Fay says, “What a special little train this is!  Every suite with a private bathroom, fascinating excursions accompanied by the best of the regional cuisine, and of course congenial company along the way.”

Members of the Club (free to join) benefit from:

- discount off the published prices of any journey;

- a thank-you gift for every booking;

- the train offers ‘early bird’ discounts for booking in advance.

ABOUT THE TRAIN

This Spanish luxury train is beautiful, with an elegant exterior of blue and white.  Internally, the lounges reflect the Spanish influence and are charmingly classical.  The suites are luxurious, with wooden veneers and rich upholstery that create a wonderful haven to relax in.

This Spanish rail tour takes you either from Santiago de Compostela (destination for over 1,00 years of the St. James Way ‘El Camino de Santiago’) to León, or from León to Santiago de Compostela, where the lesser-known magic of northern Spain awaits; from the lands of Castile and León, to the shores of the Bay of Biscay.

With a lush oceanic climate, Northern Spain, known as España Verde or Green Spain, is completely different from the parched South.  The Picos de Europa are a small but magnificent mountain range that is home to brown bears and wolves.  The gastronomy of the region ranges from Galician seafood, to rich Cantabrian meat dishes and Asturian cider.

Gastronomy, art, monuments and landscapes are presented to the voyager from the wonderfully opulent comfort of a five-star train hotel, El Transcantábrico.

Accommodation

Suites

El Transcantábrico Clásico is stationary overnight, allowing a good night’s rest and an opportunity to enjoy the night life of the nearby towns.

Each suite has a double bed 119 cms wide by 185 cms long (47″ wide by 73″ long); some have an extra overhead bunk bed.  The private bathroom has a hydro-sauna, turbo massage, steam bath and hair dryer, with complimentary gown and slippers.

All suites have luggage space, mini bar, safe, wardrobe, writing desk and telephone with outside line.  Air-conditioning, heating, music and lights are controlled individually and the floors of the compartments are carpeted.  All suites have large windows with curtains.

Dining

The dining car is used primarily for breakfasts and the occasional meal.   All other meals are taken in local restaurants along the route.

Lounge Cars

El Transcantábrico Clásico boasts four lounge cars, made more than a century ago.  They include the bar car with its own dance floor, which hosts  live entertainment every night.  A second bar car provides a quieter atmosphere in which to enjoy a drink and the remaining two lounge cars are for watching the scenery go by, reading or socialising with friends.

There is a library with books, newspapers and magazines,  as well as videos and television.

Catering

Breakfasts and the occasional meal are taken on the train.  Most of the evening dinners are in local restaurants.  This allows one to sample the regional cuisine ranging from fish specialities in the Galician region, through to meat dishes as one heads through the Basque country to  León.

Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla y León are, in the opinion many of the most fastidious chefs and gourmets, the regions where you can  find the best cuisine in Spain.  The cheeses, sausages, meat, vegetables, fish and seafood are all universally renowned.  All the menus include a careful selection of wines that blend harmoniously with the ingredients of each lunch and dinner.  Coffee and liqueurs are also included.

The restaurants on route not only select the highest quality raw materials and have them prepared by the greatest professionals; they are also the ideal setting for sampling the local cuisine.

Routes & Map

Itineraries

León to Santiago de Compostela

8 days / 7 nights

Meeting Point:  12.00hrs.   Leon,  Parador Nacional de San Marcos,  Plaza de San Marcos, 7

Saturday -  León  to  Cistierna.   León is a wonder city to wander around with the Old Quarter steeped  in history: the Basilica of  San Isidoro, built in a Romanesque style on the site of an ancient Roman temple;  the gothic Cathedral which is one of the three most important Cathedrals on The Way of Saint James; Casa Botines,  a modernist building with a medieval look which was constructed in 1891 and finished in 1893 by Antonio Gaudi for the fabric merchants of Leon, one who was named Botinas and thus gave his name to the building; the beautiful Parador of  San Marcos, which was formerly a monastery and hospital.  Once guests have checked in their luggage at the Parador de Turismo de San Marcos, they are taken to lunch in León before travelling to the train for a reception aboard the train in San Feliz, a visit to Cistierna followed by dinner in León and the night on the train in San Feliz.

Sunday -  San Feliz to Villasana de Mena.   While enjoying breakfast, the train will travel from San Feliz to Guardo, where the coach will take passengers to the Roman Town of La Olmeda, discovered in 1968.   We visit  the Palencia Romanesque art collection, the Carrión de los Condes,  Villalcázar de Sirga and Frómista before returning for lunch in Villalcázar.  The train will take guests from Mataporquera to Villasana de Mena, bordering the fascinating dam of the Ebro River and the region of Las Merindades. Dinner and night in Villasana de Mena.

Monday   -  Villasana de Mena to Santander.   Whilst breakfasting, enjoy the scenery as the train enters the Valle de Mena and the region of Vizcaya.  Once in the modern city of Bilbao, visits include the architectural landmark of the Guggenheim Museum (open in July and August – the rest of the year it shuts on Mondays), as well as the Torre de Loizaga in Galdames, which boasts the largest collection of Rolls Royce cars in the world.  Lunch on the train as we travel to Santander, the capital of Cantabria and considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.  Divided in two by the Magdalene Penisula, on one side are magnificent beaches, the imposing casino and English-looking stately homes, and on the other the Bay of Santander, with the port, cathedral and the Paseo Pereda.  There is a coach tour of the city and dinner with an overnight, which allows those who wish to visit the city’s casinos.

