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| Cruise trains are more intimate than are cruise ships, and this is even more evident when the trains run on tracks that are narrower than standard gauge. We represent some of the world's best trains that run in southern Africa, on tracks just 3 foot 6 inches apart. Europe can also boast a narrow gauge luxury train, the El Transcantabrico that runs over the meter gauge FEVE system in northern Spain. This region is entirely different from the dryer southern Spain. Proud of their Celtic traditions, this well watered land offers outstanding scenery and towns that seem to have been made especially for the photographer. |
THE JOURNEY
The El Transcantabrico is a very special train journey that
introduces you to a unique area of Spain, known as the
Green Spain.
On board the train there are en suite cabins catering for two
people or for individuals, where you can enjoy all the privacy
you need during the journey.
Beautiful northern Spain faces the Cantabrian sea. The train
runs past high craggy mountains and lush green meadows,
next to attractive beaches and rugged coastal cliffs.
Visit enchanting villages, towns and cities, places full of
vitality and history which have gradually become living works
of art with the passing of the centuries and include: Santiago
de Compostela, Vivero, Oviedo, Ribadesella, Llanes,
Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Carrion de los
Condes and Leon.
The El Transcantabrico is a very special train journey that
introduces you to a unique area of Spain, known as the
Green Spain.
On board the train there are en suite cabins catering for two
people or for individuals, where you can enjoy all the privacy
you need during the journey.
Beautiful northern Spain faces the Cantabrian sea. The train
runs past high craggy mountains and lush green meadows,
next to attractive beaches and rugged coastal cliffs.
Visit enchanting villages, towns and cities, places full of
vitality and history which have gradually become living works
of art with the passing of the centuries and include: Santiago
de Compostela, Vivero, Oviedo, Ribadesella, Llanes,
Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Carrion de los
Condes and Leon.
Santiago de Compostela - León
Day 1: Saturday (Santiago de Compostela - Viveiro)
The journey begins in historical Santiago de Compostela, focus of the pilgrim route. Then to Ferrol, where
the train awaits us. Lunch in Santiago. Supper in Viveiro.
Day 2: Sunday (Viveiro - Luarca)
Yacht trip on Viveiro Ría or estuary. Train journey along the northern coast of Galicia as far as Ribadeo.
From there to Luarca. Lunch on the boundary between Galicia and the Principality of Asturias. Supper in
Luarca.
Day 3: Monday (Luarca - Gijón)
Heading for Cudillero and then to Oviedo, capital of Asturias, Afterwards, we journey on to Gijón in the
afternoon. Lunch in Oviedo. Supper in Gijón.
Day 4: Tuesday (Gijón - Llanes)
After arriving by train in Arriondas, we visit the "Picos de Europa" National Park, going up to Lake Enol, the
sanctuary of Covadonga and finally Cangas de Onís. In the afternoon, we arrive in Ribadesella, where the
train awaits. From there, we travel to Llanes. Lunch in Cangas de Onís. Supper in Llanes.
Day 5: Wednesday (Llanes - Santander)
During breakfast, the train arrives in Cabezón de la Sal. From here, we leave by coach to visit the Altamira
neo-cave and Santillana del Mar. Lunch in Santillana de Mar. In the afternoon, the train takes us to
Santander, visit, supper and if you wish you can visit the local Casino afterwards.
Day 6: Thursday (Santander - Sotoscueva)
After breakfast the train arrives in Bilbao, a modern city where the river comes out to meet the sea. A tour of
the city includes the famous Guggenheim Museum. Lunch in Bilbao. In the afternoon the train arrives in
Sotoscueva, where we can see a natural wonder, the Ojo Guareña Caves. Supper on board the train.
Day 7: Firday (Sotoscueva - Cistierna)
In the morning we arrive in Mataporquera. From there we take a coach to visit local Romanesque style:
Villalcázar de Sirga, Saldaña, Carrión de Los Condes and Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de Sirga. In the
afternoon, we can see one of the best conserved roman villas in Spain, then taking the train from Guardo
to Cistierna. Supper in Cistierna.
