SELF CATERING VILLA IN CANTABRIA - GARDEN - FIBRE OPTIC INTERNET
Extremely comfortable, very well maintained and very well equipped property with lots of space and natural light, suitable to stay at any time of the year.
Located right near the coast, east of Santander, in a small and safe Cantabrian village situated on the northern Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. It is surrounded by beautiful green countryside and gentle, wooded hills that look down to the sea at Noja.
Only 25 minutes from Santander and just minutes from superb beaches & the surfing towns of Noja, Isla, Ajo, Galizano, Langre, Loredo, Somo and Santona – a stretch of coast known as the Trasmiera Coast. Four Blue Flag Beaches are within a 5 minute drive of the house as well as picturesque coastal trails and important marshland. In 2011, the area was inaugurated into EDEN – European Destinations of Excellence.
This is an excellent property for adults who will appreciate the cleanliness and spaciousness of the house and private garden, the ample equipment provided especially in the kitchen and outdoors, the big basement laundry and storage area, high speed fibre optic internet and the ease of access to outstanding beaches, superb natural areas and tourist attractions, shops, local markets, traditional restaurants, bars and cafes.
Past guests frequently comment on the abundance of things to do nearby and how they often found themselves not straying that far and just enjoying the local area.
PROPERTY SUMMARY
Upstairs are 2 double rooms and 1 twin room plus a fully fitted bathroom. Beds are new and comfortable and there is plenty of wardrobe space.
Downstairs is a modern kitchen with fridge freezer, oven, electric hob, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, range of coffee makers (Bodum press, Italian stovetop and a Nespresso machine), electric juicer and more. Also a bright, spacious lounge with TV, DVD, sofa and reclining armchairs. Off the lounge is the dining room. Both rooms have French-style doors and offer views of the mountains and down to the sea less than 3kms from the house.
From the ground floor you access a fully fitted basement with laundry (washing machine, iron and ironing board) and a spacious, shelved storage area with beach gear for guests use.
Outdoors is a well-tended private garden with lovely tiled patio for dining and relaxing, garden furniture and a variety of mature plants and trees.
The house is centrally heated, double-glazed and has exterior roller-blinds ensuring a restorative night’s sleep.
SAFETY
For safety the house is fitted with both a smoke alarm and gas alarm and each floor has its own fire extinguisher.
IMMEDIATE AREA
Across from the house is ample parking and a small village square with and `boules´ area – bowling being a popular sport in Cantabria. Siete Villas – the local soccer team – have their small stadium in the village and a game can usually be enjoyed most Sundays after mass. Mass is said every Sunday in the 16th century village church; Iglesia de San Pedro. The nearest bar (500 metres), Rufinos, is a lively traditional Cantabrian `taberna´ run by the same family for decades. Here you can try superb regional cheeses, cured meats, anchovies as well as wine drunk from the `porron´ (traditional glass wine pitcher). The owner’s son, Marcos, is usually on-hand and is one of the Cantabrian Tourist Board officials who speaks English and can offer advice on the area. He also mans the local tourism office in Castillo and provides guided visits.
SURROUNDS
Beaches, shops, restaurants & bars are all within a short distance as is Santander city (25 minutes), Bilbao (50 minutes), Cabárceno Wildlife Park (25 minutes), Santillana de Mar (35 minutes) and more. Many activities can be practiced locally including rambling and hiking, multiple water sports, golf, horse and camel riding, fishing and lots more. There are several discreet naturist beaches in the area too.
FOOD & GASTRONOMY
Being a huge farming area, local produce is excellent. Noteworthy are the vegetables and pulses, cheeses, cured meats, fish and seafood especially tuna, sardines and anchovies from Santona. Dining out is very inexpensive with a typical 3 course menu with wine at lunchtime costing around 12 – 16 euros per person. Excellent choice of restaurants in the area. The Young Cantabrian Chef of the Year 2015, Ruben Abascal, has his restaurant `IBIDEM´ only 700 metres from the house. His tasting menu at just 38 euros (2021) per person will knock your socks off.
SOME COOL THINGS TO DO NEARBY
• Take surfing or SUP (stand up paddle) lessons. Available for all levels and healthy fun.
• Go for a Camel ride in nearby natural park in Soano
• See El Capricho in Comillas……….. designed by Antoni Gaudi
• See world class Paleolithic Cave Art for which Cantabria excels
• See the amazing Cabárceno Wildlife Park
• Scenic ferry across one of the world’s most beautiful bays….Santander
• Go diving in Santander bay.
• Visit the Centro Botin Santander.
• Visit an anchovy factory - Anchoas San Filippo Santoña.
• Go for an incredible Tasting Menu at Ibidem Restaurant.
• Play an excellent par 3 golf course……..designed by Seve Ballesteros.
• Hike some of the Camino de Santiago
• Visit and taste at the local winery - Bodegas Vidular.
• Enjoy relaxed & pretty affordable Michelin Star Dining