Where we ' re going
The Cantabria region is on Spain’s north coast. Santander, the capital, is a port on the Bay of Biscay, known for its long, curving El Sardinero Beach, and Cabo Mayor lighthouse
In the forested Cantabrian Mountains, Picos de Europa National Park has hiking trails and ski areas
Included in our trip
Return coach from school - Gatwick Airport
Return flights from Gatwick - Bilbao (1 small hand luggage plus 20kg hold bag)
Coach in Spain (which will be with us for the whole trip)
Full board accommodation
Tapas tasting
Nightly Spanish lessons
City tour to the capital Santander
Surf lesson
Staying Where we are
Hotel Campomar, Playa la Arena
About the Hotel
We’re staying at the Hotel Campomar, Playa la Arena, Cantabria
We’ll be collected from the airport by our coach and driver - who will remain with us for the duration of our trip. The hotel is located on the sandy beach of La Arena with Isla village centre a 5 minute drive away. The hotel has plenty of space around it and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Santander, the capital of the province and a busy seaside town, is easily accessed.
The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, paddle ball court, pétanque, small mini golf and beach volleyball area (all included).
Student rooms; 3-5 bedded rooms
All en-suite
Hairdryer
Towel provided - NOT shower gel etc.
How we ’ re getting there
Departure Day - Tuesday 17th June
Meet at school at 6am sharp - we can't be late - we ' ve got a flight to catch!
Board the coach and we ' re off to Gatwick Airport.
Departing LGW at 0925hrs
Flying with Vueling Airlines flight VY6306
Arriving BIO at 1225hrs
Arrival home - Friday 20th June
Departing BIO at 1805hrs
Flying with Vueling Airlines flight VY7293
Arriving LGW at 1900hrs
Back to school approx. 8pm
Please be aware that meals on our flight are not included in the cost - but snacks and drinks can be purchased on board using a debit/payment card (airlines do not accept cash) or students can bring snacks from home.
Luggage allowance - 20kg plus one small on board bag - making sure no liquids of more than 100ml are in the hand luggagethese will be confiscated by Airport Security.
Our Itinerary
Day 1
After arriving in Spain, we’ll stop on route to the hotel, to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. Then we'll go to our hotel, check in and spend the remainder of the afternoon by the pool.
Dinner at the hotel, followed by a Spanish language lesson, reflections on the day and, following our very early start - an early night !!
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a leisurely wander around the town of Santander then lunch (packed lunch) before getting back on the coach and heading to the sea for our surf lesson!
After this we’ll head to our Tapas Tasting, then its back to the hotel for free time and later, our evening meal.
The evening will end with a Spanish language lesson and reflections on the day.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a full day’s visit to Parque De La Naturaleza De Cabarceno; (The natural park of Cabárceno) which is a naturalised space and is home to 100 animal species from five continents living in semi-captive conditions, including large enclosures where one or more species coexist.
Except for the food provided to them, the animals enjoy almost total freedom. Their environment and limited human interference allow the animals to live undisturbed as they would in the wild to promote a healthy ecosystem for all the species living in the zoo.
On the way back to the hotel, we’ll stop and have some free time in the cobbled streets and historic town of Santillan before returning to the hotel for dinner, Spanish language lesson and reflections and, after another busy day, to bed!
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel followed by packing up and getting all our luggage onto the coach ready for the airport.
We’ll spend our last day at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa and have our packed lunch. We’ll have some free/down time in Bilboa before we make our way to the airport for our flight home.
Packing list
Hand luggage (carry onto flight)
Passport & EHIC/GHIC (school staff will distribute these on the coach from school)
Food, drinks & snacks for the airport & journey*note 100ml liquid info below
Books/games/cards for the airport & flight - but no speakers
Any medication (including travel sickness tablets if required) these should be handed to Mr New after Airport security and should be labelled with name, dosage & any other relevant information. If over 100ml it must go into the suitcase.
Spending money - a mixture of pounds for the airport if required and Euros for Spain - a maximum of £40 total please all our meals are catered for.
Suitcase - maximum weight of 20kg -
(please note we will be charged for anything over 20kg and will have to pass the charge on to families when we return)
The weather in June in Cantabria is typically around 22'c, warm, but can be cooler in the evenings.
Clothes - enough for 4 full days and a couple of spares - we ' re out all day so won't change - maybe more comfy clothes for the evening.
T shirts & shorts
Day bag/small rucksack for the flight & our excursions
Light jacket - just in case of rain
Sun hat
Sun tan lotion
Toiletries
Swim wear
Beach towel
Medication (as above)
What not to bring;
Anything not covered by the Trip
Insurance, link here
Sentimental or expensive items, jewellery or electronics
Anything that you would be upset to lose or damage
Refillable water bottle - empty before we pass through security
Phone charger & European plug convertors
No speakers
Return home clothes - might be colder on our return...
*Liquids of more than 100ml should NOT be in hand luggage - these will be confiscated by Airport Security
Medical Information...
Thank you for advising us of medical information relating to your child.
Please ensure that students who carry or need an Epi Pen or Inhaler - have 2 of these for the trip. They should keep this in their hand luggage at all times. In addition to any medication that they may bring or need (please see page 7 about how to get this to us), we need your permission to administer basic medication if required when we are away.
Please complete the Google Form, linked here, by May 19th
Mobile phones
Whilst mobile phones are allowed on the trip, our usual school rules apply and they will be confiscated for 24hrs if they are used outside designated times (trip staff will advise what these are) We recommend not taking mobiles anywhere they may be damaged (i e our surf lesson or by the pool) - the school is not responsible for any loses or damages.
Parents & Carers - please check your child's mobile phone contract and make them aware of roaming charges - we don't want you to have a huge phone bill on their return home.
Contacts & Staffing
Trip Staff:
Mr Fincham (Trip Leader)
Mrs Morgan
Miss Nelson
Mr New (1st Aid Lead)
Contact - before departure;
Mr Fincham - Trip Leader; jfincham@blatchingtonmill.org.uk
Mrs Morgan, Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC); bmsevc@blatchingtonmill.org.uk
Contact-onthetrip;
Twitter:BMS _ cantabria25
Instagram:blatchmill_trips
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*Pleasenotethislandlinewillbelinkedtothemobilephoneofamemberoftheschool'sLeadershipteamwho willbeinEnglandforthedurationofthetrip
To Do List:
Complete Medicine Consent Form on page 8 ASAP but by 19 May th
Attend meeting in school on Tuesday 4th June - 5pm-6pm in the Canteen Passports can be brought to this meeting OR
Bring Passports & EHIC/GHIC into school between 2nd-5th June (to Mrs Morgan, EVC, room 25, 1st floor, west wing)