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El Transcantabrico 2012

Itineraries

 

Leon - Santiago de Compostela (8 days/7 nights)

Assembly Point and Time
Parador Nacional de San Marcos, 12:00 noon
Plaza de San marcos, 7

Day 1Saturday
León is a fascinating city that is full of history. Visit St Isidore's, the cathedral, the old quarter and St. Mark's. Enjoy lunch in León. You willl be welcomed onboard the train and have time to settle in. In the afternoon we will travel by train to Boñar, where we will depart by coach to Sabero to visit the Iron, Steel, Mining Industry Museum. Dinner and overnight in Cistierna.
Day 2

Sunday
Enjoy breakfast on board the train as it travels the distance between Cistierna and Guardo. On board our coach we will get to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda and will enjoy the Romanesque art of Palencia: Carrión de los Condes, Church of Santa Maria la Blaca and Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar.

We will then travel by train from Mataporquera to Villasana de Mena, surrounding the fascinating reservoir of the Ebro river and the region of Las Merindades. Dinner and over night on board in Villasana de Mena.

Day 3Monday
Breakfast will be served on board as the train arrives into the Mena Valley and Biscay territories before reaching Bilbao. The tour around the city includes the visit to the Guggenheim Museum (The Museum is open all week in July and August only and closed on Mondays for the remainder of the year). We wil also be visiting the Loizaga's Tower in Galdames - this hosts the World's greatest collection of Rolls-Royce cars.

Lunch will be served onboard as the train arrives into Santander, the Capital of Cantabria, where guests will enjoy a City tour and dinner. After dinner, guests have the option to visit the local Casino.
Day 4Tuesday
The train will be arriving into Cabezon de la Sal in the morning. Our coach will take us to Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval village captured in time. The tour includes a visit to the Neocave Museum at Altamira which incorporates a replica of the nearby Stone Age caves famous for their Pre-Historic paintings.

Lunch in Santillana. In the afternoon, we continue by train from Cabezon de la Sal to the province of Asturias where we will visit the beautiful seaside resort town of Llanes and Ribadesella. Dinner will be in Arriondas and overnight onboard in Arriondas.
Day 5Wednesday
This morning the train travels from the heart of Asturias to Arriondas; the National Park of the Picos de Europa, where guests will travel to the Lakes of Covadonga, the Sanctuary of Covadonga and finally, Cangas de Onis.

Lunch on the train, as we travel towards Oviedo, the capital of the Principality, which boasts a unique collection of pre-Romanesque monuments. Dinner and night in Oviedo.
Day 6Thursday
Today, the train will travel from Oviedo to Gijon. The journey will continue in the afternoon, until we reach Luarca, the Villa Blanca of the Costa Verde. Lunch in Gijon. Dinner and night in Luarca.
Day 7Friday
This morning we head further along the coast to Ribadeo, set majestically on the mouth of the River Eo. The landscape from here along the coast is called the "Rias Altas" and is awe-inspiring. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon we continue by train to Viveiro. Boat trip on the estuary and dinner in Viveiro.
Day 8Saturday
Our last journey by train as we travel from Viveiro to Ferrol. In Ferrol we board our coach for our last destination: Santiago de Compostela, and the focus of the Pilgrimage. A city tour entreats us to savour the beauty of the old quarter, the Obradoiro Square, the Platerias and the Cathedral.

Santiago de Compostela - Leon (8 days/7 nights)

Assembly Point and Time
Parador Nacional de Los Reyes Católicos, 12:00 noon
Plaza del Obradoiro, 1

Day 1Saturday
Santiago, the goal of pilgrims, is like a jewel in a crown, with the Plaza del Obradoiro, the Platerías, and the Cathedral. Lunch in Santiago.