Day 8: Saturday (Cisterna - León)
During breakfast, crossing through the final part of the canyon excavated in the limestone rock by the
Rivers Curueño and Torío, the train arrives in León, a historical town. Visit to San Isidoro, Cathedral, Old
Quarter and San Marcos. Lunch in León.
Day 1: Saturday (Santiago de Compostela - Viveiro)
The journey begins in historical Santiago de Compostela, focus of the pilgrim route. Then to Ferrol, where
the train awaits us. Lunch in Santiago. Supper in Viveiro.
Day 2: Sunday (Viveiro - Luarca)
Yacht trip on Viveiro Ría or estuary. Train journey along the northern coast of Galicia as far as Ribadeo.
From there to Luarca. Lunch on the boundary between Galicia and the Principality of Asturias. Supper in
Luarca.
Day 3: Monday (Luarca - Gijón)
Heading for Cudillero and then to Oviedo, capital of Asturias, Afterwards, we journey on to Gijón in the
afternoon. Lunch in Oviedo. Supper in Gijón.
Day 4: Tuesday (Gijón - Llanes)
After arriving by train in Arriondas, we visit the "Picos de Europa" National Park, going up to Lake Enol, the
sanctuary of Covadonga and finally Cangas de Onís. In the afternoon, we arrive in Ribadesella, where the
train awaits. From there, we travel to Llanes. Lunch in Cangas de Onís. Supper in Llanes.
Day 5: Wednesday (Llanes - Santander)
During breakfast, the train arrives in Cabezón de la Sal. From here, we leave by coach to visit the Altamira
neo-cave and Santillana del Mar. Lunch in Santillana de Mar. In the afternoon, the train takes us to
Santander, visit, supper and if you wish you can visit the local Casino afterwards.
Day 6: Thursday (Santander - Sotoscueva)
After breakfast the train arrives in Bilbao, a modern city where the river comes out to meet the sea. A tour of
the city includes the famous Guggenheim Museum. Lunch in Bilbao. In the afternoon the train arrives in
Sotoscueva, where we can see a natural wonder, the Ojo Guareña Caves. Supper on board the train.
Day 7: Firday (Sotoscueva - Cistierna)
In the morning we arrive in Mataporquera. From there we take a coach to visit local Romanesque style:
Villalcázar de Sirga, Saldaña, Carrión de Los Condes and Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de Sirga. In the
afternoon, we can see one of the best conserved roman villas in Spain, then taking the train from Guardo
to Cistierna. Supper in Cistierna.
Day 8: Saturday (Cisterna - León)
During breakfast, crossing through the final part of the canyon excavated in the limestone rock by the
Rivers Curueño and Torío, the train arrives in León, a historical town. Visit to San Isidoro, Cathedral, Old
Quarter and San Marcos. Lunch in León.
León - Santiago de Compostela
Day 1: Saturday (León - Cistierna)
León, a fascinating, historic city. San Isidoro, Cathedral, Old Quarter and San Marcos. Lunch in León.
Train journey through the final part of the canyon excavated by the Rivers Curueño and Torío in the
limestone rock, before arriving in Cistierna. Supper in Cistierna.
Day 2: Sunday (Cistierna - Sotoscueva)
During breakfast, the train will cover the route between Cistierna and Guardo. Coach to Saldaña, visit to the
Olmeda Roman Villa and palencia's Romanesque art: Carrión de Los Condes. Villalcázar de Sirga and
Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de Sirga. Back on the train, from Mataporquera, we arrive in Sotoscueva,
skirting the fascinating Ebro reservoir and the Merindades district. Here, we can see one of nature's
wonders, the Ojo Guareña caves. Supper on board the train.
Day 3: Monday (Sotoscueva - Santander)
Through the Mena valley, across the lands of Vizcaya, we come to Bilbao, a modern city where the ria
meets the sea. Visit to the city, Guggenheim Museum and lunch. In the afternoon, the train arrives in
Santander, capital of Cantabria, a fishing town that conserves the charm of yesteryear. Visit and supper. If
you wish, you can visit the Casino after supper.
