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

- Club discount off the published prices of any journey;

- 50% discounted first or tourist class rail travel in Spain 2017, to departure stations and from arrival stations, on RENFE's trains; discount code provided for on-line self-booking; this is a RENFE offer, which may change without notice. Conditions in General Information.

El Transcantábrico Clasico

El Transcantábrico saloons are delights of railway heritage, some of them being original 1923 Pullman cars. All of the carriages have been specifically renovated and decorated for these luxury trains.

This is a truly wonderful, evocative way of travelling around the beautiful landscapes of northern Spain, from Galicia to the shores of the Bay of Biscay, taking in the rich culture and cuisine of Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Castile and León. All the while, regional gastronomy, art, monuments and landscapes are presented to travellers from the comfort of a five-star 'train hotel'.

The itinerary makes El Transcantábrico Clasico a unique mode of transport for this less-visited part of Europe..

Also consider El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Accommodation

Standard Suite

Each suite on El Transcantabrico Clasico has a double bed 119cms wide by 185cms long (4ft wide by 6ft long); some have an extra overhead bunk bed, which folds down 75cms width by 175cms long (2ft 6ins wide by 5ft 9ins long).

The private bathroom has a hydro-sauna, turbo massage, steam shower and hair dryer. 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. The suites have large, curtained windows.

More About Suites. For more details, please see General Information at the bottom of the page.

Saloon Cars

El Transcantabrico Clasico has sumptuous saloon cars, dating from the 1920s, that exude the feeling of a more relaxed way to travel.

The elegant but simple Dining Car serves a fine a la carte and buffet breakfast every morning as well as fine chef-prepared dining for those dinners or lunches served on board.

The Bar Car is permanently open; here you can sit back can enjoy a quiet drink whilst reflecting on the passing scenery.

Other carriages include the Tea Saloon, the Panorama Coach and the Entertainment Saloon, a small night-club, where lively entertainment is provided every night until the early hours of the morning..

There is a library with newspapers and magazines; DVDs and television are available on board.

Itineraries 2017/2018

León to Santiago de Compostela

León, Cistierna, Mataporquera, Villasana de Mena, Bilbao, Santander, Cabezón de la Sal, Ribadesella, Arriondas, Oviedo, Candás, Avilés, Gijón, Luarca, Ribadeo, Viveiro, Santiago de Compostela

8 days / 7 nights. Meeting Point: 12:00hrs. Parador Nacional de San Marcos, Plaza de San Marcos, 7, Leon

Saturday: León, Cistierna. León is a wonderful city to wander around with an 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 being one of the three most important Cathedrals on The Saint James Way; Casa Botines, a modernist building with a medieval look which was constructed in 1891 and finished in 1893 by Antonio Gaudi; the beautiful Parador of San Marcos, which was formerly a monastery and hospital.

Once you check in luggage at the Parador, you are taken on a tour and lunch in León before travelling to the train for a reception aboard the train in San Feliz with time to settle into your Suite. This is followed by a visit to Cistierna with dinner. Overnight on El Transcantabrico Clasico in Cistierna.

Sunday: Cistierna, Mataporquera, Villasana de Mena. During breakfast, the train arrives in Guardo, from where we take the coach to the Roman town of Olmeda. This is home to some outstanding examples of Romanesque Art. The regional heritage is seen as we travel along part of Saint James Way 'El Camino de Santiago', through the towns of Carrion de los Condes, Fromista and Villalcazar de Sirga. Later the train departs Mataporquera for Villasana de Mena. Here there is some free time before dinner. Overnight in Villasana de Mena.

Monday: Villasana de Mena, Bilbao, Santander. Whilst breakfasting, enjoy the wonderful scenery as the train travels to the modern city of Bilbao, where visits include the architectural landmark of the Guggenheim Museum (open in July and August – the rest of the year, it is shut 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 whilst travelling to Santander, the capital of Cantabria and considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Divided in two by the Magdalene Peninsula, on one side are magnificent beaches, the imposing casino and fine English-looking 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. Overnight in Bilbao, which allows those who wish to visit the city's casinos.

