EL TRANSCANTABRICO - 8 DAY GREAT TRAIN JOURNEY
THE TRAIN
The "El Transcantabrico" winds its leisurely way through the majestic provinces of old 
northern Spain - a journey through high mountains, past lakes and impressive seascapes and across the undulating landmass that so typifies the Cantabrian coast and old Castile.
A relaxing cruise by train to traditional fishing villages, ancient cities and mountain hamlets where history, monument and custom have managed to resist the march of time. "El Transcantabrico" provides a friendly, relaxing atmosphere ensuring the most personal attention of the crew. A journey north by train, through the land of Green Spain and Castile.
Travelling at a leisurely pace of a mere 50 kms per hour the "El Transcantabrico" traversesaround 1,000 kms of beautiful northern countryside during the 8 days of the journey.
And then there were two...
There are now 2 ways to enjoy a unique rail experience aboard El Transcantabrico.
El Transcantabrico "Classic" travels between Leon and Santiago de Compostela (in both directions) and has 7 sleeping cars incorporating all suite compartments with 120x185cmdouble bed, private bathroom with hydromassage shower and hairdryer, air-conditioning,writing desk, telephone, minibar and safe plus storage for suitcases and clothes. Twin share(for friends) is possible in 3 of the suites. El Transcantabrico "Classic" carries a maximum of 54 passengers.
El Transcantabrico "Grand Luxe" travels between San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela (in both directions) and has 7 sleeping cars incorporating only "Privilege Suite" compartments, 10 of which have 150x200cm double beds and a 86x182cm sofa bed, which offers the option of triple share. Another 4 suites offer two 85x180cm twin beds and a 86x182cm sofa bed. "Privilege Suites" further boast a computer with internet connection, video games, lounge with sofa, two TVs, desk, minibar and safe as well as a generous bathroom with hydromassage shower. El Transcantabrico "Grand Luxe" carries a maximum of 42 passengers.
Each train offers a library, games and videos, a Dining Car, a Bar and Pub car for relaxing, enjoying the music or even dancing. A multilingual tour guide will explain the sights en route and the rest of the team of true professionals will ensure your trip is one to remember.
THE GASTRONOMY
On the "El Transcantabrico" you are treated to the most varied examples of Spain's northern cuisine, with the added advantage of dining at the best restaurants at each stop.
El Transcantabrico "Classic"
LEON to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (V.V)
Day 1, Saturday: Leon - Cistierna
Meet at the lovely Parador "San Marcos" at 1200hrs, to commence your Great Train Journey. León is a fascinating city, monumental and full of history. The church of San Isidoro, the cathedral, the old quarter and St. Mark's. Lunch in León. Welcome on board the train and settle in. In the afternoon we go by train to Cistierna in the valley of the river Esla. A visit follows to the Iron, Steel and Mining Museum of Sabero. Dinner and overnight in Cistierna.
Day 2, Sunday: Cistierna - Villasana de Mena
While we have breakfast, the train will travel from Cistierna to Guardo. Here we board our coach to visit a Roman Villa and Palentine Romanesque art in Carrión de los Condes, Villalcázar de Sirga and Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar.
Back on the train, we will go from Mataporquera, around the edge of the fascinating Ebro marshes and the region of Las Merindades, to Villasana de Mena. Dinner and overnight in Villasana de Mena.
Day 3, Monday: Villasana de Mena - Santander
While having breakfast, the train winds its way through the Valley of Mena and the lands ofVizcaya to reach Bilbao, a modern city, where the river leads to the sea. The tour of the city includes a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum (only July and August, as the museum is closed on Mondays for the rest of the year). Visit to the Loizaga's Tower in Galdames, hosting the world's greatest collection of Rolls-Royce cars. Lunch on board. In the afternoon the train arrive in Santander, capital of Cantabria, a truly beautiful coastal city with an enchanting past. Tour of the city. Optional excursion to the local Casino after dinner.
