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4.9

Transcantabrico Gran Lujo*****: 10 days luxury through Northern Spain
Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Full luxury rail cruiser between San Sebastian and Santiago

Along the same tracks that the historic Robla Railway ran, carrying cars full of coal from the mines in León to Biscay, the Transcantabrian began its career in 1983. And, so one hundred years after the legendary Orient Express, the first Spanish tourist train was born.

The FULL LUXURY Transcantabrian Rail takes you back to that golden age of great railway journeys, while still being able to enjoy all the comforts and modern conviences of the twenty-first century. Its rooms and suites, carefully remodeled and acclimated display its full majesty in rail travel.

The train suites are spacious with wood paneling. The floor plan includes a living room, bedroom and private bath all decorated with exclusive detail. Its ample space allows for a comfortable double bed two meters long (or twin single beds), and on the train you can choose a double or individual suite, where you'll have the necessary intimacy you desire on any trip. In addition, your suite will include a wardrobe, trunk, desk, safe and minibar. In addition, and for maximum comfort there are also LED screens, synchonized music, adjustable air-conditioning , multimedia computer with free Internet access and interior telephone.

Besides a living room with convertible sofa/bed, the Full Luxury Suites offer large windows and a magnificient private bath, spacious and comfortable, with a hydromasage shower/steam sauna, hair dryer and varied set of welcoming items.

Especially decorated with the original classic train ambiance of these vintage trains, your rail living quarters will become your second home. Breakfasts à la carte and selected dinner or lunches are served daily in the carriage commons. These are pleasant public areas on board. You can also enjoy other rail car spaces such as tearooms, the scenic view car or pub car, where every night parties, music or live performances are offered. All the train, bedrooms and shared areas, are connected internally allowing the free movement of travelers.

In an evocative and pleasant atmosphere, a first-class crew will provide for you the rich culture and cuisine of Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia and give you the foundation that makes every FULL LUXURY Transcantanbrian trip a genuine pleasure for all the senses.

On this trip you travel from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela or vice-versa, a journey through Spanish history, from prehistoric times to the present. You personally get to know the Northern Coast of Spain, bordering the Cantabrian Sea. You experience Northern Spain's steep mountains cliffs and green meadows, beaches and joyfully discover the towns and villages along the way. Each place, such as Santillana del Mar, Santander, Santiago de Compostela, the Costa Verde... is full of charm, vitality and history, places that have been converted themsleves over the centuries into works of art.

This train itself is fully set up so that you can fully enjoy the Spanish culture, art, landscape, cuisine, and of course, the thrill of luxury rail car travel.

The train goes for 8 days and 7 nights from San Sebastian to Santiago or vice-versa. We combine this train trip with 1 night in San Sebastian and 1 night in Santiago.

In San Sebastian, on your own, you can enjoy the beautiful maritime boardwalk and its fabulous cuisine. In the same way, you can also discover the pretty city of Santiago with its legendary Cathedral and marvelous ambiance full of pilgrims from all over the world. 

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  • From 7600 EUR/pers.
  • 10 days / 9 nights
It includes

From 7.600 EUR/pers.Per person in a double room

Single room supplement: 5.600 EUR

It includes
  1. 9x nights accomodation - 2x nights in lovely hotels (San Sebastian and Santiago) and 7x nights on board Transcantabrico.
  2. 9x breakfasts. 
  3. 7x dinners and 7x lunches with typical dishes from different regions during train tour (includes wine, coffee and liqueurs). 
  4. Transport from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian. 
  5. Music and entertainment in the “pub-car”.
  6. Scheduled programmed excursions including entrances to museums, cathedrals, monasteries, etc.
  7. Luxury bus for excursions (accompanies train throughout the trip).
  8. Daily newspapers and magazines.
  9. Permanent security service/guard.
  10. Multilingual guides throughout the tour.
  11. Excellent support team at your disposal.
  12. Spain-is-Mores digital travel Guidebook in English with recommendations, itinerary, guides, maps, directions. 
  13. 24/7 emergency telephone number.
  14. Taxes.
  15. No mandatory tips.
Not included
  1. Transportation from Bilbao airport to train or bus station in Bilbao. Transportation from Santiago to Santiago airport (taxi aprox. 21€).
Optional
  1. Personalise your trip: Extended stays, transportation from starting point from anywhere in the world and back, together with interesting and authentic experiences etc. Please ask us, we will be happy to assist you.
  2. Extended stay in Madrid, León and Santiago de Compostela or elsewhere can be arranged.
  3. Cancellation insurence: 6% of total price (can be added when ordering).
Detailed itinerary
Detailed itinerary (view all days )
Day 1: Arrival to San Sebastian