Day 4: Tuesday (Santander - Ribadesella)
During breakfast, the train arrives in Torrelavega. Coach to Santillana del Mar, visit to Altamira neo-cave
and this beautiful medieval town. Lunch in Santillana del Mar and in the afternoon we enter the lands of
Asturias as far as the attractive fishing town of Llanes. Visit, later continuing to Ribadesella for supper.
Day 5: Wednesday (Ribadesalla - Gijón)
We arrive in the heart of Asturias. From Ribadesella, emulating the Internacional Descent of the River
Sella, we come to Arriondas, then on to the Picos de Europa National Park, climbing up to Lakes Enol and
Ercina, the sanctuary of Covadonga and, finally, Cangas de Onís. We journey by train to Gijón, Asturias'
second city par excellence. Lunch in Cangas de Onís. Supper in Gijón.
Day 6: Thursday (Gijón - Luarca)
From Gijón to Oviedo, the Principality's capital, the finest selection of cooking in an incredible variety, like
the city, displaying a unique series of Pre-Romanesque monuments. The journey continues to Cudillero, a
fishing town, sheltered among mountains. Then Luarca, the White Town on the Green Coast. Lunch in
Oviedo. Supper in Luarca.
Day 7: Friday (Luarca - Viveiro)
The first town in Galicia, bordering with Asturias, is Ribadeo, where the River Eo runs into the sea. The Rías
Atlas landscape is remarkable. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon, the train takes us to Viveiro, visiting this
beautiful walled town. Boat trip on the Ria and supper in Viveiro.
Day 8: Saturday (Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela)
From Viveiro, the train takes us to Ferrol, where we set off by coach to our final destination, Santiago de
Compostela, the goal of St. James' pilgrims, where we can see such treasures as the Plaza del Obradoiro,
Platerías, the Cathedral. Lunch in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 1: Saturday (León - Cistierna)
León, a fascinating, historic city. San Isidoro, Cathedral, Old Quarter and San Marcos. Lunch in León.
Train journey through the final part of the canyon excavated by the Rivers Curueño and Torío in the
limestone rock, before arriving in Cistierna. Supper in Cistierna.
Day 2: Sunday (Cistierna - Sotoscueva)
During breakfast, the train will cover the route between Cistierna and Guardo. Coach to Saldaña, visit to the
Olmeda Roman Villa and palencia's Romanesque art: Carrión de Los Condes. Villalcázar de Sirga and
Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de Sirga. Back on the train, from Mataporquera, we arrive in Sotoscueva,
skirting the fascinating Ebro reservoir and the Merindades district. Here, we can see one of nature's
wonders, the Ojo Guareña caves. Supper on board the train.
Day 3: Monday (Sotoscueva - Santander)
Through the Mena valley, across the lands of Vizcaya, we come to Bilbao, a modern city where the ria
meets the sea. Visit to the city, Guggenheim Museum and lunch. In the afternoon, the train arrives in
Santander, capital of Cantabria, a fishing town that conserves the charm of yesteryear. Visit and supper. If
you wish, you can visit the Casino after supper.
Day 4: Tuesday (Santander - Ribadesella)
During breakfast, the train arrives in Torrelavega. Coach to Santillana del Mar, visit to Altamira neo-cave
and this beautiful medieval town. Lunch in Santillana del Mar and in the afternoon we enter the lands of
Asturias as far as the attractive fishing town of Llanes. Visit, later continuing to Ribadesella for supper.
Day 5: Wednesday (Ribadesalla - Gijón)
We arrive in the heart of Asturias. From Ribadesella, emulating the Internacional Descent of the River
Sella, we come to Arriondas, then on to the Picos de Europa National Park, climbing up to Lakes Enol and
Ercina, the sanctuary of Covadonga and, finally, Cangas de Onís. We journey by train to Gijón, Asturias'
second city par excellence. Lunch in Cangas de Onís. Supper in Gijón.
