Santillana del Mar

My Garmin says I walked 19 miles today! It was about a 14.5 mile walk from Liencres to my evening’s rest in Santillana Del Mar. I’m staying at a lovely former convent, now a hostel. I find convents to almost always be the best because the architecture, gardens, and rooms are classic and cozy. I have hit the jackpot tonight with a one-bunkbed room that I have all to myself. I can hardly believe it. The room with dinner and breakfast cost only 30€. Traveling on foot can be very thrifty!

After getting settled at the hostel, I had time to walk some extra distance to the Caves of Altamira, where some of the earliest cave paintings were discovered in 1974. I’ve always wanted to see them, and here they are, walking distance away!

I ate my first group meal of the trip with a room full of fellow walkers tonight. Our table had a variety of folks, including a woman from near London and four Americans. After dinner, I spoke with an English woman closer to my age who is walking a portion of the Norte. It’s fun to meet new people. Maybe I’ll see some of them walking tomorrow. I still love walking alone and wonder how it will be to share parts of the day with some newfound friends.Read more