Chillout & Relaxation · Spain
Read, Relax & Restore: A Week in Spain's Green North
Arrive on your own; Jackie and the group are with you the whole way.
6 Jun 2027 – 13 Jun 2027 7 nights from £969pp own travel
Relax, restore and rejuvenate at Spice Escapes exclusive destination
Wake up grab a coffee and your book and relax either on the patio in the June sunshine or around the breakfast table. Agara, where you will be staying really does lend itself to the chilled back life! The northern coast isn’t what most would imagine typical Spain as the weather isn’t as predictable as the Mediterranean south but this area has so much more to offer. Cantabria is a place where nature excels in expressing herself. The seasons are no exception - cold winters and warm summers. When the sun shines in Cantabria its hot; when it rains it pours but we certainly hope the former will be in the ascendance as it's June giving us some fantastic opportunities to relax with a good book before heading out to explore further afield .
Our priority on this retreat is to give you space and time to relax and restore. You can choose solitude or shared time with others during the daytime whether that's to read or a general chat. There is plenty of space at Agara, indoors and out. If the weather is good, we could take ourselves and our books to a beach. We can arrange local walks and maybe have lunch in a local restaurant. We can also arrange a trip to a nearby city on one of the days, everything is felxible and as a group we can be guided by the weather and decide what to do while we are there.
The evenings are where we all come together to enjoy home-cooked family-style food and take part in activities over food and laughter. Activities are likely to include a Murder Mystery event and a literary quiz, and anything else we can think of.
We hope you leave this retreat fully rested and renewed! This is a wonderful opportunity to visit a less well trod area of Spain and enjoy a relaxing break at what we think is a bargain price at a wonderful time of year.
Availability and pricing
| Option | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Read, Relax & Restore: A Week in Spain's Green North - Accommodation | ||
| Twin Room Share with Shared Facilities | No supplement | 2 places left |
| Double Room Ensuite Facilities (must be for 2) | £89.00 | 2 places left |
| Twin Room Share Ensuite Facilities | £89.00 | 2 places left |
| Single Room Shared Facilities | £99.00 | 7 places left |
| Single Room En-Suite | £189.00 | Sold out |
| Read, Relax & Restore: A Week in Spain's Green North | ||
| Own flight without transfers | £969.00 | 2 places left |
| Birmingham | £1249.00 | 10 places left |
| Edinburgh | £1249.00 | 6 places left |
| London Stansted | £1249.00 | 6 places left |
| Manchester | £1389.00 | 10 places left |
Booking conditions for this holiday
Our booking conditions apply to this holiday, including the deposit and the cancellation scale. Read the booking conditions
Quote this reference if you call the team about it: SH0000775
Who else is going
The question everyone asks and nobody wants to.
- On this departure
- 2 people booked The operator's own count for this trip — you'd make 3. It can still grow before you travel.
- Travelling alone
- Most people book on their own
Why you'll love this holiday
- Every room is sole occupancy, so practically two of you to a bathroom.
- Breakfast, a light lunch and dinner each day, with wine and beer you help yourself to.
- Bikes at the house, self-guided walking routes, and a very friendly resident dog.
Where you'll go
Discover the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration on this delightful week in Cantabria. You don't need to be an avid reader to get the most from this trip as it is designed with equal opportunity to pick up a book (or just even just a magazine - no judgement here!) while also enjoy discovering new places. This holiday combines dedicated time to unwind alongside opportunities to experience the region's rich culture, stunning scenery and welcoming atmosphere. Explore historic towns, picturesque fishing villages and dramatic coastal landscapes, then return to the comfort of your accommodation to relax with your latest read. With a leisurely pace throughout, this is an ideal escape for those who appreciate great stories, a good chit chat, beautiful surroundings and the chance to experience one of Spain's most captivating and unspoilt regions.
