El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
A luxury train journey in Northern Spain
• Bilbao • Santander • Europa National Park • Lake Enol • Ribadeo
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
EUR
€8,900
|
Days
8
|
Nights
7
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
EUR
€8,900
|
Days
8
|
Nights
7
|
Introduction
Imagine a luxury hotel on rails that takes you to the nostalgia and charm of 20th century trains, but with the technology and comfort of the 21st century.
Eight days of luxury and a time travel experience that you will never forget.
The “El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo” route starts in the charming town of San Sebastian and takes you to Santiago de Compostela, a magnificent city in the northwest corner of Spain (or vice versa). The journey will take you along the jagged coastline of the Bay of Biscay from the Basque Country to Galicia, offering majestic landscapes, ancient culture and delicious cuisine.
The Train: The El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Suites are designed for rest and privacy, and with only fourteen suites spaciousness, comfort and exclusivity are assured. Breakfast is served on the train while you pass the valleys, fjords, natural parks, bridges and fishing towns of the northern Spain coast and countryside. Lunch and dinner are taken at local restaurants served with a selection of wines. The train does not travel at night, ensuring a peaceful sleep.
The train accommodates just 48 guests and runs on a narrow gauge railway with only 3 feet between rails. Four of the ten carriages are saloon cars featuring a bar and dining room. The suites have a double bed, wardrobe, writing desk, telephone and private bathroom.
Itinerary
Day 1 : San Sebastian > Bilbao > Carranza
Begin in the elegant city of San Sebastian with a reception, lunch and city tour, before transferring to Bilbao by luxury coach to board El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo. Overnight in Carranza.
Day 2 : Carranza > Bilbao > Santander
Start the morning, as you will every day, with a delicious buffet and a la carte breakfast. The Transcantabrico will return to Bilbao for a visit. A city filled with dynamism, Bilbao has managed to reinvent itself after the decline of its traditional heavy industry activity. The tour includes entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum, symbol of this new Bilbao. Return to the train for a meal while heading to Santander. Tour the elegant capital of Cantabria and enjoy free time to discover it on your own. Dinner and overnight in Santander.
Day 3 : Santander > Potes > Cabezon de la Sal
After breakfast, set off by coach for Potes, crossing the impressive Pass of La Hermida. After the visit of this charming Cantabrian village, you can enjoy a thermal circuit at the La Hermida Spa. After lunch visit El Capricho in Comillas, a colourful 19th century palace built by Antonio Gaudi. Dinner and overnight on board the train in Cabezon de la Sal.
Day 4 : Cabezon de la Sal > Santillana del Mar > Ribadesella > Arriondas
Start the day by visiting the Altamira Neocave, a museum and faithful reproduction of the maximum exponent of rock art in the Upper Paleolithic. Then onto the town of Santillana del Mar with its magnificently preserved medieval district. After lunch, return to the train to enter the region of Asturias as far as Llanes. Dinner on board the train and overnight stay in Llanes.
Day 5 : Arriondas > Oviedo
After breakfast, coach trip to the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. Visit Lake Enol and then head towards the Covadonga Sanctuary, a holy site full of tradition and legend. You will then return to El Transcantábrico to have lunch on board while travelling to Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias. Tour, dinner, and overnight stay in Oviedo.
Day 6 : Oviedo > Gijon > Luarca
Begin the day by touring Gijon, a city open to the Bay of Biscay and packed with cultural events. Lunch in Gijon before returning to El Transcantábrico. Then travel along the Asturian coast as far as Luarca, known as the White Town of the Green Coast, where you will enjoy a guided tour of this charming seaside locality. Dinner and overnight stay on board the train in Luarca.
Day 7 : Luarca > Ribadeo > Viveiro
Trip to Ribadeo, a historic Galician town bordering the Principality of Asturias. Then travel along the Lugo coast by coach as far as Las Catedrales Beach, one of the most spectacular in the world. You will then enjoy a panoramic tour of Ribadeo and have lunch. In the afternoon, travel by train to Viveiro, where, after a guided tour, you can enjoy some free time. Dinner and overnight stay on board the train in Viveiro.
Day 8 : Viveiro > Santiago de Compostela
While enjoying your last breakfast on board, travel to Ferrol, where the coach will be waiting to take you to Santiago de Compostela. Tour of the city’s old town, which has been the destination of pilgrims for a thousand years and features countless artistic gems, such as its magnificent cathedral. End of trip around 1:00pm after visiting the Parador de los Reyes Católicos.
*Itinerary also operates in reverse
Need Help?
Pricing
Pricing (per person), EUR
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||
Grand Luxury Suite, from |
€8,900 |
€15,400 |
Special Offer
Book by 15 April to save 10%!
Book and deposit by 15 April on a Grand Luxury Double Suite aboard the June 29; July 6, 13, 20 or 27; or August 3 or 10 departures in 2024, and save 10%! Offer applies to new bookings only, to the rail journey only, and is subject to availability.
Free rail transfers in 2024!
Book a 2024 departure, and if flying into Madrid, your Renfe rail connections from Madrid to San Sebastian to start your journey, and from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid at the end of your journey, are free! Offer applies to new bookings only and is subject to availability.
Departs
2024 |
San Sebastian > Santiago de Compostela |
30 Mar; 13, 27 Apr; 11, 25 May |
8, 22 Jun; 6, 20 Jul; 3, 17, 31 Aug |
14, 28 Sep; 12, 26 Oct |
Santiago de Compostela > San Sebastian |
6, 20 Apr; 4, 18 May; 1, 15, 29 Jun |
13, 27 Jul; 10, 24 Aug |
7, 21 Sep; 5, 19 Oct |
Included
• Accommodation onboard in Grand Luxury Suite
• Free train transfers to/from the train station nearest to your origin, and to/from your origin/end of trip
• The option of enjoying two private lunches/dinners in the comfort of your cabin
• All non-alcoholic drinks available in the cabin’s minibar (complimentary)
• A la carte and buffet breakfasts every day
• All dinners and lunches, with the finest cuisine aboard the train or in top restaurants (including wine, water, soft drinks and coffee)
• Welcome drink and snack
• Farewell dinner – gala party
• Traveling toiletries bag courtesy of Renfe Viajeros (with amenities and slippers)
• Free mineral water available in the cabin’s minibar
• Activities on board: music and live performances, parties in the pub car, show cooking and cocktails, dancing, etc
• Tickets to museums, attractions and shows
• Excursions and scheduled tours
• Luxury coach accompanying the train along the trip
Not Included
• Laundry service
• Bar service
Important Notes
• Prices vary per departure
• Fares are based on reservations made at least six months in advance
• Higher fares apply for bookings made within six months of departure – please contact us for details
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions
Related Blogs
Best of the Med’
Caroline Clegg
5 October 2016
Buried Roman cities, teetering coastal villages, Venetian palaces, awe-inspiring art…