Day 1, Friday: San Sebastian
At your arrival, private transfer to your hotel and relax
Train tours
THE NORTH OF SPAIN BY LUXURY TRAIN
10 days and 9 nights The “El Transcantabrico” winds its way through the majestic provinces of old northern Spain – a relaxing cruise by train to traditional fishing villages, ancient cities and mountain hamlets where history, monument and custom have managed to resist the march of time.
Travelling at a leisurely pace of a mere 50 kms per hour the “El Transcantabrico” traverses around 1,000 kms of beautiful northern countryside during the 8 days of the journey.
El Transcantabrico “Grand Luxe” travels between San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela (in both directions) and carries a maximum of 28 passengers.
Each train offers a library, games and videos, a Dining Car, a Bar and Pub car for relaxing, enjoying the music… A multilingual tour guide will explain the sights en route and the rest of the team of true professionals will ensure your trip is one to remember.
The Gastronomy on the “El Transcantabrico” you are treated to the most varied examples of Spain’s northern cuisine, with the added advantage of dining at the best restaurants at each stop.
Outline tour North of Spain by luxury train:
(Regular departures from March to October)
Day 2, Saturday: San Sebastián- Villasana de Mena
Rendezvous in San Sebastián at 12:00. Passengers’ reception, welcome and lunch in San Sebastián, a city of elegant beauty and home to major cultural events such as its Film and Jazz festivals. Tour of the town after lunch and transfer by coach to Bilbao, where El Transcantábrico is waiting. Reception and settling in on the train. Once on board we will head for Villasana de Mena while we enjoy our first dinner. Night in Villasana de Mena/Mercadillo.
Day 3, Sunday: Villasana de Mena- Bilbao-Santander
We travel to Bilbao while enjoying breakfast on the train. City tour, which includes entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum. At the end of the morning we will return to El Transcantábrico, which will set off for Santander. Lunch will take place during the trip. Afternoon free with a visit of the city, featuring the Mataleñas area, the Sardinero Beach and La Magdalena Peninsula, where King Alfonso XIII had his summer residence. Dinner and overnight stay in Santander.
Day 4, Monday: Santander-Potes-Cabezón de la Sal
While having breakfast on board we will arrive in Unquera. By coach, and through the gorge of La Hermida, we reach the Shrine of Santo Toribio de Liébana and later Potes, known as the town of bridges and towers. After visiting this charming town, we will have a typical Cantabrian meal there. Afternoon with free time before returning to the train. Dinner and overnight stay in Cabezón de la Sal.
Day 5, Tuesday: Cabezón de la Sal-Santillana del Mar-Arriondas
After breakfast on board and from Cabezón de la Sal we travel to the Neocave of Altamira, the greatest exponent of Upper Palaeolithic cave art. Later we visit the town of Santillana del Mar, with its beautifully preserved medieval old town. We will take the train after lunch to continue the journey to the fishing village of Ribadesella, in Asturias. Free time to visit the town. Late in the evening we will travel by train to Arriondas, while enjoying dinner. Night in Arriondas.
Day 6, Wednesday: Arriondas-Oviedo-Candás
After breakfast on board we will travel by coach from Arriondas to the Picos de Europa National Park, where we will visit its Lakes and the Shrine of Covadonga. At the end of the morning we will visit Cangas de Onis, the first medieval capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, where we will enjoy a typical Asturian meal. Back on the train we will travel to Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias and the city that possesses a handful of unique Pre-Romanesque monuments. Afternoon free with a visit. Dinner on board as we go to Candás by train. Night in Candás.
Day 7, Thursday: Candás-Avilés-Gijón-Luarca
After breakfast on board the train, we go by coach from Candás to Avilés, the industrial city par excellence that has preserved its valuable historic old town. Then we go to Gijón, a city that is as open to the Cantabrian Sea as it is full of cultural events. After visiting the city and enjoying the food, the journey will continue by train to Luarca, a pretty seaside town embedded in a stunning landscape. Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight stay in Luarca.
Day 8, Friday: Luarca-Ribadeo-Viveiro
The journey takes us through the seductive Western Asturias to the actual border with Galicia, in whose first town, Ribadeo, the train will stop. Having breakfasted, we go by coach to the Playa de Las Catedrales, so named for the series of boulders and cliffs, some over 32 metres high, that erosion has sculpted in the form of arches and vaults to create one of the world’s most spectacular beaches. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon, we will travel to the historic town of Viveiro, capital of the region of A Mariña Occidental. Dinner and overnight stay in Viveiro.
Day 9, Saturday: Viveiro-Santiago de Compostela
The train will take us from Viveiro to Ferrol while we enjoy our last breakfast on board. By coach we will reach the final destination of our journey, Santiago de Compostela. We will visit this iconic Galician city, destination of pilgrims for a millennium, and where we will contemplate artistic jewels such as the Cathedral and the Plaza del Obradoiro. End of trip in Santiago de Compostela at 14:00.
At the end, private transfer to your hotel and relax.
Day 10, Monday: Santiago de Compostela. Departure
Private transfer to airport and departure.