The Move to Cantabria Podcast

Move to Cantabria
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Welcome to Celebrating life in Cantabria podcast. I am your host Grace. I chose Cantabria as our home and now support others do the same. Through these conversations we will help you fall in love with Cantabria, understand the culture, geography and history more and give you the tools, support and confidence to move and live here with ease. Sign up for our newsletter at www.movetocantabria.com Thanks for listening

  1. 2d ago

    Learning Spanish Is the Key to Belonging in Cantabria

    You can arrive in Cantabria with English — but to truly belong, you need Spanish. In this episode, Grace sits down with Arantxa from Unilang, a language school in the heart of Santander, to talk about why learning the language is the single biggest factor in a successful integration into life here. After the paperwork is filed, the school is chosen and the apartment is found, there's one thing that determines whether a move to Cantabria truly works: language. In this episode of the Move to Cantabria Podcast, Grace is joined by Arantxa from Unilang, an English school in central Santander, to talk honestly about what it really takes to learn Spanish as an adult — and why it matters so much more than grammar and verb tenses. They talk about: Why functional Spanish is essential for navigating bureaucracy, healthcare, schools and everyday life in CantabriaThe confidence to "give it a go" — and why fluency isn't the goal, communication isHow losing your voice in a new language can mean losing part of your personality, and the moment that starts to come backWhy culture and language are inseparable, from the healthcare system to ordering at the local butcherPractical first steps for newcomers: joining a sports or leisure centre, finding a routine café, and building a sense of belonging through small daily ritualsWhy learning from a native speaker who also understands your own language and culture can make all the difference This conversation is part of an ongoing effort to help everyone living in Cantabria — however they arrived — understand, appreciate and contribute to the culture here. Because culture is a living thing, and language is how you access it. If you're moving to Cantabria and want support finding the right teacher, Arantxa and the team at Unilang would love to hear from you — details in the show notes. https://www.unilang.es/es https://www.movetocantabria.com/

  2. Aug 27

    Forest School in Cantabria: Raising Kids Closer to Nature (with Enboscados)

    If part of why you're drawn to Cantabria is the idea of raising your children closer to nature, this episode is for you. Grace talks to Naomi and Marta, founders of Enboscados, an extracurricular forest school activity in Cantabria for children, families, and even businesses. Neither are originally from the region — Naomi moved from England, Marta grew up in the Pyrenees — but together they've spent years helping families build a genuine, hands-on connection to the outdoors here. They cover what a session actually looks like, and why the life skills children pick up outdoors — reading their own needs, managing real risk, solving problems within a group — don't stay contained to the woods. Grace shares how a single Enboscados session gives her family a shared reference point that carries into ordinary weekends: a lesson on footprints becomes something to spot on a family walk, a flower theme becomes a weekend planting activity. It takes the pressure off parents to be the ones constantly initiating that connection, and gives the whole family, not just the child, a way back into it. They also talk about how Cantabria's distinct seasons make this easier than you might expect, and why adults often need this reconnection just as much as their kids do. A practical, warm conversation for anyone thinking about moving to Cantabria — or already here and looking for a way to actually live the nature-connected life they came for. Visit the Enboscados website www.enboscados.org to see their full calendar of activities for children and adults, or follow them on Instagram to stay up to date www.instagram.com/enboscados www.movetocantabria.com

  3. Aug 8

    Two Arrivals: Mardi's Journey from Zaragoza to Cantabria

    Integration Stories is a series from the Move to Cantabria Podcast featuring honest conversations with people who've built a life here, in their own words. Every journey looks different — this is one of them. Mardi Lucich didn't move to Spain once — she moved twice, in two completely different chapters of her life. The first time, she arrived in Zaragoza with zero Spanish, trading a confident career in the US for total dependence on a language she couldn't yet speak. The second time, she arrived in Cantabria as a mother, choosing the region because of the school she wanted for her son. In this conversation, Mardi and Grace talk about: - What it's like to lose your sense of identity when you can't communicate fluently- How reconnecting with Spanish became a way of reclaiming her Puerto Rican heritage- The small, unglamorous markers of real integration — knowing your organic store, your dentist, your mechanic- Her reinvention into founder of The 3rd P, supporting women navigating perimenopause, especially those doing it far from home https://www.the3rdp.com/home-en This episode is for anyone wondering whether it's possible to rebuild a sense of self in a new country — twice. www.movetocantabria.com

  4. Aug 1

    Coffee Culture in Cantabria: It's Not Really About the Coffee, with Carlos Zamora

    Coffee Culture in Cantabria: It's Not Really About the Coffee, with Carlos Zamora

  5. Jul 22

    Cantabrian Food, Part 3: Cantabria's Food Culture: Valleys, Traditions, and the Local Table, with Carlos Zamora

