Santander

Santander is the capital and also the largest city of the province of Cantabria in Spain. Santander has some 180,000 inhabitants and is on the ocean. It features a small historic center and a handful of beaches. Its most famous tourist attraction is the Magdalena Palace which was used as a summer getaway of Spanish royalty.

You can arrive in Santander via plane (mostly domestic and charter flights; international flights from London, Dublin, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam; other international flights frequently use the Bilbao airport), public bus, or car (A8 freeway from Bilbao). Distance to Bilbao is some 100km (60m).

Ryanair flies from London Stansted, Rome Ciampino and Dublin directly to Santander Airport. Ryanair also now flies from Liverpool airport. Iberia also serves this airport. Taxis from the Airport into Santander are about 10 to €12 (depending on luggage). An 'Alsa City' bus frequently departs between 6AM and 11PM for the City from directly outside the arrivals terminal (2.00 euro in March 2009).

ALSA operates buses to Santander from Madrid, Barcelona and most other major Spanish cities, as well as many regional centres and villages. The trip from Madrid takes about 5 hours (about €30) and the trip from Barcelona takes about 9 hours (via Zaragoza).

RENFE operates trains to santander from Madrid, Barcelona and most other major Spanish cities, as well as many regional centres and villages. The trip from Madrid takes about 5-6 hours (about €35) and the trip from Barcelona takes about 9-11 hours.

You may also wish to take a ferry from Plymouth, England. The journey time is approximately 24 hours each way, and is an interesting journey, although you may wish to resist having a large meal too soon after departure from Plymouth if you are unused to sea travel as the Bay of Biscay can be extremely rough.

Everybody starts their night at Plaza de Ca?ad?o, in the centre of the old town. It is a hive for young Santanderinos and exchange students. It is surrounded on three sides by various bars and restaurants. This is where most drinking of 'calimocho' - the red wine/coca cola combo favoured by young Spaniards - takes place.

Later in the night (from about 2AM) the drinking action moves to bars and clubs in the area, including La Embajada, Retros, Cafe del Sol, La Rana Verde, Opium and many others. Three major dance clubs are located nearby - El Divino, Malaespina and Rocaverde.