If you are one of those wanderlust travelles who enjoys the journey as much as the destination, this is the perfect trip for you. Relish the lavish experience of one of the most luxurious trains in the world, while travelling through the lush green landscapes of the Cantabric cornise, and visiting some of the most relevant historical sites of Spain.
Tour The Soul of the Transcantabrico
Day 1
Arrival in San Sebastian-Bilbao-Villasana de Mena
The passenger welcome takes place at midday in the city of San Sebastian where you will taste an exquisite lunch based on the cuisine the Basque country is world famous for, and later enjoy a leisurely stroll along this elegant city. Afterwards you will board a coach that will take you to the neighbouring city of Bilbao where the Transcantabrico awaits you. The trip begins while you enjoy dinner; the first overnight takes place in Villasana de Mena.
Day 2
Villasana de Mena- Bilbao-Santander
On the second day , enjoy your breakfast whilst on your way back to Bilbao where a city tour that includes the world famous Guggenheim Museum will take place. Afterwards , while you have lunch, the journey continues to Santander, where a panoramic visit will help you get acquainted with this seaside city that stands elegant and stately and is known as the “the bride of the sea”. After dinner if that is your wish you may enjoy trying your luck at Santanders internationally renowned Casino. Overnight takes place in Santander.
Day 3
Santander-Potes-Cabezón de la Sal
Your singular train trip continues to the Unquera station, where you will board a coach that will lead you through the gorge of La Hermida towards the Shrine of Santo Toribio de Liébana, and the unique village of Potes renowned for its many bridges and towers. Enjoy lunch and take pleasure of the the afternoon at your pace and leisure before returning to the train. Both dinner and overnight take place in Cabezon de la Sal.
Day 4
Cabezón de la Sal-Santillana de Mar-Arriondas
During this day you will stand in awe before one of the greatest exponents of Upper Paleolithic cave art in the world, the Altamira Neocave, and revel before the wonders of primitive mans art expressions and paintings. Afterwards you will explore the nearby Santillana del Mar, with it´s stately medieval old town, and relish its vast artistic, architectural and cultural heritage. A short train trip away lies the charming fishing village of Ribadesella, Asturias, where you will have free time before moving on to Arriondas where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 5
Arriondas-Oviedo-Candas
The day begins with a drive from Arriondas to the majestic Picos de Europa Natural Park where you will visit the Shrine of Covadonga, devoted to our Lady of Covadonga. who is said to have miraculously aided the Christian resistance and victory over the Moorish invasion of Spain. You will also become familiar with Enol Lake and pass by charming Cangas de Onis on your way back to the train. In the afternoon Oviedo, monumental and historic awaits to be discovered. You can decide whether to take a a free afternoon to spend at your own free will or enjoy an optional tour of the city. At the end of the day Candas will be the place where onboard dinner and overnight takes place.
Day 6
Aviles-Gijón-Luarca
Avilés and its well preserved historic old town is the first visit of the day, later it will roll into the neighbouring Gijón, a city that lies open to the fierce Cantabrian sea and where lunch will take place. The day continues with a free afternoon, dinner and overnight in Luarca, amost charming town where sea, river and mountain form a unique landscape.
Day 7
Luarca-Ribadeo-Viveiro
Westernbound the journey continues to roll by through Asturias and into Galician territory where its first town, Ribadeo, boasts of one of the worlds most beautiful and singular beaches in the world: Las Catedrales, a unique set of cliffs that have been sculpted by wind and sea forming formidable arches and vaults that create a marvellous natural landscape. The morning ride to and from The Catedrales will take place by coach and after such an awe inspiring experience an exquisite lunch will be awaiting you. An afternoon train trip will lead us to the town of Viveiro, bursting with artistic and cultural heritage and where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 8
Viveiro-Santiago de Compostela
Whilst enjoying breakfast on board the Transcantabrian Train will continue travelling until it leads you to the final destination, Santiago de Compostela, which has also been the end point destination of the St. James pilgrimage for over a thousand years. Santiago de Compostela is the perfect end point to this unforgettable journey due to the profound echoes of its spiritual significance as an apostolic and personal sanctuary along with its urban beauty and monumental integrity.
