El Transcantabrico

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El Transcantabrico
June 6 - 15 (places can also be arranged on other dates May-Sep)

Pure luxury as we “rail cruise” the coast and mountains of North West Spain aboard the legendary El Transcantabrico. Starting from the World Heritage City of Santiago de Compostela we also visit Santander, Bilbao and León, and travel the length of the legendary “La Robla” line. Our main trip (escorted trip for just PTG) is June 6-15. If you can not make these dates then we can arrange your trip for other dates from May-October.

Friday 6 June Our flight leaves London Heathrow (flights also available from Stansted) at 11.35 for our two hour journey to La Coruna. On arrival we transfer by coach to Santiago de Compostela (45 minutes). Afternoon and evening are free. Overnight at the fabulous Parador Reis Catolicos right next to the Cathedral of St.James in this World Heritage City. There is also a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Santiago on a Thursday and Saturday.

Saturday 7 June (B,L,D) The journey begins in historic Santiago de Compostela, the city of St James and the focus of the pilgrim route. A city tour allows us to savour the beauty of the old quarter, the Obradoiro square as well as the famous Cathedral. Lunch in Santiago. From Santiago we take our coach to Ferrol, where the train awaits us to begin our rail journey to Vivero, an attractive walled town on the beautiful north coast. Tour of Vivero and dinner.

Sunday 8 June (B,L,D) Breakfast on board . We continue by train through the scenic landscape called the ‘Rias Altas’ or ‘Upper Estuaries’ on to Ribadeo, set magestically on the mouth of the River Eo. Trip by boat on the estuary. Tour of Ribadeo and lunch. From here we get into the province of Asturias in Luarca, the ‘white town’ of the Green Coast. Dinner in Luarca.

Monday 9 June (B,L,D) Our train travels towards Cudillero, a charming 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 travel to Gijon, the impressive city on the Asturian coast. Dinner in Gijon.

Tuesday 10 June (B,L,D) This morning we arrive in Arriondas as we enter into 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 Cangas de Onis. In the afternoon we will follow the River Sella as it winds down to the charming town of Ribadesella. From here we travel on to the beautiful seaside resort town of Llanes. Dinner in Llanes.

Wednesday 11 June (B,L,D) During breakfast the train will arrive in Cabezon de la Sal. From here we will take our coach and visit the Neocave Museum of Altamira which incorporates a replica of the nearby Stone Age caves famous for their pre-historic paintings. We continue on to Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval village captured in time. We enjoy a tour of the village and then have lunch in Santillana. 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.

Thursday 12 June (B,L,D) After breakfast there will be free time in Santander. Lunch on board while travelling to Bilbao, a modern bustling city, where the river reaches the sea. The tour of the city includes a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum. In the afternoon the train will arrive to Mercadillo. Dinner in Mercadillo.

Friday 13 June (B,L,D) In the morning we arrive in Vado Cervera from where we will be able to view some of the Romanesque art and architecture of the province of Palencia, as we pass through the towns of Carrion de Los Condes,Villalcazar de Sirga and Fromista. Lunch in Villalcazar.. We move on to Guardo where we take the train to Cistierna. Dinner in Cistierna.

Saturday 14 June (B) During breakfast the train will arrive in old León, as it traverses the river valleys sculptured by the rivers Curueña and Torio. Leon is a town full of history with an important old quarter situated around the 13th c. 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 the fabulous San Marcos Parador.

Sunday 15 June (B) This morning we catch a service train to Valladolid (for flights back to Stansted) or Madrid for our evening flight back to Heathrow. Also direct flights from Madrid to other UK airports.

Accommodation
Travellers on the Transcantábrico 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. All suites have large windows with curtains to contemplate the passing scenery. On the outside, the suite carriages have the same design as the rest of the train, to which they are connected internally, for the convenience of all passengers.

The Lounges
The Transcantábrico has four lounge carriages, absolute rail gems due to their external design and internal decoration and finish. These are the common areas of the train, where many a lasting friendship has begun throughout the train's seventeen years of history.

Gastronomy
As the Transcantábrico follows the Cantabrian coast and the lands of old Castilla and León, food will obviously play an important part on the itinerary. Many of the most demanding Gourmets and Chefs maintain that Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla & León offer the best cuisine of all the Spanish regions. The restaurants not only select the highest quality ingredients to be prepared by great professionals, but are also genuine gastronomic centres, offering an excellent combination of regional dishes and international cuisine.

Holiday Prices Include

All trains and excursions as listed in the itinerary

On-board accommodation for 7 nights

Services of our tour manager

All meals listed in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Travel from the UK
Iberia operate a direct flight to La Coruna from Heathrow and Ryanair operate a direct flight to Santiago de Compostela from Stansted. Flights to Madrid from many regional airports..

Recommended Flights
IB4133 11.35 Heathrow to La Coruna
FR8378 08.00 Stansted to Santiago
Thursday/Saturdays only:
FR9152 06.20 Liverpool to Santiago

Weather La Coruna
Holiday Weather provides weather, weather forecast and holiday weather for La Coruna
http://www.holiday-weather.com/weather-la_coruna.html