8 Days – North of Spain by Luxury Hotel-Train: El Transcantábrico (Full Board)
The Transcantábrico hotel-train offers a bespoke experience to discover the North of Spain like no other! Relax and stay in luxury in your private cabin as you watch amazing landscapes pass you by, from mountains to the sea, savour the finest gastronomic delights of northern Spain on board as well as at some of the best restaurants enroute, discover famous cities and picturesque fishing villages every day in the included excursions and be pampered with the personalised service offered by El Transcantábrico.
Travel without the hassles of packing/ unpacking or planning as the train, with its luxuriously designed carriages, takes you in comfort and style from Galicia to the shores of Biscay.
route PROGRAMME
Day 1: Saturday: San Sebastian - Karrantza
Enjoy a welcome reception in San Sebastian, followed by lunch and a city tour. Transfer by luxury coach to Bilbao, where the El Transcantábrico is waiting to be boarded. Welcome by the crew as the train sets off to Karrantza. Enjoy the first dinner onboard. Overnight onboard in Karrantza.
Day 2: Sunday: Karrantza – Bilbao - Santander
Begin the day with a delicious breakfast. El Trancantábrico takes you to the dynamic city of Bilbao. Depart on a city tour including the famous Guggenheim Museum. Return to the train to continue the journey to Santander while having lunch onboard. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of the city and those who wish may visit El Gran Casino after dinner (entrance included). Overnight onboard in Santander.
Day 3: Monday: Santander – Potes – Cabezón de la Sal
Today, the train journeys to Unquera station from where you will travel by coach to reach the town of Potes. After visiting this charming village, enjoy a spa circuit at La Hermida Spa. Return to the train after lunch and a trip to Cabezón de la Sal. In the afternoon there will be free time and you may choose to visit the mansion of El Capricho in the town of Comillas. Dinner and overnight in Cabezón de la Sal onboard.
Day 4: Tuesday: Cabezón de la Sal – Santillana del Mar - Arriondas
The day begins with a visit to the beautiful town of Santillana del Mar followed by a tour of Altamira Caves. After lunch, return to the train as it travels to Ribadesella and visit its charming promenade and historic mansions. Dinner and overnight onboard in Arriondas.
Day 5: Wednesday: Arriondas – Oviedo - Candás
Today, head to the famous Picos de Europa National Park visiting Lake Enol and the Shrine of Covadonga enroute. Back onboard for lunch and a trip to the region’s capital, Oviedo to enjoy a city tour followed by free time. Dinner onboard the train as it travels to Candás.
Day 6: Thursday: Candás – Avilés – Gijón - Luarca
Begin the day by discovering the ancient cities of Avilés and Gijón, before returning to the El Transcantábrico to continue the coastal journey to Luarca. Dinner and overnight in Luarca.
Day 7: Friday: Luarca – Ribadeo - Viveiro
El Transcantábrico journeys today to the historic town of Ribadeo, in Galician lands, where a coach will take you to Las Catedrales Beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Enjoy some city sightseeing in Ribadeo and free time before lunch. Back on the train, depart for a trip to Viveiro, including city tour and lunch. Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.
Day 8: Saturday: Viveiro – Santiago de Compostela
While enjoying the last breakfast onboard, arrive in Ferrol, followed by a comfortable coach trip to Santiago de Compostela for a city tour and final goodbyes.