CANTABRIA

The region of Cantabria is in the north of Spain bordering Asturias, the Basque Country and  Castile y Leon.   Cantabria has a  rugged coastline on the Cantabrian sea. This area remains relatively undiscovered by tourists from outside Spain but is extremely popular with Spanish holidaymakers who head north to escape the searing temperatures in more southerly regions. The regions of Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country are separated from the warmer south by the Picos de Europa mountain range.  For anybody unfamiliar with the scenery of this area, it can come as quite a surprise to discover a landscape which is similar to parts of Austria or Switzerland. This area is not the Spain of the tourist brochures.  Most people picture Spain as a land of hot sun, beaches and sangria but Cantabria is green. Spain is a country of many contrasts.  The mountain villages are extremely beautiful, many of the houses resemble Swiss chalets.  Some of the villages have cobbled streets and most of the houses have wooden balconies overflowing with flowers. Driving through the mountains and down to the coast, you pass some quite breathtaking scenery.  The coast itself is rugged, there are sandy bays and small coastal resorts.