| This report and photographs are Copyright to Geoff Cooke |
| The luxury trains that Geoff's Trains promotes in Africa all operate over Cape Gauge tracks, narrower than the European standard gauge. Europe boasts one narrow gauge luxury train, the El Transcantabrico. Owned and operated by FEVE over their network of metre gauge lines that run across northern Spain. I was delighted to be invited to travel on this very special train, and look forward to adding it to my portfolio of memorable train journeys. |
Our journey started at Santiago with lunch at
the Parador Hotel. The coach accompanies the
train throughout its journey, making transfers and
off - train touring easy.
the Parador Hotel. The coach accompanies the
train throughout its journey, making transfers and
off - train touring easy.
The Plaza del Oberadoiro is also home to the Cathedral. This is
the end of the road for The Way of St James, a pilgrimage route
since the 11 th century.
the end of the road for The Way of St James, a pilgrimage route
since the 11 th century.
Before we boarded the train at Ferrol the staff were introduced. A
friendly group including the manager, guides, stewards, security,
engineering and the driver.
Some Spanish Cava, skilfully served in the lounge, welcomed
everyone on board.
friendly group including the manager, guides, stewards, security,
engineering and the driver.
Some Spanish Cava, skilfully served in the lounge, welcomed
everyone on board.
Time to explore Suite 21, my home
for the next four nights (the full tour
lasts twice as long).
Every cabin is en suite with an
impressive shower. The double bed
was small, but adequate.
for the next four nights (the full tour
lasts twice as long).
Every cabin is en suite with an
impressive shower. The double bed
was small, but adequate.
The night was spent on the train at Ribadeo, a scenic area that was
visited by coach on the second morning.
visited by coach on the second morning.
A boat trip on the estuary followed a visit to the
Cathedral Cliffs.
Cathedral Cliffs.
The statue of a bagpipe player overlooking the Eo estuary is a
reminder that this is a Celtic land.
reminder that this is a Celtic land.
The fishing town of Luarca used to be a major whaling port, with
a strong heritage and outstanding scenery. The area is also
famous for its Cider, poured with arms outstreched to add air to
the mixture. A great way to get your shoes wet.
a strong heritage and outstanding scenery. The area is also
famous for its Cider, poured with arms outstreched to add air to
the mixture. A great way to get your shoes wet.
This afternoon we travelled by train to Gijon, where we spent the night.
Day three included a train ride from Gijon to Oviedo.
Oviedo is rich in history, but also boasts great architecture and
some unusual statues.
Oviedo is rich in history, but also boasts great architecture and
some unusual statues.
Lunch today was on board the train as we
travelled to Arriondas.
This afternoon we drove to the Lakes in the
Picos de Europe, a magnificent mountain
range. The white limestone mountains
stand in dramatic contrast to the green
valleys.
travelled to Arriondas.
This afternoon we drove to the Lakes in the
Picos de Europe, a magnificent mountain
range. The white limestone mountains
stand in dramatic contrast to the green
valleys.
Later this afternoon
we stopped for a
while in the town
of Congas de Onis.
One of the more
interesting views is
the unusual visitors
to the shops, such
as this fine heard
of cows!
we stopped for a
while in the town
of Congas de Onis.
One of the more
interesting views is
the unusual visitors
to the shops, such
as this fine heard
of cows!
Our fourth day started with a train ride from Llanes to
Cabezon de la Sal and a coach visit to Santillana
del Mar. This preserved town is a photographer's
delight, perfectly preserved with cobbled streets,
ancient buildings and the collegiate church.
Lunch was in Cabezon, from where the train took us
to Santander.
Cabezon de la Sal and a coach visit to Santillana
del Mar. This preserved town is a photographer's
delight, perfectly preserved with cobbled streets,
ancient buildings and the collegiate church.
Lunch was in Cabezon, from where the train took us
to Santander.
Santander is an interesting city beside the sea, with
an attractive beach. The railway station is home to
yet more quirky statues, this time of a rather hungry
looking railwayman.
an attractive beach. The railway station is home to
yet more quirky statues, this time of a rather hungry
looking railwayman.
The FEVE station at Bilbao is a period masterpiece, with added
appeal from a deminutive 0-4-0 at the end of the platform.
appeal from a deminutive 0-4-0 at the end of the platform.
The undisputed number one
attraction in Bilbao is the
modernistic Guggenheim
Museum. All glass and
titanium, a must see if you are
in the area.
attraction in Bilbao is the
modernistic Guggenheim
Museum. All glass and
titanium, a must see if you are
in the area.
We made our last train journey on the
morning of day five, travelling from
Santander to Bilbao.
morning of day five, travelling from
Santander to Bilbao.
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