Santoña

Direct departure to La Rioja to reach Haro, the capital of Rioja wine, where we will visit CVNE, a centenary and emblematic winery in the area where we will take a guided tour including wine tasting. We will then go on a guided walking tour of the historical centre of Haro, walking through Plaza de la Paz. We continue on to the beautiful medieval town of Laguardia, where will start a walk through its picturesque narrow streets and then a guided visit to a small traditional winery where we will be able to learn about the wine making process from a more familiar perspective. After the visit, we will have free time for lunch. Before returning to Bilbao, we will pass through Elciego to discover the building of Marqués de Riscal, an outstanding example of modern architecture and a symbol of La Rioja region.

***IMPORTANT *** The live visit to the factory is temporarily cancelled (02/09/24-15/09/24) due to maintenance work at our factory. However, you can still visit the anchovy art gallery. This activity includes a visit to the Ana María Canned Food Factory where you can see the artisans working live and also includes a visit to the Ana María Canned Food Anchovy Art Gallery, known as the Anchovy Museum, where we will discover the history of Santoña's star product. It also includes a tasting! ***IMPORTANT *** The live visit to the factory is only available in the morning (12:30 p.m.) from Monday to Friday when our artisans are working. We will meet at the indicated time at the entrance to the Ana María Canned Food Anchovy Art Gallery, a prominent exhibition center that is also known as the Santoña Anchovy Museum. From there, if the visit is made in the morning from Monday to Friday, we will first go to our factory to participate in the anchovy-making process live! After this visit we will go to our anchovy art gallery to enjoy the visit to the museum. This museum will surely surprise you, as it offers a total sensory experience that will allow you to hear, see, smell, taste and touch. The exhibition is located in a unique building that recreates the seabed, where you can even see the remains of a stranded ship. Do you dare to explore this wreck? We will begin the guided tour listening to the sound of an auction, marked by the three sirens of the Santoña fish market that indicate that the fish is going to be sold. Next, we will enter the exhibition linked to the seabed, where we will see a series of utensils from the last century used in the fishing and preservation of anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea. The visit will continue in the projection room, where a video will explain the process that anchovies follow, from their fishing at sea to their preservation in a jar or can. Afterwards, a craftswoman will show us live how an octavillo is made, the tin container in which anchovies are preserved. We will end this visit, which will last approximately 1 hour, with a tasting of anchovies from Conservas Ana María. This brand has been awarded various national and international prizes for the best anchovy in the Cantabrian Sea in recent years. It will be the perfect ending!

On this visit we discover the natural environment of the Las Marismas Reserve, the main wetland in the north of the peninsula, and its environmental importance, during a pleasant walking tour through the natural environment. It is one of the wetlands of most ecological value in the north of Spain, and is used as a winter refuge and migratory passage by many species of birds and fishes. Next, we visit a canning factory where we will be shown first-hand the anchovy fillet making process, all accompanied by a tasting of the factory's products. You will learn about the process of anchovy production and savor this popular product.

A must visit in Santoña is to visit our company where we elaborate the Best Anchovies of Santoña with a complete explanation and in a personalized way of the elaboration of anchovy and anchovy, with tasting of our products and a wine. Due to health regulations, we will not enter the processing areas. The visit consists of an audiovisual part, another part with an explanation in our facilities and at the end we invite you to a wine, vermouth or water. Fluency in Spanish is essential. Duration about 30 minutes.

You will leave Santander towards Santoña by van. It will take us 40 minutes to arrive at this small fishing village famous for its anchovy manufacturing industry. On your way to Santoña, you will drive along the marshes of Santoña, Vitoria and Joel. This natural bay is one of the best places in Cantabria for birdwatching and is listed as a protected natural park. Our first stop will be to visit the anchovy factory "Conservas Lavin", where you will learn about the process of anchovy production and savor this popular product. Next, you will enjoy a one-hour boat trip along the bay up to the famous lighthouse of "El Caballo". You will love the views over the bay, the cliffs, and the Cantabrian sea. Before leaving we will take a short scenic drive to see the port, the fort of Saint Martin, and the sea promenade. This is a quiet excursion for all ages, and especially for lovers of seafaring cities.

Begin your adventure at the picturesque fishing port of Santoña, where you'll gain insight into the daily workings of one of Cantabria's largest fishing hubs. Learn about purse seine vessels, decipher ship registrations, and observe the fascinating auction process where the day's catch is sold. Step into the Anchovy Art Gallery of Conservas Ana María, where history comes alive amidst a collection of antique machinery dating back to the early 20th century. Discover the Sicilian origins of anchovy filleting in the Cantabrian Sea and witness a demonstration by a skilled worker on the art of filleting anchovies. Conclude your tour with a sensory delight as you savor the flavors of freshly prepared anchovy fillets at the bar/shop within the Anchovy Art Gallery. Indulge your palate with the rich, savory taste of this local delicacy, perfectly complemented by its artisanal preparation.

This visit, which begins next to the monument to Juan de la Cosa, will take us to discover the surroundings of urban and marine Santoña. After learning about the exploits of Juan de la Cosa, we will go to the Carnival monument. The promenade, "the passage" will also be part of our tour in which we will take the opportunity to talk about Santoña as a stronghold. The marina and the promenade of the Italian salt fishmongers will allow us to discover the origin of the famous anchovy fillet. One of our last stages is the fishing port, and its auction room, in which we will enter and where we will learn about the mechanism of the sale of fishing.

On this visit, your guide will be the French emperor himself who will guide you through the fortifications of what was the impregnable square of the French troops in the War of Independence. Nestled approximately midway between Santander and Bilbao in the province of Cantabria, the town of Santoña is a fishing port that has an interesting history. Such was its strategic importance that it came to be called "The French Gibraltar" or the "Gibraltar of the North". Santoña is full of historical interest, from Romanesque churches to medieval forts, and a lot more besides. Strategically important by virtue of the mountain of Buciero, it once served as one of the headquarters for Napoleon’s troops. What includes: Santoña map and brochure / visit to one of the Santoña fortifications (San Martín or San Carlos) / Napoleonic diploma at the end of the tour.

Depart Santander for Santoña at 9:15 AM. This is a small fishing village famous for its anchovy manufacturing industry. Visit one of the most important anchovy factories in Santoña and discover how their anchovies are prepared. Enjoy the charming port of this village and the views over its beautiful bay. Next stop at the vineyard of "Bodegas Vidular". Enjoy a relaxing walk along their vineyard while you learn how they produce their white wine. After the tour, taste some of their wines with a small snack of local products. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the Pasiego Valleys (not included). Continue towards the viewpoint known as "Mirador de la Braguia" for fantastic views over the valleys and mountains. Finally, stop at the largest sobao-pastry factory in the area, "Sobaos Joselín". Visit their museum of “the sobao and the quesada", followed by a guided tasting of their products.