Summary
Short description
All gourmet dining and bar car indulgence, this is your chance to relive the Roaring Twenties with a luxury rail trip along Spain’s north coast
Highlights
- Travel in luxury aboard El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, enjoying wine-paired dining, suite indulgence and cocktail evenings
- Let coastal routes bring you between golden sands and medieval fishing villages before you turn inland for national parks and spa stops
- Compare the headline-grabbing sights of San Sebastián and Santiago with the rural charm of the region’s off-the-beaten-track interior
In Brief
- 1 Night San Sebastián
- 1 Night Carranza
- 1 Night Santander
- 1 Night Cabezón de la Sal
- 1 Night Llanes
- 1 Night Oviedo
- 1 Night Luarca
- 1 Night Viveiro
- 1 Night Santiago de Compostela
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Rail journey
Travel in utmost luxury along Spain’s northern coast, linking San Sebastián’s beach-fronted, Belle Époque charm with the great medieval wonders of Santiago. Along the way, you’ll stop at medieval fishing villages and idyllic beach towns, dipping inland to call at national parks, prehistoric sites, spas and traditional valley townships. There are even Bilbao’s contemporary masterpieces to keep you occupied. 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 fine dining in the restaurant car, with gourmet meals inspired by the train’s route.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Bilbao/San Sebastián
After enjoying complimentary airport-lounge access, you'll fly out to Bilbao where you will be met by your private driver for the short journey to San Sebastián. Along the way, call into Gernika to learn about its tragic Civil War past that inspired Picasso’s pacifism and one of his greatest paintings. Or, stop off for lunch at one of the many idyllic seaside towns; Leikeito is a particular favourite for its picturesque beaches and intimate cafés. On arrival in San Sebastián, check into your accommodation. Set close to the golden sands and a collection of stately buildings, it’s perfectly positioned to explore the city’s many attractions.
Stay: Hotel Costa Vasca, San Sebastián (Superior)
Day
2
San Sebastian
After breakfast and a free morning in San Sebastián, you’ll be introduced to northern Spain’s fine gastronomy and your fellow passengers over a welcome lunch. You’ll then enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Belle Époque grandeur of its old town, noting its atmospheric pintxo tapas bars and basking in the white-sands glory of its beaches. There’s something immensely likable about it all.
After, you will be transferred to Bilbao where you’ll board the El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo. As you travel through the verdant countryside to Carranza, you’ll settle into your wood-panelled Deluxe Suite, complete with en suite steam sauna, quilted sofa and even internet access. Then, take some time to explore the train’s 1920s Pullman coaches; there’s the all-inclusive gourmet dining of the restaurant car, the dances and live music of the 24-hour bar car and the panoramic relaxation of the lounges and tea rooms. It‘s all accented by the likes of stained glass windows and rich carpets.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Carranza/Santander
Enjoying a delicious buffet and à la carte breakfast, you’ll return to Bilbao. The Basque Country’s largest city has emerged from its days as an industry heavyweight, reimagining its skyline into a shimmer of modern architecture. This is perhaps best seen in the Guggenheim, a world-class contemporary arts museum that you’ll enjoy access to on a city tour. Then, returning to the train, you’ll take lunch as you speed on to Santander. As the elegant capital of Cantabria, your city tour will showcase its Belle Époque charms alongside its collection of welcoming beaches. You’ll also enjoy entrance to the century-old extravagance of the aptly named Gran Casino.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Potes/Cabezón de la Sal
Disembarking at Unquera, you’ll travel by coach through the gorge of La Hermida to reach Potes. This charming cobbled town enjoys a postcard-perfect setting in the Liébana Valley whose rolling greenery hides a collection of historic villages. Then, after some indulgence at the Hermida Spa and its famous springs, rejoin the train to continue to Cabezón de la Sal, a pretty terracotta-roofed town. You’ll have some free time to explore, or you may choose to visit Comillas’ El Capricho mansion – an impressively colourful 19th-century house designed by one Antonio Gaudí.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Cabezon de la Sal-Llanes
