SANTANDER, SPAIN
The Destination
Santander, Spain - The earliest signs of life in the region of Cantabria, located on the northern coast of Spain, date back to 16,000-9,000 BC. During this time span the first inhabitants painted the Altamira Cave, the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistory." Later, Romans gave the name of Cantabria to this land populated by fierce warriors. This was one of the few places in Spain that was never conquered in the many centuries of Arab occupation.
Santander, the capital of the region, boasts a long and distinguished cultural heritage, which has created a thriving and vibrant environment in which to live and study. Santander is set on a tranquil bay with a pleasant summer climate. Some of Santander's museums include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Maritime Museum of Cantabria, and the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology. In July, Santander has two main festivals: the International Festival of Music, Dance and Theatre and the Festival of Santiago, with fifteen days of celebrations and events. Beautiful and noteworthy plazas, such as the Plaza de la Esperanza, create an excellent backdrop to enjoy pleasant afternoons drinking coffee and observing Spanish life. Students will also appreciate spending afternoons on Santander's beautiful beaches.
The program includes one or two day-long excursions to places in or nearby Santander, such as Bilbao, where students will visit the Guggenheim Museum, or an overnight excursion to San Sebastian. After the program ends, students will find that Santander is an ideal base for traveling to other parts of Spain, as well as to the rest of Europe.