About us

Villas del Cantábrico was born as an association in 2000, becoming a foundation in 2005.

Its founding purpose has always been the construction of atraining ship

open to the whole society, and for this reason and since its constitution has worked on the design and development of an accessible and sustainable project by a small organization that would bring the sea closer, navigation and the environment to the whole world.

From the year 2001, first aboard the sailing ship Bon Temps (1926), and later with the new Bon Temps (1979), both sailboats of 13 meters in length and Ketch rig, we have made it possible to practice sail training and, at the same time, we have put into practice the concept “training ship”.

In this context, we began the work of dissemination through the Classroom of training through conferences, talks and the publication of our magazine Barlovento, the first and only publication dedicated to “sail training” published in Spain. We also publish, among others, the books corresponding to the maritime festivals organized in Santander in 2005 and 2009, in order to bring the world of the sea closer to all audiences.

Our love for the sea, sailing and big sailing ships is such that, before even constituting us as an association, in 1999, we began the negotiations so that the biggest event with tall ships come our coast. As a result of our efforts, the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race arrived in Santander in 2002. This event was the forerunner of the first and second Santander Sea Festival that was held in 2005 and 2009, respectively, becoming the first maritime festival organized in Spain.

Our passion and our commitment has not diminished since then and, thanks to the Third Santander Sea Festival to be held in 2019, and in which we encourage you to participate, we have a new opportunity to continue dreaming!