BlueChip

I'm arriving by car Ferry in Santander on Monday 1300 then have to meet someone at Valencia airport at 2300 Tuesday evening.
Any suggestions how to spend the time Monday afternoon/evening and Tuesday, where to stay and most scenic route.
I'm not interested in visiting the Gugenheim.

bxpuser24710519

A look around Burgos then overnight at the Parador de Gredos stunning mountain area.

Retired in Euskadi

Some alternatives:
1....Santander-Valladolid & then between there & Segovia you have some spectacular castles such as Coca, Medina del Campo, Arevalo, Peñafiel. Further east between Valladolid & Zaragoza you have Berlanga de Duero castle. About 30miles south of Zaragoza you have Belchite, a village left in total ruins since the Civil War. Nearby is Fuendetodos, birthplace of Goya.
2....Santander to Burgos, visit the cathedral, then east towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada & before Logroño (with lovely pintxos) see Laguardia in la Rioja, a hilltop picturesque wine village & overlooking the Calatrava-designed bodega de Ysios, nicer than the garish Gehry mini Guggenheim of bodega Marques de Riscal at nearby Elciego. On the A124 road just outside Laguardia is a good value 'menu del dia' restaurant for €12 & called La Huerta Vieja.

Rosemary

You could travel straight to Valencia and enjoy your time in the city because there is so much to see.

Rosemary

chopera

The cañon de los lobos in Soria is pleasant enough if you are going via Burgos and Soria. I think the Parador de Gredos is a bit out of the way though.

If it were me and the weather is nice then I'd either hit the beach at Santander, which is fantastic, or I'd drive across to San Sebastian, spend the night there, and then head down to Valencia via Zaragoza. If I had time I'd either spend the morning in San Sebastian or I'd take a look at the Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza.

BlueChip

Great suggestions - thanks.
Keep them coming.

TheLostPhotographer

If you don't fancy a long drive immediately, I would suggest an afternoon, and evening visiting Santillana del Mar - a short drive from Santander.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santillana_del_Mar

Very nice places to rest overnight. Do the long drive to Valencia the next day.

chopera

Good call. Probably better than San Sebastian as that can be explored any time. But if you are in the area and with a car, then it's best to head for less accessible places. Castro Urdiales is another option.