Spain’s Hidden Villages and Untamed Landscapes

"One of my favorite spots in northern Spain is Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, a perfectly preserved medieval village about 30 minutes inland from the coast where cobbled streets, stone houses and wooden balconies feel alive rather than dusty: bakeries sell buttery sobaos, shopkeepers greet you, horses sometimes clop through the lanes, and staying overnight lets you enjoy the town’s tranquility once day-trippers leave. I explore the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and its cloisters, stand beneath the impressive Altamira Cave replica to see Paleolithic bison and horses, visit the Museo de Altamira for engaging exhibits, and relax in the Plaza Mayor with a coffee or glass of cider; nearby attractions include the Cuevas de El Soplao and the Modernist town of Comillas. Practical tips I use: get there by bus from Santander or Bilbao or rent a car to explore coves and valleys, and aim for spring or autumn for mild weather and fewer crowds." - Matthew Kepnes