Travel Arrangements
We know we're asking a lot...
We understand that attending a wedding abroad means a lot more faff than usual...
BUT, Northern Spain isn't the farthest reaches of Outer Mongolia. In fact it's easier and cheaper to get to than many places in the UK, like our beloved Exeter or Falmouth for example. Accommodation is super affordable and the region is set up to facilitate tourists along the famous Camino de Santiago. There are lots of places to stay, and more importantly, lots of places to see!
If you get stuck, or you're feeling daunted, please feel free to give either of us a call and we can talk you through what you need to do.
We recommend flying into Santander, hiring a car and venturing to the region that way. There are a number of buses that can take you to Noja or San Miguel de Meruelo, or Isla - but travelling via car would be the easiest and most enjoyable way to explore the region by far.
We've collated a bunch of links to some suggestions below, but ultimately the best thing to do is gather in groups. To hire a car for four days out there will cost around €115 in total. So between four of you, that's €28.75, or €7.18 per day... it's really not that pricey when you think about it.
The whole region is pretty stunning, but the transport infrastructure is the equivalent of moving around Cornwall, hence recommending car hire. In fact, it's best to think of the whole area as something akin to a mountainous, slightly warmer Cornwall where the locals are equally lovely and equally incomprehensible.
We are obviously really excited for the wedding... but we're also really excited to share a real hidden gem. It's a part of the world very much hidden from view, with absolutely loads to offer. We'd like to think that at least some of you might be able to tack on a holiday at either side of the wedding to kick start, or wrap up a really amazing holiday to make it more worth your while.
Astrid will be in Spain from 21 April 2022, and George is hoping to be there from 25 April 2022, so if you do fancy coming out sooner - do let us know.
The Base for the weekend : Palacio del Tejo, 39192 San Mamés de Meruelo, Cantabria, Spain
If you are planning on travelling in groups, please could you let us know when you RSVP?
Similarly, if you could let us know how you are planning on getting to Spain and when, we could try to arrange airport transfers if you are not hiring cars.
Where to park...
If you are hiring a car or plan on bringing your own, there is plenty of parking.
At the church, there is a huge car park just in front of the church. At the reception venue, there is a huge car park behind the church (Bo. la Iglesia de San Mamés, 38A, 39192 San Mamés de Meruelo, Cantabria, Spain).
Both places have free parking.
What's happening when...
What's happening when...
All these details will be on your paper invites, but the itinerary so far is as follows (if it changes we will update the website and let you all know)...
Friday, April 29th:
We recommend everyone descend on the area, gear up and venture off into the local bars and beaches to sink a few civilised beers / vinos in the late afternoon before the big day.
We have hired the Palacio del Tejo as our wedding base for the weekend, so pop in and say hi / hola!
Saturday, April 30th:
We would recommend eating a big breakfast before the ceremony!
11:45 - 12:00 - Guests Arrive at Church
12:30 - Ceremony Begins
13:30 - Ceremony Concludes
13:45 - Confetti / Mingle / Photos outside church
14:30 - All to arrive at location for reception - Villa Abarca - Pinxos and celebratory toast with live music. We hope to celebrate under the Marquee but we also have use of the house in case the heavens open... the setting is beautiful as it is surrounded by the Spanish mountains and in the far distance you can see the Picos de Europa.
We will be welcomed by canapés (pintxos from the local area) / cóctel de bienvenida with a cheese board, sangria, various drinks of choice and a toast to the newly Weds.
16:00 - Dinner
17:30 - Speeches
18:30 - Cut the cake and FREE BAR / BARRA LIBRE
20:30 - First Dance and let the DJ start his magic!
23:00 - FREE BAR / Barra libre closes
23:30 - DJ ends and carriages to arrive at midnight
The Spanish DO NOT STOP AT MIDNIGHT. In fact, it's customary for parties to continue well into the waking hours of the following morning. This may come as a shock to many, but the local custom is to dance until sunrise is no exaggeration, or a throw-away adage to classic 90's club anthems. There will be rewards for those brave enough to meet the challenge. Except for the Spanish. I'm afraid it's expected of you... we will be continuing the party for those still dancing back at the Palacio del Tejo!
After-Party - 00:00 onwards at Palacio del Tejo wit h some surprises!
Sunday, May 1st:
Recovery. There will be a BBQ for the survivors, although it's a very much a bring-your-own food situation. We are speaking to a local butcher and for those who want to join, we will ask for contributions to the food on the day. Closer to the time, we will let you know how much that will be and we will ask you to RSVP to the BBQ. Weather dependent there are countless mountain trails; sandy beaches and a myriad of bars and restaurants to explore.
We'll be suggesting a day at the beach with games and beers for the afternoon, although George will be desperate for some sort of mountainous excursion.
