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Dining in Europe > Santander Food is an important part of every culture, where its most important traditions are manifest. Here in Santander, the mountain-style cuisine is full of ages-old recipes, creatively adapted to new culinary trends, though without losing a single iota of its homely and rich flavour. Although its true that Cantabrian cuisine has been influenced by neighbouring Basque and Asturian traditions, it is clearly differentiated from these and has its own personality. Due to Cantabrias privileged geographical condition, with mountains, rivers and the sea all at hand, the food on offer is top-quality and made from the freshest ingredients around, literally. The hills are covered in rich green pastures, giving the locally-produced beef its fine texture and unbeatable flavour. You'll find great meat options at most restaurants in Santander, though Bombi and Posada del Mar are famous for the quality of their red meat dishes. The deep rivers are another of the prime sources of food in Cantabria. The king of all river fish, the salmon, is caught here. Trout is also abundant and another popular fish option in the area. The most famous restaurant in Santander for these items is Sardina ('Sardine', ironically enough), where they serve these two fish, together with other species, in elaborate and innovative recipes. Cantabria also has an important sea-faring tradition. The Barrio Pesquero (Fishing Quarter) is proof of this. Here, the 'mountain fishermen' bring the fresh fish caught off the coast to the fishing wharf, providing the city with popular fish, such as sea-bass, sole, hake, jargo, cabracho, gilthead and sardines, day in and day out. There are great restaurants all along the coast for fish and in the Fishing Quarter or Puerto Chico (Small Port), the most famous restaurants being Las Peñucas and Rhin. Another great option is Del Puerto, one of Santanders most highly-rated restaurants. Seafood plays an important part in Cantabrian cuisine as well: clams from Pedreña, mussels, giant crabs, goose barnacles, and lobsters. These are just some of the succulent options to be enjoyed at restaurants, such as Mulata, Flor de Miranda and Cúpula del Rhin. Before you actually sit down to lunch or dinner, however, tapas are a must. When in Rome... A stroll around Plaza del Cañadío is more than recommended for a glass of wine or beer accompanied by your choice of tapas. Recommended tapas bars in this district include Hijas de Florencio, Bodega Cigaleña and Cañía. In the Río de la Pila district, the most famous tapas bar is El Riojano, really a wine bar with great food. If you're in the Perines district, be sure to order the surf and turf platters at Los Jamones; you won't regret it. Pastries of all kinds are another local speciality, and Cantabria is renowned throughout Spain for its long-standing tradition in this area. The creaminess and quality of local milk give traditional items, such as quesada pasiega and sobaos, their incredibly rich texture. Cantabrian puff-pastry is also quite famous. It comes in many shapes and sizes, the most popular desserts being the corbatas de Unqueta, pantortillas de Reinosa, polkas de Torrelavega and sacristanes de Liérganes. Other typical treats are palucos de Cabezón de la Sal and canónigos de Liébana. Any of the above mentioned desserts, or the rice pudding and leche frita (literally, 'fried milk'), are the final and delicious 'cherry' to top off your meal. The wines on offer in Santander are generally from prestigious La Rioja, given that the climate in Cantabria is not suited to growing grapes for wine. However, in the Liébana region, there is a microclimate, perfect for producing the fruit needed to make orujo de Potes. This strong spirits sweet flavour and refined aroma make it an excellent digestive liqueur to savour after your meal. You'll find it in any of the restaurants mentioned above, as well as most restaurants in the city worth their salt. After this brief tour of Santanders rich gastronomy, you'll have no option but to come and try it for yourself. You're sure to find out why people in Spain always say that folks up north certainly know how to eat well! Translated by A. Rupert Entertainment in SantanderWelcome to Santander, a city where you can do almost anything - except get bored! Get the day off to a flying start with a good breakfast. Of the numerous cafés to be found, you might try one of these three; each has a different character, but all are very central. In the first instance, Picos de Europa is frequented by all sorts people and offers a varied menu; alternatively, there is Royalty, which will satisfy even the biggest appetites; and thirdly Suizo has a refined and elegant atmosphere and fabulous views of the Bay from its terrace. Once you've