Where exactly is Casa Agara?

In Fresneda, in the Cabuérniga valley of Cantabria, northern Spain, inside the Saja-Besaya National Reserve on the river Saja. One hour from Santander airport, ninety minutes from Bilbao.

How many people does it sleep?

Casa Agara is a hosted, catered house, not an empty self-catered rental. Come alone and join a scheduled group week, or bring your own group of up to 24 —12 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms— to the whole hosted, catered house, with your hosts on site throughout.

What can groups do there?

Horse riding on the beach and through the valley, walking from the door to the Picos de Europa, surfing the Cantabrian coast, road cycling and MTB, yoga and wellbeing retreats, painting weeks, birdwatching, and culture days to Santillana del Mar, Comillas and Altamira.

Is it suitable for clubs and organised groups?

It is built for them: walking clubs, riding clubs, activity-holiday companies, yoga and art retreat organisers, family reunions and company offsites. One booking takes the whole hosted, catered house, with your hosts on site throughout.

Yes. There is no closed season: spring and summer for the coast, September-October for the deer rut and autumn colour, winter for empty trails and the fireplace.

Casa Agara — Hosted, Catered Group House in Green Spain, Cantabria

01 · On horseback

Riding holidays: beach, valley and mountain

Local guides · beach & forest · all levels

Canter along the sand at dawn and ride the Saja-Besaya trails in the afternoon. The kind of day a group talks about for years.

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No scheduled week for this yetJoin the waitlist for the next horse riding week →Meanwhile: see where Spice Escapes are going next →

02 · On foot

Walking: ancient forest to the Picos

From the front door · coast & mountain · Picos de Europa 1 h

Ancient oakwoods, coastal paths shared with wild horses, and ridgelines under circling griffon vultures. Routes for walking clubs and serious hikers alike.

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No scheduled week for this yetJoin the waitlist for the next walking week →Meanwhile: see where Spice Escapes are going next →

03 · In the water

Surf on the wild Cantabrian coast

Wild beaches · ~40 min · schools and hire

Some of the best waves in northern Spain, for first-timers and experienced surfers. Wide golden beaches, turquoise water, hardly anyone on them.

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No scheduled week for this yetJoin the waitlist for the next surf week →Meanwhile: see where Spice Escapes are going next →

04 · On wheels

Road cycling and MTB through the reserve

Legendary climbs · forest tracks · ride from the house

Pedal straight out of the gate into the protected forest, or take on the climbs that made Spanish cycling history. Secure bike storage at the house.

No scheduled week for this yetJoin the waitlist for the next cycling week →Meanwhile: see where Spice Escapes are going next →

05 · Wellbeing

Yoga and retreats by the river Saja

Equipped yoga room · beach yoga · real silence

An indoor yoga room, the sound of the river and forest in every window. The setting retreat organisers look for, one whole house to hold it in.

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No scheduled week for this yetJoin the waitlist for the next yoga & wellbeing week →Meanwhile: see where Spice Escapes are going next →

06 · With history

Santillana, Comillas and Altamira

Medieval towns · Gaudí · cave art · 35-45 min away

One of Spain's densest culture clusters is half an hour away: medieval Santillana del Mar, the Altamira cave, and Gaudí's El Capricho by the sea in Comillas.

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Next week — with Spice EscapesSolar Eclipse in Northern Spain · 9–16 Aug 2026