Asturias - Cantabria

A "Cruise on Rails"
From Altamira's prehistoric caves
To the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum

Hop on a 52-passenger luxury train (8 days - 7 nights) and discover rugged and scenic "Green Spain" along the shores of the Bay of Biscay. In this pastoral corner of northern Spain, four provinces - Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country - unroll gracefully among high mountains, green meadows, stony cliffs and sandy beaches. The region abounds with out-of -the-way places brimming with history, charm and vibrant energy.

This distinctive train tour takes you to the heart of all these regions and lets you enjoy their beauty as well as discover the uniqueness of their local cultures. The beauty of the countryside, the monuments and the pleasures of unrivalled cuisine await you, along with the exquisite accommodations of this incredible "hotel on rails".

TYPICAL ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Day 1 - Saturday: Leon to Cistierna. We meet in Leon, at the Parador de San Marcos, a magnificent 16th-century building with an exquisitely ornate Plateresque façade, a cloister and a chapel. Tour of Leon, a city of great history with its old quarter clustered around the 13th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro. Lunch in Leon. Later the train will take us to Cistierna in the Esla Valley. Dinner in Cistierna.

Day 2 - Sunday: Cistierna to Mercadillo. During breakfast the train journeys to Guardo. From there, we travel by coach to visit Olmeda's Roman Villa and the Romanesque architecture of Palencia, Carrion de Los Condes, Villacazar de Sirga and Fromista. Lunch in Villacazar. In the afternoon we go from Mataporquera to Mercadillo, as we curve around the rim of the impressive Ebro dam and the beautiful marshland region of Las Merindades. Dinner in Mercadillo.

Day 3 - Monday: Mercadillo to Santander. During breakfast the train winds its way through the Valley of Mena and the region of Vizcaya (the Basque Country) to reach Bilbao, a bustling modern city on the Atlantic Ocean. The tour of the city includes a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum (July and August only, as the museum is closed on Mondays for the rest of the year). Lunch, then afternoon ride to Santander, capital of Cantabria, a beautiful coastal resort with an enchanting past. Tour of the city and dinner. Optional excursion to the local casino after dinner.

Day 4 - Tuesday: Santander to Arriondas. During breakfast the train will reach Cabezon de la Sal. Then, our coach will take us to Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval village frozen in time. The tour includes a visit to Altamira, a replica of the nearby stone-age caves which have become world-famous because of their rare and unique prehistoric paintings. Lunch in Santillana. In the afternoon, we continue by train to the province of Asturias, where we will visit the beautiful seaside resort towns of Llanes and Ribadesella. Later, enjoy dinner in Cangas de Onis.

Day 5 - Wednesday: Arriondas to Gijon. Today the heart of Asturias is on the schedule. We will drive up to the magnificent National Park "Picos de Europa" for a visit of the beautiful lakes and the sanctuary of Covadonga. Lunch on board. During lunch the train will continue to Gijon, an impressive Asturian seaside city. Dinner in Gijon.

Day 6 - Thursday: Gijon to Luarca. A short ride takes us from Gijon to the capital of the principality of Asturias, Oviedo, a city known for its gastronomy and some of the finest pre-Romanesque monuments in Europe. Lunch in Oviedo. Then on to Luarca, the 'White Town' of Green Spain. Dinner in Luarca.

Day 7 - Friday: Luarca to Vivero. This morning we head further along the coast to the province of Galicia and the city of Ribadeo, located on the estuary of the Eo River. Weather permitting, we'll take a boat trip around the estuary. The region along the coast is called the "Rias Altas" (Upper Estuaries) and is stunningly picturesque. Lunch in Ribadeo. In the afternoon we continue by train to Vivero. Dinner in Vivero.

Day 8 - Saturday: Vivero to Santiago de Compostela. This is our last journey by train, as we travel from Vivero to Ferrol (La Coruña). We then reach Santiago de Compostela, our ultimate destination, by bus. A city tour will treat you to the quaint old quarter and the Obradoiro Square in front of the wonderful Cathedral with its interesting mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles

The tour also operates in the reverse direction (see "Departures" below). This itinerary is subject to change without notice.