have breakfast, there are many options. You can visit the Prehistoria (Prehistory) and Marítimo (Maritime) Museums, and there is also the famous Biblioteca Menéndez Pelayo (library). If its a nice day, which is not uncommon in Santander, you might want to relax on one of the many local beaches like Bikinis, Camello, Concha or the very well known Sardinero beaches (Primera and Segunda). They wave the prized blue flag, which is only given to the best beaches in the world. Its also pleasant to go for a walk along the beaches, which will practically take you from the city centre to Cabo Mayor lighthouse, passing Península de la Magdalena on your way, former summer retreat of the Royal Family. If you want to get a better view, its worth considering taking either the bus for its panora (in summer, departure is from Plaza de las Farolas) or the boat tours around the bay which get under way from the boarding point at the Paseo Marítimo (Esplanade) From here you can also see the exhibitions on at the Palacete. While you ponder which place you'd like to visit most, you might stop off for a bite to eat. The plentiful food options confirm northern Spains reputation for eating well. Depending on where you are in the city, you might try Cañía, if you're near El Sardinero; Jamones, if you're in the Perines area; or Hijas de Florencio in Paseo de Pereda. If you prefer a restaurant lunch, Zacarías is great for its quality and its proxmity to Santanders main tourist attractions. In the afternoon, any one of the places mentioned is well worth a visit. If you're looking for something else, take note of what follows: Santander has a cultural tradition that flourishes, year after year. So its worth looking over the spectacular programme of the Palacio de Festivales as well as au courant with the different events taking place elsewhere. The Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo celebrates the summer season by holding interesting lectures, talks and short courses covering a wide subject area. In summer too, the following events are held: Feria de las Naciones (Nations Festival), Feria Taurina de Santiago (Santiagos Bullfighting Festival), festival season at the auditorium of El Sardinero, the festivities at Baños de Ola at Primera beach in El Sardinero, Semana Grande (Big Week) of Santander and Arte-Deco. If you prefer other sorts of shows, don't miss the Spanish music concerts which come to the city nor the live shows at the following places: Rocambole, Café Victoria, Dragón (gay scene), Barraquito, Canela or Deco. As you can probably see, Santander has a lot to offer and it of course has a wide selection of films showing at its cinemas. Although without the latest technological advances, Los Ángeles Cinema is well known for its comfortable seats and quality is generally good at Cine Capitol. Both are very near the city centre. If you're looking for somewhere to dine before or after the above shows, the central Casa Mariano is a good bet due to its proximity to nightlife hotspots like San Luis, Perines and Vargas, which have interesting venues. There is Culebre, Agua de Valencia or Bar Gas. If you prefer a few tapas, a very good place is Rana Verde near the areas of Cañadío and Santa Lucía, where you can also find Canela and Terminal Sur. Wherever you go, its bound to be the right place. Have a great time! A Balsa Recommended ToursMonumental Santander This tour of Santander starts at Plaza del Generalísimo, just opposite the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and in the heart of the citys shopping and financial district. Behind City Hall you'll find busy Esperanza Market, where its easy to spend hours just looking through everything on sale. From Plaza de la Esperanza on the north side of the market you can see San Francisco Church and, heading down Cervantes Street, you come to the Fine Arts Museum and the Biblioteca y Casa-Museo Menéndez Pelayo (former home and now museum and library of the renowned writer, Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo) in Rubio Street. From here, and by way of Jesús de Monasterio Street and Avenida de Calvo Sotelo, you will start making your way towards the cathedral containing la Cripta del Cristo (Christs Crypt). Before that, the Central Post Office and the Banco de España buildings are worth noting. These are found next to Plaza de Alfonso XIII. Nearby, other places you can visit include the Estación Marítima (Ferry Station), the Pereda gardens and the Paseo Marítimo boardwalk which runs parallel to the docks. To the north you'll find Paseo de Pereda, lined with beautiful buildings, such as Anunciación Church, dating from the 17th century or Banco Santanders headquarters (both in Plaza Porticada). If you walk under the arch joining Banco Santanders two towers, you come to