Northern Spain Aboard Transcantabrico
Duration: 14 days
Highlights: Journey aboard the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Spain’s original luxury rail experience. This extraordinary voyage winds its way from the culinary capital of San Sebastián to the historic pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive San Sebastian
Upon arrival at Bilbao/San Sebastian airport, you are met by your Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrival hall and transferred to your hotel, where you are assisted with
check-in procedures. Pintxos (the Basque name for tapas) is abound in San Sebastián’s famed Parte Vieja, but knowing where to find the best ones is an art. While it’s hard to have
a bad meal in town, knowing exactly where to go for the finest, freshest and most exciting pintxos takes local and inside knowledge. Your guide shows you what a night on the
town San Sebastián-style is all about! Diving right into the culinary heart of the city, you experience a night of eating and drinking unlike any other. (3 hours, pintxos guide)
Overnight: Hotel Maria Cristina
Meal Plan: D
Day 2 - San Sebastian
Your full-day tour begins by visiting some of the most interesting sights in and around San Sebastián. Visit the beautiful Chillida Leku sculpture park, created by Eduardo Chillida,
Spain's most prestigious 20th-century sculptor. Enjoy a private tour (subject to appointment) and later in the day, take the opportunity to view his spectacular ‘Comb of the Winds'
installation, set in the cliffs at the far end of the bay. Back in the town, an extremely interesting visit can be enjoyed at the San Telmo museum of Basque history and culture; you
may like to take a short drive up to the top of the Monte Igueldo, which offers the most superb views over the sea of the Bay of Biscay and San Sebastián with the mountains
behind it. At lunchtime your guide, who is an expert in the matter of pintxos, takes you on a delicious stroll through the "Parte Vieja' district of San Sebastián, introducing you to
the best and most interesting establishments where these delicacies can be sampled (included in tour cost). Afterwards, your guide returns with you back to your hotel. (8 hours,
driver and guide)
Overnight: Hotel Maria Cristina
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - San Sebastian - Rioja - San Sebastian
Depart San Sebastián today accompanied by your guide and travel though some of the most beautiful parts of Spain’s wine country during a full-day overview of the Rioja region.
Head first to the municipality of Haro, the wine capital of the Rioja Alta district and home to prestigious names. Stop at a local wine bar to enjoy a glass of the delectable wine.
From here, continue past some of the most prised vineyards near villages such as Abalos or San Vicente de Sonsierra before visiting a local winery for a tour and private tasting.
Finally, enjoy some time in the charming hilltop town of Laguardia, where you have time for a leisurely lunch (payable locally) while appreciating the superb views over the vineyards.
(8 hours, driver and guide)
Overnight: Hotel Maria Cristina
Meal Plan: B
Day 4 - Board Train: San Sebastian - Bilbao - Carranza
Get to know the main attractions of San Sebastian on a guided tour. At lunchtime, we will have an exquisite lunch in a downtown restaurant. After lunch we will get on a luxury bus
to depart for Bilbao, where El Transcantábrico is waiting for us. Travelers on the train! This will be the warning before we start rolling towards Carranza.
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Day 5 - Carranza - Bilbao - Santander
Heading for Bilbao and delve into its wonderful corners. During the visit we will be able to see inside the famous Guggenheim Museum, with the entrance included. At the end of
the Bilbao tour we will return to the train to start the march towards the next destination, Santander. On the way, lunch will be served on board. Already in the destination, we will
take a tour of the elegant capital of Cantabria and then we will have free to walk freely around the city
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Day 6 - Santander - Potes - Cabezon De La Sal
Today, we will take our luxury coach to Potes, a picturesque village in Cantabria, crossing the impressive Gorge de la Hermida. After the visit of this place, we can enjoy a thermal circuit
in the Balneario de la Hermida. After lunch we will go to Comillas to visit the mansion of El Capricho, the 19th century work of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. We will
continue bound for Cabezón de la Sal
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Day 7 - Cabezon De La Sal - Santillana Del Mar - Llanes
Travel back in time to medieval times while we stroll through the town of Santillana del Mar, which conserves magnificently an important medieval historic centre. Later we will
approach the Cave of Altamira, the highest exponent of the cave art of the Upper Paleolithic. After lunch, we will return to the train to enter Asturian lands to Llanes.
