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a surface of 5.300 square kilometers Cantabria offers extremely varied landscapes
and climates. In its mountain ranges, Picos de Europa and the natural preserve
of Saja, still live bears, wolves and eagles, and the rivers are full of salmons
and trouts. Pico de tres Mares ("peak of the three seas") is a real
curiosity: a drop of water that falls here may equally arrive to Atlantic Ocean,
by Duero river, the Cantabric Sea, by Nansa river, or the Mediterranean Sea by
Ebro river.
In total contrast is the coast with beautiful bays and romantic fishing villages.
Inbetween you will find green valleys and hills.The capital, Santander, is located
at a beautiful bay. It is an economically extremely active city with an important
port. There is an ample cultural offer,specially remarkable are the Menendez y
Pelayo International Summer University, and the International Festival. Santander's
great sports facilities make it an ideal place for leisure.At a few kilometers
from the capital there are the medieval town Santillana del Mar, and the highly
interesting prehistorical Caves of Altamira . Some other attractions in the surroundings
of Santander are the church of Santa Maria de Valverde, or the natural park of
Cabarceno, where you will find animals from the five continents in an outstanding
and singular landscape.
Finally, Cantabria's colorful popular customs, its
artisany and gastronomy make it a holiday destination which certainly will not
disappoint.
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| Laredo
is a town in the north of spain, in Cantabria, 60 Km from Santander (the Cantabria
capital) and 50 Km from Bilbao, the two nearest cities with international airports.
Situated between the river Treto and the bay of Santoña, Laredo is one
of the main tourist towns on the Cantabrian coast.It has one of the biggest and
most beautiful beaches in the region: La Salvé, an immense stretch of sand
of measuring some five kilometres.
The town is structured into three very
different zones: the old village and its neighbourhood, the area of the newer
suburbs and the extension of this towards El Puntal. The first of these was declared
to be a Historic-Artistic Site in 1970. It is the original population centre,
dating from the Middle Ages, and it still preserves remains of its old walls.
It consists of a network of small streets, on which large stately houses from
the 16th to the 18th centuries stand, like those of the Mar family, of the Marchioness
of Arcentales, of the High Constable, or of the Hoz and Gutiérrez Rada
families. In the highest part of this sector is the parish church of Santa María
de la Asunción, with a Gothic layout and which houses a magnificent Flemish
reredos inside. The second area, the newer part, which stretches until Plaza de
Carlos V, is today the commercial, administrative and service centre. Lastly,
between Plaza de Carlos V and El Puntal, you will find three large avenues which
run parallel to one another, flanked by the town's two beaches. Outstanding among
Laredo's festivals is the Flower Battle, which is held on the last Friday in August
and is a wonderful display of light and colour.
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