Day 1 – Tour Santiago de Compostela and travel to Viveiro

Saturday: June 30, 2018

Saturday: Meet at 12:00 PM at the National Parador Reyes Catolicos. 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 heart of Santiago, the Plaza del Obradoiro and the impressive facade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy lunch in Santiago before boarding the coach to travel from Santiago to Ferrol, where El Transcantabrico luxury train awaits. Settle in to your comfortable cabin as your railway cruise begins, traveling to Viveiro, a lovely walled city. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight in Viveiro.

Day 2 – The majestic beauty of Ribadeo and Taramundi

Sunday: July 1, 2018

Your day is defined by some of the best scenic views Northern Spain has to offer. Breakfast is served on board as the train departs for Ribadeo, located on the border between Asturias and Galicia where the Eo River joins the sea.Visit the Coast of Lugo and Las Catedrales Beach followed by lunch in Ribadeo. Admire the awe-inspiring landscape, called the “Rias Altas” or “Upper Estuaries,” as you journey to Luarca, the White Village on the Green Coast. En route, marvel at the breathtaking vistas in Teixois and Taramundi, which is part of the Turia Valley. Dinner and overnight in Luarca.

Day 3 – Journey to the elegant city of Oviedo

Monday: July 2, 2018

The train departs this morning in the direction of Aviles and then Gijón, an impressive city on the Asturian seaboard. After your delicious lunch, continue onwards by rail to Oviedo, capital of the Asturian Principality.  It is a city of great elegance known for its gastronomic delights and some of the finest Pre-Romanesque monuments in Europe.  We spend some free time here and have a delightful dinner.  Later, we will spend the night in Candas.

Day 4 – Deep into the heart of Asturias

Tuesday: July 3, 2018

On our way to Arriondas, we reach the heart of Asturias, the Picos de Europa National Park. Ascend 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. Enjoy the charming atmosphere, dinner and an overnight stay in Llanes.

Day 5 – Divine visit to the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana

Wednesday: July 4, 2018

Enjoy breakfast on board as the train travels through Cantabrian territory towards Unquera, through the gorge of La Hermida. Arrive in Potes for an unforgettable visit of the sanctuary of Santo Toribio de Liebana, which was founded prior to the 6th century. Rejoin the train in Unquera, which travels next to Cabezon de la Sal for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6 – Discover Santander’s enchanting beauty

Thursday: July 5, 2018

Arrive today in Santillana del Mar, a picturesque 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 prehistoric paintings. After a delicious lunch in Santillana, continue on to Santander, the capital of Cantabria and a beautiful coastal city with an enchanting past. Explore the area of El Sardinero, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Santander.

Day 7 – Modern city marvels of Bilbao

Friday: July 6, 2018

Breakfast is served on board as the train spans the distance between Santander and Bilbao, a modern city split by the river. Depart the train for a city tour of the Old Quarter, including a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum, a modern architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry. After a lunch in a typical basque restaurant we return back to the train.

This evening we have a farewell party on board the train as we say goodbye to the train and plan to continue our way to Pamplona the next morning.

Day 8 – Enjoy the Festivities of San Fermin in Pamplona

Saturday: July 7, 2018

After early morning trip back to Bilbao on the train, we depart for Pamplona to enjoy the festivities of San Fermin.

First we make a cultural visit to the famous La Rioja region for wine tasting and lunch. After a traditional lunch and a few glasses of wine, we continue on to Pamplona. Here we will have a guided walking tour and orientation of the city. Our guide will give ideas and options for safe and enjoyable ways to experience the San Fermin festivities.

In the evening, guests will have the option to watch a bull fight in the famous bullring of Pamplona. For the guests not interested in the bull fight, our guides will recommend many other local activities to take part in during San Fermin.

We will then transfer to the Olite Parador for a delicious group dinner and overnight.

Included: 

• Tour and lunch of winery in famous La Rioja region
• Guided walking tour of Pamplona
• Optional viewing of bullfight 
• Group dinner in Olite
• Overnight at historic Olite Parador

*** Upgrade available for guests wishing to stay overnight in Pamplona

Day 9 – Watch Running of the Bulls

After breakfast and an early morning transfer, we make our way to the bullring in Pamplona to experience the many bulls and the thrill-seeking runners entering the ring.

The afternoon is free with arrangements made for lunch. In the evening the guests may choose to watch another bullfight (optional) at the bullring or spend the evening enjoying various activities in the city on their own

Dinner will be served at the gastronomic society in Pamplona followed by a transfer to the Olite Parador for overnight.

Included: 

• Watch the Running of the Bulls from the bullring in Pamplona
• Optional viewing of bullfight
• Guided visit of Pamplona with local activities
• Dinner in gastronomic society in Pamplona
• Overnight at historic Olite Parador

*** Upgrade available for guests wishing to stay overnight in Pamplona

Day 10 – Morning Bull Run and travel to San Sebastian

July 9, 2018

This morning we will watch a second running of the bulls from a low level balcony in the city center of Pamplona.

After the bull run, we will leave the San Fermines celebrations behind and travel to San Sebastian where our tour will end following a guided walking tour of the charming Basque city. Guests will be free to eat lunch on their own and spend time at the beach or wandering the quaint streets of San Sebastian.

Extension tours are available in San Sebastian as well as continued journeys to Barcelona or Madrid.

Included: 

• Watch Running of the Bulls from low level balcony in Pamplona historic city center
• Transfer from Pamplona to San Sebastian by luxury coach
• Guided walking tour of San Sebastian