7.9 KiB
7.9 KiB
Option 1: Northern Spain - Cantabria & Asturias
Price Research Log (16 March 2026)
| Item | Status | Actual Price Found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (Plymouth↔Santander) | ⚠️ Estimated | £450-730 return | Brittany Ferries (prices vary by date) |
| Accommodation (Santillana del Mar) | ⚠️ Estimated | ~£70-85/night | Booking.com shows apartments ~$85/night |
| Cabárceno Nature Park | ✅ Confirmed | €95 family (2 adults €45 + child €25) | parquedecabarceno.com |
| El Soplao Cave | ✅ Confirmed | €42.50 family (2 adults €30 + child €12.50) | elsoplao.es |
| Altamira Cave Museum | ✅ Confirmed | €9 family (€3/adult) - FREE Sat PM & Sun! | cultura.gob.es/mnaltamira |
| Fuel UK + Spain | ⚠️ Estimated | £200-280 | Based on ~600 miles |
| Food self-catering | ⚠️ Estimated | £450-600 | Based on £30-40/day |
Total activities (confirmed): €146.50 ≈ £125
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 | ✅ €9 (FREE Sat PM & Sun!) |
| Parque de la Magdalena (Santander) | Peninsular park with mini zoo, playgrounds, beach | Free |
| Cabárceno Nature Park | Safari-style park with animals in large enclosures | ✅ €95 (includes cable car) |
| 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 | ✅ €42.50 |
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 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (car + 3 pax return) | £450 | £730 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 | £1,100 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| Food (self-catering) | £450 | £600 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| Fuel (UK + Spain driving) | £200 | £280 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| Activities (confirmed €146.50) | £125 | £125 | ✅ Confirmed |
| Tolls & Parking | £50 | £80 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| Contingency | £100 | £150 | ⚠️ Estimated |
| TOTAL | £2,075 | £3,065 |
How to Hit £2,000 Budget
⚠️ This option is challenging at £2,000 - here's how to make it work:
- Book ferry early - aim for £450 return
- Budget accommodation - £50/night apartment = £700
- Strict self-catering - only 1-2 meals out
- Free activities - beaches, walking, villages
- 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: 16 March 2026 - Added actual price research for activities