Day 6: Thursday (Gijón - Luarca)
From Gijón to Oviedo, the Principality's capital, the finest selection of cooking in an incredible variety, like
the city, displaying a unique series of Pre-Romanesque monuments. The journey continues to Cudillero, a
fishing town, sheltered among mountains. Then Luarca, the White Town on the Green Coast. Lunch in
Oviedo. Supper in Luarca.
Day 7: Friday (Luarca - Viveiro)
The first town in Galicia, bordering with Asturias, is Ribadeo, where the River Eo runs into the sea. The Rías
Atlas landscape is remarkable. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon, the train takes us to Viveiro, visiting this
beautiful walled town. Boat trip on the Ria and supper in Viveiro.
Day 8: Saturday (Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela)
From Viveiro, the train takes us to Ferrol, where we set off by coach to our final destination, Santiago de
Compostela, the goal of St. James' pilgrims, where we can see such treasures as the Plaza del Obradoiro,
Platerías, the Cathedral. Lunch in Santiago de Compostela.
2008 Prices
Double Suite (per person sharing): £2,084
Single use of a Suite: £2,917
These prices are based on an exchange rate of 1.2 Euro =
£1.00, and may vary.
The Transcantabrico trip includes:
The price excludes:
Double Suite (per person sharing): £2,084
Single use of a Suite: £2,917
These prices are based on an exchange rate of 1.2 Euro =
£1.00, and may vary.
The Transcantabrico trip includes:
- Seven nights compartment accommodation on
board the train - Seven dinners and eight lunches of typical
northern Spanish cuisine, with wine, coffee or
tea and liqueur included - Seven buffet breakfasts on board
- Guide accompaniment for the whole journey
- Music and entertainment in the pub carriage
- Programmed excursions, including entrance to
museums, churches, casino, and more - The train's own luxury coach throughout the
entire itinerary - An excellent team of professionals at your
service
The price excludes:
- Flights to and from Spain
- Transfers to and from the airports in Spain
(these can be arranged at extra cost) - Bar service on board (wines, coffee and
liqueurs at meals are included) - Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
| There are 26 suites on the train, each with a double size bed. A wardrobe, mini bar and safe are included. The bathroom has a shower, wc and wash basin. All suites are air conditioned, some have an additional upper bunk for families. |
| Accommodation |
| There are four lounges / dining saloons on the train. Together, they offer a bar, library, boutique, and a club car where entertainment is offered in the evenings. Breakfast and some other meals are served in these coaches |
| Dining Cars and Lounges |
| Some meals are served on the train, but most lunches and dinners are in restaurants. |
| Meals |
| Fishing is an important activity in the region, and excellent seafood is well represented on most menus. Menus can be changed if you have any special needs, or if you do not enjoy seafood. It is preferable that this be arranged in advance. |
| Two English speaking guides accompany the train. |
| Guides and touring |
| A coach accompanies the tour, meeting the train wherever it stops for an off-train activity. |
| Departures from Santiago 2008 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 August. 06, 13, 20, 27 September. 11, 25 October. |
| Departures from Leon 2008 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 August 06, 13, 20 September 04, 18 October 06 December (Special £400 discount on this departure) |
| Getting there The recommended airport for Leon is Vallandlid. A coach can be booked from there to Leon, information can be found on the airport website. Alternatively you can travel by RENFE train. Santiago has an airport with direct flights from the UK. The town centre is a short taxi or bus ride away. Ryanair fly to both Vallandlid and Santiago. An alternative is to fly with Iberian, who connect via Madrid to Leon. Geoff's Trains do not arrange flights. This information is correct to the best of our knowledge, but should be confirmed. |
| Hotels The El Transcantabrico tour starts with receptions at the Parador Hotels in Leon and Santiago. If you require accommodation in either center, consider these historic hotels |
| Phone + 44 (0)1562 632000 69 Pitt Street, Kidderminster Worcestershire, DY10 2UN, England |
| Decided? Great! Booking is easy Just fill in a booking form. We will get back to you to confirm availability and price If you have any questions about booking with us, look at our Booking Q & A. If you cannot find the answer, we would like to hear from you. Click here or phone: 44 (0)1562632000 |