Monday, May 2nd:
It's the Monday Bank Holiday in the UK, but depending on how far you've had to travel, it could take you a while to head back... unless you're part of the Spanish contingent, in which case it's not even a holiday for you so... sorry about that. We will be venturing off to our Honeymoon in the afternoon.
The Weather
A quick note on the weather, now it is Spain (so yes it will be warmer than the UK), but it is Northern Spain, so it won't be that much warmer. Last year it was 24 degrees on 30 April 2021, but it could be anywhere between 15 and 25 degrees (dropping to 10-12 at night). Please do come prepared for spring and not summer, you may also need a brolly!
We are keeping everything crossed for sunshine, but it could be windy and rainy or be all seasons of weather in one day (which is a usual phenomenon). It can be unpredictable, but that is why it is so green!
Santander
The direct flight to Santander from Stansted is just 1hour and 50mins.
Right now, flights from Stansted departing at 18:50, arriving at 21:45 and then returning 22:00 and landing in the UK at 22:50 cost £105.
There is another flight heading back on Sunday from Santander at 17:00 and arriving back in Stansted at 17:50 if you're in a job where you don't get bank holidays (like TV or NHS).
This is by far the biggest expense of the trip. Once you're in Spain everything is much cheaper.
Bilbao
The other thing you could do is fly to the second closest airport in Bilbao, just over 50mins from the venue. The best deal outlined below at the moment is £100.
There's a flight here going from Gatwick at 06:25, landing in Bilbao at 09:25 on the Friday (so you'd have the whole day to explore Northern Spain at your leisure) and then the return flight on the Bank Holiday Monday leaving Bilbao at 10:35, landing at 11:30.
There is PLENTY of parking at the church and at the venue. From the Church to the Venue is a 12 minute car ride.
We are looking at hiring one coach from the venue to the Church and back on the day of the wedding.
If you don't want to end up as the designated driver, there are loads of really, really cheap taxi companies prepped and ready to shuttle stumbling Brits to and from their poorly pronounced residences.
We've made a list tried and tested companies below...
We're also thinking about hiring a coaches to take people to and from the airport depending on whether or not people want them.
We have suggested hiring a car, because that gives you all freedom and flexibility to explore and do your own thing, but if you prefer the 1950's holiday package experience then we're happy to facilitate, but it would be great to get a sense of how many people want this.
Hiring a car
Santander airport has a variety of car rental companies on offer, and we would recommend booking in advance to get the best deals. We recently used Europcar for a weekend trip and it was 102 EUR for 2 full days.
The following car rental companies are at both Santander and Bilbao airports:
Europcar
Sixt
Budget / Avis
Hertz
Enterprise Rent-A- Car
How to get from Santander to Noja / Isla / Meruelo by public transport
The bus company is Alsa (and you should be able to put the website into English).
Exit the airport, and you'll find a bus which goes on the hour to the centre of Santander for €2.90 one way. It's not hard to find the bus stop and it is a small airport, and you just need to follow the taxis and then you'll find a BUS sign and hopefully a queue of people also doing the same. Currently, the bus runs once an hour a half past the hour (starting at 8:30am to 21:30pm). There is no need to book the bus tickets in advance.
Once you get to Santander bus station, it's the last stop, you need to look for a bus to NOJA (which is the biggest town closest to Isla and Meruelo). There are currently 3 buses showing (but we will check closer to the time as there are less in the Winter) at the following times:
14:40; 18:30 and 20:30.
The buses all stop in San Miguel de Meruelo (which is the village along from the reception venue) and also close to Isla. Dependent on where you are staying, and if you are not sure, it would be best to stay on to Noja and then get a taxi (there are taxis right next to the buses) to your accomodation.
The buses from Santander to Noja are just over an hour (as they stop in every town) but cost €4.40 one way.
You could get the boat...
Initially this will seem like the most expensive and long winded option...
HOWEVER... if you take our advice and use our wedding to bookend a holiday you'll never forget, all of a sudden this becomes THE BEST option.
The Brittany Ferry's website is the bane of anyone's existence, but to take your car over on the overnight crossing, including the cabin both ways costs £1050. A painful figure by any stretch... but considering that you can fit in an awful lot of luggage and people into a car, and the cabin sleeps 4... considering the money you save on hiring a car at the other end (around a hundred quid) - then consider you're able to take all the camping gear you could possibly want for a couple a week, two weeks - maybe more if you fancy it - this is a serious option.
George intends to get the ferry into France with his van, leisurely bounce off the wineries of Southern France, before steadily rolling into Spain and catching just the return ferry form Santander to Portsmouth. It's a tried and tested route, thoroughly civilised and a real pleasure throughout.