Sean C
a27fcfef61
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
208 lines
6.7 KiB
Markdown
208 lines
6.7 KiB
Markdown
# Option 1: Northern Spain - Cantabria & Asturias
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## Overview
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**Destination:** "Green Spain" - Cantabria and Asturias regions
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**Duration:** 15 nights (18 July - 2 August 2026)
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**Travel Method:** Self-drive via ferry
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**Best For:** Coastal scenery, mountains, beaches, prehistoric caves, authentic Spanish culture
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---
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## Why This Works
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✅ **Few mosquitoes** - Northern Spain's Atlantic climate means significantly fewer mosquitoes than Mediterranean areas
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✅ **Self-catering friendly** - Plenty of apartments and rural cottages
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✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - Good produce, markets, and Spanish vegetarian options
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✅ **Child-friendly** - Beaches, caves, nature parks, gentle activities
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✅ **Car essential** - Public transport limited; having your car is ideal
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✅ **Not done before** - Different from Belgium/Netherlands/Denmark
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---
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## Travel: Ferry from Plymouth to Santander
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### Route
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- **Outbound:** Plymouth → Santander (Brittany Ferries)
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- Departure: Afternoon
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- Duration: ~20-21 hours
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- Overnight crossing with cabin
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- **Return:** Santander → Plymouth
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### Estimated Ferry Cost
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Car + 2 adults + 1 child (return) | £450 - £650 |
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| Cabin (2-berth, each way) | Included in fare |
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| Meals on board (optional) | £60-80 each way |
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| **Total Ferry** | **£450 - £730** |
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> 💡 **Tip:** Book early (by March 2026) for best prices. Brittany Ferries often has early booking discounts.
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### Driving from Wigan
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- Wigan → Plymouth: ~4.5 hours (270 miles)
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- Recommend overnight stay near Plymouth night before ferry
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- Budget hotel near Plymouth: £60-80
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---
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## Accommodation Options
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### Option A: Single Base - Coastal Cantabria (Recommended)
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**Location:** Near Santillana del Mar / Suances area
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**Type:** Self-catering apartment or cottage
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**Duration:** 14 nights
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| Type | Price/Night | 14 Nights | Notes |
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|------|-------------|-----------|-------|
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| Budget apartment | £50-70 | £700-980 | Basic but adequate |
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| Family gite/cottage | £70-100 | £980-1,400 | More space, often with garden |
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| Apartment with pool | £80-120 | £1,120-1,680 | Popular with families |
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**Recommended search sites:**
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- Rustical Travel (rusticaltravel.com) - specialised in Northern Spain
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- Booking.com / Airbnb for apartments
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- Gites de France also lists Spanish border properties
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### Option B: Two-Base Holiday (Split Stay)
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**Base 1:** Cantabria coast (7 nights) - beaches, Santander
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**Base 2:** Asturias inland/mountains (7 nights) - Picos de Europa
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| Accommodation | Cost (14 nights total) |
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|---------------|------------------------|
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| 2x budget apartments | £700-1,000 |
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| 2x family cottages | £1,000-1,500 |
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---
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## Child-Friendly Activities
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### Cantabria Area
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| Activity | Description | Cost (family of 3) |
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|----------|-------------|-------------------|
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| **Altamira Cave Museum** | Replica of famous prehistoric cave paintings + interactive exhibits | €15-20 |
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| **Parque de la Magdalena** (Santander) | Peninsular park with mini zoo, playgrounds, beach | Free |
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| **Cabárceno Nature Park** | Safari-style park with animals in large enclosures | €60-70 |
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| **Beaches** | Playa de la Magdalena, Playa de Somo, Loredo | Free |
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| **Santillana del Mar** | Medieval village, lovely for wandering, ice cream | Free |
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| **El Soplao Cave** | Spectacular cave with tram ride | €40-50 |
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### Asturias Area (if doing 2-base)
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| Activity | Description | Cost (family of 3) |
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|----------|-------------|-------------------|
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| **Picos de Europa** | Mountain scenery, easy walks, cable car at Fuente Dé | €30-40 (cable car) |
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| **Lakes of Covadonga** | Beautiful lakes, short walks, visitor centre | Free |
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| **Ribadesella Beach** | Sandy beach, dinosaur footprints nearby | Free |
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| **Cider museums** | Fun for kids to see cider pouring | €15-20 |
