Santillana del Mar - Perfect Spain

Arriving in Santillana del Mar it was instantly recognisable why this little Spanish community was voted the most beautiful town in Spain. I immediately wanted to photograph everything, the cobble stone streets that cars could hardly drive over and you instantly respected women roughing it in high heels, the warm coloured old little buildings, the flowers decorating them and the gardens, the friendly gentle nature of the people and its happy little spirit.

Arriving at our hotel 'Hotel Casa del Marques' was beautiful, everything was antique and colourful, very elegant and welcoming. Detailed chairs, bookcases, rugs, paintings decorated the walls and floors, illuminated by a stunning chandelier. Each room had a style of its own, it's own old fashioned character, we loved the place straight away. After settling into our hotel we went to freshen up then met for a drink in the garden, it was so peaceful and pretty. Felt like a little paradise. The restaurant next door that we chose had the most amazing food. Katrina and I shared a goat's cheese salad and hake in a tomoto based sauce with mussels. The portions were huge! It had a breezy, forest-like setting, so we sat there for a long time enjoying our food and drinking nice wine. Definitely felt like a holiday :)

The rest of the time there followed more or less the same, slowly wandering the streets, checking out the little stores at the views of the countryside. The one strange thing about the place though was that smack bang in the middle of the town is a torture museum. Nothing like big, ugly, gruesome cages and torture machines layed out in the middle of the garden to spoil a beautiful town! But it was more amusing than anything and definitely didn't make the town seem any less pleasant.

We ate so well, a million menu del dia's :) and apart from the local cider which Mum, Kirsty, Tim and Dad tried which apparently tasted like vinegar, we drank really well too! It was sad to leave, I would recommend this place to anyone who really wants to experience Spain and the beauty the country has to offer. Might try and go back someday.