Tuesday  -  Santander to Arriondas.   In the morning we will travel to Cabezón de la Sal.   Here we take the coach to the Cave of Altamira, famous for its  Upper Paleolithic cave paintings  featuring drawings and polychrome rock paintings of wild mammals and human hands.  Then we visit the  beautiful medieval town of Santillana del Mar, with its historical buildings and cobbled streets. Following lunch in Santillana, the train travels through Asturias, until we reach Ribadesella and Arriondas.  We dine in Cangas de Onís, which nestles picturesquely in  a deep valley set between the rivers of Sella and Guena and has an amazing Roman bridge.  The night is spent in Arriondas.

Wednesday -  Arriondas to Oviedo.   From Arriondas, passing through the heart of Asturias which is the National Park of the Picos de Europa, we visit two glacial lakes known as the Lakes of Covadonga; the amazing Sanctuary of Covadonga, and finally back to Cangas de Onís.  Luncheon is served on the train, as we travel towards Oviedo, the capital of the Principality, which boasts a unique collection of pre-Romanesque monuments.  Dinner and night in Oviedo.

Thursday  -  Oviedo to Luarca.   Breakfast is taken as we travel from Oviedo to Gijon, the Asturian seaside town par excellence, with its beautiful beaches and rich in archaeological remains and Roman walls.  We visit the city and its Universidad Laboral.  Our travel  continues in the afternoon, until we reach Luarca, the Villa Blanca of the Costa Verde,  a quaint little fishing village, with an 18th century palace of the Marquises of Gamoneda and the Chursh of St Eulalia, which are considered some of the main attractions. Lunch is taken in Gijon.  Dinner and night in Luarca.

Friday  -   Luarca to Viveiro.   The first town in Galicia, which borders Asturias, is Ribadeo, where the River Eo flows into the sea.  There is a visit to the  Las Catedrales Beach, a beautifully spectacular natural formation that has been created by the effect of tide and wind on rock.  The landscape of the Rias Altas is fascinating.  Lunch in Ribadeo and then in the  afternoon we arrive in the beautiful medieval town of  Viveiro.   Dinner and night in Viveiro.

Saturday -  Viveiro to Santiago de Compostela.   From Ferrol, the coach will take us to Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate destination of St James’ pilgrims.  Here we are taken on a tour of  the beautiful Plaza, the Silversmiths and the famous Cathedral which is a mixture of gothic, romanesque and baroque….so ends a wonderful journey.

Dates

2013  -  March 23.   April 6, 20.   May 4, 18.   June 1, 15, 29.   July 13, 27.   August 10, 24.   September 7, 21.   October 5, 19.

2014  -  March 29.   April 12, 26.   May 10,24.   June 7, 21.   July 5, 19.    August 2, 16, 30.   September 13, 27.   October 11, 25.   November 8, 22.   December 6.

Santiago de Compostela to León

8 days / 7 nights

Meeting Point: 12.00hrs.  Santiago de Compostela, Parador Nacional de Los Reyes Católicos, Plaza del Obradoiro, 1

Saturday  -  Santiago de Compostela to Viveiro.  Guests check in their luggage at the Parador which is on the famous Plaza del Obradoiro,  before being taken on a tour of  the Plaza, the Silversmiths and the famous Cathedral, the pinnacle of any pilgrimage.   A delicious lunch is taken in the Parador after which we travel by coach to Ferrol where we await the train.  Settle into this luxurious train as it departs for Viveiro,  a beautiful medieval town where we have dinner and overnight.

Sunday  -  Viveiro to Luarca.   Whilst having breakfast, the train travels to Ribadeo, set majestically between Asturias and Galicia, where there is a visit to the  Las Catedrales Beach.  This beautifully spectacular natural formation has been created by the effect of tide and wind on rock.  Afterwards we travel to Ribadeo for lunch, from where we will depart to Luarca, “The White Town of the Green Coast” and a quaint little fishing village, with an 18th century palace of the Marquises of Gamoneda and the Chursh of St Eulalia, which are considered some of the main attractions.  Dine in a local atmospheric restaurant.  Overnight in Luarca.

Monday  -  Luarca to Oviedo.   During breakfast, the train departs via Candas to Gijon, the second main city in Asturias, with its beautiful beaches and buildings, rich in archaeological remains along with the remains of the Roman walls and the Campo Valdes hot springs.  Lunch is served following a tour of this city.  Then we travel to Oviedo, which boasts a range of unique Pre-Romanesque monuments.  Enjoy wandering  around prior to dinner.  Overnight in Oviedo.