Day 4, Tuesday: Santander - Arriondas
During breakfast, the train arrives in Cabezón de la Sal. We travel by coach to Santillana delMar to visit the Neo Cave of Altamira and this lovely medieval town. The town developedaround the Romanesque monastery, which was an important centre of pilgrimage, LaColegiata. The church houses the tomb of the local medieval martyr St Juliana. Lunch inSantillana. In the afternoon we go further into the lands of Asturias to the famous sea portof Llanes, then on to Ribadesella and Arriondas. Dinner in Cangas de Onís and overnight in Arriondas.
Day 5, Wednesday: Arriondas - Gijon
We are now in the heart of Asturias. From Arriondas to the Picos de Europa National Park we travel by coach to the Lakes and Sanctuary of Covadonga and finally, Cangas de Onís, the first centre of the Asturian kingdom. After lunch, the train takes us to Gijón, a major northern seaport that has been largely rebuilt since the Civil War when it was bombarded by the Nationalist navy. Gijon's old town is centred around the arcaded Plaza Mayor which opens to the Port where the Collegiate Church of San Juan and the 18th century Palacio de Revillagigedo, a Neo-Renaissance building with its towers and battlements, stand. Dinner and overnight in Gijón.
Day 6, Thursday: Gijon - Luarca
From Gijón to Oviedo, administrative capital of Asturias with its superb Pre-Romanesque monuments on the city's perimeter. Lunch in Oviedo where we will sample a range of fine
regional gastronomy. The journey continues on to Luarca, a delightful white fishing village on the coast. Dinner and overnight in Luarca.
Day 7, Friday: Luarca - Viveiro
This morning continue along the coast to the port town of Ribadeo. Ribadeo is the first town of the region of Galicia, where the River Eo runs into the sea. We will visit the beach of Las Catedrales or 'the Cathedrals', so named for its remarkable natural stone arches, carved by the action of the ocean. The landscape of the Rías Altas or Upper Estuaries is breathtaking. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon, we continue by train to Viveiro for a visit to this attractive walled town. Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.
Day 8, Saturday: Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela
We will go from Viveiro to Ferrol by train and then take the coach to our final destination, Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrim's city. Set like jewels in a crown are the Obradoiro Square, the Platerías and the great Cathedral itself. The Praza do Obradoiro is one of the finest in the old world and is the focal point for pilgrims arriving in the city on the Route of St James. The cathedral's Baroque façade dominates the square, much of it remaining virtually unchanged since the 11th century. The tour ends in Santiago de Compostela.
END OF ITINERARY!!
El Transcantabrico "Grand Luxe"
SAN SEBASTIAN to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (V.V)
Day 01, Saturday: San Sebastian - Villasana de Mena
San Sebastián is a fascinating resort city and the gastronomic capital of the nation. We meet and greet the other passengers before taking a guided tour of the city. Lunch in San
Sebastian. A trip by coach to Bilbao where the train awaits. We are welcomed on board El
Transcantabrico. Once on board we depart and soon approach Balmaseda. Dinner and night in Villasana de Mena.
Day 02, Sunday: Villasana de Mena - Santander
While having the breakfast the train takes us into Bilbao. We visit the old quarter and the
marvellous Guggenheim Modern Art Museum. Lunch on board the train while travelling to
Santander, a cosmopolitan resort and seaport city which nestles near the mouth of a deep bay and is capital of the region of Cantabria. Dinner and overnight in Santander.
Day 03, Monday: Santander - Cabezon de la Sal
We arrive in Unquera. From here we travel by coach through the gorge of La Hermida until we arrive in Potes and the sanctuary of San Toribio de Liebana. We visit wonderfulComillas followed by lunch in Potes. In the afternoon we arrive at the town of Cabezón de la Sal. Dinner and overnight in Cabezón de la Sal.
