The country round santander and Vivero is very nice as is the inland - a bit like Devon very green.

If you are going for the flamenco. thats an expensive way to go. i did it first time that way, beecause it looks the most direct on the map.

are you going from England? the caen crossing is very cheap and you can take a couple of days driving down into Spain down a road that goes by the sea called the Catelan. Its very nice an experience in itself - the road side cafs could teach England a thing or two, and you can stop in pensions - cheap b an b's.

If you go from Santander, you have to cross mountains( I did it in a Lada!), and deal with the Madrid rushhour. Either that or do the expensive Santander crossing and then load your car on a train to take you down to flamenco country. A lot of people were doing that. All the fast roads skirting Spain charge a toll - have your credit card ready.

Have a good holiday - and best of luck if you're looking a gig. theres usually work. They like our music, but the Spanish are protective of the best gigs for themselves, which is fair enough I suppose.