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Highlights

• Cathedral of Leon - a jewel of Gothic architecture
• The Guggenheim Museum (a Frank Gehry design)
• The prehistoric caves of Altamira
• The rugged coast of "Green Spain"
• The "Picos de Europa" mountains
• The sanctuary and basilica of Covadonga
• Santiago de Compostela (end point of "The Way of St. James" pilgrimage route)

What's it like on a train "cruise"?

The compartments. Surrounded by idyllic "Green Spain," you travel on a relaxing tour and enjoy a journey designed for complete rest and privacy. The train stops overnight every day, so your sleep is not disturbed by the jolting of cars or the clatter of wheels. This also gives you the opportunity to go out and savor the unique atmosphere of the local town in the evening. Each sleeping car has four compartments with a double bed (47" x 72"), minibar, safe, wardrobe, writing desk and a telephone with an external line. (Three compartments also have an overhead bunk bed, two of which are 35" x 72" and the other is 31" x 72".) The floors are carpeted and there is a private bathroom with hydro-sauna, turbo-massage, steam-bath and hair dryer at your disposal. Air conditioning and heating can be regulated individually. A large window with curtains provides views of the scenery. All compartments are internally connected to the rest of the train.

The lounges. The train has four lounge carriages decorated in luxurious "Belle Epoque" style. These lounges are the common areas of the train, where many a lasting friendship has begun over the train's seventeen-year history. The first one has a bar and a dance floor - the "pub carriage" - decorated and lit like a small night club, with entertainment every night. The second one is a common "living room" with television/video and tables for games, reading, etc. The third one is a quiet bar and the fourth is the library, where you can sit back and relax. Waiters serve the tables in all lounges so that travelers can enjoy the scenery, chat, read or play games as they please.

The food. As one travels through Castilla y Léon and along the Cantabrian coast, it quickly becomes apparent that cuisine is going to play a major role on this train ride. Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country are, in the opinion of many great chefs (as well as that of many demanding gourmets) the regions where the finest cuisine in Spain is to be found. Each menu during the tour offers the opportunity to savor some of the most famous dishes from each region's gastronomy: stuffed meats, lamb, fresh fish from the Bay of Biscay, Asturian bean stew, octopus, cod, shellfish, Frixuelos (Asturian-style crepes), Casadielles (fried tarts filled with walnut paste typical of Asturias), fried milk and, not to forget, the wonderful local wines: La Rioja, Albariño, Mencía, Rueda, Ribera de Duero and Bierzo.

A complete buffet-style breakfast ranging from pastries to the famous Jamon Iberico, or savory cured ham, is served on board the train in the lounge cars every morning.

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2008 Departures

From May 3 to Sep 20 the tour starts in Leon and Santiago de Compostela every Saturday and runs in both directions simultaneously.

On the following dates it runs in one direction only:
- From Leon: Mar 29, Apr 12 & 26, Oct 4 & 18
- From Santiago: Apr 5 & 19, Sep 27, Oct 11 & 25

2008 Prices

Standard compartment: $3,990 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $1,590
Child: $1,990*

*Must be 2 to 12 years old and use a bunk bed in a compartment with two adults. (Only 3 such compartments are available per train.)

The above prices are calculated at $1.60 per euro. They will be adjusted at time of final payment to reflect any fluctuation in the exchange rate.

Included

• Accommodations with private bath (shower)
• All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
• Wine with lunch and dinner
• Pub Car entertainment every night
• Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified
• Luxury motor coach for visits and excursions
• Multilingual guides

Not Included

• Health and travel insurance
• Bar drinks
• Crew gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Phone calls made from the train
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above
  

  

We have personally visited most of the regions visited in this tour: Galicia, Castilla y Léon and the Basque Country. See pictures from our trips:

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