Quality villa in mountain splendour, Santander, Northern Spain

Upstairs are four generously-sized bedrooms, lent character with colourful rugs, large wardrobes, wooden flooring or small sitting/reading areas. Two of the rooms have balconies with views to the beech woods. A double-bedded room also has an inviting loft with a bed for a child.

Abiada (population 88) may be light on services, but there are at least a couple of bar-restaurants, one with a summerhouse dining area, and horseriding is also available: an ideal way to get to know the local mountains.

The endearingly named Alto Campoo area is a high glacial valley home to red and roe deer, chamois, wild boar, birds of prey, even bears and wolves. There are ancient oaks and the walnut tree by the church in nearby Hoz is believed to be the oldest in Spain. 

Alto Campoo is well known for ancient relics and remains: the Roman path of Pesquera and the Roman city remains of Julióbriga, the cave church of Valverde, the nearby medieval castle of Argueso, the Iron Age settlements at Aradillos and the megaliths above the village of Mazandrero.

A half hour drive will take you to the forests of Saja-Besaya, to water sports at the Ebro Reservoir, or to the ski resort, which also open in summer for downhill biking, lifts up to the high peaks and treks into areas of natural splendour.

From Santander airport or ferry, the journey to the villa takes one hour. There are good beaches at Santander, too, if you don't mind the drive.