    Food is one of the first things newcomers notice when they relocate to a new region, and one of the last things they truly understand. In this episode, we sit down with Carlos Zamora for the first in a series of conversations exploring the food culture of Cantabria. We talk about why the region's cuisine varies so dramatically from valley to valley, shaped by geography, altitude, and history. Carlos explains how mountain communities historically relied on beans, cheese, and pork, while coastal families built their meals around fresh fish, and how areas like Liébana developed their own traditions through closer historical ties to Castilla than to the rest of Cantabria. We also cover: Why cocido montañés reflects the practical, energy-dense diet of mountain farming familiesThe surprising history behind sobao, and how the recipe has changed since the 1930sWhy homegrown vegetable gardens matter more in Cantabria than ornamental onesHow to navigate a local fish market like Mercado de la Esperanza, and why buying what's in season is the best strategyWhy learning to shop for meat and fish in Spanish is a milestone in feeling at homeThis conversation is a reminder that understanding a region's food isn't just about eating well. It's about understanding the land, the history, and the people behind it.

  6. Jun 23

    Cantabrian Food, Part 2: The History of Seafood & the Origin of Rabas, with Carlos Zamora

    Before tourism, before Michelin stars, there was the sea. In this episode of the Move to Cantabria Podcast, Santander-born restaurateur Carlos Zamora explores the deep connection between Cantabria and the Cantabrian Sea, and how centuries of fishing shaped the region's identity, traditions and cuisine. From the ports of Santander, Santoña, Castro Urdiales and Laredo to the famous anchovies of Santoña, we discover how generations of fishermen, preservation methods and coastal communities created a food culture that remains central to life in Northern Spain today. And of course, we dive into one of Cantabria's most iconic foods: rabas. More than simply fried squid, rabas are part of the rhythm of life in Santander. Why are they traditionally eaten at aperitivo time? What makes the perfect raba? And how did they become synonymous with Sunday mornings and terrace culture? In this episode: 🦑 The history of fishing in Cantabria ⚓ How coastal towns were shaped by the sea 🐟 The story behind Santoña anchovies 🌊 Differences between coastal and mountain communities 🍋 The origin and traditions surrounding rabas ☀️ Why Sundays in Santander are incomplete without a plate of rabas A conversation about food, history and why the sea remains at the heart of Cantabrian life. https://deluz.es/ #MoveToCantabria #Cantabria #Santander #Rabas #SpanishFood #NorthernSpain #themovetocantabriapodcast

  7. Jun 11

    Cantabrian Food, Part 1: Inside Restaurant Culture with Carlos Zamora

    In this episode of the Move to Cantabria Podcast, we sit down with Santander-born restaurateur Carlos Zamora to explore the values, traditions and people behind Cantabrian food culture. Carlos has spent almost two decades shaping Santander's restaurant scene, beginning with the creation of Deluz in his grandparents' home in Sardinero and later developing a collection of restaurants and cafés built around sustainability, social impact and local sourcing. We discuss what visitors and new residents can expect from restaurant culture in Cantabria, why relationships with local farmers and producers matter, and how food reflects the region's identity and way of life. Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply curious about Northern Spain, this conversation offers a fascinating introduction to one of Cantabria's greatest treasures: its food. In this episode: • Carlos Zamora's journey as a restaurateur • The story behind Deluz and his restaurant group • Farm-to-table in Cantabria before it became fashionable • Supporting local farmers and producers • What makes Santander's restaurant scene unique • Dining customs and food culture in Northern Spain • Why food is such an important part of life in Cantabria Learn more about life in Northern Spain at Move to Cantabria. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode #themovetocantabriapodcast #cantabria #movetocantabria #santander #food culture

  8. May 13

    Schools in Cantabria, Part 2: What a Real School Day Looks Like

    What is school life in Spain really like for children and families? In Part 2 of our conversation on the education system in Cantabria, we go beyond the structure of schools and talk about the day-to-day reality of raising children here. We discuss: • School routines and schedules• Healthy eating and lunch culture in Spain• Screens, phones, and technology in schools• Public vs concertado schools• Community, integration, and making friends as an expat family• Why schools play such a huge role in helping families feel at home One of the things we love most about life in Cantabria is how community-centred childhood feels here. Schools are not just places children learn — they’re often where families build friendships, support networks, and a sense of belonging. If you’re considering moving to Spain with children, or already navigating life here as an international family, this episode will give you a real insight into the Spanish school experience. 👉 Follow and subscribe for future episodes of the podcast #movetospain #cantabria #expatfamily #spanisheducation #livinginspain #familyrelocation #northernspain #expatlife #movingabroad #cantabriaspain #themovetocantabriapodcast

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Welcome to Celebrating life in Cantabria podcast. I am your host Grace. I chose Cantabria as our home and now support others do the same. Through these conversations we will help you fall in love with Cantabria, understand the culture, geography and history more and give you the tools, support and confidence to move and live here with ease. Sign up for our newsletter at www.movetocantabria.com Thanks for listening

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