuel: £140
- Activities: £50 (free activities only)
- Contingency: £90
- Total: £2,200 ⚠️
Comfortable Budget: £3,080 ✅
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
- English less widely spoken
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: 16 March 2026
Pricing Status
| Category | Status | Checked Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry | ⚠️ Partial actual | 2026-03-16 |
| Accommodation | ⚠️ Partial actual | 2026-03-16 |
| Activities | ✅ Actual prices | 2026-03-16 |
| Fuel | ✅ Actual prices | 2026-03-16 |
Items Actually Costed:
- Ferry Plymouth↔Santander: £700-850 return (directferries.co.uk)
- Accommodation: From £55/night on Airbnb
- Altamira Cave Museum: €9 family (cultura.gob.es)
- Cabárceno Nature Park: €115 family (parquedecabarceno.com)
- El Soplao Cave: €42.50 family (elsoplao.es)
- Fuente Dé Cable Car: €60 family (potesaventura.com)
- Sella River Canoeing: €75-120 family (canoasoriente.com)
- Fuel: £140-200 total (tolls.eu)
Items Still Estimated:
- Meals on ferry: £60-80 each way
- Food/self-catering: £450-600
- Tolls & parking: £50-80
- Cider museums: €15-20