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Cantabria An emerald gem tucked into a little pocket of the fabled northerly region of Spain, and sharing the stunning Costa Verde with the Asturias region to the west, Cantabria is an archeologists dream for its rich, nearly prehistoric trove of treasures yet to be dug up, and a historian’s spot of endless intrigue, as this fascinating region receives international academic attention.
Begin touring the region by stopping in at Altamira, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site as original cave paintings from the upper Paleolithic period appear here. Some of the many tourists who flock here find the Altamira cave paintings to be strangely beautiful, apart from historically invaluable to unlocking the secrets of our history as humankind. The Altamira Cave National Museum is home to an extremely well done permanent exhibition featuring a stunning amount of historical artifacts.
Those with less of a mind to look into the past should rest assured – you needn’t be a history buff major or an archeologist to appreciate Cantabria’s natural splendor, ranging from the dramatic, craggy and inimitable Picos de Europa to its pristine coastline that attracts sunbathers as well as surfers.
Indeed, the violent, yet ride-able waves of the Atlantic signal the origin of Cantabria’s unusually wet climate (although don’t worry, this coast gets its fair share of sunshine during the peak summer months), which is trapped in by the mountain range so that natural life is wetly celebrated, and green appears everywhere you go. The people of Cantabria appreciate this, and their structures and lodging represent very much the solid structures of colder climates such as Ireland or Germany. Yet that Spanish warmth is hardly hidden, and hospitality in Cantabria is among Spain’s finest.
The cities of Cantabria are precious, although aside from the beach it is often the quaint villages – coastal fishing towns and farmhouses further inland as well – that attract tourists. Surfing is big on the ocean, and in the countryside cycling tours are widely popular. Great value lodging can be easily found in the very homes of locals, as well as at waterfront vacation rentals overlooking breathtaking Cantabrian beaches. |
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