Railbookers: 13D12N El Transcantabrico – Gran Lujo From Santiago De Compostela To San Sebastian
Discover one of Europe’s most beautiful and unique regions as you take the train trip of a lifetime aboard the luxurious El Transcantabrico between Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastian. See the sights in Madrid before a night in Santiago de Compostela, then embark on a seven-night journey across Northern Spain whilst sleeping in your own private suite onboard and enjoying some of the regions finest cuisines before arriving in the seaside resort of San Sebastian. Enjoy an evening discovering the real pintxos, before returning to Madrid.
Tour Highlights
- Enjoy the riches Madrid has to offer
- Follow in the footsteps of millions and visit the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
- Travel onboard one of the world’s most prestigious private trains
- Discover the diverse landscapes, culture, and gastronomy of Asturia, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Castile, and León
- Marvel at the ancient cave art at the Cave of Altamira
- Enjoy the delicious pintxos in the local bars and tavernas of San Sebastian’s Old Town
Good to know
- Card Offer: Maybank Mastercard cardholders: spend RM8,000 and get an instant rebate of RM1,000 on the spot
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Your Journey Begins in Madrid
Welcome to Madrid! You will be met on arrival at the airport and driven to your hotel for a two-night stay, then why not stretch your legs with a stroll around the beautiful Retiro park, then in the evening enjoy a drink and some tapas in the Puerta del Sol? (Overnight in Madrid)
Day 2 Madrid
Make use of your great sightseeing pass today, which gives you a choice of great activities and attractions to visit. Discover masterpieces by Valazquez, Goya and Bosch in the Prado perhaps, or maybe visit Las Ventras – the most important bullring in the world, or in the evening enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in Torres Bermejas. (Overnight in Madrid)
breakfast
Day 3 Madrid to Santiago De Compostela
Head up to Madrid Chamartín station today for your train to the capital of Galicia. The city of Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage site and once you have checked in at your hotel head out to explore its narrow street maze with a great selection of tapas taverns and delicate squares. (Overnight in Santiago de Compostela)
breakfast
Day 4 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
Make your way to the Parador Hotel for a gala reception and to meet your travelling companions for the next 7 days. Follow in the footsteps of countless Pilgrims with a tour of the famous cathedral and resting place of St James before lunch then take a luxury coach to Ferrol where your train awaits! Settle into your private cabin then celebrate your departure with your travelling companions as the train heads for the pretty town of Viveiro for dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Santiago de Compostela to Viveiro)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 5 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
Start the day as you will every day onboard with a delicious a la carte breakfast then enjoy a visit to historic Ribadeo and the beach of Las Catedrales, one of the world’s most spectacular. Following lunch, it’s back on the train as it crosses into Asturia and arrives in Luarca for a tour and visit to the beautiful Villa Blanca de la Costa Verde. Finally, it’s back on board for the short ride to Candás and dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Viveiro to Candás)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 6 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
First, today is a tour of the ancient seafaring town of Avilés, then it is on to Gijón to explore Roman archaeological sites, Romanesque churches, and 19th-century shipyards. After lunch you travel to the capital of the region Oviedo where you have some free time to discover its treasures such as San Julian de los Prados, then hop back onboard the train for dinner and your final destination of the day, Arriondas. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Candás to Arriondas)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 7 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
After breakfast, it’s a coach ride deep into the Picos de Europa National Park, the heart of the Asturias region. Enjoy visiting mountain-framed lakes and spectacular Cantabrian views, then visit the spectacular Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred shrine tucked away in a cave high in the mountains. Then, visit Cangas de Onis for lunch, and admire its impressive Roman Bridge. Once back onboard follow the Sella River for a while before arriving in the wonderful fishing village of Llanes for a visit, some free time and dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Arriondas to Llanes)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 8 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
The train crosses into Cantabria this morning, and from Unquera it’s a coach journey via the impressive Gorge of La Hermida to the charming village of Potes for some indulgence at the famous springs of the Hermida Spa. After lunch, you have the chance to visit the amazing El Capricho in Comillas, a wonderful 19th-century palace by Antonio Gaudi. Dinner is served once you have arrived in Cabezón de la Sal. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Llanes to Cabezón de la Sal)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 9 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
Your first visit today is to the well-preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar, then to Altamira and its breathtaking cave art, arguably the finest example of late Stone Age art known. After lunch, it’s a train ride to Santander for a guided tour and some free time. Following dinner, you can visit El Gran Casino de Santander. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Cabezón de la Sal to Santander)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 10 Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
El Transcantabrico heads for Bilbao today and your visit will include a tour of this wonderfully dynamic city, but also entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy lunch and some free time to explore the old town before getting back onboard the train for dinner, bound for Carranza. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Santander to Carranza)
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 11 San Sebastian
Your final morning onboard as the train returns to Bilbao where you disembark and ride the coach to San Sebastian. Bid farewell to your fellow passengers and check in at your hotel for a final night, then embark on a brilliant private tour of the very best bustling pintxos bars, where you can sample some of the best food and wine in the whole region. (Overnight in San Sebastian)
breakfast
Day 12 San Sebastian to Madrid
Make your way to the station for your train to the Spanish capital for your final night in Spain. Once checked in why not take a stroll to the enormous Royal Palace, then toast your holiday with a dink on Plaza Mayor? (Overnight Madrid)
breakfast
Day 13 Your Journey Ends in Madrid
breakfast
What's included
Included
- Rail travel as per the itinerary
- 7 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Suite onboard the El Transcantabrico train
- 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Madrid
- 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Santiago de Compostela
- 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in San Sebastian
- 1 Day Madrid Sightseeing Pass including the Prado Museum and Hop-on, Hop-off Tour
- Private all-inclusive pintxos tour in San Sebastian
- Private airport transfers in Madrid
Not included
- International air ticket
- Travel insurance
- Visa (if any)
- Tipping for guide and driver
- Others not mentioned
Your hotels
Barceló Torre de Madrid
★★★★★
Madrid Plaza de España, 18, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain
Hotel Lux Santiago
★★★
Santiago De Compostela Rúa do Doutor Teixeiro, 4, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
Hotel Antik San Sebastián
★★★★
San Sebastian Zarautz Kalea, 120, 20018 Donostia / San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Barceló Torre de Madrid
★★★★★
Madrid Plaza de España, 18, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain



