Recently, getting to Galicia has become much easier and cheaper than in previous years, making the area a far more accessible alternative than the south of Spain with many great advantages.

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com/site/EN/) operate regular services from the UK (Stansted and Liverpool) as well as from Ireland and other European cities, like Franckfurt and Roma, to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ Labacolla Airport).

Traditional air companies, like Air Lingus (Irish, www.airlingus.com ),  British Airways (UK, www.britishairways.com ), or Iberia (Spanish, www.iberia.com ) are also starting to promote direct routes at low prices if you book well in advance.

If you prefer the freedom of your own car but do not want the long drive through France, we can recommend the overnight ferry service between Plymouth and Santander with Brittany Ferries (http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk).  Enjoy a leisurely cruise with on-board entertainment and restaurants before retiring to your en-suite cabin (some with TV and mini bar) to awaken refreshed in the morning to continue your journey to the furthest part of Galicia in the same day.  Property owners can secure excellent discounts on crossings with Brittany Ferries by becoming members of their Property Owners Club.

Current fuel prices in Spain are much less than in the UK and France and therefore taking your own car removes the need to hire a car from the airport, making the ferry a very economic and viable alternative, particularly for families travelling together.

The majority of the northernmost coast road from Santander is now almost all high standard motorway to Coruna and down beyond Santiago to Vigo via tolled motorway to speed you to your destination via some of the most breathtaking scenery of the forested mountains of the Picos de Europa and the stunningly beautiful coastline.  Break the journey and stop to savour the local dishes, wine and cider available as you drive through Asturias and onto Galicia.