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| **Canoeing on River Sella** | Family-friendly canoe trips (ages 7+) | €50-60 |
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---
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## Food & Self-Catering
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### Shopping
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- **Supermarkets:** Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Dia (all have vegetarian options)
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- **Markets:** Weekly markets in most towns (great for fresh produce)
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- **Speciality:** Local cheeses, fresh bread, seasonal fruit
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### Vegetarian-Friendly Spanish Dishes
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- Tortilla española (Spanish omelette - no meat)
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- Gazpacho (cold tomato soup)
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- Pimientos de Padrón (fried peppers)
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- Queso cabrales (local blue cheese)
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- Empanadas (vegetarian versions available)
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### Estimated Food Costs
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| Item | Cost/Day | 15 Days |
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|------|----------|---------|
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| Self-catering (breakfast + lunch + dinner) | £30-40 | £450-600 |
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| Occasional meal out | £40-50 x 3 | £120-150 |
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| **Total Food** | | **£570-750** |
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---
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## Full Budget Breakdown
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| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
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|----------|--------------|---------------|
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| Ferry (car + 3 pax return) | £450 | £650 |
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| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 | £1,100 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £450 | £600 |
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| Fuel (UK + Spain driving) | £200 | £280 |
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| Activities | £150 | £250 |
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| Tolls & Parking | £50 | £80 |
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| Contingency | £100 | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,100** | **£3,110** |
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### How to Hit £2,000 Budget
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⚠️ **This option is challenging at £2,000** - here's how to make it work:
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1. **Book ferry early** - aim for £450 return
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2. **Budget accommodation** - £50/night apartment = £700
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3. **Strict self-catering** - only 1-2 meals out
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4. **Free activities** - beaches, walking, villages
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5. **Fuel-efficient driving** - combine trips
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**Tight Budget Estimate:**
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- Ferry: £450
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- Accommodation: £700
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- Food: £450
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- Fuel: £200
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- Activities: £100
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- Contingency: £100
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- **Total: £2,000** ✅
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---
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## Pros & Cons
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### Pros
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- Beautiful, unspoiled region
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- Very few mosquitoes
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- Authentic Spanish experience
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- Great for car exploration
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- Good vegetarian options
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- Child-friendly culture
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### Cons
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- Long ferry crossing (20+ hours)
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- Weather less predictable than Mediterranean
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- Requires budget discipline to hit £2,000
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- English less widely spoken than in Netherlands/Belgium
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---
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## Sample Itinerary
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### Week 1: Cantabria Coast
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- **Days 1-2:** Ferry crossing, arrive Santander, settle in
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- **Days 3-4:** Beach days at Somo/Loredo
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- **Day 5:** Altamira Cave Museum + Santillana del Mar
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- **Day 6:** Cabárceno Nature Park
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- **Day 7:** Santander city - Parque de la Magdalena
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### Week 2: Explore Further
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- **Days 8-9:** Day trips to Asturias - Covadonga, Cangas de Onís
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- **Days 10-11:** Beach + relaxation
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- **Day 12:** El Soplao Cave
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- **Days 13-14:** Local exploration, markets, final beach days
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- **Day 15:** Ferry home
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---
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## Booking Checklist
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- [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries - book by March 2026
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- [ ] Accommodation: Search Rustical Travel, Booking.com, Airbnb
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- [ ] Travel insurance
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- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
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- [ ] Car insurance for Europe (check with insurer)
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- [ ] Breakdown cover (European extension)
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---
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*Last updated: 15 March 2026*
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