Day 04, Tuesday: Cabezon de la Sal - Arriondas
Today you will visit the Neo-cave & Museum of Altamira with its recreated prehistoric cave paintings, and Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval and renaissance village. The town established itself around the Romanesque monastery, which was an important centre of pilgrimage, La Colegiata. The church houses the tomb of the local medieval martyr St Juliana. Lunch in Santillana de Mar. In the afternoon we will leave Cantabria to journey on to Asturias and the coastal town of Llanes, then Arriondas. Dinner and night in Arriondas.
Day 05, Wednesday: Arriondas - Gijon
We arrive by coach at the National Park of Picos de Europa, then ascend to the beautiful
Lakes and the Sanctuary of Covadonga. From this region the Christian reconquest of Spain
from the Moors began. The beautiful mountains were reputedly christened the 'Peaks of
Europe' by returning sailors for whom this was often the first sight of their homeland. On to
medieval Cangas de Onis and onward again by train as we enjoy lunch on board we continue to Gijon, the second most important city and larget seaport of Asturias. Dinner and night in Gijon.
Day 06, Thursday: Gijon - Luarca
From Gijon to Oviedo, the capital of the region and a classical city famous for its traditional gastronomy and remarkable Pre-Romanesque monuments on the city's edge. Lunch in Oviedo. The journey continues on to Luarca, the delightful fishing hamlet known as the White Town of the Green Coast. Dinner and night in Luarca.
Day 07, Friday: Luarca - Viveiro
Our first visit in the region of Galicia, bordering with Asturias, is the port town of Ribadeo,
where the Eo river meets the sea. The Rias Altas or Upper Estuaries of the northern coast of Galicia offer spectacular scenery as the train winds its way through the verdant countryside. Lunch in Ribadeo. After lunch we arrive in the attractive walled town of Viveiro, with its ample port on the coast. Dinner and night in Viveiro.
Day 08, Saturday: Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela
On our last day, while having breakfast we arrive in Ferrol where our coach carries us towards our last destination. Our final journey takes us to Santiago de Compostela, the focal point for pilgrims arriving in the city on the Route of St James. The cathedral's Baroque façade dominates the Obradoiro square, much of it remaining virtually unchanged since the 11th century. End of journey in Santiago.
END OF ITINERARY!!
(contact us for 2011 departure dates)
INCLUSIONS:
- 7 Nights accommodation on board the El Transcantabrico
- 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and 7 lunches including regional wines, coffee and liqueurs
- Professional Multilingual tour guide throughout the journey
- Live music in the Pub Car
- All excursions in the itinerary and entrance fees to all museums, monuments,
cathedrals, etc
- Deluxe coach transport for all side trips and restaurants
- Daily newspapers and magazines
- Security Staff
- All local taxes and communication and service costs
- Spain
- Tours
- Great Train Journeys
- Paradores
- Rustic and Rural
- Hotels
- Apartments
Land of Contrasts
Appropriately called the 'Bull's Hide' by Roman geographer Strabo in 29-27BC, the landmass of Spain with its 505,000 sq. km, provides the traveller with an opportunity to experience the great diversity within its borders, bounded by sea, except for Portugal to the west and France to the north-east.
Iberia has charmed travellers for centuries, but it was not until the early19th century that the first romantics brought Spain into world recognition. Richard Ford along with many others of his time, describing the country as a 'land of miracles, anomalies and contradictions'.
Spain today embodies all of the contrasts of yesteryear. With its rich and varied culture and language, Spain's 17 autonomous regions offer many unexpected architectural, geographical, cultural, gastronomic and climatic differences; all contributing to the many delights and pleasures of the visitor.
Once Spain was one of the most powerful nations on earth with far flung dominions wielding great influence on world political and commercial affairs. The Spain of today is an energetic member of the European Community with a population of 45 million and a universally appreciated culture, individuality and language.
Download our 2012 brochure!
Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options...
| Self Drive Tours: | A GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN SPAIN -- ROMANTIC ANDALUCIA -- WORLD HERITAGE ENCOUNTER |
| Fully Escorted Tours: | ANDALUCIA AND MEDITERRANEAN COAST -- ANDALUCIA AND MOROCCO -- ANDALUCIA AND TOLEDO -- CASTILLA, PORTUGAL AND ANDALUCIA -- GREEN SPAIN -- NORTH OF SPAIN -- SALAMANCA AND PORTUGAL |
| Small Group Tours: | GOURMET SPAIN |
| Tours with Private driver: | SEVILLA AND THE WHITE VILLAGES OF ANDALUCIA -- SEVILLA, CORDOBA AND GRANADA |
| Walking Tours: | EL CAMINO DEL NORTE -- EL CAMINO PRIMITIVO -- SHORT BREAK PICOS DE EUROPA -- THE ALPUJARRAS - MOORISH SPLENDOUR -- WALKING THE PICOS DE EUROPA |
| Unique Spain: | BARCELONA AND ORGANIC WINE IN THE PENEDÈS -- BARCELONA AND THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGES OF CATALONIA -- A GOURMET'S GRANADA -- BARCELONA AND THE GENIUS OF DALI -- GRANADA -ORIGINS OF FLAMENCO -- SEVILLA AND THE PUEBLOS BLANCOS - A CULINARY ENCOUNTER -- THE MOORISH LEGACY IN GRANADA |
The Great Train Journeys of Spain
IBERTOURS is the sole GSA in Australia and New Zealand for the Great Train Journeys of Spain. These marvellous journeys attend to the needs of the traveller who is keen to savour the travel delights of yesteryear and who is enticed by the notion of a special journey by rail.
"El Transcantabrico" explores the rugged mountains and seascape of the northern coast in an 08 day gastronomic adventure. There are 2 very special and itineraries to select.
The "Espreso de la Robla" takes one on an enjoyable 4 day regional rail experience between Bilbao and Leon, as well as Gijon and Santiago de Compostela.
The legendary "Al Andalus" returns in 2012 in a luxurious 6 day adventure through historical Andalucia, from Sevilla to Sevilla, visiting Cordoba, Granada and Jerez along the way.
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EL EXPRESO DE LA ROBLA | EL TRANSCANTABRICO - 8 DAY JOURNEY AL ANDALUS
Unique Historic Accommodation
IBERTOURS TRAVEL is the Official Representative of Paradores in Australia and New Zealand.
The concept of utilising these unique establishments as selected accommodation for tourism goes back to 1926, when the royal tourist commissioner, the Marques of Vega-Inclan, sought Royal Approval for the extraordinarily far sighted idea of setting up State run Paradores as lodgings for nature lovers and hunters around the country.
Rustic and Rural Spain with Rusticae
Rusticae is a network of boutique properties and guesthouses that are often old farms, mills and homes, transformed into small hotels. Rusticae has currently has over 160 hotels spread across Spain, Portugal, France and Argentina divided into two main types of accommodation, Metropoli and Tradition.
The Metropoli range incorporates a selection of small, boutique hotels inside major cities including Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao.
The Tradition range is the most extensive and has a wide selection of hotels and manor houses located in small villages in the countryside.
There are around 140 of these properties in Spain alone and each possesses its own individual charm and style, reflecting the history and traditions of the region and its people.
Spanish Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and San Sebastian, plus many other smaller regional cities such as Granada, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region:
Northern Spain and the Pyrenees / Madrid and Surrounds / Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha / Valencia / Andalucia / Balearic Islands /Canary Islands
Apartments
If you are planning a stay of 3 nights or more, why not consider an apartment? Live like the locals do in the centre of one of Spain's vibrant and emblematic cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and others. Ideal for an extended stay, an apartment gives you the freedom and choice to shop with the locals at the market and cook up your own Spanish fusion! All we need to know is how many people, what city and when and we can find one perfect for you! Just ask us to add an apartment to your creative itinerary.