El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo - 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. 2018 to be confirmed.

Fay says, "El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo traverses the Atlantic-facing part of Spain known as España Verde, Green Spain, and its hinterland; passengers dine on regional specialities and visit the best local monuments and countryside. Every suite has a private bathroom, some of the best on any European train (equalled only by sister train Al Andalus & from March 2018, Venice Simplon Orient Express). A Gran Lujo Deluxe suite has a private lounge."

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Overview

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo saloons are jewels of railway heritage, four of them being original 1923 Pullman cars. All of the carriages have been specifically renovated.

This is a wonderful way of travelling through the beautiful landscapes of northern Spain. The route from Galicia to the Bay of Biscay covers 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'.

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, like El Transcantabrico Clasico and the Tren Crucero (Ecuador), runs on a narrow gauge railway. Suites are narrower (beds are regular sizes) than on standard gauge trains. Each Gran Lujo suite is half a carriage in length, with bedroom / lounge areas and private bathroom.

Itineraries El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

The itineraries between Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastián (details) make El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo a unique mode of transport for this less-visited part of Europe.

Video El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Video of El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Panorama El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

Panoramic views El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo by Luis Davilla, interior and exterior

Accommodation

Suites

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo is stationary overnight, allowing a good night's rest and an opportunity to enjoy the night life of the nearby towns.

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Deluxe Suite, used on the Santiago de Compostela - San Sebastian and vice versa journey.

Suites with Double Bed - most suites are double bed, 150cms wide by 200cms long (5ft wide by 6ft 7ins long) double bed.

Twin-Bed Suites - 4 suites have twin beds, each bed being 85cms wide x 200cms long (3ft wide by 6ft 7ins long).

Suites are divided into three areas - bedroom, lounge and bathroom. The separate lounge has a sofa that converts to a comfortable bed.

Fittings include: wardrobe, luggage rack, desk, safe, music with tuner, climate control, multimedia computer with free Internet access (note that software may not be updated) and minibar.

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo suites are hardwood panelled with large windows. The bathroom has a shower with hydro-sauna, turbo massage, steam shower, as well as a hair dryer and toiletry amenities and bath robes.

More About Suites

For more details about the suites on El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, please see General Information at the bottom of the page. The train manager (known as the 'responsible de expedition') is always ready to assist.

Saloon Cars

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo has four saloon cars, dating from the 1920s, that exude the feeling of a bygone, elegant era, and 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 EL Transcantabrico Gran Lujo carriages such as 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.

Catering

Breakfasts and most dinners are taken on El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo. Most lunches 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. The number of lunches or dinners eaten on or off El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo are liable to change.

Some of the best cuisine in Spain is found in the regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla y León. The cheeses, sausages, meat, vegetables, fish and seafood are renowned. The menus include table wines (unassuming but appropriate for the venue) that blend harmoniously with the ingredients of each lunch and dinner. Coffee and liqueurs are also included.

The chosen restaurants select the highest quality ingredients prepared by professional chefs. They are also the ideal settings for sampling the local cuisine.

Itineraries 2017/2018

San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

San Sebastian, Villasana de Mena, Bilbao, Santander, Potes, Cabezon de la Sal, Santillana del Mar, Arriondas, Oviedo, Candas, Aviles, Gijon, Luarca, Ribadeo, Viviero, Santiago de Compostela.

8 days / 7 nights on El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo.

From San Sebastián in the east to Santiago de Compostela in the west, this route shadows in part the classic St James' Way. In Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum is a major attraction. The journey in El Transcantabrico allows privileged viewing of and visits to the often dramatic countryside. Religious and secular architecture highlights the history of the region, Romans to the present; Upper Paleolithic cave paintings remind us of the lives of earliest humans. The tour has an impressive climax - Santiago de Compostela and its Cathedral.

Full itinerary for San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela is here.

Meeting Point: 13:00hrs. Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca Avenida Pio Baroja 15, 20008 San Sebastián.

Saturday: San Sebastián, Villasana de Mena.

Sunday: Villasana de Mena, Bilbao, Santander.

Monday: Santander, Potes, Cabezon de la Sal.

Tuesday: Cabezon de la Sal, Santillana del Mar, Arriondas.

Wednesday: Arriondas, Oviedo, Candas.

Thursday: Candas, Aviles, Gijon, Luarca.

Friday: Luarca, Ribadeo, Viveiro.

Saturday: Viveiro, Santiago de Compostela.

End of journey: Parador Reyes Católicos, 12:30/12:45hrs.

Dates and prices 2017/2018

2017: July 8,22. August 5,19. September 2,16,30. October 14.

.

2018: April 28. May 12,26. June 9,23. July 7,21. August 18. September 1,15,29. October 13.

Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian

Santiago de Compostela, Viveiro, Ribadeo, Luarca, Aviles, Gijon, Oviedo, Candas, Arriondas, Llanes, Potes, Cabezon de la Sal, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Villasana de Mena, San Sebastián

8 days / 7 nights on El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo.

Saturday: San Sebastián, Villasana de Mena.

Start this tour in the shadow of Santiago de Compostela's impressive Cathedral. Travel through España Verde (Green Spain) and Galicia / Asturias to Las Catedrales Beach. Passing along this railway is also taking a tour through history, from the Romans to the present day. Aviles, for example, a charming town with echos of the past. Soak up the scenery in the Picos de Europa National Park, and Lake Enol. Shrines and secular culture are on the visit list, from Upper Palaeolithic cave art to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Relax in La Hermida Spa. The tour ends in San Sebastian, a city of elegant beauty

Full itinerary for Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian is here.

Meeting Point: 12:00hrs, Parador Reyes Católicos, Plaza of Santiago de Compostela.

Saturday : Santiago de Compostela-Viveiro

Sunday : Viveiro-Ribadeo-Luarca-Candás

Monday : Candás-Avilés-Gijón-Oviedo-Arriondas

Tuesday : Arriondas-Llanes

Wednesday : Llanes-Potes-Cabezón de la Sal

Thursday : Cabezón de la Sal-Santander

Friday : Santander-Bilbao-Mercadillo

Saturday : Mercadillo-San Sebastián

End of journey: Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca Avenida Pio Baroja 15, 20008 San Sebastián, à 13:00hrs

Dates and prices 2017/2018

2017: July 15,29. August 12,26. September 9,23. October 7.

2018: April 21. May 5,19. June 2,16,30. July 14,28. August 25. September 8,22. October 6,20.

Payment Terms

Deposit payment 40% of total price to reserve El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo suite;

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 reasonable storage space inside El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo cabin for luggage storage. Soft-topped luggage is easier to store. Review these photos for an idea of the available areas for baggage.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is free on the train. However, it is unreliable when the train is moving and best used in the reception area when El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo is static at stations.

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

Included: Option of enjoying two private dinners/lunches in your compartment; all non-alcoholic beverages requested any time during the trip; two Renfe train transfers with 50% discount, one at the beginning of the trip and one at the end, anywhere in Spain; possibility of having your luggage unpacked and repacked; bathrobes, slippers and a bag of toiletries; 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); 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: 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 fare by providing a promotional code (one code for up to 2 persons) to be redeemed when making the 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 El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, which is owned by Renfe, the Spanish train operating company.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Go here for answers to frequently asked questions about El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo.

Alternative Train: Consider El Transcantabrico Clasico.

Booking & Reservations

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

Contact us for booking El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo or more information.

Please sign up to our newsletter for Club discount and information about new journeys and special offers.