Summary
Short description
Meander through the lush valleys and along the rugged coastline 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 its medieval fishing villages and 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 airport-lounge access, you'll fly out to Bilbao, make your way to your city-centre hotel for a one-night stay. As the only luxury accommodation opposite the city's gleaming jewel – the Guggenheim Museum – you'll have all of the city's highlights on your doorstep, with the rest of the day free to explore. There's also plenty of time to enjoy the superb tapas bars 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 find its 14th century cathedral and centuries-old tavernas, or take a walk along the river and climb up the Mallona Stairs for views over the entire city.
In the afternoon make your way to one of Bilbao's heritage buildings of its Belle Epoque era - La Concordia station where you'll board the El Expreso de la Robla. As you travel through the verdant countryside to Sotoscueva, you’ll settle into your wood-panelled Suite, complete with ensuite bathroom.
The next stop is Espinosa de los Monteros, a beautiful village in the Buros Merindades on the southern side of the Cantabrian mountains, here you will have dinner, before settling down for your first night on board in Espinosa.
Stay: El Expreso de la Robla (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Espinosa de Los Monteros to Cistierna
Enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, you’ll continue to Mataporquera. You will be met off the train to travel through the breath-taking landscapes of the Romanesque Palencia, Carrion de los Condes, with many historical sites to visit and enjoy. You will have free time to enjoy before continuing to Canal de Castilla and Fromista, with its impressive Romanesque church of San Martin.
After lunch visit the Roman Villa of La Olmeda and its magnificent collection of mosiacs. Back on board the La Robla Express in Cistierna and dinner, Overnighting in Cistierna.
Stay: El Expreso de la Robla (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Cistierna to Leon
Breakfast whilst travelling to San Feliz. From here we go by coach to visit the city of León to explore its historical centre, San Isidoro and the Cathedral. Free time, to end the trip at approximately 14:00.
Your accommodation for tonight is the historic Parador de Leon, the perfect location to explore the city where dotted around the streets are bars and restaurants where you can sample the best of the region's gastronomy and which have made it worthy of the nickname El Húmedo. Also you can continue your route on to the Palace of los Guzmanes and the Casa de los Botines. The main façade of the palace, dates back to the 16th century and featuring prominently on the building are the lattice balconies and the lateral façade. The Casa de los Botines, meanwhile, is the work of the architect Antonio Gaudí, who launched the modernist style in the city. León has more examples of this artistic trend in the square of Santo Domingo.
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 standard train back to Bilbao
Stay: The Artist - Grand Hotel of Art, Bilbao (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
6
Bilbao to UK
After a last breakfast in Northern Spain, you will 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 £1,910 pp incl. flights
Twin cabin
2025 dates
Bilbao to Leon
20 Jun / 12 Sep
Leon to Bilbao
27 Jun / 19 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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