Calle Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola and the Ensanche district of Santander, where the city first grew beyond the old walls. Here you can visit Plaza de José Antonio, containing Casa Pombo or the building with whats familiarly known as Botíns Arches. Another interesting landmark is Santa Lucía Church, just next to Plaza de Cañadío. If you return to Paseo de Pereda, head east. From here you can take in all the new buildings, with the bay as the backdrop. You'll come to Plaza de Matías Montero, which is close to the Regional Historical and Archaeological Museum. Crossing back over to the dock side, you come to Castelar Street, one of the prettiest in Santander, lined with spectacular buildings, such as Banco Vitalicio or Siboney. You'll finally reach Puerto Chico (literally, 'Small Port'), with its dock and the Real Club Marítimo (Royal Yachting Club), where the tour ends. The Beaches of Santander This tour starts at Dique de Gamazo (Gamazo Jetty), to the east of the city centre. From here you can visit one of the most spectacular buildings in Santander, the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, a cultural centre. Attached to the side is the Escuela Superior de la Marina Civil, site of the Planetarium; nearby you'll also find the Centro de Alto Rendimiento de Vela (Sailing School). If you continue down Calle Gamazo, you'll soon reach the Maritime Museum. Continuing with this sea-faring tour, take Avenida Reina Victoria, one of the most beautiful boardwalks in all of Spain. To your left is perhaps the poshest residential district in Santander, with famous buildings, such as Casa Pardo or Hotel Real. To your right, you can take in fantastic views of the bay and the citys many beaches, in particular Peligros, La Magdalena and Bikinis. On the other side of the bay you can make out the towns of Pedreña, Somo and the huge beach known as Puntal. This entire stretch can be done little by little, so as to enjoy fully the beautiful land and seascapes. Eventually, you'll reach Magdalena Peninsula, where you can visit the park of the same name and the Royal Palace. If you continue heading towards El Sardinero district, you'll see Camello and La Concha beaches off to your right. Upon reaching Plaza de Italia, you'll find yourself in the heart of El Sardinero, with the Gran Casino and some of the citys best hotels as well as swanky blocks of flats. The next stop is at Piquío Gardens and Sardineros two beaches, Primera and Segunda (literally, First and Second beaches). If you still have some energy left, head to the north towards Cabo Menor (Smaller Cape) to visit Mataleñas Park and two nearby beaches: Molinucos, which is small and peaceful, or Mataleñas beach, a beautiful cove surrounded by spectacular cliffs. If you continue along Avenida del Faro, you'll reach Parque de Cabo Mayor (Greater Cape Park), with a 19th-century lighthouse and impressive views of the cliffs overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. Little-known Santander This route is a good way to get to know the western part of Santander, an area not often visited by tourists, though one that has a lot of interesting spots. The tour starts on busy Calle Burgos, a pedestrian street in the heart of the shopping district. Heading uphill towards the west, you reach Plaza de Numancia and the Volunteer Firefighters' Park Building. Continuing uphill, you soon come to Alameda de Oviedo, with San Fernando and Vargas streets off to the sides. Still continuing along this street, you come to Cuatro Caminos roundabout. From here, take Avenida de Pedro San Martín until you reach Glorieta de los Osos (Bear Roundabout), in the Ciudad Jardín district. Here you can admire the ruins of the 16th-century Pronillo Palace, one of the oldest buildings still standing in all of Cantabria. Heading back to Cuatro Caminos, you'll find Plaza de México and the bullring, the latter also housing the Bullfighting Museum. If you take Calle Jerónimo Sainz de la Maza and cross the train tracks, you reach Parque de la Marga. Once on Calle Marqués de la Hermida, you can stop by the Lonja de Pescado (Fishing Wharf) and the old fishermens quarter, Barrio Pesquero. On Maliaño Dock, you can stop for a bite to eat at any of the numerous restaurants found here and sample some of the delicious fish and seafood caught fresh just off the coast. Heading back towards Cuatro Caminos 'a little slower this time as its uphill-, take Calle Alta, where you can visit Santa Cruz Convent -although it no longer houses nuns but a tobacco factory-, the Regional Parliament (located in what was once the San Rafael Hospital, dating from the late 18th century) and Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Church, also from the 18th century. Dining in Europe > Santander
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