You arrive to one of the most interesting cities in Spain. San Sebastian in the Basque country. It's a gastronomical mecca full of Michelin star restaurants. We recommend you go into Old Town at nightfall and to try the superb pintxos (snacks/appetizers) that there are served there - an unforgettable experience. San Sebastian extends along the magnificent beach of la Concha which is why we recommend a stroll there when you need a break from the food ... Enjoy!

Day 2: San Sebastián – Carranza

Meeting point in San Sebastian is at 13:00 at the Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca. There will be a Travelers' Reception and meal in this beautiful, elegant setting, seat of important cultural events. After tasting your first luch and a guided visit, your luxury bus will take you Bilbao where the Luxury Trancantabrian is waiting for you. At your arrival the crew will toast you a welcome drink. Travel to Villasana de Mena while you enjoy your first dinner on board. Overnight at Carranza. 

Day 3: Carranza - Bilbao - Santander

You'll start today en route to Bilbao, a dynamic city that has managed to reinvent itself after the decline of traditional heavy industry. There is time to disembark and visit this city. The tour includes the entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum, symbol of the new Bilbao. Back on the train, and while enjoying lunch, the train will turn towards Santander, the Cantabrian elegant capital, where you will have free time to take a panoramic tour.  Dinner and night in Santander.

Day 4: Santander - Potes - Cabezón de la Sal

Travel on your Transcantabrico Rail to Unquera to take a bus waiting there. As you go towards Potes, you'll cross the impressive gorge, Desfiladero de La Hermida. After visiting this charming Cantabrian town, you can enjoy the thermal baths at Balneario de la Hermida. Return to the train after lunch and you will be directed to Cabezon de la Sal. In the afternoon, you have free time with the option to visit El Capricho, in Comillas, a brilliant and colorful nineteenth century palace by Antonio Gaudi. Dinner and night in Cabezon de la Sal.

Day 5: Cabezón de la Sal - Santillana del Mar - Llanes

Today you'll explore Santillana del Mar, a medieval village with a well-preserved Old Town. Afterwards, you'll discover the Neocave of Altamira, the museum and greatest true-to-life reproduction of Upper Paleolithic rock art. After lunch, you return to the train which will roll along, carrying you into Asturias, where you will stop for a visit in Llanes. Your first step in Asturias will be to enjoy its pleasant seaside promenade. Dinner and night in Llanes.

Day 6: Llanes - Oviedo

Today you will be taken to the heart of the Principado de Asturias.
You'll visit the magnificent National Park, Picos de Europa, going up to Lake Enol, and later to the sacred shrine of Covadonga, a place full of tradition and legends. You will later return to the train for lunch on board and travel to Oviedo, capital of the Principado de Asturias and best representation of preRomanesque Asturian gems like San Julián de los Prados. Plan on visiting the city and having some free time. Dinner and night in Oviedo.

Day 7: Oviedo - Gijón - Luarca

The day starts going towards Gijón, a place as open as the Cantabrian Sea, a charming city full of cultural events. You will return to your train, the Luxury Transcantábrico to tour the Asturian coast until you arrive to Luarca, the Villa Blanca of the Costa Verde. In Luarca you will enjoy a guided tour of this charming seaside town, have dinner and stay the night.

Day 8: Luarca - Ribadeo - Viveiro

Reaching Galicia, you will visit Ribadeo, the historic village bordering the Principado de Asturias. From here, you will travel by bus along the Lugo coast to the Beach of the Cathedrals, one of the most spectacular in the world. Following that, you will take a tour of Ribadeo and have a bit of leisure time. Finally, back on the train, you will come to Viveiro while having your lunch. There will be a guided tour of this beautiful town and some free time. Dinner and night in Viveiro

Day 9: Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela

While you enjoy your last breakfast on board, you will arrive to Ferrol, where the bus Transcantabrian will be waiting for you.  It will comfortably carry you to Santiago de Compostela. Visit the historic center of this city, the destination of pilgrims for a thousand years with its countless artistic jewels treasured through the ages. The train ride ends after this visit.

Day 10: Departure

Breakfast and end of journey.