Availability Period: May - September.
Starting from the World Heritage City of Santiago de Compostela we also visit Santander, Bilbao and Leon.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 - 12th May: Our flight leaves London Heathrow (flight also available from Stansted) at 11.35 for our two hour journey to Santiago de Compostela. Afternoon and evening are free. Overnight in 4-star hotel.
Day 2 - 13th May: The journey begins in historical Santiago de Compostela, the city of St James and the focus of the pilgrim route. A walking tour shows us the beauty of the old quarter, the Obradoiro square as well as the famous Cathedral. In early evening we take our coach to Ferrol, where the train waits for us to begin our rail journey to Vivero, an attractive walled town on the coast with great ambiance. Tour of Vivero and dinner.
Day 3 - 14th May: Breakfast on board the train. We follow with a trip by launch on the ria or estuary. We continue by train through the scenic landscape called the Rias Altas or Upper Estuaries on to Ribadeo, set majestically on the mouth of the River Eo. Tour of
Ribadeo and lunch. From here we journey into the province of Asturias to Luarca, the white town of the green coast. Dinner in Luarca.
Day 4 - 15th May: Our train travels on toward Cudillero, a delightful fishing village situated in a sheltered cove. From there to Oviedo, capital of the Asturian Principality, a city of great elegance known for its gastronomic delights and some of the finest Pre-Romanesque monuments of Spain. Lunch in Oviedo. Afterwards we journey on to Gijón, the principal port city of Asturias and a visit to the Asturian Railway Museum with a short trip on one of their vintage trains.Dinner in Gijón.
Day 5 - 16th May: This morning we arrive in Arriondas as we enter the heart of Asturias. We take our coach up to the National Park Picos de Europa, visiting the lakes Enol and Ercina, and the sanctuary of Covadonga. Lunch in lovely Cangas de Onís. In the afternoon we will follow the River Sella as it winds down to the charming seaside resort town of Llanes. Dinner in Ribadesella.
Day 6 - 17th May: During breakfast the train will arrive in Cabezón de la Sal. From here we will join our coach to visit the Altamira museum which incorporates a replica of the nearby Stone Age caves famous for their pre-historic artwork. We continue on to Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval village captured in time. Onwards by coach to the attractive hamlet of Comillas. Lunch in Comillas. In the afternoon the train will take us to Santander, capital of Cantabria, a beautiful coastal city. Tour of the city followed by dinner. If you wish you can visit the local Casino after dinner.
Day 7 - 18th May: After breakfast the train will arrive in Bilbao, a modern bustling city, where the river searches for the sea. A tour of the city includes the famous Guggenheim Museum. Lunch in Bilbao. In the afternoon the train will arrive in the noble town of Espinosa de Los Monteros as we enter the province of Burgos. Dinner in Espinosa.
Day 8 - 19th May: In the morning we arrive in Vado-Cervera. From there we take our coach to visit the Canal de Castilla and a chance to view some of the Romanesque art and architecture of the province of Palencia as we pass through the towns of Carrión de Los Condes, Villalcázar de Sirga and Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de Sirga. We visit the monumental town of Saldaña and the old Roman town of Olmeda. From Guardo we take the train to Cistierna. Dinner in Cistierna.
Day 9 - 20th May: During breakfast the train will arrive in old Leon, a town full of history with an important old quarter centering around the 13th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Collegiate church of San Isidoro and the magnificent Parador of San Marcos, with its Spanish Plateresque façade. Lunch in Leon. The afternoon is free for your own exploration of this fine city. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Leon.
Day 10 - 21st May: This morning we catch a service train to Valladolid (for flights back to Stansted) or Madrid for our afternoon flight back to Heathrow.
Accommodation:
Travelers on the Transcantabrico enjoy a journey especially designed for rest and privacy, sleeping in comfort as the train stops at each station overnight. This means that your sleep is not disturbed by moving and jolting and gives those who enjoy nightlife an opportunity to go out and sample the atmosphere of each town. The train will be waiting for them at the station. Each compartment (all are suites) has a double bed, minibar, wardrobe, writing desk and telephone with an outside line. The floors are carpeted and the private bathroom has a hydro sauna, turbo massage, steam bath and hairdryer. Air conditioning and heating are controlled individually.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Full 9-night holiday from Santiago to Valladolid/Madrid. £1,699 - per person shared double bed suite on train. Limited twin bed suites available.
Includes one night in Santiago, 7 nights on the train and last night in Leon. Train only price (7-nights) is £1,559.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Railway Trips
Boating and Sailing
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