The area is a mecca for walking and cycling. The house has a number of bikes (enough that you should be able to find one that suits you) and helmets but you are welcome to bring your own equipment and even your bike but you will definitely need your own transport from the airport then and will need to let us know so we can book space on the flight and there will be extra cost. If you want to walk there will be a number of self guided routes available but you will need boots and all other sensible equipment for a days walking in changeable weather. Depending on demand the Spice host will also arrange some guided walks too.
Further afield, you can head for the coast where there are some stunning beaches (see the gallery). There is the natural park of Oyambre with the villages of Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera 20 minute drive away. Comillas is famous for its huge university buildings built on the cliff and for its “Capricho de Gaudi” (a building built by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi who built mostly in Barcelona). San Vicente is a great place to sample fish at one of the many restaurants on the quay. There are also street markets to visit in both towns. Further afield Santander is 50 minutes away by car with its many beaches, restaurants and galleries.
What's included
- International flights (if selected)
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 continental breakfasts, 7 light lunches*, 7 evening meals
- Local wine, beer and spirits in the hotel just help yourself
- Tea/coffee available in the house throughout the day
- Minibus Excursions
- *Note-Lunch provided if at the property or a picnic lunch if walking or cycling, unless the guests wish to try local cuisine which will be at their own cost. .
- Your Spice host, Jackie Whyte
Not included
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Ensuite supplement if required
- Optional excursions
- Lunches if you wish to sample the local restaurants
- Personal extras
Travel and where you'll stay
‘Agara’ translated as Home in Sanskrit – your accommodation is a large house that was formerly used as a restaurant but has recently been renovated. It has completely new electrical and bathroom installations and a new kitchen. Despite the physical improvements to bring the house up to modern standards the owners have tried to retain the character of the house. This is a chance for a relaxing break in a home away from home where you can immerse yourself in the local area and culture – you won’t find a choice of bars and nightclubs on your doorstep so if you want a party you’ll have to do it in the house!
There are twelve bedrooms and eight bathrooms; three rooms have bathrooms ensuite and the rest share the remaining four and as we are only offering rooms as sole occupancy it's practically just two sharing a bathroom!
Please note - there is an extremely friendly dog in residence at the property.
Getting there — flights to Santander
Departing from Edinburgh, London Stansted, Manchester or Birmingham.
Edinburgh
London Stansted
Manchester
Birmingham
These are the times currently scheduled. Airlines change them, sometimes months before departure, so please treat them as provisional rather than final.
Luggage, transfers and flight notes
Checked in luggage - 20kg all flights
Before you travel
Passport validity
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the day you enter (check the "date of issue")
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the "expiry date")
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Entry rules for EU travel — EES, ETIAS and your GHIC
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced gradually across the external borders of the European countries that use it, including the collection of biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints. Passports continue to be stamped as usual in the meantime.
Further information: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees
ETIAS
UK citizens will eventually need a travel authorisation (ETIAS) to enter the European countries that require it for short stays. It is linked to your passport and valid for up to three years. There is no confirmed start date yet — we will let everyone know when it is required and how to apply.
Global Health Insurance Card
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or a still-valid EHIC, gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. It is not a replacement for travel insurance.
Travel insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
Gallery
Everything else
Food and meals
Included in your trip is a continental breakfast, light lunches (available if we are at the property or a picnic lunch if on a a walk or cycle ride) and evening meal everyday. Also, there will be complimentary tea/coffee available for you to help yourself to.
Locally sourced spring water will be available in the house so you won’t need to worry about getting bottled water unless you really want to. Finally local wine, beer and spirits will be available between 6-12pm every day (we will ask your favourite tipple before you travel to make sure we are well stocked!); these drinks will also be available at other times for a small charge and premium brands will also be available at any time for a charge.
Sample Menu (based on a 7 night stay - shorter trips will feature part of the menu)
Breakfast
Alternates between boiled eggs one day and fried eggs and bacon the next supported by yoghurt, muesli, cornflakes, toast, marmalade/marmite/peanut butter, fresh orange juice and endless tea and coffee.