Your first stop today will be Altamira and its fascinating cave art, perhaps the finest example of the Upper Palaeolithic period – the Late Stone Age to us uninformed. Then on to Santillana del Mar and its beautifully preserved medieval centre. Here, flagstone streets lead between near-ancient churches and squares lined with towers, historic houses and fortified town halls. Then, there’s After lunch, you’ll continue by rail to Llanes in the Asturias region for dinner on board.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Llanes/Oviedo
Today your coach ride will bring you right into the national-park heart of Asturias, taking in mountain-framed lakes and the Shrine of Covadonga. Tucked away among those now-familiar peaks, its statue of the Virgin Mary – hidden in its caves – is said to have repelled the Moorish invasion. Back on board, you’ll continue to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias for a tour and then dinner on board.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Oviedo/Luarca
You’ll start the day by touring nearby Gijon - alive with cultural events, Gijón features a delightful collection of Roman archaeological sites, Romanesque churches and 19th-century shipyards. You’ll then return to the El Transcantábrico to continue your coastal journey to Luarca. This fishing village is best appreciated on a walk through its picturesquely, hilly surrounds before you zoom in with a stroll through its narrow, winding streets to reach a collection of pretty beaches.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Luarca/Viveiro
Hopping over the regional border into Galicia, you’ll arrive into Ribadeo. A seaside town of diverse attractions, it features everything from humble craft workshops to mansions built off the back of its historic, maritime wealth. Standouts include neoclassical residences and the 18th-century San Damián Castel. You’ll then continue, by coach, to Las Catedrales. Certainly ranking among the world’s finest beaches, it’s framed by a stunning series of sea-carved arches. Back aboard, you’ll continue onto Viveiro. Ranking among Spain’s best-kept secrets, its beach is gorgeous and its medieval walls hide Romanesque churches and welcoming restaurants that serve up superb, wine-paired seafood.
Stay: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Northern Spain (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Viveiro/Santiago de Compostela
Rolling into Ferrol, you’ll wave goodbye to its coastal fortress – the Castello de San Felipe – to catch the coach inland to Santiago de Compostela. Here you’ll follow in a long line of pilgrims to its famous cathedral, whose great Gothic tiers date back nearly a thousand years. A last city tour will then bring you through its narrow street maze among tapas taverns and delicate squares.
Stay: Parador Santiago de Compostela
Meals: B
Day
10
Santiago de Compostela to UK
After breakfast, a final transfer will then see you to the airport in time 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:
10-day tailor-made rail journey
from £9,310 pp incl. flights
Suite Gran Lujo 2024
Low Season
from £9,310 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £9,405 pp. incl. flights
The El Transcantabrico Gram Lujo operates between San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela April to October 2024
Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian: 06, 20 Apr / 04, 18 May / 01, 15, 29 Jun / 13, 27 Jul / 10, 24 Aug / 07, 21 Sep / 05, 19 Oct 2024
San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela: 30 Mar / 13, 27 Apr / 11, 25 May / 08, 22 Jun / 06, 20 Jul / 03, 17, 31 Aug / 14, 28 Sep / 12, 26 Oct 2024
Includes
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Flights from UK into Bilbao and returning from Santiago de Compostela
- Return private airport transfers
- 1 night pre-train journey hotel accommodation in San Sebastian on a BB basis
- El Transcantabrico Luxury train journey San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela
- A la Carte and buffet breakfasts every day
- All dinners, lunches onboard or in restaurants
- Welcome drink and snack
- Travelling toiletries bag
- Excursions and scheduled tours
- Luxury coach accompanying the train along the trip
- Farewell Gala dinner
- 1 night post-train journey accommodation in Santiago de Compostela on a BB basis
This itinerary also operates in reverse, starting in Santiago de Compostela and finishing in San Sebastian
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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