Guests with then travel by coach from Santiago to Ferrol, where the train is waiting for us. You will be welcomed and then have time to settle in. We will start our train journey by travelling to Viveiro where we visit The old Wall. Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.
Day 2Sunday
Today, we will travel by train from Viveiro to Ribadeo, on the border between Asturias and Galicia. Lunch in Ribadeo. We then travel to Luarca, the White Village on the Green Coast. Dinner and overnight in Luarca.
Day 3Monday
Today the train will take us to Candas, and then onto Gijon, the Asturian seaside town. Enjoy lunch in Gijon. The train will then travel to Oviedo, the capital of the Principality, which boasts a unique collection of pre-Romanesque monuments. Dinner and night in Oviedo.
Day 4Tuesday
On our way to Arriondas, we reach the heart of Asturias: the Picos de Europa National Park, climb up to Lake Enol, the Sanctuary of Covadonga, and finally, Cangas de Onís. After lunch, board the train as we travel to Ribadesella, then onto Llanes- a marvellous fishing village in Eastern Asturias. Dinner and overnight in Llanes.
Day 5Wednesday
In the morning, the train will take us to Cabezón de la Sal. We will then travel by coach to visit the New Cave of Altamira and Santillana del Mar. Lunch in Santillana. In the afternoon the train will take us to Santander to have dinner. Later, those who wish to do so can visit the Casino. Overnight in Santander.
Day 6Thursday
After breakfast on the train, we will arrive in Bilbao, a modern city where the estuary meets the sea. Visit the city and the Guggenheim Museum. Lunch will be served on board the train. Today we will visit Torre de Loizaga in Galdames Balmaseda. In the afternoon we will go to Villasana de Mena in the north of the province of Burgos. Dinner and overnight in Villasana de Mena.
Day 7Friday
In the morning we will go to Mataporquera, where the coach will take us to visit the Canal de Castilla and some examples of the Palentine Romanesque art: Carrión de los Condes, Frómista and Villacázar de Sirga. Lunch in Villalcázar. Visit of the Iron, Steel, Mining Industry Museum in Sabero. Dinner and overnight in Cistierna.
Day 8Saturday
On our last day, we will cross the rivers and valleys of to travel to the provincial capital, León. Enjoy a tour of this historical city including St. Isidro, the Cathedral, Casa de Botines, Old Quarter and St. Mark's.

 

San Sebastián – Santiago de Compostela

Meeting Point
Hotel Mª Cristina (C/ República Argentina, 4 - San Sebastian).

Day 1Saturday
San Sebastián, an exciting city of unusual charm. Guests will have a welcome reception, and lunch in San Sebastián. A coach transfer will take you to Bilbao where, the train will be waiting. Board the train and settle into your comfortable cabin as your railway cruise begins, traveling to Balmaseda. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2Sunday
Breakfast is served on board as the train makes its way back to Bilbao, a modern city where the river searches for the sea. See the sights of this enchanting city and visit the Frank Gehry's famous Guggenheim Museum, which is considered as the most important structure of its time. Rejoin the train and enjoy lunch as you travel to the capital of Cantabria. Santander is a quiet city combined with beauty and remarkable charm. Explore the area of El Sardinero and witness the majestic building - The Casino. Enjoy dinner in Santander, where the evening is spent.
Day 3Monday
The train arrives in Unquera in the morning, where a coach will be waiting to drive you to the La Hermida pass to Potes and the Santo Toribio de Liebana sanctuary. After lunch depart for Cabezon de la Sal, by train. Visit the Comillas - the seat of the Archbishop.
Day 4Tuesday
From Cabezón de la Sal we will travel to Santillana del Mar, visit the Altamira caves and the medieval town. Enjoy lunch in Santillana. In the afternoon we will travel by train to the Asturias village of Llanes and Arriondas. Dinner and night in Arriondas.
Day 5Wednesday
This morning depart via coach and visit the National Park of Picos de Europa, the Covadonga Lakes, the Sanctuary of Covadonga and Cangas de Onis. Return to the train in time for lunch and travel to Oviedo, the capital city of Asturias. Upon arrival, you have the opportunity to explore this beautiful city before dinner. Overnight in Oviedo
Day 6Thursday
The train departs from Oviedo this morning and brings you to the enchanting seaside city of Gijon. Enjoy your sightseeing tour of this little town followed by lunch. Your journey continues as the train makes its way to the stunning little village of Luarca, also known as "The White Town of the Green Coast." The evening is spent in Luarca after dinner.
Day 7Friday
This morning, travel further along the rugged coast to Ribadeo, which is set majestically on the mouth of the River Eo. Visit Las Catedrales beach and witness awe-inspiring landscape of "Las Rias Altas." After lunch, the train departs for Viveiro for an overnight stay.
Day 8Saturday
As you conclude your journey, the train travels from Viveiro to Ferrol. Here, board the coach and depart for your last destination - Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, discover the beauty and history of this city, whose Cathedral was the destination of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James. Visit the Plaza del Obradoiro, the Platerías, its famous Cathedral and discover why Santiago is hailed as a jewel in a crown. Bid a fond farewell to your new-found friends as this memorable journey comes to an end.