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Day 8 - Llanes - Oviedo
With the bus we will reach the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. We will visit Lake Enol, and then we will head to the Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred place full of
tradition and legend. We will return to the Transcantábrico for lunch in its elegant restaurant wagon on the way to Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias. We will visit the
most relevant of the city and have free time to explore without the guide.
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Day 9 - Oviedo - Gijon - Luarca
The first stop of the day will be in the coastal village of Gijon, on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea. We will visit and have lunch in the city. Then we will continue our journey along
the Asturian coast aboard El Transcantábrico until we reach Luarca, where we will enjoy a guided tour in this charming seaside town.
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Day 10 - Luarca - Ribadeo - Viveiro
The Trascantábrico will take us to Galician lands to visit the historic town of Ribadeo, bordering the Principality of Asturias. We will continue on board our bus along the coast of
Lugo until we reach the impressive Playa de Las Catedrales, one of the most spectacular in the world. Then, we will make a panoramic visit of Ribadeo and eat in a restaurant in
the area. In the afternoon we will return the train to head to Viveiro and explore the town with the guide and then freely.
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Day 11 - Viveiro - Santiago De Compostela
Enjoy breakfast while we journey to Ferrol, in A Coruña, where the bus will be waiting for us to approach Santiago de Compostela. We will visit the historic center of this city, home to
pilgrims for a thousand years, which treasures countless artistic jewels such as its magnificent cathedral. After the visit, we will head to the Parador de los Reyes Católicos around
13:00 hours.
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Day 12 - Santiago De Compostela
Meet your guide for a tour to the well-known Catholic pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela today. Explore the centre of the Old Quarter. For centuries, its streets have been
trodden on by countless pilgrims who may have begun their journey from as far away as France, in devotion to St James. Take the opportunity to see the inside of the city’s famous
cathedral, often a sight, for pilgrims, which comes after the end of a long and arduous journey. You may also like to visit the town’s well-known food market, one of the most
interesting and picturesque in all of Spain. Allow your guide to introduce you to some of the local produce including delicious traditional meats and mouth-watering cheeses. (4
hours, guide)
Overnight: Parador De Santiago De Compostela
Meal Plan: B
Day 13 - Santiago De Compostela
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting Ria de Arousa for an authentic and captivating boat adventure. Sail through the picturesque mussel farms of Ría de Arousa
from Cambados aboard an antique restored traditional wooden fishing vessel, immersing yourself in the timeless essence of seafaring life. The boat is an authentic jewel of
traditional Galician navigation known locally as a 'tarrafa'—named after the purse seine net once used for sardine fishing. This historic vessel stands as a testament to Galicia's
rich maritime legacy, capturing the transition from sail to motor power. Captained by Isidro and his seasoned crew, the 'Chasula' welcomes you with the warmth of home. Explore
the vessel's nooks and crannies, peeking into the sailors' quarters to witness their resting spaces. Delve into the lore of traditional fishing techniques, mastering the use of ancient
tools like the 'pot' and the eponymous 'Chasula.' Isidro, with his iconic sandals, pipe, and ever-ready conch shell, epitomizes the spirit of the sea, embracing you as part of his
maritime family. As you sail, learn about the intricate process of mussel cultivation in the Ría de Arousa, perhaps even trying your hand at harvesting aboard a punt. Along the
journey, savor the breathtaking vistas of the estuary, adorned with over 2,000 mussel rafts that paint a unique portrait of this coastal sanctuary. To conclude your maritime adventure
indulge in a tasting of freshly steamed Ría de Arousa mussels, expertly paired with a crisp Albariño wine or refreshing beverages, prepared on-site to tantalize your taste buds. (2
hours boat, private transfers)
Overnight: Parador De Santiago De Compostela
Meal Plan: L
Day 14 - Depart Santiago De Compostela
Transfer to Santiago Airport to board departure flight
Overnight:
Meal Plan: B