8 Day Walking and Cooking Tour in Cantabria, Spain

During the first days of your explore Cantabria tour, you are based in Santander and in the beautiful village of Santillana, 20 kilometers away from the regional capital. Your walking routes start from your cozy hotels and in the afternoon and evening, you will experience fun and inspiring cooking in the kitchen as well as nights to explore on your own.

You will learn and participate in local Cantabrian cooking to also take on modern fusion cuisine. After action-packed first days, you move on to the impressive mountain sceneries at Picos de Europa National Park.

Day 1: Saturday

You fly to Bilbao and continue by bus to the beautiful seaside town of Santander. Intro with a cheese and delicatessen tour with the guide followed by cooking course with a recognized local chef.

Day 2: Sunday

Explore Cantabria walking begins with a short transfer to the lighthouse in Santander, where you walk high along the wild coast, towards El Sardinero Beach and around the beautiful Magdalene Peninsula. Lunch at the Real Club de Tenis with a delicious fish menu. After lunch, walk towards the city center for visits to the art center Centro Botín by Renzo Piano. Free evening in Santander. Hiking 10 kilometers without climb.

Day 3: Monday

During the morning (due to the tide), you have a tidal safari where marine biologist Gustavo teaches you more about life under the surface at Santander’s course. Transfer to a dairy in Tezanos with butter making activities, then on to Bodegan Sel d’Aiz for tasty wine and tapas. The afternoon offers a short walk before reaching one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, Santillana del Mar. Light dinner. Hiking 6 kilometers / 200 meters.

Day 4: Tuesday

Today pilgrim walking along the northern coast route of Santiago. Stop for a picnic and the seashells show the road to Comillas and visit to the Capricho de Gaudí - a fantastic landmark signed by Gaudí. Dinner on your own in Santillana del Mar. Hiking of any length - 6 / 10 / 14 kilometers, without a noticeable increase.

Day 5: Wednesday

By car (about 1.5 hours), you will visit the neighboring region of Asturias where you visit local producers of fresh cider and honey. Hiking in Picos central massif, where you can perceive Picos perhaps the most important peak of El Naranjo de Bulnes and wander on the magnificent route between Cares and Caín. Accommodation in a rural hotel in Liébana at the foot of Picos de Europe. Dinner together. Hiking 8 kilometers / 200 meters.

Day 6: Thursday

The cable car at Fuente Dé rapidly brings you 900 meters higher and you begin the route of day 6 from the cable balcony, one of the most impressive natural observation spots in Spain. The route continues through the green and Alp-like Puertos de Áliva. Traditional lunch at one of the local family restaurants. Rest and dinner in Potes.

Day 7: Friday

Today a short walk takes us to the Santo Toribio Monastery. After your walk, you will visit a proud cheese producer and get a tasting of the D.O. cheeses Quesucos de Liébana and Picón Bejés-Tresviso. Farewell picnic and transfer to Santander or Bilbao according to your flight schedule.

Day 8: Saturday

Free time in Santander or Bilbao according to your flight schedule. Transfer to the airport on your own.

• Walking level: easy
• Shortest / longest walk: 7 / 14 kilometers
• Maximum climb: 300 meters
• Maximum descent: 900 meters

By the coast, in the mountains or in charming villages, your leisure walks to explore Cantabria are always suited for all ages. As they have prepared written detailed itineraries and maps, you will be able to complete each route at your own pace. And if you still need an extra challenge, they can provide you with some alternative extra kilometers to complete the physical activity of each day.

• Winery visits
• Dairy visits
• Guided walks
• Self-guided walks
• City tour

This tour will take you to some of Cantabria's highlights, including Santander, Santillana del Mar, and the Picos de Europa National Park.

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Seven breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners are included. There will be wine with all meals. On this tour, you will enjoy solid buffet breakfasts with bread, cereals, juice, coffee and tea, ham, eggs, and cheese, as well as local sweets to get ready for a day of walking.

On the roads and always in hand-picked sceneries, you will taste and enjoy local products on charming country picnic lunches, where there will often be fresh products purchased on the visits you make. The dinners will be the delicious results of your cooking sessions as well as winery dinners! Tradition and fine-dining in a nice blend.

Cantabria is a diverse and fun place to eat with the mountain and sea closeby! Like an open-air natural market place available for guests!

• 7 nights accommodation in a double room at selected three-star hotels or equivalent
• Transfers and luggage transport according to program
• Tour guide
• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners (wine in all meals)
• Cooking class, apron, and recipes
• Visits, tastings, and activities according to program
• Walking routes itineraries and maps
• Travel documentation and useful information

• Means of transport to Bilbao
• Last transfer from Bilbao city to airport
• Anything not clearly included in hotels (minibars, etc)
• Anything not clearly included in What's included

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.