Tuesday: Santander, Cabezón de la Sal, Ribadesella, Arriondas. During breakfast we travel to Cabezón de la Sal. Here we take the coach to the beautiful medieval town of Santillana del Mar, with its historical buildings and cobbled streets. Then we visit the Cave of Altamira, famous for its Upper Paleolithic cave paintings featuring drawings and multi-coloured rock paintings of wild mammals and human hands. Following lunch, perhaps in Santillana, the train travels through Asturias, until we reach Ribadesella and Arriondas. After free time in Ribadesella, we dine and spend the night in Arriondas.

Wednesday: Arriondas, Oviedo, Candas. From Arriondas, passing through the heart of Asturias which is the National Park of the Picos de Europa, we take the coach to visit the two glacial Lakes of Covadonga; the amazing Sanctuary of Covadonga, and finally back to the pretty town of Cangas de Onís. Back on the train we travel towards Oviedo, the capital of the Principality, which boasts a unique collection of pre-Romanesque monuments. Free afternoon with optional visit to the city, before returning to the train for dinner and overnight in Candas.

Thursday: Candas – Aviles – Gijon - Luarca. After breakfast, we take the coach to the pretty town of Aviles, with its historic old town, and later to Gijon, for a tour around this Asturian seaside town par excellence, with its beautiful beaches, rich archaeological remains and Roman walls. Following free time and lunch, our train travel continues to Luarca, the Villa Blanca of the Costa Verde, a quaint little fishing village, with the 18th century palace of the Marquises of Gamoneda and the Church of St Eulalia. Following a tour there is free time before dinner. Overnight in Luarca.

Friday: Luarca, Ribadeo, Viveiro. Travelling to Ribadeo during breakfast through this wonderful scenery is a luxury.The first town in Galicia, which borders Asturias, Ribadeo is where the River Eo flows into the sea. There is a visit around the town and to the Las Catedrales Beach, a spectacular natural formation that has been created by the effect of tide and wind on rock. Back on the train for lunch, we travel to the beautiful medieval town of Viveiro for a wander around before dinner. Overnight in Viveiro.

Saturday: Viveiro, Ferrol, Santiago de Compostela. Whilst having breakfast the train arrives in Ferrol, where the coach (with the luggage) takes 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; and so ends a wonderful journey.

End of journey: Parador Reyes Católicos, 14:00hrs.

Dates and Prices 2017/2018

2017: July 1. August 12. September 9,23. October 7,21.

2018: May 19. June 2,16,30. July 14,28. September 8,22. October 6.

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Santiago de Compostela to León

Santiago de Compostela, Viveiro, Ribadeo, Luarca, Avilés, Gijón, Oviedo, Candas, Arriondas, Llanes, Cabezón de la Sal, Santillana del Mer, Santander, Bilbao, Villasana de Mena, Mataporquera, Cistierna, León

8 days / 7 nights. Meeting Point: 12:00hrs. Parador Nacional de Los Reyes Católicos, Plaza del Obradoiro, 1, Santiago de Compostela

The itinerary of El Transcantabrico Clasico is the same as for León to Santiago de Compostela above, but in reverse.

End of Journey: Parador Nacional de San Marcos, 14:00hrs. For information, on the last day the train stops in San Feliz at 10:00hrs, approximately 15 minutes by coach to Leon. Passengers travel by coach to Leon for around 10:15hrs.

Dates and Prices 2017/2018

2017: July 8. August 19. September 16,30. October 14.

2018: May 12,26. June 9,23. July 7,21. September 15,29. October 13.

SHORT JOURNEYS

Santiago de Compostela to Santander

Santiago de Compostela, Viveiro, Ribadeo, Luarca, Avilés, Gijón, Oviedo, Candas, Arriondas, Llanes, Cabezón de la Sal, Santillana del Mer, Santander.