Tuesday  -  Oviedo to Llanes.   On the way to Arriondas, passing through the heart of Asturias which is the National Park of the Picos de Europa, we  visit two glacial lakes known as the Lakes of Covadonga; the amazing Sanctuary of Covadonga, and finally, Cangas de Onís, which nestles picturesquely in  a deep valley set between the rivers of Sella and Guena and has an amazing Roman bridge.  Following lunch, we travel to Llanes, a wonderful  fishing village on the eastern side of Asturias.   Here we dine and spend the night.

Wednesday  -  Llanes to Santander.   Whilst breakfasting, the train travels to Cabezón de la Sal.  Here we take the coach to the Cave of Altamira, famous for its  Upper Paleolithic cave paintings featuring drawings and polychrome rock paintings of wild mammals and human hands.  Then we visit the beautiful medieval town of Santillana del Mar, with its historical buildings and cobbled streets.  Following lunch in Santillana, we take the train to Santander.  As we are here for dinner and the night, guests have time to enjoy the many interesting sites and casinos of Santander.

Thursday  -  Santander to Villasana de Mena.   After having breakfast on the train, we reach the modern city of Bilbao, and the home of the Guggenheim Museum.  This innovative  building is  an architectural landmark that creates a seductive backdrop for the exhibition of contemporary art, a tour that cannot be missed.  Following lunch and free time we travel to Villasana de Mena, bordering the fascinating dam of the Ebro River and the region of Las Merindades.  Dinner and night aboard the train.

Friday  -  Villasana de Mena to San Feliz.   During the morning, we reach Mataporquera, from where we travel by coach to the interesting Canal de Castilla with its fascinating lock system.  After  visiting Palencia’s Romanesque Art Collection, we visit the  beautiful Temple fortress built by the Knights  Templar  in the late twelfth century  in  Villalcázar de Sirga, then  Carrión de los Condes and Frómista before returning for lunch in Villalcázar de  Sirga.  In the afternoon we  visit the Roman town of La Olmeda, discovered in 1968.  Later, from Guardo, we  travel by train to Cistierna, a town that has been influenced by Celts, Romans, Goths and Arabs.   Here we dine and spend the night.

Saturday  -  San Feliz to León.   The last day of the trip will include a visit to León and a wander around the Old Quarter steeped  in history: the Basilica of  San Isidoro, built in a Romanesque style on the site of an ancient Roman temple;  the gothic Cathedral which is one of the three most important Cathedrals on The Way of Saint James; Casa Botines,  a modernist building with a medieval look which was  finished in 1893 by Antonio Gaudi for the fabric merchants of Leon, one who was named Botinas and thus gave his name to the building;  the beautiful Parador of  San Marcos, which was formerly a monastery and hospital.…So ends a wonderful journey.

Dates

2013  -  March 30.   April 13, 27.   May 11, 25.   June 8, 22.   July 6, 20.   August 3, 17, 31.   September 14, 28.   October 12, 26.

2014  -  April 5, 19.   May 3, 17, 31.   June 14, 28.    July 12, 26.   August 9, 23.   September 6, 20.   October 4, 18.   November 1, 15, 29.

Prices

All prices are per person

2013 

Booking, in advance                  6+ months     4-6 months    less than 4 months

Deluxe Suite, per person

Double                                                          €2,550             €2,625                 €2,700

Single  supplement                                  €    880             €   920                  €1,000

Triple supplement (aged under 12)   €1,000            €1,100                €1,200

2014

Booking, in advance                6+ months      4-6 months    less than 4 months

Deluxe Suite, per person

Double                                                          €2,550             €2,625                  €2,700

Single  supplement                                  €    880             €   920                   €1,000

Triple supplement (aged under 12)  €1,000            €1,100                  €1,200

Payment Terms

Deposit payment                   40% of total price to reserve

Balance payment                   60% at least 15 days prior to departure

Cancellations                          Up to 30 days before departure: refund less 15% registration and guarantee fee.  Between 30 and 15 days : less 25% of the total.  Between 14 and 5 days: less 50% of the total.  Between 4 and 1 day(s): less 80% of the total.  Less than 24 hours or failure to turn up:  No refund, 100% of the total is payable.

General Information

Dress Code:  Smart leisure wear for the day, with comfortable walking shoes for touring.   Smart casual for the evening.

Luggage:  There is limited storage space  inside the cabin for luggage storage.   Soft-topped luggage is easier to store.

Included:  Seven nights’ accommodation in a suite on board the train.  Seven dinners and seven meals with local cuisine (includes wine, coffee and liqueurs).  Seven buffet breakfasts.  Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries provided; towels & linen changed daily.  Music and entertainment in the Pub car.  Excursions with entrance fees to museums, cathedrals, cloisters, etc.  Luxury coach accompanying the train. Daily newspapers and magazines.  Multilingual guide throughout the tour.

Picture Gallery

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Booking & Reservations

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates.

We will be happy to answer any questions and make the booking for you  -  contact us in the UK : +44 (0)1249 890205 or info@luxurytrainclub.com      Please sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of interesting trains and special offers.

Calendar

• 22/06/2013SPAIN: El Transcantabrico Clasico
• 29/06/2013SPAIN: El Transcantabrico Clasico
• 06/07/2013SPAIN: El Transcantabrico Clasico
• 13/07/2013SPAIN: El Transcantabrico Clasico