 

Santiago de Compostela – San Sebastián

Meeting point
Parador de Turismo de Los Reyes Católicos, 12:00 hours midday
Plaza del Obradoiro, 1

Day 1Saturday
Welcome to Santiago de Compostela, whose Cathedral was the destination of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James. Santiago is like a jewel in a crown, with the Plaza del Obradoiro, the Platerías and its famous Cathedral. Enjoy lunch in Santiago before boarding the coach to Ferrol, where El Transcantabrico awaits. Settle in to your comfortable cabin as your railway cruise begins, traveling to Viveiro. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight in Viveiro.
Day 2Sunday
Travel further along the rugged coast to Ribadeo, which is set majestically on the mouth of the River Eo and visit Las Catedrales beach along Lugo's coast. After lunch, the train departs for the stunning little village of Luarca, also known as "The White Town of the Green Coast." The evening is spent in Luarca.
Day 3Monday
The train travels to Candas, en route to Gijon. Visit the second main city in Asturias followed by a delicious lunch. Continue your journey as you depart for Oviedo, the capital of the Principality that boasts a unique collection of the Pre-Romanesque monuments. Dinner and overnight in Oviedo
Day 4Tuesday
On our way to Arriondas, we reach the heart of Asturias, the Picos de Europa National Park. Climb up to the beautiful Lake Enol, the Sanctuary of Covadonga, and finally, Cangas de Onís. After lunch, return to the train and follow the route of the International Descent of the River Sella to Ribadesella. Continue to Llanes, a marvelous fishing village in Eastern Asturias. Dinner and overnight in Llanes
Day 5Wednesday
Enjoy breakfast and the beautiful sceneries as the train travels to Cantabria passing through the La Hermida pass to the Santo Toribio de Liebana sanctuary and Potes. After lunch, depart for Cabezon de la Sal and visit the Comillas - the seat of the Archbishop. Overnight in Cabezon de la Sal
Day 6Thursday
This morning's tour takes you to Santillana del Mar, a picturesque Medieval village captured in time. Visit the Neocave Museum of Altamira, which incorporates a replica of the nearby Stone Age caves famous for their prehistoric paintings. Rejoin the train and enjoy lunch as you travel to the capital of Cantabria. Santander is a quiet city, which combines beauty, fascination and charm. Explore the area of El Sardinero and witness the majestic building of The Casino. Overnight in Santander.
Day 7Friday
Continue on to the modern city of Bilbao, where the river searches for the sea. See the sights of this enchanting city and visit Frank Gehry's famous Guggenheim Museum. Return to the train where lunch is served as it makes its way to Balmaseda.
Day 8Saturday
Make your way to the charming city of San Sebastian this morning and fall in love with its charm. After your sightseeing tour of San Sebastian, bid a fond farewell to the train.

 

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