Solar Eclipse in Northern Spain
A full Solar Eclipse is a rare and wonderful sight to behold
A total solar eclipse is often a once in a lifetime experience and something many people never witness! An eclipse reveals parts of the Sun we can’t normally see, like the solar corona, and has helped scientists learn about gravity, the Sun’s atmosphere, and even led to discoveries in physics. During a solar eclipse daylight suddenly dims into twilight, temperatures drop, stars and planets can become visible, the Sun’s corona glows around the blackened Moon and it creates a surreal, almost magical atmosphere.
Eclipses bring people together. Communities gather, scientists travel, students learn, and millions watch at the same time. It’s a moment where curiosity and wonder seem universal. Will you share it with Spice Escapes?
Your holiday includes
- International Flights if selected
- Transfers
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 continental breakfasts, 7 light lunches*, 6 evening meals
- Local wine, beer and spirits in the hotel just help yourself
- Tea/coffee available in the house throughout the day
- Transport by minibus
- Expert public astronomer on hand
*Note-Lunch provided if at the property or a picnic lunch if we are out walking, unless the group wish to try local cuisine which will be at their own cost. If your flights are evening arrivals the meal on arrival will be a light snack.
Your holiday extras
- Room supplement if selected
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Optional excursions
- One evening meal
- Lunches if you wish to sample the local restaurants
- Personal extras
Resident Expert - Dr Matthew Bothwell, public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge
We have been lucky enough to secure the presence of Dr Matthew Bothwell for our Solar Eclipse week and he will be in residence for your stay at Agara, ready and eager to answer any questions you may have around Eclipses and quite frankly wherever the conversation and debate take you during this week. The great thing is that given his background and position at the University of Cambridge Dr Bothwell is well used to discussions on many levels - curious observer, amateur astronomer to expert
Dr Bothwell will deliver two talks during the week on “Life in the Universe” and “The big Bang” as well as talk about the eclipse itself. You can expect free flowing conversation daily on every aspect of planets, our solar system, the universe, black holes Space X and more. This week should be a lot of fun, especially for those with an inquisitive nature!
Extract from the University of Cambridge website regarding Dr Bothwell
I am the public astronomer at the IoA, and an astrophysicist by training. I am in charge of public engagement activities at the IoA, which includes running our schools outreach programme, winter stargazing evenings, Cambridge Festival events, and more. I also support IoA researchers who want to engage the public with their research.
I am an experienced science communicator and science writer. I have published three popular astronomy books for both adults and children: The Great Alien Hunt (2025, DK), Astrophysics for Supervillains (2024, DK), and The Invisible Universe: Why There’s More to Reality than Meets the Eye (2021, Oneworld). I give public lectures (past venues include the Royal Institution, New Scientist, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the British Astronomical Association), and my science writing has appeared in New Scientist, The Daily Beast, Aeon magazine, The Guardian, Writer's Digest, and more.
Location & Itinerary
What to do
Solar Eclipse day is the focal point of the week and that is Wednesday 12 August. Totality is expected around 8.30pm but given that crowds are inevitable we will be heading to our viewing spot earlier in the day so you will need to be prepared with sun cream, hats, and a packed lunch will be provided. Of course you also need to be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather - we certainly hope for clear skies though given the time of year!
Further afield, you can head for the coast where there are some stunning beaches. 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 designed 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.
We have mini-vans and we will be proposing trips out to some or all of these places, depending on weather and the interests of the group.
If you fancy something a little more active during your time here, 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. If you want to walk there are a number of self guided routes available but you will need boots and all other sensible equipment for a days walking in changeable weather.
Travel & Stay
‘Agara’ translated as Home in Sanskrit – your accommodation is a large impressive period 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 property. 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; four rooms have bathrooms ensuite and the rest share the remaining four. There is a supplement for an ensuite room.
Provisional Flight Information
09/08/26 Stansted to Santander Dep: 1140 Arr:1440
16/08/26 Santander to Stansted Dep: 1505 Arr:1555
09/08//26 Manchester to Santander Dep:1615 Arr:1920
16/08/26 Santander to Manchester Dep: 1945 Arr: 2045
20kg baggage included
Availability & Pricing
Build Your Quote| Flights | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Own flight without transfers | £1529.00 | Available |
| London Stansted (Sun-Sun) | £1929.00 | Available |
| Manchester (Sun-Sun) | £1929.00 | Available |
| Accommodation | Price | |
| Twin Room Share with Shared Facilities | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Twin Room Share with Shared Facilities (male only) | £0.00 | Available |
| Twin Room Share Ensuite Facilities | £89.00 | Sold Out |
| Twin Room Share Ensuite Facilities (female only) | £89.00 | Available |
| Single Room Shared Facilities | £99.00 | Sold Out |
| Single Room En-Suite | £189.00 | Sold Out |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
Passport validity
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (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.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual.
This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.
Further information on the EES can be found on the following link - https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
Starting in end 2026 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
FCO travel guidance for Spain
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Host & Everything Else
Solar Eclipse Viewing Safety
You should never look directly at the sun without the correct protection for your eyes! The article by the BBC's Sky at Night Magazine on the following link will help you know how to protect yourself - https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/top-astronomy-kit/best-solar-eclipse-glasses
Included in your trip is a continental breakfast, light lunches (available if we are at the property or a picnic lunch if we are out and about) 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!).
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!
NB - If you flights are evening arrivals the meal on arrival will be a light snack.
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