Dinner
Day 1 – tapas and Cava/Prosecco round the fire followed by roasted salmon with buttery new potatoes.
Day 2 – Homemade courgette soup spiced with Ethiopian Berbere followed by Duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes and wilted greens.
Day 3 – Fresh asparagus followed by curry choices. Chicken masala, curried chestnuts and spinach curry. All with rice and homemade lime pickle, mango chutney, green tomato chutney and yoghurt accompaniment.
Day 4 – Tomato and mozzarella salad followed by seared tuna and new potatoes with a choice of salads.
Day 5 – Avocado and smoked salmon followed by Cantabrian Mountain stew (Pork and butter beans in a rich gravy)
Day 6 – Melon and Serrano ham followed by Tudanca beef joint (Tudanca being a local breed of cow).
Day 7 – Grilled Sardines followed by slow cooked Pork belly with roasted potatoes and baby leaf spinach.
We work hard to cater for all types of allergies and preferences. Oat milk is always available and gluten free is also possible if we know in advance. If most of the group prefer less fish then we will adjust the menu (and we can do the reverse too!). Roast Salmon or Tuna might be substituted for slow roasted leg of mutton with herbs and garlic, as an example. We also work hard to cater for vegetarians and vegans and to date all the guests have offered really positive feedback on the food we provide. Its hearty and nutritious with an informal presentation – that’s Agara!
Member feedback
Just to say what a lovely few days holiday I had staying at Agara and visiting the beautiful locations in Cantabria. Thank you and Maria so much for making us feel at home from home and showing us around the stunning area. 'Anne Marie'
FCO travel guidance for Spain
Before you book
Will I be the only one on my own?
No. Almost everyone books on their own — that is the whole point of the trip. Nobody has to pair up and nobody sits on their own at dinner unless they want to.
Do I have to share a room?
Only if you want to. Sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is how most people keep the price down. If you would rather have a room to yourself, you can — see the single-room price on the trip you are looking at.
Is there a single supplement?
There is a charge for a room of your own and it varies a great deal by trip, so the honest answer is the figure on the holiday you are looking at rather than an average. What there is not is any obligation to pay it: sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is a genuine option rather than a token one.
Every holiday with a single room available, and what each one costs, is listed on single rooms and single supplements.
How big is the group?
Small enough to learn everyone’s name in the first day or two. Group sizes vary by trip and are listed on each holiday.
What does the host actually do?
Your host is there to make your holiday feel easy, welcoming and fun. They travel with the group throughout the trip, help everyone get to know each other, keep things running smoothly and are there if you need anything along the way.
They’re not a traditional holiday rep — they’re part of the group, sharing the experience with you and helping make sure nobody feels left out.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Payments are held in a bonded trust account, and every holiday booked with flights is ATOL protected under licence 9046. If you arrange your own flights, your money for the holiday is still protected by the bonded trust account, but the flights you buy elsewhere are not covered by our ATOL.
What age are the other travellers?
It varies by trip. Most groups span a wide range of ages with a shared interest in the destination rather than a shared birth year.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes — 18. Spice Escapes holidays are adults only.
Most people who travel with us are in their forties and beyond, but that is who books rather than a rule. There is no upper age limit, and two people travelling together do not need to be a similar age: a daughter in her thirties travelling with her mother in her sixties is an ordinary booking.
Is Spice Escapes a singles or dating holiday company?
No. Spice Escapes is a hosted holiday company for people who travel on their own. Almost everyone books alone, groups are small and adults only (mostly forties to sixties), and a named host travels with every departure so nobody is the odd one out. It is about the destination and the company, not matchmaking.
What travellers say
4.9/5 from 63 reviews on Google
Questions about this holiday?
Ring the office, send us a question, or chat any hour. A real person, not a call centre.
Reading about this holiday
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