5 days / 4 nights. Meeting Point: 12:00hrs. Parador Nacional de Los R, Saturday. Ends Santander around 18:00hrs, Wednesday.

The itinerary is the same as at the top of the page, for León to Santiago de Compostela, but in reverse and finishing in Santander.

Dates 2017/2018

2017: July 8. August 19. September 16,30. October 14

2018: May 12,26. June 9,23. July 7,21. September 15,29. October 13.

Santander to Santiago de Compostela

Santander, Santillana del Mer, Cabezón de la Sal, Llanes, Arriondas, Candas, Oviedo, Gijón, Avilés, Luarca, Ribadeo, Viveiro, Santiago de Compostela.

5 days / 4 nights. Meeting Point: 08:00hrs Santander FEVE station, Tuesday. Ends Santiago de Compostela Parador Reyes Católicos, 14:00hrs.

The itinerary is the same as at the top of the page, for León to Santiago de Compostela, but starting in Santander.

Dates 2017/2018

2017: July 4. August 15. September 12,26. October 10,24

2018: May 22. June 5,19. July 3,17,31. September 11,25. October 9.

Prices 2017

Prices 2018

León to Santander or Santander to León

4 days / 3 nights. Please ask for details.

Dates and Prices 2017

León to Santander: July 1. August 12. September 9,23. October 7,21

Santander to León: June 14,28. July 12. August 23. September 20. October 4,18

Dates and Prices 2018

León to Santander: May 19. June 2,16,30. July 14,28. September 8,22. October 6.

Santander to León: May 16,30. June 13,27. July 11,25. September 19. October 3,17.

Payment Terms

Deposit payment 40% of total price to reserve. Balance payment 60% at least 15 days prior to departure

In Euros: Prices per person

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. Smart casual for the evening. Gala night (on the train) can be a dressier occasion.

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

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is free on the train. However, it is unreliable when the train is moving and best used whilst the train is static overnight at stations.

Electrics: 220 volts with Type F round 2-prong plug outlets.

Included: Junior Suite: Seven nights' accommodation in a suite on board the train; seven buffet breakfasts on board; seven lunches and seven dinners on board or at restaurants; high quality wines, liqueurs, coffee and tea with meals; accompanying hostess throughout the journey; multi-lingual guided excursions with a luxury coach for transfers and visits; musical performances, entertainment and all entrance fees; on-board activities; bathrobes, slippers and a bag of toiletries provided.

Not Included: Gratuities. Drinks ordered outside of meals, or from the mini bar in the suite. Laundry - advised on the train.

Itinerary Changes: The itineraries may be subject to modifications for reasons outside the control of the organiser or as a result of changes in the operation of the rail network. In these cases, the organisers will do the necessary to continue the trip, without extra cost to passengers. If passengers continue the trip under these changed circumstances, they tacitly accept the alterations.

Renfe Discount: Club members with a reservation on El Transcantábrico and / or Al Andalus can request transfers in regular AVE, ALVIA or LD (Long Distance) trains to the starting point of the luxury train and the return journey from the end point, provided that each leg is a through point to point journey, carried out within the limits of the national railway network, on the closest dates to the beginning and end of the luxury train journey, and with a maximum difference of 48 hours between connections if these are unavoidable. Renfe will offer a 50% discount on the standard (flexible) fare by providing a promotional code (one code for up to 2 persons) to be redeemed when making the train transfer booking at the train station’s ticket office or through www.renfe.com

Terms and Conditions: Go here for the Terms and Conditions of RENFE Viajeros sa, which owns and operates this train.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Go here for some answers to questions other passengers have raised.

Booking & Reservations

All prices for El Transcantabrico Clasico as shown are at publicly-quoted rates. The Club discount is deducted for Members.

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

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