Summary
Short description
Discover the lush valleys, historic cities and rugged coastlines of Northern Spain in vintage luxury
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Highlights
- Explore the art and culture of Bilbao
- Visit the Pozalagua Cave at Sotoscueva
- Take in the history of the Roman Villa of La Olmeda
- Indulge with on-train and local dining and bar-car drinks
- End your journey with a stay in the historic Parador de Leon
In Brief
- 1 Night Bilbao
- 1 Night Espinosa De Los Monteros
- 1 Night Cistierna
- 1 Night León
- 1 Night Bilbao
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Rail journey
Travel in utmost vintage luxury in Northern Spain, linking Bilbao's contemporary masterpieces with medieval fishing villages before dipping inland to call at national parks, prehistoric sites, spas and traditional valley townships. As you go, you’ll recall the golden age of rail travel, sleeping in a wood-panelled suite and enjoying such onboard entertainment as show cooking and cocktail parties. You’ll also be treated to dining in local restaurants, with meals inspired by the train’s route.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Bilbao
After enjoying complimentary access to the airport lounge, you’ll fly out to Bilbao and head to your city-centre hotel for a one-night stay. As the only luxury property opposite the city’s gleaming jewel – the Guggenheim Museum – you’ll find all of Bilbao’s highlights right on your doorstep, with the rest of the day yours to explore. There’s also ample time to savour the superb tapas bars dotted around the central Plaza Nueva.
Stay: The Artist - Grand Hotel of Art, Bilbao (Deluxe)
Day
2
Bilbao to Espinosa de Los Monteros
After breakfast, enjoy a free morning in Bilbao. Wander through its alley-woven old town to discover the 14th-century cathedral and centuries-old tavernas, or stroll along the river and climb the Mallona Stairs for sweeping views across the city.
In the afternoon, make your way to one of Bilbao’s Belle Époque heritage buildings – La Concordia station – where you’ll board El Expreso de la Robla. As you journey through the verdant countryside to Sotoscueva, you’ll settle into your wood-panelled suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom.
Your next stop is Espinosa de los Monteros, a charming village in the Buros Merindades on the southern edge of the Cantabrian Mountains. Here, you’ll enjoy dinner before settling in for your first night aboard in Espinosa.
Stay: El Expreso de la Robla (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Espinosa de Los Monteros to Cistierna
After a delicious buffet breakfast, you’ll continue on to Mataporquera. Met off the train, you’ll travel through the breathtaking landscapes of Romanesque Palencia and Carrion de los Condes, where a wealth of historical sites await your discovery. There’s free time to explore before heading to Canal de Castilla and Fromista, home to the impressive Romanesque church of San Martín.
Then, following lunch, you’ll visit the Roman Villa of La Olmeda, famed for its magnificent mosaic collection. Then it’s back on board the La Robla Express in Cistierna, where dinner is served and you’ll spend the night in comfort.
Stay: El Expreso de la Robla (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Cistierna to Leon
Enjoy breakfast as you travel towards San Feliz. From here, you’ll head by coach to the city of León, where you’ll explore its historic centre, including San Isidoro and the magnificent cathedral. There’s free time to wander before your journey concludes at around 14:00.
Tonight, you’ll stay at the historic Parador de León – the perfect base for discovering the city’s culinary scene. Dotted throughout the streets are bars and restaurants showcasing the best of regional gastronomy, earning the area its nickname, El Húmedo. You can also continue your route to the Palace of los Guzmanes and the Casa de los Botines. The palace’s 16th-century façade features striking lattice balconies, while the Casa de los Botines is a masterpiece by Antonio Gaudí, who brought modernist style to the city. You’ll find more examples of this artistic trend in the nearby Santo Domingo square.
Stay: Parador de Leon (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Leon to Bilbao
After breakfast, enjoy free time in Leon to explore the historic city before boarding a local train back to Bilbao.
Stay: The Artist - Grand Hotel of Art, Bilbao (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
6
Bilbao to UK
After a final breakfast, you'll be transferred to Bilbao airport for your flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
6-day tailor-made rail journey
from £2,060 pp incl. flights
Twin cabin 2026 departures
2026 dates
Bilbao to Leon
19 Jun / 25 Sep
Leon to Bilbao
05 Jun / 11 Sep
Includes
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Return flights to Bilbao
- Return private airport transfers
- 1 night pre-train journey hotel accommodation in Bilbao on a BB basis
- El Expreso de la Robla Luxury train journey Bilbao to Leon
- Buffet breakfasts every day
- All dinners, lunches onboard or in restaurants with wine, water, soft drinks and coffee
- Welcome drink and snack
- Excursions and scheduled tours including tickets for museums, monuments and shows
- Luxury coach accompanying the train along the trip
- Daily newspapers and magazines
- 1 night post-train journey accommodation in Leon on a BB basis
- Standard rail journey from Leon to Bilbao
- 1 night Bilbao on a BB basis
This itinerary also operates in reverse, starting in Leon and finishing in Bilbao
In August an alternative route from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo is available (The Pilgrim's Route)
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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